America's Bilingual Century--How Americans Are Giving the Gift of Bilingualism to Themselves, Their Loved Ones, and Their Country

Description

"By far the most engaging, informative, and fascinating book on learning a new language ever written, full of more candidly acknowledged humiliation, unexpectedly exalted success, and very funny stories than you'd ever imagine." —Tom Morris, national bestselling author of Plato's Lemonade Stand: Stirring Change into Something Great Scientists have shown bilingualism to be brain-changing. It can also be life-changing. In America's Bilingual Century, author Steve Leveen takes you on a journey of reinvention—of yourself, your children, and the country—that takes place when we embrace bilingualism. Based on a decade of research and hundreds of interviews with experts and successful bilinguals, Steve found that a new America is emerging: one where more and more people are speaking English and another language. Steve is one of them. He has "adopted" Spanish as his second language. Learning it later in his life gave him both insight and empathy. He offers both in this book, along with loads of practical advice on how you, too, can become part of this 21st-century America. For adults who've never mastered a second language and believe they never can, Steve debunks myths, reveals the good news on improved teaching methods, and shares some of the learning techniques that work well for adults. For parents, he shows the decisive advantage that bilingual children have—not just in language class, but with all their learning. He also takes parents on a tantalizing tour of dual language immersion programs, which may well be the future of education in America. For every American, he takes us back into our history, exploring why a country that contained many languages at various periods is ready to become that country again—but better. Then he re-imagines for us how an America of flourishing bilingualism might look, sound, and feel. If bilingualism isn't yet in your future, it just might be after reading this thought-provoking, eloquent, and heartwarming book. A message from Steve to readers of America's Bilingual Century No matter what your prior experiences in language learning, even if you think you're inept at languages, even if you had a terrible experience in school, you can adopt a language, become a lifelong bilingual, and experience the joy that comes with entering another world and living a larger life. You can help your loved ones do the same. And you can help America find its voice, both with the English that unites us, and with the hundreds of other languages that help define us. Becoming bilingual is a journey of a thousand miles that begins with one step. Since you will be walking far, I hope this book will serve as your trusted compass. —Steve Steve Leveen devoted his first career to celebrating literacy, cofounding Levenger, the first company in America to create products for readers. He is now devoting his encore career to biliteracy, championing bilingualism in America as a path to a stronger and healthier nation. America's Bilingual Century is his third book. For more about Steve and the America the Bilingual project. Aspiring bilinguals welcome!