State Senator Thomas P. Gaffey
November 2, 2009
Gaffey Says Foreign Language Studies in Connecticut ‘Essential’ for 21st Century
State Senator Thomas P. Gaffey (D-Meriden) addresses hundreds of public school teachers at the annual conference of the Council of Language Teachers (COLT) in Cromwell on Monday, November 2, 2009. Senator Gaffey spoke of the critical need for Connecticut to renew its commitment to the study of foreign languages if it is to continue operating in today’s global marketplace.
State Senator Thomas P. Gaffey (D-Meriden), long-standing Senate Chair of the legislature’s Education Committee, today called for a renewed commitment to the study of foreign languages in Connecticut’s public schools. Senator Gaffey described an ‘immeasurable need’ for American students to learn to communicate with those from other countries in languages other than English.
Senator Gaffey was the keynote speaker this morning at the annual conference of the Connecticut Council of Language Teachers (COLT); his comments were made within the context of the address he gave.
“Connecticut exports about $15 billion worth of goods each year — we send things literally all over the world all the time — and if our state is to continue operating in the global marketplace its students simply must be conversant in one or more foreign languages,” Senator Gaffey said. “The sad irony is that just when instantaneous communication and a shrinking globe make this an imperative, the public school trend is in the exact opposite direction, away from foreign language studies.”
Senator Gaffey said he plans to introduce a bill next year to require foreign language studies for Connecticut high school graduates and that the Connecticut State University system agreed to include a foreign language admissions requirement, but not until 2015. He said Connecticut must do its part in what, on the national level, is also a concern among defense and intelligence experts.
“Our federal government spends billions of dollars to fight anti-American interests in the Middle East and monitor events in the volatile Far East, and there is a worrisome shortage of Americans who can do so in the native language of these people,” Senator Gaffey said. “Foreign language proficiency not only helps with external communication but helps decipher cultural and nuanced differences, which can only lead to an improved understanding of one another’s perspective.”
More than 500 COLT members were registered for today’s conference. Those in attendance learned that in other parts of the world students study a second language for eight to 10 years prior to high school graduation and a third language for four to five years.
Senator Gaffey has served in the General Assembly since 1995.
|
Senator Gaffey’s |
Listing of Senator Gaffey’s recent press releases and a Press Kit with official head shots and bio. |
Press Aide Laurence Grotheer |
