Apparently our nation's leaders don't think we really need foreign languages.
The Foreign Language Assistance Program (FLAP), the only source of federal funding for K-12 foreign language programs, has been zeroed out in H.R.1 and the Senate Labor HHS and Education Appropriations bill. The elimination of this program, a $26.87 million cut, will have immediate effects on districts which have received grants and are in the middle of working to start or expand high-quality language programs.
As a June 14 article in the National Review states, the diplomatic and defense communities are desperately in need of citizens able to communicate in a second language. Former CIA director and current Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta once said, “Language is the window through which we come to know other peoples and cultures. Mastery of a second language allows you to capture the nuances that are essential to true understanding...This is not about learning something that is helpful or simply nice to have...It is vital to our economic interests. It is vital to our diplomacy. It is vital to our national security to use the language of the people that we engage throughout the world.”
This and more information from the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages.
If you care about foreign language education in your community, please contact your senators and/or representatives.
As a June 14 article in the National Review states, the diplomatic and defense communities are desperately in need of citizens able to communicate in a second language. Former CIA director and current Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta once said, “Language is the window through which we come to know other peoples and cultures. Mastery of a second language allows you to capture the nuances that are essential to true understanding...This is not about learning something that is helpful or simply nice to have...It is vital to our economic interests. It is vital to our diplomacy. It is vital to our national security to use the language of the people that we engage throughout the world.”
This and more information from the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages.
If you care about foreign language education in your community, please contact your senators and/or representatives.