“Tu you, from mi”
In today’s global education environment, that has been brought to the palm of your hand by the internet, you can meet people from across the world. If we say we are preparing our students for any situation in life, we cannot just teach them about polygons but also about being a polyglot. A polyglot is someone who speaks multiple languages. In the near future, many people who only speak one language will have a challenging time succeeding to their full potential.
The number #2 language in the U.S. and in the world is Spanish. I think all schools should incorporate Spanish in the curriculum; especially in grades K through 4. It would be very easy to incorporate Spanish survival words, numbers, colors, etc. into the classroom setting. In those grades, most teachers already have words written all across the room. It would take little effort to add the word nombre next to name – NAME/NOMBRE. This tactic could build such a well rounded student and a great community in the school; as many students are English Language Learners who know Spanish already.
Also, with the new initiative, “The Seal of Biliteracy,” being adopted in many states, students can graduate from high school with a certificate confirming their ability to converse in multiple languages. This makes them more marketable for jobs and higher education opportunities. Just imagine how many barriers would be eliminated… just imagine.