I recently finished Michael Erard’s latest book, Babel No More, in which he does a fabulous job of taking the reader on an international, historical adventure of polyglots and hyperpolyglots. The book reads much more like a novel at times than an academic treatise. And that’s a good thing.

Today many Americans work abroad, competing with global graduates proficient in three to four languages and ever-stronger emerging market talent pools. Companies want globally competent employees – including multilanguage competency. Few starting out today could succeed as I did speaking only English.

How can we prepare our students for a global world without foreign language instruction? How can we make America great again while destroying the programs our children need to compete in today’s global marketplace?

Following up on my last blog, Studying Spanish Along the Pan-American Highway,  this piece will explore some the volunteerism options I’m considering for Spanish-language immersion learning in Central America next year.  Volunteering is a great, inexpensive way to study a language and also learn about the local culture.   And since cultural knowledge and understanding (gestures, [...]

Originally appeared in the Huffington Post on July 25.  My family and I just returned from a few weeks traveling through Central America. Originally, we planned on going to Greece and Turkey, but the economic strife, strikes and riots in Greece had us changing our minds – and scrambling for a Plan B.  I wanted [...]

Guest Blogger Leslie Forman describes why teaching English in China is the best way to launch your job in China.

Beth Cubanski writes about the important role foreign language learning has played in her life so far and her exchange student experience while still in high school. She’s currently a freshman at American U in Washington, D.C.

As Congress moves to cut the Federal budget, our children will suffer again as Education takes another hit, including foreign language learning.

An interesting POV in WSJ on which languages to teach/learn and how for tomorrow’s success. Hint: It’s not French.

Guest blogger Kelly Loughlin, a recent graduate now living and working in San Francisco, advises students on the ins and outs of the important study abroad experience.