Description:
There is a rise of businesses and
jobs in the United States that require applicants to speak more than one language,
and sometimes more than just two. The demand for bilingual workers has doubled
in the past five years. More than 70% of children in the US don’t study foreign
languages in schools compared to the 8% of children in Europe. People are
trying to teach their kids more languages in the first years of life because that’s
when the brain retains the most information.
Interview #1: Director at Baby
Gator
What is the exact nature of the need?
We need to teach students to speak dual languages,
so they are more successful when they try and get jobs in the real world. People
learn languages best from the ages of 2-6.
When do they become aware of the need --
that is, do they experience their need all the time or only sometimes?
I experience this more for the kids
around me than for myself. I want them to succeed in life and so making sure
they grow up with a little bit of other languages is important to me. So I experience
this everyday as it is my job to teach and care for them.
How long have they had the need?
I have had this need since the first day
I became a director of this program.
When did they first become aware of
their need? Why?
I became aware of this need when there were
some bilingual children in the class but the children who only spoke English had
a harder time with critical thinking and don’t have as big of a scope for
cultural awareness.
How are they currently addressing their
need? How satisfied are they with this solution?
We are trying to teach simple words in
other languages to all the kids so it can interest them later in learning the language
more fluently. I am satisfied as doing this strategy I can see better results
in their cultural awareness and critical thinking.
Interview #2: Student at my apartment
complex
What is the exact nature of the need?
Students that speak more languages have
a better chance of getting jobs and internships, so they need to have classes
in school to learn more than English.
When do they become aware of the need --
that is, do they experience their need all the time or only sometimes?
I do not have this need often because I speak
two other languages other than English. Though it has helped me get internships
and other jobs.
How long have they had the need?
I learned these languages as a child, so
I hadn’t had it for long.
When did they first become aware of
their need? Why?
I became aware of the need when my
friend and I both applied for an internship with Disney, but I got it and she didn’t
solely because she didn’t speak another language.
How are they currently addressing their
need? How satisfied are they with this solution?
I brush up on my languages every day to make
sure they don’t fade from my mind and to even try and learn new languages when I
can. I am satisfied as I have gotten many jobs and internships due to the language
experience I have.
Interview #3: Student by Marston
Library
What is the exact nature of the need?
I need to get into more language courses
if I want to pursue the tourist and entertainment business.
When do they become aware of the need --
that is, do they experience their need all the time or only sometimes?
I experience this need every day as I think
about my future in the tourism industry.
How long have they had the need?
I have had this need my whole life. I
only grew up with English and did not have to take another language course while
in high school.
When did they first become aware of
their need? Why?
I became aware when I decided my major
and what I wanted to do with my life. Wanting to work in tourism means that I have
to speak to people that come to the United States to visit and be able to
communicate with them properly. That means I have to learn more languages to efficiently
do that.
How are they currently addressing their
need? How satisfied are they with this solution?
I haven’t signed up for a language course
yet but, I am looking to sign up for one and then study abroad to get more experience
in other countries.
Summary:
A lot of the opportunity is still
there as many people agreed that languages are important to learn for the
success in jobs and internships. I do believe my opportunity is more accurate
than when I started because I got confirmation that people need to be taught
these things at a young age to not only get better jobs but even help them do
better in school. I think entrepreneurs should always adapt to customer
feedback as that is your target audience and if something is wrong then they won’t
buy your product or service.
