Learning Languages Synonymous With Investing In Self?

"Ten years ago, people learned it only for culture," said Christina Yang, a Beijing native teaching Conversational Chinese at Brenau. "Now, it is a tool for their career development."

In talking to the Hall County school board, Li said the brain processes used in learning Chinese are the same as learning math. They require structure and logic. For that reason, Li adds, Chinese children often have less trouble with math than American children.

Li said he sees another benefit beyond academics of learning a language, Chinese or otherwise.

"Through language, you learn more about culture. Through culture, the more you learn about people, and hopefully that (type of education) will reduce conflicts wherever they exist."

http://www.gainesvilletimes.com/news/stories/20061022/localnews/132520.shtml
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"Some argue that all future jobs are somehow related to international, so it's a global marketplace and our kids need to be players in that global marketplace," said Dr. Dan Lumley with Lee's Summit Schools.

http://www.thekansascitychannel.com/education/10149665/detail.html
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A student said:"It's much easier for graduates with Chinese language skills to find a job, especially at a time when China's economy is booming."

Some students in the Chinese Department have found part-time jobs related to their major. And almost everyone in the program gets snatched up by the job market, well before graduation.

Noting the Chinese fever in America and many parts of Europe, it might seem surprising the language is just catching on in neighboring Vietnam. But given the two countries' shared history and culture, the trend, once started, is very likely to stay on.

http://www.cctv.com/program/cultureexpress/20061115/100755.shtml
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In the world of foreign languages, Spanish and French are now taking a back seat to Chinese, Japanese and Arabic as schools rush to meet demands set by world leaders and business executives.

Recently the College Board began offering Advanced Placement tests in Chinese, Japanese, Italian and Russian.

District administrators looked at adding Chinese last school year to mirror trends in business and growth in various industries, said John Favero, the district's director of curriculum.

Carmel Unified students may be able to start studying Chinese as early as September.

Administrators have been talking about adding an Asian language for about a year.

"We're not looking (to add) so much in the Romance languages in terms of the future," said Mary Bull, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction at Carmel Unified. "We're looking at what American students will need to know in terms of their future."

http://www.montereyherald.com/mld/montereyherald/16000034.htm
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The importance of being able to transcend language barriers cannot be understated in fostering good will, not to mention good trade relations between nations. For too long, the United States has been slow to grasp this reality.

Spoiled by prosperity, and isolated by vast oceans, we've adopted a national attitude that anyone who wants to do business with us can learn our language for themselves. Even American citizens who struggle with English as a second language are often treated with contempt. Being monolingual is not seen as a disadvantage, but as a source of pride for far too many Americans.

Even here at the University, the College of Liberal Arts language requirement is often thought of as only that: a requirement that must be filled in order to graduate, instead of giving us the valuable opportunity to engage people of other cultures in their own language.

In today's global marketplace, the ability to speak another language is more important than ever before. Doors open for those who can communicate in more than just their native tongue.

In China, 200 million students are studying English, while in America only 24,000 are studying Chinese. It's about time we start putting forth some effort to remedy this, and the state's initiative is a great way to start.

http://www.mndaily.com/articles/2006/10/05/69268
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