How to Be a Language Champion

Guest blog post by Carrie Fischer, Subway & Board Chair of the Language Connects Foundation  

Did you know that 90 percent of American employers share that they rely on people with skills in languages other than English to complete their work—and that most of these business needs are  right here in the U.S.? I’ve used my language skills my entire career, spanning over 30 years and 4 different companies.  

Language and cultural skills contribute to much more than simply fulfilling a high school or college requirement. In addition to academic success (including improved grades in other subject areas!), language learners display a wealth of cognitive and social benefits—from increased empathy and tolerance to better communication, critical-thinking skills, and problem solving. It’s no wonder that companies across sectors and the U.S. government are hiring multilingual employees for reasons reaching far beyond their linguistic abilities: These individuals are creative collaborators, analyzers, and planners who will use their broader global perspectives to connect more deeply with clients and other important stakeholders.  

Despite the growing need for multilinguals to support stronger communities, the national economy, and diplomatic relations, our country is facing a nearly universal language teacher shortage across all states. Without adequate support for language education in our schools, how will we prepare the next generation of global leaders?  

The time is now for everyone who values these skills to advocate for high-quality language education accessible to all U.S. students. You, too, can be a part of this important movement: Being a language champion is easier than you may think!  

What is Language Advocacy?  

One of the biggest misconceptions about language advocacy surrounds the word "Advocacy:" the act or process of supporting a cause or proposal. 

Language advocacy can include the formal activities that first come to mind: Speaking with local, state, and federal policymakers (such as your state senators or their staff) to encourage legislation supporting language programs; addressing your School Board of Education; or writing a letter to the editor of a national byline are all recognized ways to be an advocate... but there is so much more!  

Each time we raise our voices in support of the educators, programs, and policies that promote language learning, we are advocating for language education—and every voice makes a difference! 

Children, high school and university students, parents, teachers and administrators, school counselors, multilingual professionals, non-profit organizations, and everyone in between can be language champions by contributing to public education efforts in countless ways. The more the general public understands about the value of these skills, the more likely we become to secure the funding necessary to support their development.  

Ready to Make a Difference?

Whether this is your first time with advocacy or you are a seasoned language champ, in just three easy steps you can start connecting your community with the rest of the world.  

1. Find Your Voice   

Advocacy is more fun when you’re part of a team of like-minded fellow champions!  

Start by considering your unique sphere of influence—the people you have connections with in your personal, school, or professional networks. What platforms can you use to share ideas with these individuals?  Do you see them in person (at the bus stop, lunch, PTA meetings) or do you share common spaces online (Facebook groups, listservs)? It can be helpful to brainstorm and draw a web of these contacts branching out from yourself in a center circle: You’ll be surprised how broad your networks stretch! Consider sharing with these fellow champions timely opportunities to promote and support language education as they arise. 

Social media is an excellent tool for advocates to share resources quickly as well as lift up other champions by amplifying their voices. Be sure that you are following the Language Connects Foundation @LangConectsFdn across channels for motivation and data that you can share with your team.  

Wondering how students can get involved in this movement?  The LCF’s Student Ambassadors Program is a great example: This dynamic, international network of student language-learner leaders at the post-secondary level are sharing the power of languages on campuses and beyond via in-person events, online storytelling, and more. Any post-secondary student with a passion for languages can join! 

2. Do Your Research  

Often, we have time to prepare a pitch in support of a language program, but a lot of advocacy happens spontaneously—when you find yourself sitting next to a school administrator or local journalist at a town event, for example.  

Take some time to familiarize yourself with the available research on the benefits of language learning, national language enrollment figures at the K-12 and higher-education levels, and the demand for language skills in the U.S. workforce.  Having a few specific benefits & key figures in your head to weave into your argument will make your case that much stronger! 

For example, ACTFL has curated findings on the correlation between language learning and higher SAT scores as well as language learners’ improved ability to hypothesize in science, and the American Academy of Arts & Sciences’ America’s Languages report provides a thorough overview of the status of language learning in the United States, along with recommendations for improvement.  

Help others in your network to easily understand this data by providing accessible formats for them to explore and share. Download the free #LanguageDream poster series to highlight the benefits of language learning and use the Making Languages Our Business media kit graphics to emphasize the value of languages in the workforce.   

3. Share Language Learner Stories  

Testimonials are the most powerful tool we have as language champions to explain to others why supporting language programs is vital: Whether it’s a multilingual police officer, surgeon, or high school student sharing their authentic story about how language and cultural skills have enriched their human experience, the impact in undeniable.  

• Share your story as a language learner with others, and refer the multilingual students, language teachers, and professionals across fields in your life to be featured as well. These stories inspire younger learners and provide material that advocates can leverage as strong examples in support of local programs. Simply by empowering others to use their voices, you’re being a language champion!  
• Contact local media to highlight and celebrate the achievements of language learners in your region (think: recent Seal of Biliteracy recipients, grads who have won fellowships abroad, cultural activities, and academic language contests); or collaborate with a K-12 language teacher to invite administrators or policymakers to observe their vibrant 21^st century language classroom in action. 
• Build relationships and lay the groundwork for public education before a program is identified as at-risk for elimination whenever possible.  

Your voice is important in all stages of starting, sustaining, and expanding K-20 language programs in your state. When you need to act swiftly, having already established the steps above will serve you well! 

Language Champions Open Doors to the Future  

When we support language learners—and the teachers and programs that help them to thrive—we’re supporting our local communities, the national economy, and even international relations by nourishing the culturally competent global citizens of tomorrow.  

Join us at the Language Connects Foundation to explore free resources, use the Language Advocacy Toolkit, expand your network, and empower your inner language champion today!