Restoring Elementary School Foreign Language Instruction

According to the Massachusetts’s Global Education Advisory Council, “The study of a second language, particularly of the world’s most widely spoken languages, is increasingly important for engagement in the global marketplace and for national security. Language study must begin early and be of sufficient duration and quality in order to successfully communicate with people of other cultures and to appreciate their culture.”

A Newton education should include opportunities to help our students grow up to be citizens of the world. Toward this end, we should restore cuts to elementary school foreign language programs.

Summary of Proposed Solution

We will create a volunteer task force to assess options for returning foreign language instruction to elementary schools.

Discussion and Implementation Plan

Newton’s school system has long been a leader in global education. We began one of the nation’s first student exchange program with China. Currently our high schools have exchange programs with Mexico, Nicaragua, Spain, France, Prague, Russia, and China. Our system-wide mission statement is “To educate, prepare, and inspire all students to achieve their full potential as lifelong learners, thinkers, and productive contributors to our global society.”

Foreign language instruction during the Elementary school years offers a unique opportunity to children for foreign language fluency. Difficult budget years in the past lead to the elimination of foreign language instruction in Newton Elementary schools. In our increasingly global environment, these offerings are more important than ever.