Sra. Wight

wightm@binghamtonschools.org

Introduction

Why should you bother learning a second language? Doesn’t everyone speak English anyways?

Almost every one of us has muttered these sentences in our language learning career. Even your own Spanish teacher has thought this! For the next few days you will be learning about the benefits of a second language. Many people in the United States feel that if you can speak English you know enough. Around the world though, students learn second and third languages starting in elementary schools. Who do you think will be more marketable in the job market? Who is benefiting from all the opportunities (cognitive, social, economic, etc.) that language learning has to offer?

Video on learning a Second Language

Task

Many people in the United States will argue that learning a second language isn’t important if you already speak English. New York State is even currently debating whether or not they want to keep foreign language testing. We as a society need to address this problem.

You and your partner will explore this problem, causes, and current policies about language learning and then create your own policy through the PPA format. You will then create a brochure about the benefits of foreign language study. You will also want to cover when you should begin foreign language study.

Process

Step 1:

· Follow the steps of the PPA (remember the example we did in class!). Complete all worksheets in your packet.

o Define the Problem

o Gather the Evidence

o Identify the Causes

o Evaluate an Existing Policy

o Develop Solutions

o Select the Best Solution

Step 2:

· Complete the brainstorming sheet about benefits of language study.

Step 3:

· Create your brochure in Microsoft Publisher on at least 5 benefits of language study and when students should begin language study.

· Make sure to cite all your sources on the back page of your brochure. People want information from reliable sources!

o How to cite a website

Resources

• Evidence & Causes of the problem
• Number of Language Speakers worldwide
• Language Learning in the United States- How are we doing?
• English is not Enough
• Existing policies
• United States Language Learning Standards
• New York State Language Learning Standards
• Benefits of language study
• Why should I learn a second language?
• Top 10 reasons for learning Spanish
• 10 reasons for learning a Second Language
• Should my child learn a second language?
• Benefits of being Bilingual
• Why study a foreign language?

Evaluation

• You will be graded on the following rubric:

CATEGORY	4	3	2	1
Knowledge Gained	All students in the group can accurately answer all questions related to facts in the brochure.	All students in the group can accurately answer most questions related to facts in the brochure.	Most students in the group can accurately answer most questions related to facts in the brochure.	Several students in the group appear to have little knowledge about the facts.
Writing - Organization	Each of 5 sections in the brochure has a clear benefit of language learning. Brochure has a clear explanation of importance of language learning.	Missing / unclear 1-2 benefits.	Missing / unclear 3-4 benefits	Has no benefits of language learning
Content - Accuracy	All facts in the brochure are accurate.	99-90% of the facts in the brochure are accurate.	89-80% of the facts in the brochure are accurate.	Fewer than 80% of the facts in the brochure are accurate.
Attractiveness & Organization	The brochure has exceptionally attractive formatting and well-organized information.	The brochure has attractive formatting and well-organized information.	The brochure has well-organized information.	The brochure's formatting and organization of material are confusing to the reader.
Sources	Careful and accurate records are kept to document the source of 95-100% of the facts and graphics in the brochure.	Careful and accurate records are kept to document the source of 94-85% of the facts and graphics in the brochure.	Careful and accurate records are kept to document the source of 84-75% of the facts and graphics in the brochure.	Sources are not documented accurately or are not kept on many facts and graphics.
Behavior	Partners are on task	Off task 1-3 times	Off task 4-6 times	Off task 7- 9 times

Conclusion

Language learning has many benefits to different areas of your life. As we embark on our language journey this year, please keep these benefits in mind. Language learning isn’t just about speaking another language, but also about learning about those different from you. This learning isn’t accessible unless you can understand them through their native tongue.

You have successfully completed the steps of the PPA process. To correct a societal problem, follow the steps of PPA (define the problem, gather the evidence, identify the causes, evaluate an existing policy, develop solutions & select the best solution).

New York State Standards

• Languages Other than English
• Standard 2: Cultural Understanding
• English Language Arts
• Standard 1: Language for Information & Understanding
• Standard 3: Language for Critical Analysis & Evaluation
• Social Studies
• Standard 5: Civics, Citizenship & Government
• Technology
• Standard 5: Technology