Future Educators Express a Need for Language Resources

Nashua, N.H., July 21, 2010 - Transparent Language announces its recent relationship with the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Under this partnership, graduating and matriculating students in the International Education Policy program have full access to Transparent Language's Byki Online for Education system. This web-based system develops cultural understanding, as well as language proficiency, allowing all incoming and outgoing students to hone critical global skills.

Already, students have begun learning 40 different languages. There is a pressing need for language resources in the graduate community, as evidenced by the fact that adoption has reached about 50% among eligible students. Cole Farnum, a recent HGSE graduate, explains that a full semester course “would have been impossible to do with (his) courseload” but he believes “it's important that teachers have at least rudimentary language skills”. Byki fills this gap for students who need to learn language but cannot commit to a full semester or year.

Fernando Reimers, Director of the IEP Program, is a strong advocate for the development of global competency within our educational system. In his paper, “Enlightening Globalization: An Opportunity for Continuing Education”, he cites the importance of three skill sets: an interest in other cultures, foreign language acquisition, and an understanding of global issues1. With these skills, our nation will more effectively navigate the flow of commerce, populations, and diplomatic initiatives. Educational institutions have an important role to play in fostering these capabilities.

Because Byki's learning material covers over 70 languages, students are able to prepare themselves for a wide range of future endeavors. Some have undertaken the learning of a new language in order to prepare for the next stage of a career. Others hope to strengthen ties with loved ones—a significant other from abroad or a grandparent with limited English skills. Still others are choosing to take on language learning because they are committed to the idea of a global society. From French to Mandarin to Urdu, Transparent Language is proud to support the next generation of International Education leaders in their linguistic and cultural endeavors.

About Transparent Language, Inc.

At Transparent Language, we leverage our expertise in the research and practice of language learning to build programs for use by many US Government agencies and organizations, as well as thousands of schools, hundreds of public libraries, and millions of individuals. Our mission is to help language learners better communicate and engage with all of the world's people. We believe that a key to American success and world prosperity is the ability to understand and appreciate one another. Since 1991, we have worked to make this happen, one school, library, organization or person at a time.