Approximately 65% of Europeans are bilingual. In Paraguay, around 70% of the population is bilingual. However, in the U.S., only about 20% of the population is bilingual. Why do so few Americans speak a second language?
This can be partially explained by the difference in geography between America and many other countries. Europe is much smaller and has more countries within close distance of each other, so interactions with people who speak different languages happen more often. These opportunities to practice a second language make it much easier to learn and retain. Contrastingly, in America, the most common language by far is English, and in daily life, people usually have no reason to use a second one.
The common use of English in business endeavors also contributes to the likelihood of reaching and maintaining fluency. Consistently being exposed to and using a language improves understanding of the language.
In many other countries, learning a second language, often English, is seen as a top priority to communicate in business endeavors. English has quickly become one of the most used languages in professional fields, as both the U.S. and the U.K. are prominent global powers. Because of this, many countries prioritize early English education. Japan, for example, has many programs designed to bring in English speakers to teach English. English classes in Japan often start around third grade. A teacher who is fluent in English, along with an early start to learning the language, makes it more likely for students to reach fluency.
One of the biggest reasons for the divide between the U.S. and other countries in terms of languages is education. In most industrialized countries, students start learning a foreign language in elementary school. However, in the United States, most language learning doesn’t start until high school. This late start significantly hinders the possibility of proficiency in a language, because the best time to learn languages is before the age of 10. It’s possible to learn after this, but it can be much more difficult.
In many American schools, students are often only expected to take three years of a foreign language class in high school, leading to a very minimal understanding of the language. It’s also very common for students to only study a foreign language for one year. In other countries, students are required to study a foreign language for much longer, which potentially leads to increased fluency. For example, in Quebec, the official language is French, but studying English is mandatory for students at most schools from the age of 6 through high school. In most schools, English classes are mandatory for graduation.
While it’s possible that Americans may never be bilingual at the same rate as citizens of other countries simply due to the difference in geography and potential for use of other languages, foreign language learning in American schools should be improved, as it can still offer many benefits. Learning a second language improves memory, concentration, and general cognitive function. Knowing a second language can provide career opportunities, as many companies are eager to hire bilingual employees to expand into an overseas market, and it can create connections between people from different cultures. Learning foreign languages can greatly benefit anyone, so the U.S. should take inspiration from the world and start teaching foreign languages in elementary school.
