State Superintendent's Web Message Archive

Growth in elementary school world language education

In Dane County, two local school boards-Monona Grove and Oregon-recently decided to start elementary school language programs in Spanish this coming fall. These communities recognize and will provide their students access to the many benefits of early world language learning.

Childhood presents a window of opportunity for successful language learning. Students who learn a second language have shown improved verbal and spatial abilities, critical-thinking and problem-solving skills, and test scores across academic areas. Today, about half of Wisconsin's middle and high school students study another language, ranking Wisconsin among the top in the nation for world language study. It is time to build on this success and find ways to reach and teach more students world languages. Schools with elementary world language programs create extended pathways for successful language learning.

Young people must gain an international perspective. In Wisconsin, jobs in business, healthcare, education, government, and the manufacturing and service industry bring together members of our communities with many language backgrounds. According to the 2000 census, almost 18 percent of families in the United States speak a language other than English at home. One in every five American jobs today is tied to the international economy. Wisconsin firms export more than $12 billion worth of products to other countries. All of this translates to occupational benefits for those who understand other languages and cultures.

Business and civic leaders stress the importance of being able to bridge language and cultural divides. Students who graduate with global literacy and language skills will be in a position to improve our nation's capacity to address global issues that touch us all. Strategies for addressing global health threats, climate change, human rights abuses, poverty, and political conflicts require the ability to communicate and collaborate across languages and cultures.

My 2007-09 proposed education budget included a World Languages Initiative to provide grants that would help schools offer world language instruction in grades one through six. While that proposal was not included in the budget, Rep. Gary Hebl (D-Sun Prairie) and Sen. Julie Lassa (D-Stevens Point) are introducing legislation to provide grants to stimulate elementary world language programs. I support this bill and congratulate Monona Grove and Oregon on their elementary Spanish language initiative. The Department of Public Instruction recommends that all Wisconsin students learn at least one language in addition to English. It is time to shift our approach to language education and provide world language instruction at the elementary level.

February 5, 2008 -- Return to message archive index

For questions about this information, contact Debra A. Bougie (608) 266-1598

Last updated on 2/26/2008 10:38:35 AM