The United States is behind the majority of the world when it comes to world language learning. With no national policy on requirements for learning a language in grade school, the result is detrimental. One example of the harms that having no policy has created, and the main focus in this post, is the national shortage of World Language teachers. This shortage is an issue that not nearly has been talked about enough. Not only is there a shortage in World Language teachers but also English Language Learners (ELL) teachers, whom are equally as important. In order to better understand this issue and how it relates to the United States’ lack of a language learning policy, we will first look at what the government is doing to address this issue, then evaluate the possible outcomes if this problem is not fixed, and finally look at how a language learning policy will benefit the shortage of teachers.

To begin, the United States Department of Education has come out and stated that this issue is in the power and control of the state. The Department of Education decided that if the state recognizes that their is a shortage of a certain group of teaching professionals, like World Language and ELL teachers, then those teachers will get 100 percent of their federal loans cancelled and financial assistance in the form of grants and scholarships to complete a teaching degree or any other schooling necessary in becoming that specific type of teacher. This incentive looks very good on paper, however, the fact that it is up to the state to implement leaves many states who do not have a strong educational foundation, many republican leaning states, who are not taking advantage of the federal incentive. However, for the states that have implemented this incentive, there has been some success in decreasing the shortage. Other incentives that states have implemented in search of more World Language and ELL teachers are more department funds, higher salaries and benefits, more options and financial assistance for study abroad class opportunities. All though these incentives have not completely solved the issue it has reeled in some future World Language and ELL teachers.

This shortage needs to be addressed and quick because if it is not there is a high risk of loosing World Language classes in schools and the first exposure to a language course being in college. This would be detrimental to the United States as it is already at the bottom for language learning and this would only widen the gap between the United States and other countries. If not fixed this would also move the world language subjects to a privatized industry and become a rarity in public schools. Schools are seeing this issue and taking it into their own hands since help from the government is scarce. According to an article on Learning English, a method called “grow your own” or GYO is when training and teaching assistance is provided within a community. “Grow your own” programs not only will shorten the shortage of teachers but also will increase the racial and linguistic diversity within the teaching community. These programs work specifically with ELL teachers but communities are starting to adopt it within the World Language education as well since the shortage continues to grow.

If there were to be a language learning policy implemented the the United States, the shortage would be resolved very quickly. With a policy, there would be a large demand for World Language teachers and more and more incentives would be created to fill that demand. Incentives like the current loan cancellation plus salary increases and other advantages. This is because it would become a federal issue rather than a state issue. With a language learning policy, the role as a World Language teacher will no longer be one of an elective but rather a requirement, just like math and science, and therefore will have more interest from people considering a career in education. Not only that but looking into the future, if there was a policy and students started learning a language in grade school and continued to graduation, there would be more bilingual students and more people who qualify and have background experience for becoming a World Language teacher. The creation of a language learning policy is perhaps the best way to eliminate this shortage and better educate students in United States’ public schools on the world and its different languages.

The United States’ shortage of World Language and English Language Learners teachers is a giant issue being faced in current education that needs to be addressed and collect more awareness. If there was a language learning policy in the United States, this shortage would see quick relief as the demand for teachers and the incentives would increase. The United States is already falling behind other nations when it comes to language learning and this shortage if not addressed soon could set the country back even more. The issue is so big but so ignored that certain teaching communities are taking action through “grow your own” programs. If a language learning policy was to be created, within 50 years the bilingual rate in the United States would sky rocket, creating more qualified people to become World Language or English Language Learners teachers. The national shortage of World Language and English Language Learners teachers is just another reason why the United States needs to implement a language learning policy and fast before access to language learning becomes a privatized entity and becomes a rarity in public education.

References

English, VOA Learning. “Bilingual Teachers in Short Supply Across America.” VOA, Bilingual Teachers in Short Supply Across America, 7 May 2019, learningenglish.voanews.com/a/bilingual-teachers-in-short-supply-across-america/4907669.html.

Mitchell, Corey. “The National Shortage of ELL Teachers Has Caught the Eye of Congress.” Education Week, Education Week, 19 Nov. 2020, www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/the-national-shortage-of-ell-teachers-has-caught-the-eye-of-congress/2018/01.

“Teacher Shortage Areas.” Home, US Department of Education (ED), 9 Dec. 2020, www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/pol/tsa.html.