Date: 02/27/2013

Final
Presentation:Congress of Foreign Language Teachers

COMMITTEE ON JOINT EDUCATION

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
DELETE:The motion passed without objection.



08:20 AM -- Presentation by Congress of Foreign Language Teachers

Senator Hudak welcomed the next group to the table. The following presenters from the Colorado Congress of Foreign Language Teachers came to the table: Janine Erickson, Noah Geisel, Debbie Cody, Anna Crocker, and Toni Theisen. Each presenter told the committee about his or her professional background. Staff distributed a handout to the committee members (Attachment B). Ms. Theisen told the committee that foreign language studies are a pertinent component of education and discussed the importance of studying foreign languages and cultures. She stated that foreign language studies should be considered a core component of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education. She talked about the importance of language studies for college entrance and readiness. Mr. Geisel told the committee about data showing that only 20 percent of students are currently enrolled in foreign language classes, and talked about the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages 21st Century Skills Map, which includes: communication; collaboration; critical thinking and problem solving; creativity and innovation; and social and cross-curricular skills. Mr. Geisel spoke about the need to include foreign language skills in STEM education design and funding. Ms. Erickson spoke about the importance of early language learning, which helps strengthen literacy in a child's first language as well as in the foreign language being learned. She discussed the need to develop students' comfort with cultural differences, and increasing standardized test scores in other topic areas.

13JtEd0227AttachB.pdf13JtEd0227AttachB.pdf

08:32 AM

Representative Hamner asked about the impact of K-12 budget cuts on foreign language courses. Ms. Theisen stated that foreign language departments have been negatively impacted, mostly due to the fact that foreign language classes are considered to be elective courses and not core courses. Ms. Theisen also spoke about the difficulty getting data from the Colorado Department of Education regarding specific cuts to foreign language classes and teachers.



08:38 AM

Representative Murray asked about the success of teaching elementary school core classes such as science and math, in foreign languages. Ms. Theisen told the committee about other states that have started elementary school language immersion programs. Senator Hudak asked the presenters to confirm that other states are incorporating foreign language immersion into their regular elementary school education curriculum.


08:45 AM

Ms. Cody spoke about the impact of foreign language skills to the economy, and told the committee about a 2013 report published by the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade regarding Colorado's international trade partners. Ms. Crocker spoke about reinstating the two year foreign language requirement for high school students and why this is important for college and workforce readiness, increasing global understanding, and sharpening cognitive and critical-thinking skills.


08:52 AM

The committee adjourned.