4A- Forming An Opportunity Belief

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.