Proposal Format

Posted: December 2nd, 2013

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Proposal Format

1. Main Problem

In order to introduce a foreign language to the school curriculum, there needs to be a significant number of people interested in learning the language. The students need to be convinced of the importance of studying the foreign language. Another problem is that there needs to be qualified staff to teach the language, and incorporate it within the school curriculum.

2. Situation in which the problem exists and why it exists

The world has become more global, as people look for business opportunities in other countries. Many of the people in these countries do not speak English as their main language. For America to expand its businesses, it needs to understand different languages and cultures, as this will enable it to get more opportunities. America can no longer depend on the domestic market, and it needs to expand its horizons. This essentially means knowing different languages to attract customers in different countries, and to encourage investors from other countries to invest in the US. There is a need to have highly qualified teachers, with an interest and thorough knowledge in foreign languages. This will ensure that the students get the necessary instructions in the languages.

3. Suggestive solutions to the problem

Integrating foreign language education will require the cooperation of all the stakeholders within the education system including the parents, students, and the board of governors in the learning institutions. Parents influence their children’s decision to learn a foreign language. When the parents are receptive of the idea, they will encourage the children to take up foreign language classes at an early age. In many cases, students in institutions of learning take foreign language classes during their first years of college, but they do not follow up in their junior and senior years in college. The students need to be aware of the opportunities they receive when they take foreign language classes. They need to realize the benefits of the language courses in providing them with the opportunities they need to advance their careers. Increasing awareness will ensure that the students’ interest in foreign languages does not wane, as they advance in their education

4.

(Retrieved from: http://www.cal.org/flsurvey/prelimbrochure08.pdf)

These results indicate the declining state of foreign language learning in elementary school. There is a significant difference in the number of private and public schools teaching foreign languages. As of 2008, only 15% of public elementary schools taught foreign languages compared to 51% of private schools. This shows the value that private schools attach to foreign languages.

(Retrieved from: http://www.cal.org/flsurvey/prelimbrochure08.pdf)

Some foreign languages are more common than others are, as indicated by the number of students taking these languages. Spanish is the most common language among elementary schools, with 88% of the schools teaching the language as of 2008. The next common language is French, which is distant at 11%, a decline of 16% from 1997. The significant rise in the interest of the Spanish language is probably because of the high number of Spanish speaking people in the country, as Hispanics are a significant proportion of the population.

5. Choosing the best solution

The best solution is to emphasize teaching of foreign languages in the elementary level. When children begin learning foreign education at an early age, they have higher chances of absorbing and retaining much of what they have learnt, because their brains are not yet fully developed. Moreover, they speak the language without an accent, and they enhance their communication skills. Therefore, educators should develop a system where they introduce foreign languages at an early age.

6. Implementing the solution

The first step is to educate the teachers and school heads concerning the importance of foreign language acquisition at an early age, and the need to invest more in the learning foreign languages. This will not only entail the introduction of foreign languages within the school setting, but it will also include recruiting qualified teachers. The recruited teachers should be proficient in the specific language, and should show the ability to teach children. The foreign language teachers recruited will work with the other teachers in restructuring the school curriculum to incorporate the foreign languages. Once the school administrators understand this, they will be in a better position to convince their parents into letting their children learn foreign languages.

The second step is to call the parents for a meeting and discuss the changes in the curriculum. Potential parents who have not yet enrolled their students in the respective schools will receive such information, once they enquire about the schools, and before enrolling. This will ensure that they are aware of all the details and information. To counter the problem of funds, which most public schools face, school administrators can request the help of parents into assisting with covering the costs associated with foreign language learning, such as the payment of instructors. The school will invest a lot in acquiring the necessary tools and materials necessary for teaching the foreign languages.