Learning about other cultures, conducting business, interacting with diverse communities are all possible through one gateway: language. Language is at the root of all human interaction as it allows us to communicate with people who are similar and different from us.

Offering foreign language classes in schools is a way to open students’ minds to different cultures and prepare them for a future in an international and hyper-connected world.

European countries are some of the leaders in foreign language education. According to the Pew Research Center, approximately 92 percent of European students are studying at least one foreign language. Most European countries require students to study one or two languages at some point during a student’s education, either during the American equivalent of elementary school, junior high, or high school.

The majority of countries begin foreign language education around age six and introduce a second language in later school years. Specifically, learning English has quickly become one of the most popular languages, as its place in global affairs increases.

As of August 2018, the Pew Research Center found that only 20 percent of American students (K-12) are enrolled in a foreign language class, with the highest percentages coming from New Jersey, the District of Columbia, and Wisconsin. Only 10 states and the District of Columbia have foreign language requirements that must be met in order for a student to graduate high school. 24 states have graduation requirements that can be met with foreign language or other forms of art credit (art, music, or theatre classes).

The remaining states have no requirement regarding foreign language. Most schools do not begin offering foreign language classes until high school.

This is highly different from the European system, which typically results in students knowing two to four languages by the time they reach college. Most liberal arts universities in the United States have core requirements that are targeted to foreign language because of the resources available for an expansive language department – covering modern language, classical language, and linguistics. For example, St. Thomas offers approximately 10 foreign language options, including Spanish, Chinese, and Arabic.

There are many benefits to studying a foreign language. Doing so can help students increase focus on their coursework and builds skills such as memorization. It also improves reading and writing skills because it gives the student a more complete picture of how language works on a fundamental level.

Experiencing a new language, whether in a classroom setting or by traveling to a foreign country, opens a student’s mind to different perspectives and cultures. Language is rooted in culture: the traditions, social expectations and histories. Learning a foreign language promotes curiosity for humanity and for encountering other cultures.

Finally, employers look for versatility and diversity when hiring workers, so knowing a second language, or even a third, makes a potential job candidate more appealing to a business. Despite international communications largely working through the English language, it is still important for Americans to learn another language.

Dr. Abraham Kim, a writer for Montana Public Radio, emphasizes that the ability to communicate with others in their native language builds trust and a relationship in which successful business can occur. Personal relationships with clients and companies create a natural environment to get work done, and it makes navigating tough situations easier.

In a highly competitive world, being bilingual or polylingual is the key to pushing a student or employee to the forefront of this competition. It all starts with education, even at the earliest stages.

The United States education is hanging on, offering the occasional foreign language class to young students, but if it is to remain a competitor in education and in international business, it is crucial to start language education early. This would require an overhaul in the American education system to place emphasis on the skills needed for a rapidly expanding world. Although it would require intensive planning and funds, in the end, it is worth the effort to benefit future well-rounded students and international leaders.

Maddie Peters can be reached at pete9542@stthomas.edu.