The Need for Foreign Language Competence in the United States. ERIC Digest.

Autor/in	Hamayan, Else
Institution	ERIC Clearinghouse on Languages and Linguistics, Washington, DC.
Titel	The Need for Foreign Language Competence in the United States. ERIC Digest.
Quelle	(1986), (4 Seiten) PDF als Volltext kostenfreie Datei Verfügbarkeit
Reihe	ERIC Publications; ERIC Digests in Full Text
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Monographie
Schlagwörter	Age Differences; Attitude Change; Change Strategies; Cognitive Development; Cultural Awareness; Educational Assessment; Educational Improvement; Educational Needs; Elementary Secondary Education; International Communication; International Relations; International Trade; Language Attitudes; Language Proficiency; Monolingualism; Second Language Instruction; Second Language Learning; Time Factors (Learning) + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Age; Difference; Age difference; Altersunterschied; Attitudinal change; Einstellungsänderung; Lösungsstrategie; Kognitive Entwicklung; Cultural identity; Kulturelle Identität; Education; assessment; Bewertungssystem; Teaching improvement; Unterrichtsentwicklung; Educational need; Bildungsbedarf; Internationale Beziehungen; Trade; International relations; Handel; Sprachverhalten; Language skill; Language skills; Sprachkompetenz; Fremdsprachenunterricht; Zweitsprachenerwerb
Abstract	Americans generally lack foreign language competence, and their exposure to foreign languages in the United States is inadequate. Foreign language instruction is deficient in both quality and quantity, and although there are indications of improvement in both areas, it will be many years before the effects of improvements are clear. The consequences of generalized language incompetence include an international trade gap that threatens both short- and long-term economic stability, inadequate intelligence and international communication that threaten national security, and cultural isolation. Foreign language instruction should begin as early as possible in children's education to be maximally effective. All students, not just the gifted, are likely to benefit from foreign language exposure. The first step toward becoming a language-competent society is a commitment to language study at all levels of the school system, using the institutionalization of language and culture study to improve language and cultural attitudes. (MSE)
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC