DONATE TO WORLD LANGUAGES

Support the study of world languages, student travel abroad, sponsor scholarships, cultural events, faculty research, etc. Consider a donation today to USFSP World Languages:

Support us: PA0030 World Languages Operating Fund

Why are World Languages and Cultures so important today?

In today’s globalized world, an effective domestic education agenda must address global needs and trends and aim to develop a globally competent citizenry. It is no longer enough to focus solely on ensuring that students have essential reading, writing, mathematics, and science skills. Our hyper-connected world also requires the ability to think critically and creatively to solve complex problems, the skills and disposition to engage globally, well-honed communication skills, and advanced mathematics, science and technical skills. Such competencies will prepare students, and our nation, for a world in which the following are the reality.

• Economic competitiveness and jobs. Students today will be competing for jobs with peers around the world and those jobs will require advanced knowledge and nonroutine skills. Transglobal communication and commerce are increasingly part of the daily work of large and small businesses, which face difficulties in hiring employees with the requisite global skills, including cultural awareness and linguistic proficiency. To be successful in such an environment, students will need to perform at the highest academic levels and have the capacity to understand and interact with the world, including language skills and an appreciation for other countries and cultures.

• Global challenges. Students will need to have the substantive knowledge and understanding to address issues, phenomena and catastrophes that cut across borders, like the spread of disease, climate change, natural disasters, and financial crises. They also will need to be able to communicate and work collaboratively with international peers to address these global challenges.

• National security and diplomacy. Strong educational outcomes for all students, global competencies, and modern technological expertise help to fuel innovation and growth and are therefore critical for national security, as highlighted in the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) report, Education Reform and National Security. Civic and global awareness are necessary to understand our nation’s history and policies, as well as our relations with other countries. In addition, foreign language skills and area expertise are essential for national defense, intelligence, homeland security and law enforcement.

• A diverse U.S. society. The United States is a multicultural society. In 2010, an estimated 50 million immigrants were living in the United States, bringing a wealth of cultural experiences and languages. It is essential that we are all able to communicate and work with neighbors, coworkers, and friends with different cultural traditions and perspectives. Such interpersonal skills and an appreciation for diverse viewpoints will facilitate civil discourse and a cohesive society. (U.S. language map)

(From: The U.S. Department of Education, International Strategy, November 2012.

ON THE NEWS

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