Benefits of Language Learning

Benefits of Language Learning
What?
We believe that all students should learn or maintain at least one world language in
addition to English. Therefore, language learning should be a central part of any
curriculum.
Why?
In the 21st Century knowing a second language is not only beneficial, but necessary for
success in life. The continual globalization of the worlds economy is bringing diverse
cultures and communities into more frequent contact with each other. The ease of global
travel and the internet have collapsed the barrier of distance that once kept the worlds
communities separate. From the corporate marketplace to the individual consumer, from
the pre-schools to universities, from the beach vacationer to the global jet set, the world
community has become integrated and interdependent. Institutions of higher learning are
scrutinizing applicants to identify future world leaders. Employers and businesses are
seeking applicants who can navigate the modern global economy. It is through learning
another language that students can develop both these skill sets. Learning another
language also provides many other benefits including greater academic achievement,
greater cognitive development, and more positive attitudes towards other languages and
cultures. Simply put, language learning is necessary for students to effectively function in
the modern global marketplace.
In addition to meeting the needs of future students, language learning has been shown to
greatly enhance student performance across the curriculum. Language learning has been
shown to improve a students cognitive function, including, but not limited to:
Enhanced Problem Solving Skills

Improved Verbal and Spatial Abilities
Improved Memory Function (long & short-term)
Enhanced Creative Thinking Capacity
Better Memory
More Flexible and Creative Thinking
Improved Attitude Toward the Target Language and Culture
These cognitive benefits of language learning have been shown to enhance student
performance producing:
Higher standardized test scores

Higher reading achievement
Expanded student vocabulary in native language (English)
Higher academic performance at the college level
How?
In order to make language learning a central part of the curriculum, we must
Engage in effective professional development programs for world language

teachers to maintain relevance in FL classroom
Better engage language teachers in advocacy movements
Advocate for language programs in order to convince administration at all levels
Engage legislative bodies to adopt priorities consistent with this goal
Inform parents of not only cognitive and academic benefits but career benefits as
well
Teach Grammar as Concepts in Meaningful Contexts in Language Learning
What?
Grammar should be addressed within meaningful communicative contexts as one element of
language proficiency. Instead of focusing on grammar rules and diagramming sentences,
teachers should guide students towards an understanding of how grammar functions. Students
learn how to use the form rather than memorized conjugations that may not be applicable across
contexts.
Why?
Grammar is an important element of communication, but research shows that explicit teaching of
grammar has little effect on peoples language acquisition, comprehension, or writing abilities.
Traditional approaches to grammar instruction that emphasize direct grammar instruction often
encourage memorized, rehearsed use of language. Additionally, many methods do not require
students to understand meaning in an authentic context, i.e., how grammar is actually used in
communication. Thinking of grammar in terms of concepts, that is, what is the purpose of using
a specific form, what is the meaning expressed through that form, will broaden learners
understanding and use of the target language.
Research on human memory tells us that language acquisition is dependent upon two kinds of
long-term memory: procedural and declarative. Procedural memory shows what a learner
acquires naturally with automatic processing, through repetition and practice, as evidenced by
the learning of ones native language. Declarative memory is recollection of facts and
information that a learner has acquired and stored explicitly. In order to be most effective, it is
important that language development is stored in both memory systems; learners should be
expected to learn grammar implicitly through target language use and explicitly through the
discovery of grammatical rules through use in meaningful examples.
How?
Instruction should be in the target language using lessons that have functional goals and
objectives.
During these task-based lessons, when there is a need to address a gap in knowledge in
order for communication to occur, learners should explicitly explore grammatical forms
guided by their teacher.
By searching for the correct form in an effort to speak, listen, read, or write effectively, a
learner has a spontaneous need for a grammatical structure and is highly motivated to use
the grammar in context immediately.
This exploration, discovery, and use of grammatical concepts leads to greater understanding of
the function of language and therefore leads to increased communication.
Use of Authentic Texts in Language

Learning
What?
Interactive reading and listening comprehension tasks should be designed and carried out
using authentic cultural texts of various kinds with appropriate scaffolding and follow-up
tasks that promote interpretation. Authentic texts are defined as written by members of a
language and culture group for members of the same language and culture group
(Galloway, 1998, p. 133, as cited in Glisan). Scaffolding refers to the support provided
for learners to promote acquisition of skills and concepts. Follow-up tasks include
activities that provide learners with the opportunity to apply or practice the new skill or
concept.
Why?
Authentic materials provide real-life examples of language used in everyday situations.
They can be used to add more interest for the learner. They can serve as a reminder to
learners that there is an entire population who use the target language in their everyday
lives. Authentic materials can provide information about the target culture and provide
that cultures perspective on an issue or event. The rich language found in authentic
materials provides a source of input language learners need for acquisition.
How?
The interpretive mode is receptive communication and the learner must negotiate
meaning with the document itself. Since the reader, viewer, or listener is using both
content and context to interpret and comprehend what they are reading, viewing, or
listening to, learners benefit from making meaning from authentic cultural texts of
various kinds with appropriate scaffolding and follow-up tasks that promote accurate
interpretation.
Choose authentic texts that are

o context appropriate
o age appropriate
o fit the students linguistic level (with scaffolding as necessary)
Tailor the task to the proficiency level of the student (use the same text but change
what you ask learners at each level to do with the text)
Give opportunities to make meaning with a text
Help learners use background knowledge, contextual cues, and interpretive
strategies (many times the ones acquired in their first language) to construct
meaning
Comprehension tasks might be done in the learners first language if students are
able to comprehend more than they can say. This is a limited use of first language
in order for students to demonstrate their comprehension
Since the purpose of interpretive tasks is to assess learners ability to deal with
language that may be new for them in an authentic text, glossing or translating
new words and expressions in the text should be avoided, as well as translation
activities that do not demonstrate interpretation abilities. In authentic situations,
students will not have such assistance, but use any strategy possible to make
meaning to accomplish their purpose in the interpretive task
When giving feedback to students, they should have an opportunity to analyze
their interpretation of the text so that they can see how well their strategies work.
This involves examining the evidence that was used to make their conclusions
about meaning or to verify an inference.

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Benefits of Language Learning

Enhanced Problem Solving Skills

Higher standardized test scores

Engage in effective professional development programs for world language

Teach Grammar as Concepts in Meaningful Contexts in Language Learning

Use of Authentic Texts in Language

Choose authentic texts that are

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