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A Privilege and A Necessity Research Findings on Early Language Learning Experiences Asian Languages BETAC Pat Lo, Director Language Around The World Percentage of Proficient Speakers of Another Language 9% of Americans 53% of Europeans Language Around The World % of World uses 2 or more languages Monolinguals 1/3 Bilinguals & Multilinguals 2/3 Crystal, 1997 Language Around The World Children learning to speak 2 or more languages 2/3 Children learning to speak only one language 1/3 UN Report, 2002 Benefits of Being Bilingual For the Adult • Job opportunities • Social circles • Perspectives • Appreciation and enjoyment • Less likely to develop Alzheimer’s… Benefits of Being Bilingual For the Young Child • Enriches and enhances mental development • Improves overall school performance and problem-solving skills • Cultivates flexibility in thinking • Creates opportunity to communicate with others • Develops greater perspectives and appreciation for other cultures and the home culture Cognitive Benefits of Knowing A Foreign Language • Classification skills • Concept formation • Analytical and logical reasoning • Visual-spatial skills • Creativity • Cognitive flexibility Colin Baker, 1999 Benefits for Maintaining the Home Language All of the above, plus: • Creates a healthy self-esteem • Maintains close relationships with parents and grandparents Research on Academic Success for Foreign Language Learners Ohio State World Languages FLES Programs • Toledo City Schools Study – two schools with FLES program significantly outperformed all other schools in 6th & 8th grade reading and math. • Cincinnati City Schools Study – two schools with FLES and partial immersion programs outperformed schools without these programs. Where is Ohio? Research on Academic Success for Foreign Language Learners Ohio State World Languages FLES Programs • Columbus City Schools Study – two schools with immersion programs outperformed schools without these programs. • Cleveland City Schools Study – a dual immersion program outperformed all other schools in 6th & 8th grade reading and math. Research on Academic Success for Foreign Language Learners College Bound Seniors: The 1992 Profile SAT and Achievement Test Takers • SAT Verbal: Students with 4 or more years of foreign language study scored higher • SAT Math: Students with 4 or more years of foreign language study scored about the same with those who studied 4 years of math Leaning a Language vs. Learning in a Language • Contact time • Depth and breadth of the target language • Cultural exposure Why Korean? • Korea is ranked 14th in its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) or Purchasing Power Parity. – CIA the world Fact book • The nation's GDP per capita has grown from only $100 in 1963 to a record-breaking $10,000 in 1995 to $24,600 in 2007. • Korea is eager to enter the world political arena. • There are few educational institutions offering Korean language programs.