The Big Problem
While every single American student is required to study a second language, only a few graduate high school feeling comfortable speaking the second language they’ve been learning.
See the video to the right for a 30-sececond depiction of this problem.
See the video to the right for a 30-sececond depiction of this problem.
A Reason for this Problem:
There is currently no way for high school language teachers to get their kids to practice speaking outside of class.
Think about it: If you're a Spanish teacher, how are you going to get your students to practice authentic speech outside of class in a way that is motivating and in a way that is accountable for the students?
Think about it: If you're a Spanish teacher, how are you going to get your students to practice authentic speech outside of class in a way that is motivating and in a way that is accountable for the students?
"Outside of class, it's voluntary for them to want to speak with their classmates in the target language - in class is where we control the situation. I can tell them, "Oh, you want to practice your French? Well speak to your classmates on campus in French."
But there's no consequence or reward other than self-improvement."
But there's no consequence or reward other than self-improvement."
- Interview with a High School French Teacher
Why this Matters:
Leaving high school feeling uncomfortable with the language, students shy away from other opportunities to engage with the language and soon forget all that they've learned, rendering their entire high school language learning experience a waste of time and a huge missed opportunity for those students.
Although reading and writing is important, it is the ability to speak and converse with people from different cultures that allows for more meaningful opportunities.
Although reading and writing is important, it is the ability to speak and converse with people from different cultures that allows for more meaningful opportunities.
"If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.”