U.S. foreign language learning lags

The Pew Research Center has found that only 20% of U.S. students are learning a foreign language in school. In comparison, 92% of European students study a foreign language, typically starting at ages 6-9.

Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Austria, Romania, and France all report that 100% of their students learn a foreign language. Belgium, at 64%, has the lowest rate of language learning among European nations. Even the U.S. states with the highest rates of language learning lag behind Belgium. At 51%, New Jersey tops the language learning rankings, followed by the District of Columbia (47%) and Wisconsin (36%). At 9%, Arkansas, Arizona, and New Mexico have the lowest rates of foreign language study.

Source: Devlin, K. (2018, August 6). Most European students are learning a foreign language in school while Americans lag. Fact Tank: News by the Numbers. Washington, DC: Pew Research Center.