Critical Languages and College Choice

Autor/inn/en	Schulz, Hannah; Taylor, Alexander; Parks, Rodney
Titel	Critical Languages and College Choice
Quelle	In: College and University, 94 (2019) 3, S.57-60 (5 Seiten) PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	0010-0889
Schlagwörter	College Choice; Second Language Learning; Uncommonly Taught Languages; National Security; Semitic Languages; Mandarin Chinese; Indo European Languages; Indonesian Languages; Korean; Russian; Turkish; Urdu; Study Abroad; Student Exchange Programs; Immersion Programs; College Students; Learning Motivation; Persistence + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Studienortwahl; Zweitsprachenerwerb; Minderheitensprache; National territory; Security; Staatsgebiet; Sicherheit; Arabisch; Hebräisch; Indoeuropäisch; Indonesisch; Koreanisch; Russisch; Türkisch; Studies abroad; Auslandsstudium; Schüleraustausch; Immersionsprogramm; Collegestudent; Motivation for studies; Lernmotivation; Ausdauer
Abstract	Critical languages refers to less commonly taught languages that the U.S. State Department has deemed necessary for U.S. national defense (Department of Defense 2000). In the current era of globalization and growing interconnectedness, the need for proficient speakers of critical languages has become increasingly urgent. While many foreign businesses, diplomats, and immigrants speak English as a second language, it is vital for the United States to increase its population of critical language speakers. Critical languages, determined by the U.S. Department of Defense, include but are not limited to Arabic, Chinese Mandarin, Dari, Farsi, Indonesian, Kurdish, Korean, Pashtu, Russian, Turkish, and Urdu (Defense Intelligence Agency 2010). In 2006 the U.S. government announced its goal to broaden the base of Americans studying and mastering critical languages. This objective, titled the National Security Language Initiative (NSLI), was intended to develop foreign language skills and dramatically increase the number of U.S. citizens learning critical languages (U.S. State Department 2006). Other programs sprouted from this initiative, including STARTALK and the National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NLSI-Y), which are designed for secondary school students studying critical languages. Other programs, including the Youth Exchange and Study Abroad (YESAbroad) program, take different approaches by promoting cultural exchange and critical language study through cultural immersion. While most of the research related to Department of Defense programs is not easily accessible by the public, there is also little research examining the admissions decisions of students who have studied a critical language. The current study seeks to examine whether critical language programs influence higher education admissions decisions and whether institutions recognize the study and assessment of critical languages. (ERIC).
Anmerkungen	American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO). One Dupont Circle NW Suite 520, Washington, DC 20036. Tel: 202-293-9161; Fax: 202-872-8857; e-mail: pubs@aacrao.org; Web site: http://www.aacrao.org/
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2020/1/01