Congressional Hearing: Shortage of Foreign Language Speakers in Government

On May 21 Sen. Daniel K. Akaka (D-Hawaii) convened a panel: “A National Security Crisis: Foreign Language Capabilities in the Federal Government.” Witnesses testified about the need for foreign language speakers in the military and other parts of government, and the potential implications for national security. Among the topics they addressed were recruiting personnel, providing incentives for foreign language study, and improving educational programs. They also talked about the potential impact of budget cuts on existing efforts to recruit and retain foreign language speakers.

You can watch a video of the hearing here: http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/306148-1 and download transcripts here: http://www.hsgac.senate.gov/subcommittees/oversight-of-government-management/hearings/a-national-security-crisis-foreign-language-capabilities-in-the-federal-government

An editorial responding to the hearings ran in the Washington Post: http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/government-has-foreign-language-deficit/2012/05/21/gIQAzjgVgU_story.html