Cognitive and economic benefits of requiring foreign language instruction

Speech Outline

Purpose: To persuade the audience that all students should be required to learn at least one foreign language. Problem Statement: The United States education system is falling behind other countries, partly because American students are not required to learn a foreign language from a young age. This disadvantages them socially and economically, which does damage to the entire economy. Central idea: Multilingualism is good for the individual’s cognitive, physical, and social health, and is also good for the economy.

I. One of the reasons why students should be required to learn at least one foreign language is that research shows multilingualism is good for the brain. A. In one study on Sardinian and Gaelic-speaking students who also spoke the dominant languages of their country (Italian and English, respectively), researchers showed that the bilingual children “significantly outperformed the monolingual children” on several cognitive tests (Lauchlan, Parisi and Fadda). B. Ting likewise recounts the multiple neuroscience studies showing the benefits of multilingualism on children’s brain development. C. Therefore, in addition to the immediate benefits of possessing the additional knowledge of the other language, research shows that multilingualism promotes healthy brain development.

II. Another reasons why students should be required to learn at least one foreign language is that doing so promotes economic development. A. Mephisto and Marsh describe the economic benefits of being multilingual, both for the individual and also in terms of the society. B. Rumbaut also points out that especially in bilingual places like Southern California, being multilingual opens opportunities for career development and networking. C. According to the Department of Education, “the United States is a long way from being the multi-lingual society that so many of our economic competitors are,” (1). D. Because one of the functions of education is preparing children for the job market, multilingualism should be required in school.

III. Students should be required to learn at least one foreign language in school for social reasons, too. A. Most of the world (between 60 and 75 percent of all people) are fluent in at least two languages (Vince 1). B. Students who learn more than one language will have increased tolerance for diversity, and expanded social circles. C. Multilingualism leads to cultural fluency, because of the potential for students to think about the world differently, thereby building their understanding of other people and cultures (Vince 1).

IV. There are even physical health benefits to learning more than one foreign language in school. A. Vince mentions the “health benefits from speaking more than one language, including faster stroke recovery and delayed onset of dementia,” (1). B. Bialystok found that multilingualism can protect the brain from developing Alzheimer’s. C. Because of the physical health benefits, students should be required to learn more than one language in school.