Intentional Foreign Language Advocacy: Skills Set, Mindset, and Core Value

Abstract

Although a nation of immigrants and although more than 60M speak a language other than English in the home, the United States suffers from a foreign language deficit, in which demand for foreign language skills exceeds supply, and where opportunity to learn another language is actually decreasing. Compared to Europe for example, a significantly smaller percentage of US students study another language, and language study typically begins later. In order to build the foreign language skills needed in the workplace, in the globalized world, and in our society, all students should have the opportunity to learn another language, and in order to increase opportunity, advocacy is needed to promote language learning and to support and defend endangered programs. Effective advocacy needs to be not only strategic, but intentional, a mindset and skills set stemming from a core value of making the world a better place through our everyday actions.