Why study a Foreign Language?

Fluency in multiple languages may delay dementia
01/23/2007

Fluency in two or more languages may help delay the onset of dementia and mitigate symptoms associated with the condition, according to research published in February’s Neuropsychologia. For the study, Canadian researchers analyzed the records of 184 Toronto-area patients, half of whom were multilingual. They found that among the participants who spoke only one language, men and women began to experience dementia at an average age of 70.8 and 71.9, respectively. Multilingual men and women, however, reported dementia onset at 76.1 and 75.1 years of age. The researches say that the mental agility required to learn several languages may keep the mind sharp, staving off cognitive decline. The researches add that although the results were “more dramatic” than anticipated, they were not entirely surprising, considering previous research suggesting that crossword puzzles and other “mental workouts” protect against dementia (Moore, Toronto Globe and Mail, 1/12).

The 39th Annual Phi Delta Kappa/ Gallup Poll Of the Public’s Attitudes Toward The Public Schools

    INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION 

There is a growing understanding that we are living in one world and that the education of students must reflect this reality.

1. Should students spend more time than they now do on learning about other nations of the world and the way people live there, or do you think they already spend enough time now? (In 1980, this question was asked of parents only.)

	National Totals					No Children School					Public School Parents
	'07%				'08%	'07%				'08%	'07%				'08%
Spend more time	57				--	58				--	55				45
Spemd enough time	40				--	39				--	44				46
Don't know	3				--	3				--	1				9

2. How important do you believe it is for all children in the United States to learn a second language in addition to English? Is it very important, somewhat important, not very important, or not important at all?

	National Totals	No Children In School	Public School Parents
	'07%	'07%	'07%
Very + somewhat important	85	85	85
Very important	48	48	47
Somewhat important	37	37	38
Not very important	9	9	9
Not important at all	6	6	6
Not very + not at all important	15	15	15
Don't know	*	*	*
*Less than one-half of 1%

3. In your opinion, should instruction in a second language, that is, in addition to English, begin in elementary school, middle school, or in high school?

	National Totals	No  Children In School	Public School Parents
	'07%	'07%	'07%
Elementary school	70	69	72
Middle school	18	18	18
High school	11	11	10
Don't know	1	2	*
*Less than one-half of 1

FINDING: It seems fair to say that the public understands the fact that we are living in an ever-smaller world, that language facility is important, and that children should learn a second language at an early age.

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