Philadelphia Inquirer:  Commentary: U.S. should strengthen bilingual education

America—that glorious symbol of multiculturalism, the great melting pot—qualifies as part of the developed world, right? Not quite, if we consider the state of second language learning in schools across the country.

According to a 2018 study from the Pew Research Center, Europe consistently tops the U.S. in foreign language education in schools. A median of 92% of European students are learning a language in school. In America it’s only 20%. In more than 20 European countries, studying a foreign language for at least one year is compulsory. In comparison, only 10 states and D.C. require learning a foreign language for graduation.

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There are many reasons for schools to prioritize foreign languages. Here are three especially relevant ones:

First: The world is globalizing faster than we can imagine. Bilingualism is the norm. More than half of the world’s population speaks more than one language, as the BBC reported in 2016. It is also increasingly becoming the need for success in this globalizing world—and not just in terms of material gain. I am also referring to social, emotional, and intellectual success, all of which directly contribute not only to material success, but also to happiness and well-being.

Second: Having the ability to speak a second language opens up the possibility of traveling and immersing yourself in another part of the world. This means access to a whole other universe of culture, socioeconomic opportunity, and traditions in places you were previously barred from because you could not communicate in the language.

As an immigrant from Pakistan to the United States myself, being a fluent speaker of Urdu has contributed greatly to my success in excelling at higher education, helping me thrive in a variety of work environments and form lifelong relationships with people from a radically different sociocultural background from me. My bilingualism has actively helped me develop strong interpersonal and intercultural skills in America, as well as in Europe.

Third: The teaching of foreign language can be instrumental in bringing about peace and unity in the currently turmoil-infested country we live in. Many of us hold our languages very dear to our hearts and our identities; speaking our native language makes us feel proud. It is important to understand that many people, hailing from different countries and cultures, take similar pride in speaking their native languages.

In Europe, the average age that a student starts learning a language is between 6 and 9. American schools should follow suit.

Read the full op-ed.

Jamail Khan ’21 is a religion major from Jenkintown, Pa.