Res. No. 273
Title
Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to pass and the Governor to sign A.1154/S.3641, to implement more foreign language instruction in elementary schools.
Body
By Council Members Levine and Brannan
Whereas, The ability to communicate in more than one language is critically important in the interconnected world of the 21st century; and
Whereas, Furthermore, there is growing awareness in the United States that creating a multilingual society is crucial to our economic success, national security, and international relations; and
Whereas, Today's students, who will have to compete in the global economy and work with people of diverse cultures abroad and at home, thus need to learn one or more foreign languages; and
Whereas, Studies have found that young children are better able to learn new languages, and that the ability markedly declines after puberty, as the brain is more plastic and ready to create new neural circuits before than after puberty; and
Whereas, In addition, the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) states that beginning foreign language instruction early sets the stage for students to develop advanced levels of proficiencies in multiple languages, as younger learners still possess the capacity to develop near native-like pronunciation and intonation in a new language; and
Whereas, ACTFL also reports that children who learn a foreign language beginning in early childhood demonstrate certain cognitive advantages over children who do not; and
Whereas, Additionally, longitudinal studies by Harvard University confirm that learning additional languages increases critical thinking skills, creativity and flexibility of the mind in young children; and
Whereas, Despite such evidence, a national survey from the Center for Applied Linguistics (CAL) shows U.S. elementary schools cut back on foreign language instruction in recent years; and
Wherea...
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