Studying abroad

Calling it a "simple, but very important bill," Rep. Mike Jaros (DFL-Duluth), the sponsor of HF188, said it would make it mandatory for students who are preparing to teach a foreign language in the K-12 system to study abroad for one year. The bill would affect students the University of Minnesota and Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) institutions.

According to Jaros most teachers learn what they know about countries whose language they are teaching in the classroom. He said they should visit the country to study its history and be subjected to its culture as well. Jaros said without a hands-on experience in a country where the language is spoken would be akin to having surgery performed by a surgeon who only learned from a textbook.

The proposal will be considered for inclusion in the committee's omnibus bill.

A companion bill (SF144), sponsored by Sen. Sandra Pappas (DFL-St. Paul), awaits committee action.

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