World Language Proficiency Leads to Future Success

Educating Michigan’s students in world languages translates into better overall grade point averages and better prepares them for an increasingly interconnected world economy according to the Michigan World Languages Association (MIWLA). Setting their sights on a more rigorous and relevant education vision for the state, the Michigan State Board of Education is recommending that all high school students take at least two credits (the equivalent of two years) of a world language in order to graduate.

Languages Requirements and Trends for Success

Supporters of the world language requirement cite numerous studies showcasing the benefits for students of requiring them to study a world language. These include the following:

• Students who study two years of a language other than English score an average of 60 points higher on the SAT® verbal test and 48 points higher on the math than students who do not complete two years of a language.*
• For students who go on to study four years of a language in high school, the average gains are 149 and 150 points on the verbal and math tests, respectively.*
• Foreign language completion in high school also is linked to higher wages in the workplace. Studying a language other than English for two years raises a student’s (graduate’s) wages by an average of four percent.*
• A survey of 400 faculty and staff members from 20 research universities concluded that learning a language other than English improves performance in English as well because it introduces students to a theoretical view of language that aids the study of English.*

The Michigan World Language Association, in its Statement on Foreign Language and Cultural Proficiency, believes that after this two-year requirement is in place for all students, education officials can build upon well designed and successful high school programs and work to create middle school and elementary programs that articulate with the existing high school programs. By beginning with high school programs that already exist and working down to middle and elementary programs, successful articulation between all levels is more easily achieved.**

Policy makers are in agreement that a world language requirement for Michigan high school students will make the state a leader in preparing its workforce for the 21st Century. Currently, only four states require a world language: the District of Columbia and Texas with a two-year requirement, and New York and New Jersey with a one-year requirement.

The Michigan World Language Association (MIWLA), a strong supporter of the world language requirement, is an organization for all elementary, secondary, college, and university teachers, supervisors, students, and friends of foreign languages. The MIWLA endorses and seeks to achieve the following goals:

• Promote and strengthen foreign language study at all levels.
• Promote public awareness of the importance and value of foreign language study.
• Assist in providing professional development for teachers of foreign and second languages at all levels.

For more information, contact: www.miwla.org.

*Source: Michigan Merit Curriculum Supporting Facts: Preparing Michigan Students for Work and College Success/Improving High School Graduation Requirements, Michigan Department of Education, www.michigan.gov/mde.

** Source: Statement on Foreign Language and Cultural Proficiency, Michigan World Language Association, http://clear.msu.edu/mfla/.

Note: In order for the world languages recommendation to go into effect, the Michigan Legislature must first pass legislation to adopt the changes, followed by the governor signing it into law.

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