Starting at the beginning of the twentieth century, researchers in the field of linguistic anthropology, notably Franz Boas and Edward Sapir, conducted experiments to try and determine what effect, if any, language has on a person’s perception. Though those initial studies have been hotly contested, the groundwork was laid, and we have made great strides […]
Continue readingMeet a Language Superhero: Miya Alcivar
This month’s Language Superhero is Miya Alcivar. Miya is an office manager and bookkeeper, and she’s pursuing the opportunity to become an interpreter thanks to her language skills. She can fluently speak English, Spanish, and French, and is learning Korean. “Being an immigrant myself, I think the ability to connect with people in a language […]
Continue readingThe 2020 Census and Language Proficiency for Patient-Centered Care
I recall when I began my career over two decades ago in Hispanic media in New York City working for large publishing houses on national Spanish-language magazines like People en español, Glamour en español, Vogue en español, and a series of other Latino-specific print offerings. Back in 2000 we tried our darndest to persuade big […]
Continue readingThe Impact of Language Proficiency on the Provision of Healthcare
When a person seeks medical attention, they rely on the competency of the healthcare professionals they interact with to help diagnose, treat, relieve symptoms, and eradicate illness. It’s daunting and frightening enough to visit an emergency room for urgent and critical medical problems. The levels of stress and fear are heightened even more for patients […]
Continue readingMeet a Language Superhero: Madeline Martinez
Madeline Martinez, a bilingual writer and marketer, grew up in Puerto Rico and moved to mainland United States twenty years ago. She is our October Language Superhero. In the story she shared with her, she talks about her experience learning English and starting a career as a writer and interpreter. She also shares her experience […]
Continue readingWhen It Comes to Education, Language Matters
As established in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of the United Nations, “parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children” and every child has the right to education. But what happens when students and their parents are immigrants who do not command enough English […]
Continue readingDo Not Leave Your Success to Chance
Are you frustrated with your job search? Wondering how to be competitive in today’s globalized economy? Increasing your chances of getting hired? If you command more than one language, you might want to consider getting assessed and certified for your language proficiency before you continue your search. In today’s multicultural marketplace, there are growing needs […]
Continue readingThe Power of Language in the Financial Industry to Help Mitigate the Wealth Gap
As a bilingual or multilingual professional in the financial sector, you can make a difference in lessening the wealth gap in the United States. Communities for whom a language barrier limits their access to financial literacy and socio-economic mobility need support in learning how to navigate their financial matters. By guiding non-English speaking persons in […]
Continue readingProviding Financial Services in Various Languages Is Not a Temporary Trend
Commanding more than one language is a key skill in the financial world. Accuracy and clarity of information while managing financial transactions is paramount when communicating numeric data and small print that contains economic terms. Communicating the details of financial documentation can be difficult enough in English, but when clients speak another language, the conversation […]
Continue readingLaying the Groundwork for AAPPL Testing to Start the Year
Ready or not, the start of a new school year is here. As language teachers launch their courses, this can be a great time to set the tone for a path towards the Seal of Biliteracy–even if AAPPL testing won’t occur for months (or years) for your students. Beginning the journey toward language development with […]
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