Saturday, March 07, 2009

Report: Md. schools should tap foreign language 'assets'

March 5, 2009 - 9:22am

WASHINGTON - Maryland is home to the nation's third-highest percentage of foreign-born college graduates and should capitalize on the diversity of language abilities, according to a 2009 report of the Preservation of Heritage Language Skills Task Force.

The task force, authorized by the 2008 Maryland General Assembly, made four recommendations: to award high school foreign language credit by exam, increase immersion programs in schools, expand teacher certification options and enhance English speaking learning programs for foreign-born adults.

"The main challenges we face in assuring that Maryland benefits from these skills are leadership, coordination and innovation -- not taxpayer dollars," said Sen. James C. Rosapepe, D-Prince George's, co-sponsor of the task force legislation.

Legislative action isn't necessary, Rosapepe said, and this innovation can occur at the local level among school systems and communities.

Read more HERE

No comments: