Foreign Language

The purpose and use of foreign languages are as diverse as the students who study them. Some students study another language in hopes of finding a rewarding career in the international marketplace or government service. Others are interested in the intellectual challenge and cognitive benefits that accrue to those who master multiple languages. Still others seek greater understanding of other people and other cultures. Many approach foreign language study, as they do other courses, simply to fulfill a graduation requirement. Regardless of the reason for study, foreign languages have something to offer everyone.

Learning today is no longer restricted to a specific discipline; it has become interdisciplinary. Just as reading cannot be limited to a particular segment of the school day, so too can foreign language build upon the knowledge that students acquire in other subject areas. In addition, students can relate the information studied in other subjects to their learning of the foreign language and culture. Foreign language instruction thus becomes a means to expand and deepen students’ understanding of, and exposure to, other areas of knowledge. The new information and concepts presented in one class become the basis of continued learning in the foreign language classroom.

As a consequence of learning another language and gaining access to its unique means of communication, students are able to broaden the sources of information available to them. They have a “new window on the world.” At the early levels of language learning, students can begin to examine a variety of sources intended for native speakers, and extract specific information. As they become more proficient users of the foreign language, they can seek out materials of interest to them, analyze the content, compare it to information available in their own language, and assess the linguistic and cultural differences.

A Few Interesting Facts About China

• Coastline: 14,500 km

• Climate: extremely diverse ranging from tropical in the south to subarctic in the north

• Terrain: mostly mountains, high plateaus, deserts in west; plains, deltas, and hills in the east

• Natural hazards: frequent typhoons (about five per year along southern and eastern coasts), floods, earthquakes

• Population: 1.3 Billion (1,330,044,605, fiscal year ending June 30, 08)

• Language: The official language is Mandarin

• Capital: Beijing

• China holds one-fifth of the world’s population