Key messages from International Language Week 10-16 August

Speaking only one language is like a grey, dull winter – it’s time to Spring into the colour and variety of learning other languages!

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  Speaking other languages will take you places – mentally, physically and emotionally. Speaking international languages opens up jobs, friendships, travel, and new ways of thinking and expressing yourself. 
  

  
  
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  Every child should have the chance to learn a foreign language at school.
  

  
  
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  Languages belong in the core curriculum.
  

  
  
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  Learning a language isn’t just about a short taster course – it needs to be ongoing and cumulative.
  

  
  
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  With languages, little and often is best – half an hour four times a week is better  than a two-hour block once a week.
  

  
  
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  Language learners need regular and ongoing classes. The number of hours of class time relates directly to their success.
  

  
  
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  International studies have shown that people who can speak more than one language do better across the whole curriculum.
  

  
  
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  In the international marketplace, speaking more than one language gives people a competitive advantage.
  

  
  
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  International language skills boost success in business.
  

  
  
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  English is a bit like vanilla ice cream. It’s everywhere, it’s nice, it’s basic. But there are so many more flavours and tastes out there! Why not try them?
  

  
  
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  Everyone masters one language (their first, or mother tongue), the second (or third!) might be even easier!
  

  
  
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  This is the communications age – and languages are the heart of communication.  
  

  
  
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  You are never too old, or too young, to learn a new language.  (There are manyexamples of older people successfully learning languages, and of primary or pre-school language classes). 
  

  
  
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  Studies show that people who learn other languages tend to be more flexible, more reasonable and more broad-minded.  They understand!

Lots of ideas, competitions, events and greetings at http://www.international-languages-week.org.nz/