Guest Blog on Foreign Language Education at Young Ages
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Feb 19, 2010
Guest blog written by James DuPont of Teton County. James is serving as a high school intern for Rep. Pete Jorgensen (D-Jackson) during the first two weeks of the session. Many thanks for his insight and perspectives.
On February 12, 2010 House Bill 55 passed the House with a vote of 49 to 9. The bill was introduced by the Joint Education Interim Committee with the intention to eliminate elementary foreign language instruction as a component of the required state educational program.
Funding for this program was eliminated in the Governor’s recommended budget for the 2011-12 biennium, resulting in a decrease in funding of $1,894,184. If this bill passes the senate it is likely elementary schools across the state will be unable to adequately continue their foreign language program.
There have been countless studies proving adolescents are in many ways are better at learning a language than adults. Studying a second language brings an individual more opportunities, improves skills and grades in math and English and can improve entrance exam scores such as the ACT, SAT, and LSATs (http://www.adfl.org/).
Although current elementary students won’t take these tests for many years, we can assume that starting to learn Spanish, French, or any other language at a young age will make way for a better future and education. Yes, the shaky economy may the cause for cutbacks but the education of our youth should be a top priority of our representatives.