languages

							UNOFFICIAL COPY AS OF 07/30/12                         08 REG. SESS.       08 RS BR 1260



       A RESOLUTION proclaiming February as Discover Languages Month.

       WHEREAS, the people of the United States have growing social, cultural, and

economic ties to the international community that present new challenges as the United

States seeks to communicate with and understand international partners from different

language and cultural backgrounds; and

       WHEREAS, communities across the United States are welcoming many new

neighbors, friends, employees, and citizens from many countries throughout the world;

and
       WHEREAS, increased language learning is a critical national interest and is

necessary to maintain the economic edge that the United States has in the worldwide

marketplace; and

       WHEREAS, developing a workforce that is skilled in languages and cultural

understanding is vital for conducting international commerce; and

       WHEREAS, studying other languages has been shown to contribute to increased

cognitive skills, better academic performance, and a greater understanding of others,

while also providing life-long learning opportunities and the opportunity to build

relationships with others by speaking their language and understanding their cultural

perspectives; and

       WHEREAS, language education in the 21st century includes a commitment to the

study of long sequences of world languages, beginning in early grades and continuing

throughout the academic career of an individual, in order to develop the levels of

proficiency needed to effectively communicate with people from other cultures at home

and abroad; and

       WHEREAS, the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages

(ACTFL), along with its affiliate organization, the Kentucky World Language
Association, is urging the public to support increased language education for students at

all levels of instruction, which will expand the cultural and literary horizons of adult

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learners and strengthen the position and security of the United States throughout the

world;

       NOW, THEREFORE,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the General Assembly of the

Commonwealth of Kentucky:
       Section 1.   The House of Representatives does hereby proclaim February as

Discover Language Month in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

       Section 2.   The Clerk of the House of Representatives is hereby directed to
transmit a copy of this Resolution to the Kentucky World Language Association, JCPS

Gheens Academy, 4425 Preston Highway, Louisville, KY 40213.




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