The number of schools in the United States needing to communicate with students and parents in foreign languages is steadily increasing.  The struggle for school teachers and administrators to bridge these language barriers is becoming more difficult and important as the U.S. population continues to diversify.  Unfortunately, it appears that an increasing number of schools are relying heavily on help from bilingual students to translate for other students and parents.  This approach to me seems ineffective and quite inappropriate.  And how did we get here, anyway?

 Over the course of the last several months, I have read several articles involving school administrators using students to interpret for them.  In the latest article I have read, Bridging the Gap: fifth-grader translates for school, a school in Stillwater, OK is relying on a fifth-grader to interpret for students and parents.  The student is doing a wonderful service for those around her and should be commended (as the article does).  However, I cannot help but feel that this arrangement is inappropriate for many reasons.   

 It is simply too much of a responsibility for a fifth-grader to be relied upon to act as an intermediary when parents and administrators need to communicate and will inevitably lead to miscommunications.  Additionally, a student then becomes involved with private interactions involving his or her peers.  I am also working on the assumption that the fifth-grader only interprets on superficial matters because the article, which confused the terms translating and interpreting, only made reference to such interactions.  I would be surprised if the school did not hire interpreters for important matters. 

 While it may be difficult, cumbersome or financially burdensome for schools to hire interpreters for “superficial” communications, there needs to be a better alternative.  The fact that these schools are not finding better solutions is a symptom of a much larger, systematic problem facing the nation: the lack of effective second language education in the United States (effective meaning these skills you spend years acquiring you can use as an adult).  I would be surprised if at least several of the staff members at this Stillwater school had not studied a significant amount of Spanish at some point in their lives.  Yet, none of the teachers can facilitate communication with parents in Spanish. 

 A lack of conversation skills in a second language is not unique to schools in Stillwater, OK.  While schools in more urban and diverse areas tend to enjoy staffs with a higher number of bilinguals, suburban and rural schools find themselves in a difficult situation.  These regions are witnessing ever-growing diversity, but without the staff to cope with it.  Out of the handful of schools with which I have been associated over the past few years, not a single one has had teachers or administrators able to communicate in Spanish outside of the foreign language department. However, the majority of those individuals have studied Spanish for at least four years.

 For many Americans, bilingualism is not a goal and, as a result, our foreign language studies end as soon as it is no longer required.  Unfortunately, we may not see an improvement in this condition as schools cut back foreign language programs, according to the CAL study on which I elaborated in a previous entry.  I believe we as a nation do not value the power of speaking a second language.  As a result, schools are now finding an added challenge to teaching their students.  The effects of our monolingual mindset can be seen across our country- from the dire need for courtroom interpreters to the constant struggles hospitals face in managing their interpreting needs.

 While there will always be a need for trained interpreters and translators (thankfully), I feel if more “everyday” people – our teachers, our doctors, our social workers – spoke a second language, we would be able to better communicate as a society.  The quickest path to our goal is using and improving what we already have.    I encourage everyone who has studied a foreign language to dust off those important skills- try our Conversation Training Program, enroll in classes at a community college or even take a trip abroad.  Perhaps in the future we will not need fifth-graders to interpret for school administrators.  We can all learn something from this resourceful señorita about helping others communicate.  On a side note, she says it has been an incredible experience for her and she would like to be an interpreter when she grows up.

http://www.stillwater-newspress.com/local/local_story_361000552.html

Bridging the gap: fifth-grader translates for school

As we enter the New Year, AES Languages is getting ready for an incredible 2010 full of exciting and innovative programs.  AES Languages will continue to help organizations and individuals reach across boarders and cultures with its interpreting, translation and language training services.  However, there are new services and programs on the horizon.  These new services will take AES Clients across the globe and offer them services that are not available anywhere else.

 In September of 2010, AES Languages will host its first AES Trip to Santo Stefano in Abruzzi, Italy.  Previous postings on our website have detailed the program extensively so I will focus on the new trip we are currently preparing.  This new AES Trip will be held in Costa Rica and will enable Spanish speakers to not only enjoy the natural wonders and local culture of this amazing country, but will also allow participants to achieve an exceptional level of fluency.  An exciting new component to this program is its affiliation with the Universidad Latinoamericana de Ciencia y Tecnología located in the capital of San Jose.  And yes, college credit will be offered for interested students.  While this program will actually be held in January of 2011, we will begin enrolling students within the next few months.  What better way to spend ten days in January than improving your Spanish in the cities, rainforests and beaches of Costa Rica?  More details on this program to Costa Rica will be available in early March.

 Perhaps the most exciting news for 2010 will be the launching of a new Conversation Training program.  AES Conversation Training, which is an innovative program designed to connect language learners with native instructors living in the target country, has helped countless individuals increase their fluency.  Perhaps the most unique feature of the program has been its ability to let students have a significantly deeper understanding of the culture behind the language.  It is often surprising to even advanced students how much cultural immersion/understanding/instruction can improve their fluency in a language.

 The new AES Conversation Training program will contain a series of innovative and pioneering new features.  We cannot share the details just yet, however, I can tell you that the service will change language learning for many individuals.  Some of the new functions will also raise the bar for manager control and supervision in language learning for organizations.

 You will have to stay tuned for more details on the upcoming AES programs of 2010.  More information will be posted on our web pages and in my future messages to the AES community.  Until then, I hope everyone is as excited as I am to start to the New Year!

In today’s global community, or whichever clichéd expression you prefer, it is surprising to imagine monolingualism being on the rise.  Unfortunately, according to a recent study, that appears to be the case.  The Center for Applied Linguistics (CAL) has published a new report offering a glimpse into the state of foreign language instruction across the country (and regionally).  CAL publishes such a report approximately once every ten years (beginning in 1987) and looks at various aspects of foreign language programs offered in private and public schools ranging from grades K-12.  According to the CAL website, the survey specifically focuses on the following aspects:

• Foreign language enrollments
• Number of schools offering foreign languages
• Types of foreign language programs offered
• Foreign language curricula and methodologies in use
• Teacher qualifications and training
• Effects of No Child Left Behind legislation on foreign language instruction

This report, or at least what is available at this point, has brought to light some disturbing news regarding the direction in which schools are taking their foreign language programs.  While this report touches on a wide range of important issues, I feel there is one aspect that reveals a particularly troubling trend.  There seems to have been a national decline in foreign language instruction in elementary schools and middle schools. 

Middle schools seem to have experienced the most significant cutbacks over the previous decade.  According to the CAL report, the percentage of middle schools with foreign language programs has declined from 75% to 58% from 1997 to 2008.  While the United Kingdom, for example, is planning on making it mandatory for public schools to offer foreign language instruction for students aged seven and older, the United States has gone in the opposite direction.  U.S. schools are making foreign language instruction less available for students that have not yet reached high school. 

Elementary schools experienced a less drastic decline of six percentage points in public and private schools offering foreign language programs.  The decline was significant, however, when you consider the drop in public schools offering foreign language programs.   In 1997’s survey, 24% of public elementary schools offered such programs compared to 53% among their private counterparts.  CAL’s most recent survey indicates that only a meager 15% of public elementary schools offered foreign language instruction in 2008 while 51% of private elementary schools offered such programs.  It seems to be a missed opportunity for foreign language enrichment at an early age.  Meanwhile, countless studies have indicated that learning second languages during such young ages could be a tremendous benefit to a child’s developmental process.

As the nation continues to struggle with our current economic situation, I believe we need to ask ourselves how valuable is it to successfully communicate with people of other countries, cultures and languages.  Today we find ourselves, as a nation, significantly less competitive than we were ten years ago.  With other nations surging in political and economic power, should we continue to take away our children’s resources to speak other languages?  How much will this affect our competitive edge in another ten years?

Visit http://www.cal.org/projects/flsurvey.html for more information on CAL and its survey.

Attention all lovers of Italian language and culture: These will be the last days to take advantage of the Early Bird special and save $200 on an unforgettable trip to Santo Stefano, Italy.  November 1, 2009 will be the last day to register for the trip at the discounted rate and save $200 on the cost of the program.

Tucked away in the mountains of Abruzzi, the small, medieval town of Santo Stefano sits secluded from the influences of outside languages and culture.  The special location has enabled the town and its residents to maintain many aspects of their traditional way of life- amidst narrow alleys and stone houses dating back to the 15^th century- while located only an hour and a half from Rome.  Few towns still offer this glimpse into traditional Italian life.

While the town itself is truly remarkable, the AES Language and Culture Fluency Program will change your understanding of Italian living.  This intensive immersion program will not only dramatically improve your Italian language skills, it will offer you access to native connoisseurs of Italian food and drink and experts in Italian culture and etiquette.  While AES has designed a comprehensive program to take full advantage of your time in Santo Stefano, there will also be free time to explore the village and interact with the local people at your leisure.  This includes a day in the ancient city of L’Aquila.

Your experience does not have to start and stop in Santo Stefano.  Prepare yourself for the program by arriving early and immersing yourself in a city such as Rome.  Or, spend a few nights in Venice after the program to practice what you have just learned.

November 1^st certainly will not be the last opportunity to register for the trip.  The registration deadline is March 1, 2010.  However, if you have been craving a trip to Italy, now is the time to enjoy these savings.  Either way, we hope to see you in Italy this September!  It will be an unforgettable experience.

Many people across the United States have at least heard of Cinco de Mayo if not participated in its celebrations with a Corona or two.  However, the history of this holiday and the traditional Mexican celebrations are not necessarily widely known.  Some assume it is the Mexican Independence Day.  In fact, Cinco de Mayo celebrates an important battle against the French in the city of Puebla that took place nearly 52 years after Mexico declared its independence. 

 The Mexican war against the U.S. and their own civil war had bankrupt the nation.  When the Mexican president, Benito Juarez, issued a two year moratorium on their foreign debt, Mexico’s European debtors were unsympathetic. The English, Spanish and French invaded Mexico to collect their payments.  After a compromise was reached, the English and Spanish left, however, the French military remained.  Emperor Napoleon III had his own ambitions and ordered his army to occupy Mexico. 

 In 1862, the French army began its march towards Mexico City through the states of Veracruz and Puebla.  Along the way, the Mexican general Ignacio Zaragoza Seguin and his poorly equipped militia of approximately 4,500 were able to stop the well-trained, well-equipped French army of approximately 6,500 soldiers.  This impressive victory gave the Mexican people a much need boost in moral and sense of unity.

 (Unfortunately, the victory was short-lived.  Visit http://mexicanhistory.org/French.htm for more info)

 In Mexico, the holiday is referred to as La Batalla de Puebla.  It is not actually a national holiday in Mexico, rather, a regional holiday.  The state of Puebla celebrates the holiday with the most enthusiasm.  Traditional music, dance and food mark the celebrations in Puebla. 

 Ironically, Cinco de Mayo is celebrated more in the United States than in Mexico.  While most of the U.S. celebrations tend to take place in bars or at home with a few Coronas, cities across the country hold festivals and celebrations with mariachi bands, traditional dances and food.  Some communities in California have even celebrated this holiday annually since 1863.  Cinco de Mayo celebrations have shifted from remembering the battle that took place in Puebla, Mexico to celebrating the Mexican and even a broader Latin American heritage.  Below are some pictures of Cinco de Mayo celebrations.  Guess which ones are in Mexico and which are in the U.S.

Mexico is the epicenter of what some worry could be a global pandemic. Although it seems the likelihood of such a result is remote despite the World Health Organization (WHO) having raised the pandemic threat level today, this virus has affected the lives of many in Mexico and disrupted Mexican society in general. 

 Recently, drastic measures were announced by the Mexican government in an attempt to prevent the further spread of the swine flu.  In addition to cancelling public events in Mexico, Mexican officials announced that all schools nationwide will be closed from Tuesday April 28, 2009 until at least May 6, 2009.  This is all part of a herculean effort to keep people from congregating in masses

 Mexico is home to one the most populated cities in the world, Mexico City.  Over 8 million people live in Mexico City[1], located near the center of the country, and over 18 million people live in the Mexico City metro area[2] .  The city’s mayor, Marcelo Ebrard, is planning to shut down the entire city. This includes closing gyms, swimming pools, pool halls, sports clubs and movie theaters.  Even restaurants are prohibited from serving patrons inside of their establishments until further notice- restaurants are only permitted to offer takeout.[3]  There are even plans to shut down their entire public transportation system[4]. 

 Mexico City is not the only highly populated city in the country.  There are nine cities in Mexico with a population of over 1 million people, as many as in the U.S.  However, Mexico has a third of the total population of the United States.  Such densely populated regions are the most vulnerable to the swine flu. 

 Preliminary reports indicate ground zero of the out break of the swine flu seems to be near the city of Perote, west of the capitol in the state of Veracruz, the third most populated state in Mexico.  The outbreak seems to have started near a farm run by a company that is partly owned by Smithfield Foods of Virginia.  Residents of the town have made complaints in the past against these pig-breeding farms, claiming they have become sick from the pollution produced by these facilities[5].

 Livestock breeding, amongst other agricultural industries, is a major industry for the people of Veracruz.  The state enjoys a long span of gulf coastline (Perote is not located on the coast, however). It is home to the important port city of Veracruz, whose port was founded by Hernan Cortes in 1519.  This state draws significant tourism, mostly to the coast and from within the country, and has its own international airport. 

 Mexico is truly at the brink of a national crisis.  To understand the gravity of the situation facing the Mexican people, imagine the entire city of New York being shut down indefinitely.  Paralyze the rest of America’s largest cities and then close down all of the schools in the United States.  It is difficult to grasp such widespread disruption in our own country.  Fortunately, these are all voluntary measures being taken by the Mexican government to prevent an epidemic rather than a necessary reaction to an existing epidemic.  Such actions will undoubtedly save the lives of countless people.  However, the impact places and will continue to place a devastating burden on the people of the country who are already forced to confront escalating drug-related violence and a battered economy.  And, as if Mexico needed more, an earthquake hit Mexico City today with a magnitude of 5.6.

 While other countries are certainly feeling the effects of this outbreak, probably the most significant being fear,  please keep our neighbors in mind and take all of the necessary precautions to keep yourself safe.  At this point I have not been able to find any programs to offer our support to the people of Mexico, but will keep you posted.  Please contact us if you find any information on how to help.

[2] http://www.worldatlas.com/citypops.htm

[3] http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jbivsX4s822HikpqqdRSdiORGrIwD97RICEO0

[4] http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/27/AR2009042702017_2.html?sid=ST2009042703878

[5] http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/27/AR2009042702017.html

AES Languages has been gearing up to join the movement to spread green technology by helping engineers and technology firms reach markets in other countries.  With ever growing interest in green technology, companies new and old are creating innovative, new, environmentally friendly products that will help shape the world of tomorrow. 

Green technology is the cornerstone of the current administration’s recovery package.  With billions of dollars being allocated to renewable energy technology and to increasing the efficiency of buildings across the country, imaginative engineers and entrepreneurs are certainly busy at work.  Whatever the resulting products are, this technology is certainly not destined to remain in its originating countries.  As tech companies look to ship their green products to overseas markets, manufacture them in other countries, or even provide foreign consumers with critical instructions, experience in translation services with a relevant technical background becomes increasingly valuable.

AES Languages has spent the last year seeking out and contracting highly trained and experienced translators and other linguists from around the world with backgrounds in engineering and experience with green technology.  After recruiting linguists with these specialized backgrounds and meticulously screening them, as is done for all of our professional linguists, AES Languages has formed a large pool of talented translators and interpreters.  These linguists are uniquely capable of translating blueprints, product proposals and anything with technical specifications in over a dozen languages.  With such highly qualified specialists, the excellent service and accuracy they provide ensures firms will have fewer delays and wasted expenses due to miscommunication.

In addition to making this service available to organizations, to help promote the success of green technology worldwide, AES Languages is offering significantly discounted rates to organizations using these linguistic services for the development and spread of green technology.  Although this organization does not have the capability to create such valuable technology, we are excited to lend our support to those that do.  AES Languages is encouraging organizations currently pursuing such technological endeavors to share their products with new parts of the world so their benefits can have a more global impact.

Having been in the foreign language service industry for many years, I have developed a deep appreciation for the importance of language learning and cultural awareness in schools. Unfortunately, not everyone feels the same way. Because of a lack of appreciation for language learning and cultural awareness, we see how communication barriers are not being overcome. Whether it is in hospitals, social service meetings, boardrooms or government, the challenges in bridging the language and cultural gaps we face as a society are not being met by the solutions presented in our schools. Even the U.S. State Department recently had trouble translating a simple phrase from English into Russian, which was kindly pointed out by the Russian President on live television (although, in the State Department’s defense, they have issued statements that the U.S. is in critical need of foreign language speakers). Too often there is insufficient emphasis placed on language learning and cultural awareness both on the part of school administrators and the students themselves. Sometime budgets dictate the caliber of foreign language programs, but even when budgets are sufficient, both school administrators and students too often do not have an appropriate appreciation for these invaluable subjects and do not allocate the necessary resources or attention.

Of course it is easy to rant about the importance of language learning and cultural awareness and the lack of appreciation shown by some individuals and institutions. However, that does not bring our population any closer to remedying this situation. While it is difficult to effect such a change and many advocates are already doing what they can to make a difference, AES Languages is joining the fight. We are volunteering our resources to reach students at local elementary and middle schools through an outreach program. Our goal is to convey the importance of language learning and cultural awareness to students in the hopes of inspiring them to make the most of their foreign language classes. By demonstrating how tangible the work they are doing in their classrooms is to their lives, we hope to help them enrich their lives and academic experience and see the world from different and exciting perspectives.

We are very excited about this program and will offer more details in the weeks to come. If anyone would like to offer advice, suggest helpful resources or know of a school that would be interested in having us talk to their students, please let me know!

We have launched a new blog for our web site which will allow us to keep visitors updated on the latest news from AES Languages.

We are excited about the future here at AES Languages and look forward to your feedback in the comments section.