K-12 Schools, Public Libraries, Community Organizations and Consultants DVD ($89)

Speaking in Tongues is an award-winning documentary about language education and its broader social context. It follows four diverse students who receive 90 percent of their instruction in a “foreign” language. As they grow in skill and proficiency, we see how knowing two languages changes them, their families, and their community. The film poses the question—today, is knowing one language enough?

(Special pricing for quantity orders—contact Andy Moore at distribution@patchworksfilms.net. )

Public libraries are entitled to unlimited purchases of circulation copies at $35 each (with no PPR) with or after a purchase of this $89 version that includes PPR.

This version of the DVD includes public performance rights when admission is not charged. Please pay by credit card online through our fulfillment company, Transit Media:

…or place an order by check by downloading this
K-12 Schools, Public Libraries, Community Organizations & Consultants Order Form and mailing it to:

PatchWorks Films
190 Route 17M
Suite D
Harriman, N.Y. 10926

or email, phone or fax your order to:

info@transitmedia.net
800-343-5540
fax: 845-774-2945

Shipping and handling prices:

Domestic Ground = $10 per title
Overnight = $35
2-day = $25
Canada & International = $25

Order Information and Policies

To view the trailer click here.

From our free Curriculum/Study Guide by Maxine Einhorn—

“Speaking in Tongues is recommended for 5th through 12th grades and adult students in colleges and adult schools. The intention is to encourage students to examine the social and cultural implications of changing demographics in contemporary society and the demands of an increasingly global economy. In this context, the central question is: In the 21st century, is knowing only English enough? Students are invited to think critically about bilingualism, in terms of employment opportunities, family connections, and personal development, but also in terms of new ways of thinking and being in the world, i.e. through developing a global consciousness.”

Praise from educators and others:

“Provides valuable insight into the issues and challenges that schools across America are facing.”
—Brett Lovejoy, Executive Director, American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages

“…Equally powerful is the clear theme of language as a component of identity. Acquiring a second language at a deep level involves second culture acquisition, and changes the individual forever.”
—High school teacher, Watsonville, California

“I had my doubts about the program, but now I have no doubt…dual language is the goal.”
—Fifth grade teacher, Florida

“Speaking in Tongues captures the same challenges that our local community faces regarding our Spanish dual immersion. There are so many that do not understand how a dual immersion works or even how language is acquired and yet they oppose it assuming that somehow it is a remedial program for Spanish speakers, it costs the District more to operate or that the goal for Spanish speakers is not English.”
—Sara Shorin, Teacher, Tahoe Truckee Unified School District, Lake Tahoe, CA

“Watching Speaking in Tongues brings to life the theory that we TRY to teach. Our community college population often does better with visuals than lectures because numerous students have limited academic skills. The film allows them to understand, absorb and make the information ‘their own.’”
—Kathy Kelley, Chabot Community College, Dept. of Education

“Speaking in Tongues is a film that needed to be made. With insight and the appeal of children, you have brought alive the vast capability of kids to learn languages and the impact of doing so early and thoroughly. …Provides a case study in overcoming our linguistic egotism and helps show multiple benefits of bi-lingual education.”
—Westy Egmont, National Immigrant Integration Conference

“This exquisite film gets right to the heart of issues surrounding languages in the U.S.”
—Virginia Collier & Wayne Thomas, Professors Emeriti, Bilingual/Multicultural/ESL Education, George Mason University

“This is a wonderful film about some very important issues on language, education, and America’s relationship with “foreign” languages. A must see!”
—Leighton Peterson, Prof. Of Anthropology, Miami University

“There’s one extraordinary scene at a family banquet, at which her great aunt objects to her learning Chinese, while another family member defends the decision to send her to Chinese immersion school. That scene feels like it could one day be America writ large, as migration and globalization bring the world to America, and the idea of bilingualism takes hold —and not just in polyglot places like San Francisco.”
—Patrick Cox, PRI’s The World: “Speaking in Tongues and Dreaming in Chinese”

“A story about human aspirations and how language divides and combines…really moving.”
—John Wranovics, Author, Agee and Chaplin

“A perfect way to introduce the complex psychological/political issues to my students, in a vivid and compelling way.”
—Susan A. Gelman Professor of Psychology, University of Michigan

“Moving, informative and fascinating to watch.”
—Jennifer Austin Ph.D., Department of Classical and Modern Languages, Rutgers University