Purposes of OFLTA

	To promote foreign languages in the state of Oklahoma through coordination of organizations.
	To coordinate foreign language teaching in Oklahoma with all national efforts in the promotion of foreign language study.
	To serve as an information center for foreign language teachers of Oklahoma.
	To encourage teachers in the improvement of skills in foreign language teaching.
	To stimulate enthusiasm, growth, and interest among foreign language teachers.
	To foster common aims and a harmonious spirit of cooperation among teachers of all foreign languages in Oklahoma.
	To stimulate interest among foreign language teachers in more active participation in their professional organizations.
	To stimulate professional interest among college students training to become foreign language teachers.
	To serve as an educational group in promoting both the modern and classical languages as basic to education. The Oklahoma Foreign Language Teachers; Association is organized exclusively for charitable, religious, educational or scientific purposes within the meaning of section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Benefits of Learning Languages

(The following is an excerpt from an article which appeared in CLEAR News, Vol. 5, No. 2, Fall 2001, the Newsletter of the Center for Language Education and Research at the University of Michigan.)

The language abilities of Americans, regardless which language people speak, truly represent a national resource. Studying another language benefits both the learner and society in general. Some of these benefits result from studying any foreign language. For example, knowledge of more than one language, regardless of what the language is, leads to academic, cognitive, and cultural benefits. Students who speak more than one language perform higher than their monolingual counterparts on tests of academic achievement, cognitive flexibility, and creativity (Moran & Hakuta, 1995; Bialystok & Hakuta, 1991; Rafferty, 1986; Hakuta & Diaz, 1985; Saxe, 1983; Ginsburg and McCoy, 1981; Kessler and Quinn, 1980; Masciantonio, 1977; Hancock and Lipton et al., 1976; Carpenter and Torney, 1974; Lambert and Tucker, 1972). Additionally, by studying another language, students learn about other cultures and ways of life, thus expanding their world view.

By acquiring second and foreign languages, students can expect cognitive and academic advantages as well as have a larger view of the world. These advantages are gained through the act of acquiring any foreign language. That is, it does not matter whether students are learning Spanish or Swahili, all language learners receive these benefits.

References

Carpenter, J.A. and J.V. Torney (1974). Beyond the Melting Pot. In Patricia Maloney Markun, ed., Childhood and Intercultural Education: Overview andResearch. Washington, D.C.: Association for Childhood Education International.

Bialystok, E. & K. Hakuta (1994). In other words: The science and psychology of second anguage acquisition. New York: Basic Books.

Ginsburg, H. and I. McCoy (1981). An Empirical Rationale for Foreign Language in Elementary Schools. Modern Language journal, 65, 36-42.

Hakuta, K., & R.M. Diaz (1985). The relationship between degree of bilingualism and cognitive ability: A critical discussion and some new longitudinal data. In K.D. Neldon (Ed.), Children's language, 5, 319-44. Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.

Hancock, C. and G. Lipton, et al. (1976). A study of FLES and non FLES Pupils' Attitudes Toward the French and Their Culture. French Review 49.

Kessler, C. & M.E. Quinn (1980). Positive effects of bilingualism on science problem-solving abilities. In J. Alatis (Ed.), Georgetown University Round Table on Languages and Linguistics 1980. (pp. 295-308). Washington, DC: Georgetown University Press.

Lambert, W and G.R. Tucker (1972). Bilingual Education of Children: The St. Lambert Experiment. Rowley, MA: Newbury House.

Masciantonio, R. (1977). Tangible Benefits of the Study of Latin: A Review of Research. Foreign Language Annals, 10;4.

Moran, C. & K. Hakuta (1995). Bilingual education: Broadening research perspectives. In J.A. Banks & C.A.M. Banks (Eds.), Handbook of research on multicultural education (pp. 445-462). New York: Macmillan.

Ovando, C. & V Collier (1998) Bilingual and ESL Classrooms: Teaching in Multicultural Contexts. Boston, MA, McGraw-Hill.

Rafferty, E.A. (1986). Second Language Study and Basic Skills in Louisiana Baton Rouge, LA.

Saxe, G.B. (1983). Linking language with mathematics achievement: Problems and prospects. Washington D.C.: National Institute of Education.

Oklahoma Foreign Language Teachers' Association
http://www.learnalanguage.org/oflta
Web Editor: Jody Klopp -- This site last updated 12/04/2001
"Promoting the study of foreign languages and supporting those who teach them."
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