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USA Needs Multilingual Students That Study Abroad
July 30th, 2010 by admin
As the world grows smaller and cultures merge, the need to communicate becomes more important. We need to understand other cultures and their ways to relate to them better. Teachers, diplomats, interpreters, and others may be our ambassadors to the world. Students who study abroad find that learning a second language is easier if you are living within that culture and nation. These students also become more well-rounded and worldly. They learn more about themselves and others, while also traveling and taking a break from monotonous classroom lectures. This experience enhances their degree, improves their resume, and helps them start networking to make international friends and future business associates. The US Senate designated 2006 as the Year of Study Abroad, hoping to emphasize our dire need for workers having the ability to communicate, negotiate, do business, and be goodwill ambassadors throughout the world. We need more than english courses in usa. We could learn from studying english courses in canada.
Many Americans assume that most of the world speaks English when actually only over 5 percent do. While most people in Europe and Asia speak more than one language, Americans speak only English and do not study abroad. Even our growing Hispanic population continue to speak their native Spanish, refusing to learn enough English to work jobs that require good grammar and advanced communication skills. Sadly, most also fail to take advantage of free English courses in USA. The government has said the nation has a shortage of workers with international knowledge and foreign language skills. While more US corporations go global, our workers are not qualified for jobs requiring multi-language skills. This trend will continue to grow if this issue is not addressed and recommendations implemented as soon as possible. Educating our students internationally is a great way to share our values, increase goodwill and trade, and promote peaceful international relations.
We’d do well to take a page from Canada, which has always encouraged multicultural diversity. Like the USA, nearly all of the world’s ethnic groups are represented in Canada, including foreign students who study abroad, and take English courses in Canada. Their students continually rank high worldwide in educational testing, and their school systems are highly regarded. Indeed, a Canadian degree or certificate is well respected. It’s all built upon the sturdy foundation which starts with a bilingual education, unlike English courses in the USA. English as a Second Language (ESL) and French as a Second Language (FSL) programs are offered for all students who take English courses in Canada.