Benefits of Language Learning

 “Learning another language allows us to see with new eyes.” 

– Marcel Proust

Alberta Education commissioned a 2006 study to survey the results of research on additional language learning. It found that students who become proficient in a second language benefit in many ways:

1.     Personal Benefits

·  Travel, cross-cultural relationships

·  Access to culture, literature, film, etc.

2.     Intellectual Potential

·  Students proficient in two languages score higher in verbal and non-verbal intelligence.

·  Students studying a second language develop listening, memory, and divergent thinking skills.

3.     Effect on First Language

·  Second language study significantly strengthens first language skills in areas of reading, vocabulary, grammar and communication skills.

·  The earlier the start, the greater the positive effect on the first language.

4.     Scholastic Achievement

·  Students studying a second language have higher test scores in reading, language and mathematics.

5.     Economic Potential

·  Proficiency in another language enhances prospects for postsecondary study and employment and opens up international opportunities.

·  There is an urgent requirement for qualified speakers of languages other than English in areas of science, technology, medicine and global commerce.

6.     Citizenship

·  Students learning a second language have superior cross-cultural skills and adapt better to new cultural contexts.

·  Students studying a second language display greater cultural sensitivity.

http://education.alberta.ca/teachers/resources/learnlang/benefits.aspx

www.assembly.ab.ca/lao/library/egovdocs/2006/aled/158817.pdf

Materials

Where would the school get the materials in order to start a Spanish language program?  Well, Alberta has many Spanish Bilingual schools so they can provide much of the curriculum to our province.  There is also support offered by the Spanish Embassy through their educational program.  They have an agreement with the Alberta government to provide supports such as 1 year teachers on loan from Spain, professional development for current teachers, materials and resources for the classroom.  They would be able to offer those same kinds of supports to Manitoba, if in fact we can demonstrate support with names from the community of interested families.

Interested?  Send in your child's name, birth year and full address to our email in the contact us tab.
Questions?  Email us!

Meeting

We had made contact with the Spanish language consultant in Alberta in March.  She also works for the Spanish Embassy and is responsible for resourcing the many Spanish Bilingual programs in Calgary and Edmonton.  We thought making contacts with them would be very helpful as we prepare to make our proposal.

We were able to speak on the phone and a few weeks later meet in person at the Language Teacher's Convention here in Winnipeg.  It was here we made contact with the MB Dept. of Education' language consultant.  It was a very good meeting because we learned more about what they are doing in Alberta as well as the strong interest by the Spanish Embassy in starting a similar program here in Winnipeg.  All that is needed is families to express to the divisions that there is a strong support for a Spanish language program here.  That is where Eugenia and I come in.  That is what we hope to accomplish with the help of all of you.