Student enrollment in foreign language classes, including Hebrew and Arabic, have increased after two decades of decline, according to the Modern Language Association of America.
“With the prevalence of English around the world, we were concerned that students might lose interest in studying foreign languages,” said Phyllis Franklin, executive director of the association. “The enrollments in the 1990s are heartening. They show that students believe it is important and necessary to learn a foreign language.”
The association’s report released this month stated that enrollment in foreign language classes by undergraduate and graduate students was 1.1 million — 13.5 percent higher than in 1986.
The choice of foreign language has also changed.
Enrollment in Arabic classes increased by 27.9 percent, from 1990 to 1995. Hebrew, biblical and modern, rose 1 percent during that time. Hebrew and Arabic rank 10th and 12th in popularity, respectively.
Spanish remains the most popular foreign language studied in the United States, with an increase of 13.5 percent in registration and 53 percent of total enrollments. Registration in French and German, still the second and third most popular, has decreased by 24.6 and 27.8 percent, respectively.
Language preferences are based on global trends, such as emerging markets and economic activity, the report suggested. “Students’ language choices often mirror international development,” Franklin said. “They are responding to these changes with a desire to learn the language and culture.”
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