View Content #977
| Contentid | 977 |
|---|---|
| Content Type | 1 |
| Title | A Response to: "Foreign language instruction is a necessity, not a luxury." |
| Body | From:nectfl Dear Colleague, Please excuse the impersonality of this note--I think it's urgent that the message get out to you without delay. On November 28 (last Friday), USA Today published an editorial arguing that "cash-strapped schools" should not cut language classes because "Foreign language instruction is a necessity, not a luxury." An editorial by a school administrator asserting that, in order to "strike balance," districts must sometimes eliminate foreign language programs (as well as other "powerful educational opportunities") was published on the same day. You should be able to read both at the following URL: http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/editorials/2003-11-27-our-view_x.htm I believe that the second worst response to these editorials would be letters arguing against the value of language study. The worst response would be silence. I implore you to write a letter to USA Today, making clear that cutbacks and elimination of programs in our field will leave many children behind. The Bush Administration's representatives in the U.S. Department of Education are arguing publicly that its No Child Left Behind legislation is not responsible for state and district decisions that jeopardize the stature and status of language study in America's schools. Yet we are hearing reports such as the following from teachers around the northeastern U.S. : in one district, middle school foreign language classes were reduced from 40 to 20 minutes per day so that 20 additional minutes could be added to the instructional period for reading; in another district, a French teacher was fired so that funds could be used to hire a "test preparation" teacher to help students prepare for the NCLB-legislated reading and math tests; in 10% of responding districts, elementary school language programs were eliminated; in a number of districts, only Spanish is now offered; in a New Jersey district, a unique Spanish class for special education students is being eliminated. It is true that some districts and states are actually experiencing increases in language course enrollments and programming. But the trend seems to be moving in the other direction, and they are thus likely the exception that proves the rule. Furthermore, the federal government's responsibility to ensure equity will not be fulfilled if wealthier or more forward-looking districts and states can ensure meaningful language study for all while the others chip away at their programming. For too long in this country, unlike most other industrialized nations, only the select few have been given the chance for plurilingualism. When a newspaper that reaches as many people as does USA Today is willing to argue in our favor, we need to respond with a flood of letters applauding the editors and elaborating on their comments. Thank you so much in advance for any time and attention you can devote to this matter. Becky Kline Executive Director NECTFL P.S. Please note that the National Association of School Boards of Education has also just published its report, "The Complete Curriculum: Ensuring a Place for the Arts and Foreign Languages in America's Schools." The report is available by calling 800-220-5183, and NASBE's website is www.nasbe.org <http://www.nasbe.org> . NASBE has no motivation to support or argue against language study, but the report concludes, "A student cannot be considered fullly educated without learning about the arts and a foreign language." NASBE makes a special point of saying that it does not matter what a child's long-term educational goals are, s/he must still be prepared "for life in an increasingly interdependent and culturally diverse world." |
| Source | NECTFL |
| Inputdate | 2003-12-17 20:52:00 |
| Lastmodifieddate | 2003-12-17 20:52:00 |
| Expdate | Not set |
| Publishdate | Not set |
| Displaydate | Not set |
| Active | 1 |
| Emailed | 1 |
| Isarchived | 1 |
