Rep. Joe Crowley (D-Queens, the Bronx), Vice Chair of the Democratic Caucus, joined Reps. David Price (D-NC), Leonard Lance (R-NJ) and Don Young (R-AK) recently introduced the World Language Advancement Act (H.R. 3096), which would help state and local school districts implement innovative K-12 language programs.

“With over 150 languages spoken in Queens, I’ve seen firsthand how language can be a gateway to cultural understanding,” said Congressman Crowley. “In addition to increasing our young people’s interest in other cultures, studies show that learning a foreign language greatly benefits students’ success in other core areas, such as math and critical thinking. We should do everything we can to prepare and equip the next generation of American workers with the skills needed to compete in the global economy, and that includes expanding opportunities to learn foreign languages.”

“In today’s global economy, K-12 foreign language and cultural knowledge have become necessary skills for government, private-sector, and non-profit employers,” said Congressman Price. “Federal incentives will help to ensure we are providing these competencies and equipping the next generation of leaders with the skills to communicate and collaborate across borders.”

“Fluency in a foreign language is critical in today’s 21st Century global economy,” said Congressman Lance. “The World Language Advancement Act will help state and local school districts implement the type of innovative language learning programs in elementary and secondary schools that will help increase U.S. economic global competitiveness for future generations of American workers.”

“I am proud to cosponsor the World Language Advancement Act and appreciate Congressman Price for leading up this bipartisan legislation,” said Congressman Don Young. “In addition to increasing academic achievement through innovative, community-based learning programs, I am particularly pleased to see this bill include a focus on Alaska Native and American Indian languages. Teaching, preserving, and promoting the use of indigenous languages is tremendously important for Native communities in my state, and around the country.”

Early language learning has been shown to strengthen performance across all academic subjects and on standardized tests. The benefits of foreign language education also extend far beyond academics, as students who study a foreign language have an openness and acceptance to people who speak other languages and come from other cultures. However, only 25 percent of elementary schools in the United States offer any world language studies and only half of all American high school students take even one year of a world language.

Since 2012, there has been no federal support for world language instruction in elementary and secondary schools. The World Language Advancement Act would fill in this gap and foster the language learning pipeline by providing competitive grants to states and local school districts to support the establishment, improvement, or expansion of innovative programs in language learning in grades K-12.

The bill is supported by some of the leading international education and foreign language advocacy organizations, including the Joint National Committee for Languages - National Council for Languages and International Studies (JNCL-NCLIS) and the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL).

JNCL-NCLIS Executive Director Bill Rivers notes that "This bipartisan bill demonstrates leadership and commitment to providing American children access to world-class world language programs. It will advance American education, helping to close achievement gaps and prepare American children for one of the linchpin skills of the 21st century knowledge economy.”

According to ACTFL President Jacque Van Houten, “The ACTFL membership is excited to see this level of support for language education, particularly at a time when knowledge of other languages and cultures is a critical skill for all students in the U.S.”