The benefits of helping Americans acquire a second or third language are
significant. Strengthening this one area - foreign language instruction - helps
to.. .lift other areas of education as well ... .Here is what research says: Children
who have studied a foreign language in elementary school score higher on
standardized tests in reading, language arts, and mathematics. They also show
greater cognitive development in areas such as mental flexibility, creativity,
tolerance, and higher order thinking skills - four qualities that are very desirable
in today's workplace....Research suggests that students acquire foreign languages
more easily when instruction begins in the early grades.. .we can increase our
effort and improve foreign language instruction [in] what are called "dual
language" programs. These differ from regular foreign language instruction in
that students are immersed in English and a second language, rather than being
taught the second language as a separate subject.