During the course of America’s history there have been many phrases used to describe its culture.

After all, how do you describe a culture that has so many different influences? No other country has founded itself on so many different cultures, traditions, religions and perspectives.

But ideas about where these different cultural influences belong are almost as numerous as the phrases used to describe them. Fifty years ago it was a melting pot, with languages, foods, traditions and ideas ready to be poured into the American mold. A little eagle on top of the flag pole.

New immigrants frantically learned English, ate hamburgers and watched cowboy and Indian westerns in an attempt to assimilate into the norm. Native languages were forgotten, native foods and traditions considered out of fashion.

The times have changed.

Many Americans now describe their country as a salad bowl – separate pieces thrown together to create a delicious dish. While new immigrants still work to assimilate into American society, they are taking their old traditions and languages with them.

Thinking globally is chic, but many Americans aren’t adjusting to the new norm.

A big part of this is the language barrier blocking many Americans from stepping out of their melting-pot mentality. While our European, Asian and Middle Eastern counterparts have spent years learning foreign languages, such as English, Americans are still counting in Spanish with Sesame Street.

This is why the new initiative to teach students foreign languages when they are younger is so important. Studies come out all the time about the incredible learning potential in young children. This is the time to introduce them to a new language, instead of when they’re 14 years old and already way too comfortable in English.

This is not only keeping our younger generation competitive with their future foreign business partners, it’s also training their minds to think in different ways.

Skills such as math and science are important, and it’s key that children are taught to understand these concepts.

The same can be said for foreign languages.

Another process of thought and the earlier it’s taught the easier it is for children to use later in life.

People who were raised in a bilingual household are able to learn numerous other languages because their minds have been trained to adapt in that way.

While teaching children a new language won’t necessarily make them bilingual, it will enrich their educational experience by providing them with another learning opportunity.

The world we know will not be the same world our children live in. It’s important that we recognize that and take the opportunity to prepare them for it.

editorialboard: Andrea Hauser, Tim Paluch, Michelle Kann, Zach Calef, Omar Tesdell