Understanding Second Language Development Around the Globe

How Americans learn second languages

Welcome, aspiring polyglot! To open, I will reveal the answer to the question I know the world has been asking, "How do Americans learn second languages"? While I know foreign language skills in America are often discussed, the real answer is quite simple, they don't.

With an estimated 56% of the world being bilingual, the fact that the United States is sitting at around 20% should be appalling to anyone who takes language learning and language skills seriously. The foreign language education as it is applied in modern day America is atrocious and has followed suit with the rest of the public education system. What's worse is that 20% number is padded by people who speak English as a second language.

With all that said, there are strategies that you can use to set yourself up for success in your language acquisition. In order to understand the strategy, though, it is important to understand why classroom lessons don't create lasting proficiency, it is important to understand what they do wrong.