Washington State Coalition for International Education Article - September 21, 2005

"The World Is Flat"

by Sue Webber, former President of Washington Association For Language Teaching (WAFLT)
(originally published in the WAFLT Forum, August, 2005)

This summer I had the opportunity to read some great books and attend two amazing conferences. Besides experiencing Harry Potter’s latest challenges, I explored the opportunities (and expectations) for educators in Washington State. I have learned that “the world is flat” (book by Thomas L. Friedman) and we must either “lead, follow, or get out of the way,” (Thomas Paine quote used by Gov. Gregoire.)

The Washington Council on International Trade hosted the tenth Annual Senators’ Trade Conference in Seattle titled, “The Next Decade in Trade: Emerging Giants; U.S. Response” with Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell as speakers. The audience included business people, politicians, and educators. Bill Center, president of WCIT, presided and was pleased that WAFLT was represented. He announced it to the audience and wanted the business community to know that educators were indeed interested in our state’s future. There was much discussion, but several points were repeated again and again.

Washington State is the most trade-dependent state in the U.S.
Education is critical for the success of Washington State. Without quality schools, we can not attract business and we can not retrain the workforce.
Security is a major issue in the world and certainly for our ports. Container ships could be targets for terrorist and they remain the potential Trojan Horse of the 21st Century.
The U.S. MUST maintain a seat at the table for trade agreements and we MUST stay connected to help write and reinforce trade agreements.

I attended a second conference at the University of Washington: Education and Productivity: A 21st Century Workforce Conference. Governor Gregoire was the keynote speaker and she had just returned from her trip to Europe; she was totally committed to the importance of international trade. Other speakers included professors from Stanford, U of W, U of California (Davis), Columbia as well as people from the business community including Microsoft and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

The governor began her speech with the importance of education. She stated that starting early (before kindergarten) was critical and mentioned the support she has given to lowering class size, to supporting COLA and raises for teachers, to securing help for the WASL, and to backing higher education. She is interested in a seamless connection between all levels of education. She recognized that international trade comes through better friendships with countries and companies. As she traveled in Europe, she heard that Washington State has QUALITY products. We are known for our quality!!! This includes wine while she was in Germany!!! She invited Europeans to Washington stating that vacationing here brings a great value for the Euro.

Throughout the entire workshop, we heard the need for an educated workforce. We heard that workers must learn how to learn because they will need to retrain many times within their life times. In addition, Washington State needs increasingly more workers trained in engineering and biotech. Since immigration laws limits the number of workers we can bring in to fill jobs, there is a shortage. Increasing the study of math and science was a constant theme. Even though Microsoft receives 1000 applications a day, there are not enough applicants who qualify for needed positions. Education is critical.

There was little to no mention in either workshop of the need to learn another language.

What does this mean for us?

As a person committed to the belief that studying another language offers opportunities, I am amazed and confused when I have to defend the study of world languages. It seems so obvious to me, but yet, it is not obvious to many. If we look at the points of these two conferences, we find the study of world languages critical. We build friends when we study language and culture. We can increase trade with other countries. With better language skills and more international friends, we can increase our security. If we learn how to learn, we can master other languages faster. The study of another language increases skills in geography, science, thinking skills, and many other curricular areas. We teach HOW to learn. We are more sensitive to cultural differences. We are more tolerant of others. Somehow we must get this message across to decision makers.

The August 9, 2005 issue of the Everett Herald had a front page article about Boeing employees learning Japanese to work with their partners: Japanese engineers in the 787 project. Why is it that Americans building airplanes in Everett, Washington are taking the time to learn Japanese? Why is Boeing paying for it? It must be profitable!!! Some parts for the 787 will be manufactured in Japan. Employees from the two countries will work together. The article mentions that a Boeing employee, Stevie Sanchez, is exposed to Japanese sounds in class and this helps her understand Japanese workers’ English. She also wants to make the effort to learn Japanese, because she knows how hard it is for others to learn English. “They make the effort. I try to make the effort,” she said. If Boeing thinks it is important, so should our educational decision makers.

Washington State is at a critical phase in understanding the importance of world languages. Caleb Perkins of the OSPI is fostering the writing of volunteer standards for our state. This is HUGE. He conducted a survey last year to identify where languages are taught in this state (K-12). There is interest in early language learning. However, we also know the pressure placed on high stakes testing and the plans of the HEC board to increase math and science for college entrance. We have a window of opportunity. We don’t want that window to slam shut. This is a chance to help decision makers understand the value of studying another language. Let’s work together and celebrate our successes.

Some points worth noting:

The study of world languages and cultures

increases friendships around the world
shows international companies that US firms are interested in their business
increases tolerance of others
fosters better understanding of English
builds higher level thinking skills
brings better security to our country
teaches “how to learn”
increases knowledge of geography and world history
connects and reinforces other curricular areas
enhances travel for pleasure and business
creates a friendlier Washington for visitors bringing tourism
bridges cultures
encourages lifelong learning

So, will we lead, follow, or get out of the way? The world has changed. Students have changed. It is time Washington educators and decision makers recognize that the study of world languages leads the way to a more secure, friendly state that provides economic stability, quality jobs, and educational opportunities for its citizens.

About the Author

Sue Kreger Webber, a teacher in the Arlington School District (formerly taught in the Edmonds School District), has been active in the teaching profession for many years. She has a BA from Western Washington University and a Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from City University. She has served as president of the Washington American Association of Teachers of German (AATG) and also as co-president of the Washington Association For Language Teaching (WAFLT). Sue has served on the WAFLT board focusing on outreach for nine years. She is a recipient of the AATG Certificate of Merit Award, the WAFLT Pro-Lingua Award, the WAFLT Continuing Service Award, the German Consulate American Friendship Award, and the Who’s Who in American Education Award for 2003-4 and also 2004-5. Sue is also a National Board Certified Teacher of German.

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Washington State Coalition for International Education
http://internationaledwa.org