1. Why Learn Spanish Dr. Olenka Bilash University of Alberta
Robert Warren School
Calgary
February 24, 2011

2. This evening’s goals Value of learning a SL Value of learning Spanish
Question-answers at any time

3. Did you know that. . .
12,965,495 Canadians speak a language other than English.
That’s 42% of the Canadian population
Your children can be a part of this growing number
Job market

4. Why learn Spanish?
International understanding UN vision
“Monolingualism will not serve the next generation well - it implies inflexibility and the presumption that others should always be prepared to communicate with us.”

5. Plurilingualism

6. Did you know that. . .
It takes 10,000 hours to get good at anything (developmental psychologist Erik Erickson)
To form identity requires
Time
Agents of influence (people, places, music, heroes)
Symbols
Choice
Belonging

7. Did you know that. . .
It takes 10,000 hours to get good at anything (developmental psychologist Erik Erickson)
E.g. hockey (skating as of 2-3 years of age
2-3: Twice a week x 25 weeks = 50 hours x 2 yrs=100
4-5: 3hrs a week x 25 weeks = 75 hours x 2 yrs=150
6-9: 4hrs a week x 25 weeks = 100 hours x 4 yrs=400
10-12: 6hrs a week x 35 weeks= 210 hours x 3 yrs=630
13-16: 12hrs a week x 40 weeks= 480 hours x 4 yrs=1,920
} 650
}3,200

8. Did you know that. . .
It takes 10,000 hours to get good at anything (developmental psychologist Erik Erickson)
E.g. dancing (as of 2-3 years of age)
2-3: Twice a week x 25 weeks = 50 hours x 2 yrs=100
4-5: 3hrs a week x 25 weeks = 75 hours x 2 yrs=150
6-9: 4hrs a week x 25 weeks = 100 hours x 4 yrs=400
10-12: 6hrs a week x 35 weeks= 210 hours x 3 yrs=630
13-16: 12hrs a week x 40 weeks= 480 hours x 4 yrs=1,920
} 650
}3,200

9. Did you know that. . .
It takes 10,000 hours to get good at anything (developmental psychologist Erik Erickson)
E.g. learning one’s first language (MT)
0-2: 12 hrs x 365 days = 4,380 hrs x 2 yrs=9,660 (listening)
0-5: 4hrs x 365 days= 1460 hours x 5 yrs=7300 (speaking)
5-17: 5hrs a day x 5 days x40 weeks = 1000 hours x 12 yrs=12000 (academic literacy, writing, numeracy)

10. Did you know that. . .
It takes 10,000 hours to get good at anything (developmental psychologist Erik Erickson)
E.g. learning Spanish in the bilingual program
5-12: 2 hrs x 5 days = 10 hrs x 35 wks = 350 hrs x 8 yrs = hrs
You need more:
Summer camps
FUN Homework
Movies and music
Travel
Homestay hosts
Symbols of success
Agents of influence
Feeling of belonging

11. Why learn Spanish? International understanding UN vision
Academic-Intellectual development

12. Alberta Education reports…
Second Language students have higher test scores in reading, language and mathematics
Second langauge education significantly strengthens first language skills in the areas of reading, vocabulary, grammar and communication skills
Students fluent in two languages score higher in both verbal and non-verbal intelligence…
Students studying a second language are superior in divergent thinking tasks and in memory ability and attention span
Students studying a second language display greater Cultural sensitivity…

13. National Network for Early Language Learning (NNELL) reports
Foreign language learning is much more a cognitive problem solving activity than a linguistic activity, overall.
Studies have shown repeatedly that foreign language learning increases critical thinking skills, creativity, and flexibility of mind in young children.
Students who are learning a foreign language out-score their non-foreign language learning peers in the verbal and, surprisingly to some, the math sections of standardized tests.
This relationship between foreign language study and increased mathematical skill development, particularly in the area of problem solving, points once again to the fact that second language learning is more of a cognitive than linguistic activity.”
Therese Sullivan Caccavale, president of the National Network for Early Language Learning (NNELL)

14. A Second Language ADDS to life
Good ability in Mother tongue helps learn a new language.
Learning a new language helps mother tongue.
INCREASES
Social
Physical
Intellectual
Cultural
Emotional

15. Why learn Spanish? International understanding UN vision
Academic-Intellectual development
Global communication

16. Spanish Language around the Globe
Spanish is the 3rd most used language in the world
NATIVE: 350 million
Second: 70 million
TOTAL: 420 million
Spanish is the official language of 21 countries

17. Did you know that
The Hispanic population in the US has grown by 60% in the last ten years
US has the fifth largest Spanish speaking population in the world (behind Mexico, Colombia, Argentina and Spain respectively).

18. International population

19. Why learn Spanish? International understanding UN vision
Academic-Intellectual development
Social-personal-travel Personal empathy
Global lingua franca

20. “Language is culture” “and Culture is Language” Franz Boas
There is an intimate connection between language and culture.
You can’t really understand another culture completely without direct access to the language because of the intimate connection between culture and language.

21. Social justice - Volunteer
Translators Without Borders:
A not-for-profit association which provides free translations for humanitarian organizations.
Witness repots, articles, field manuals, textbooks
Images:

22. Why learn Spanish? International understanding UN vision
Academic-Intellectual development
National-International Job mobility
Social-personal-travel Personal empathy
Global lingua franca

23. UK newspapers report
There is an urgent requirement for qualified speakers of languages other than English in the areas of science, technology, medicine, and global commerce…
However, no matter what career you enter, you will be interacting with others around the world on routine basis, and doing business locally with those whose native language is not English… -

24. Job opportunities Government services Education,
International business
Communication and radio
Intelligence or law enforcement
Service
Trades
Foreign Language Study is Brain Exercise
When we speak our native languages, we know where to place our verbs and adjectives without even thinking about it. When we study a foreign language, however, we have to really think about what we’re doing.
Foreign language study forces us think about the structure and role of language in a whole new way. This deliberate examination of language gives your brain a workout.
Many students find that their native language skills improve greatly after they’ve learned a foreign language.
If you think about it, foreign language skills are important in most occupations these days.
Academic World: Professors often travel to foreign countries to attend conferences and share research.
Business: Global communication is essential in business today.
Communication and Media: Your skills will be so valuable to any organization when you can increase communication. You may be interested in translating documents or working on TV or Radio.
Education: Just think—you could teach anywhere in the world. Think big!
Government Services: Some studies show that 80 percent of government jobs require foreign language skills.
Travel Industry: Do you love to travel? With an exciting career in the travel industry you can work and play at the same time!
Intelligence/Law Enforcement: Ever dreamed of becoming an international spy? You can—if you study foreign languages.

25. Applying for jobs
Advantages of Knowing a Second Language when Applying for a job:
Cultural Sensitivity
Provide service to twice as many people
Leads to better career opportunities in all sectors of the economy – tourism, business, health care, the arts, and beyond.

26. Source: www.international.alberta.ca/608.cfm

27. Facebook
See also:

28. How can we increase positive identity
To build identity
Time (It takes 10,000 hours to get good at anything)
Agents of influence (people, places, music, heroes)
Symbols
Choice
Belonging
AND

29. Acknowledgement Linguapax – UNESCO
Certificates to acknowledge growth and skill in languages and intercultural competency
Students
age groups
Under 12
12-15
16-18
Parents - families
Teachers (language teachers, all subject teachers)
5 tasks

30. 5 tasks FREE! Register online
Language ability
Cultural knowledge and awareness
Intercultural communication
Project (with someone from another culture) conference
Essay
FREE! Register online
Special acknowledgement for schools with large percentage of students that complete

31. Through learning language
Through learning language We learn about culture Through learning about culture We learn respect Through learning respect for others We can hope for peace.

32. Thank you Gracias Questions??
“El que habla dos lenguas vale por dos”
(The person who speaks two languages is worth two)
- Anonymous
Thank you Gracias
Questions??

33. References
Alberta Education.Benefits of Second Language Learning. Retrieved January 15, 2010, from Baker, C. (2006). Chapter 7: Bilingualism and Cognition. In Baker, C. (4th ed.), Foundations of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism North York: Multilingual Matters Ltd. Caccalve, T. (2007). Cognitive Benefits of Learning Language. Pulled from American Council of the Teaching Foreign Languages. Retrieved from : Duranti, Alessandro. (1997). “Language is culture and culture is Language” Linguistic Anthropology. Cambridge University Press. Qtd. in blog by Sophia Danger Kunen. Retrieved January 16, and-culture-is.html Fleming, Grace. Foreign Language Study. Retrieved January 16, Ho, C. (2008, My big fat Greek lessons: Martina Faitakis gives up Saturdays to learn her hertiage languages. Edmonton Journal, pp. A1- A11. IHLA. (2010). Sikh Cultural and Spiritual Assembly. Retrieved January 15, 2010, from cultural-spiritual-assembly.html International heritage language association of Alberta. (2008). 30th anniversary gala program: 5th annual international mother language day. Edmonton City Hall. (February 22-23) 7-8. Mantell, R. (2008). Knowing a Second Language Pays Off. Recruiting Nevada. Retrieved from
Quotes: “Learning your mother tongue helps you connect with your innerself and find out who you really are” – program, Zenia Gill Gr. 11 (p.7)
“Words are threads of many colorful languages, those threads weave many people and places together and every new conversation connects the world even tighter for those who understand the importance of having a united world” – Tejpal Kalsi Gr. 7 (p. 8)
“ every language leads to a new world, if you learn to speak a new language, you can discover a new life and their culture. New life would be like having a new world for yourself” - Jakaran Grewal Grade 11 p. 8

34. References
Perez, I. A. (2005/2006). Nonverbal Communication. International Journal of Learning, 12 (9), Retrieved from
&loginpage=Login.asp&site=ehost-live&scope=site
Omniglot. Why should I learn a language. Retrieved January 16,
Rollins, G.5 Benefits to Learning Spanish. Retrieved January 10, 2010, from Benefits-To-Learning-Spanish&id=647365
Saville-Troike, M. (2006). Chapter 4: The psychology of Second Language Acquisition. In Saville-Troike, M., Introducing Second Language Acquisition New York: Cambridge University Press.
Schools. Retrieved from
Translators Without Borders. Retrieved From
Tychnowicz, W. (2008). Colorful Culture.(Sunday February 24,2008), A14.
Vistawide: World Languages and Culture. Retrieved from
Weatherford, H. J. (1987). Personal Benefits of Foreign Language Study. ERIC Digests, Retrieved from AN=ED276305&loginpage=Login.asp&site=ehost-live&scope=site

35. References: Images Spanish around the globe
Flags:
What are the Overall Affects of Academics?
Brain: SearchBox&um=1&sa=1&q=smart+brain&aq=f&oq=&aqi=g1&start=0
Volunteer
Trilingual Translators Without Borders logo: <Images: humanitariantrans.pdf

36. Spanish is the official language of the following countries…
Argentina Bolivia Chile Colombia Costa Rica Cuba Dominican Republic Ecuador El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Guatemala
Honduras Mexico Nicaragua Panama Paraguay Peru Puerto Rico Spain Uruguay Venezuela