Speaking in Tongues

About the Project

Speaking in Tongues follows the lives of four kids attempting to become bilingual as they study four different languages; an experience that could transform not only themselves, but also pave the way for change in the U.S. In a time when 31 states have passed English Only initiatives, one urban school district is exploring the provocative notion that speaking a foreign language can be a national asset. The film follows four diverse students and their families as they encounter the challenges and delights of becoming fluent in two languages.

The film's four protagonists come to language immersion programs for very different reasons. Jason is a first generation Mexican-American whose immigrant family embraces bilingualism as the key to full participation in the land of opportunity. Durrell is an African-American kindergartner whose mom hopes that learning Mandarin will be a way out of economic uncertainty and into possibility. Kelly is a Chinese- American recapturing the Cantonese her parents sacrificed to become American. Julian is a Caucasian 8th grader eager to expand his horizons and become a good world citizen. Together, they represent a nexus of challenges facing America today: economic and academic inequities, de facto segregation, record numbers of new immigrants, and the need to communicate across cultures. The film follows the characters as they enter the portal of language and open their minds to new ways of thinking and being in the world. In a time of globalization and changing demographics, bilingualism offers them more than an opportunity to join the global job market.

Language becomes a metaphor for breaking down barriers between ourselves and our neighbors--be they around the corner or across the world. Will one city's bold experiment become a model for transforming Americans into global citizens?

The Fledgling Fund Impact

We are pleased to be supporting the outreach and audience egagement efforts of Speaking in Tongues. Through the stories of four young children and their families this film addresses the effects of globalization and raises interesting questions about educational reforms in the U.S.