Bilingual door widens student potential

Hawaii is known for taking pride in its ethnic diversity. However, the 2016 state census revealed that only 25.4 percent of Hawaii’s population can speak a second language besides English. While there are a number of advantages to learning a second language, some people who lack interest to learn cite laziness, difficulty or having other priorities; others think the expense of cultural and linguistic exposure exceeds its worth. Despite these arguments, second language acquisition is undervalued and should be a priority for students to reap the economic benefits and build character.

Surprisingly, half of the world can speak a second language fluently. In Europe, more than 30 countries require their students to learn at least one foreign language. In South Korea and Japan, English is a mandatory class. Other countries make an effort to teach their students another language while much of the U.S. views it as an option.

The U.S. should break the barriers of an English-dominant mindset. A Finnish study by Dr. Mikaela Björklund, a professor of Foreign Language at Abo Akademi University, supports that multilingual classrooms in primary schools have the potential for producing better communicators and preparing them for a global society.

Furthermore, the economic returns are immense. Sixty six percent of U.S. companies value employees who can speak other languages and find them critical to their economic growth. An astounding 19.4 percent of new hires are required to speak at least one additional language.

According to Professor Jeffrey Traczynski of the University of Hawaii at Manoa, proficiency in a second language will result in an estimated wage return of 5 to 14 percent for a worker. In Hawaii, if bilingual workers received a 14 percent wage increase, they would earn a $10,228 income return if every person in one household were bilingual. Similar statistics are shown in Switzerland and Ukraine.

Language-learning is a gateway to grasping cultures and becoming less culturally insensitive. In the midst of prejudice, learning a second language fosters a global society and understanding.

“You will learn about yourself, the language and culture. Students will have a glass mirror to compare (their lives to),” Waipahu High School World Language Department Head William Smith stated. Along with other advocates for second-language acquisition, Smith suggested learning another language allows people to convey, preserve and acknowledge differing values, customs and beliefs.

The initial challenge is building an interest to learn a second language. Many students only engage in foreign language courses due to college requirements. Some schools and programs offer traveling opportunities but are limited by costs and student numbers.

Even with budget limitations, other resources are available to motivate learners. DuoLingo is a free language-learning website and app that uses gamification to teach. YouTube also serves as an educational tool for language acquisition because of the variety of channels that are created by educators and vloggers alike. Becoming invested in the culture and language through technology might reduce the “culture shock” for learners if they decide to eventually travel to a country that speaks that language.

Language can be considered the greatest invention in the world. An increase in the amount of foreign language-teaching must take place. Furthermore, it should be advocated earlier in primary education. Educators guide students to ima wo ikiru, aprovechar el día, carpe diem! Let us help them seize the day by pursuing another language.