The independent scholar as change agent: The case of foreign language advocacy

Abstract

There is a foreign language deficit in the United States, and the independent scholar, with both motivation and expertise, can play a significant role as a foreign language advocate, able to bridge the gap between communities and academia, and to operate with relatively more freedom that many language stakeholders, embedded in educational institutions and business environments. The skills set, or core competencies, of the independent scholar-advocate, the importance of online communities and advocacy, and agility in effective advocacy are examined. The case of foreign language advocacy could be generalized to include many other areas where the independent scholar can play a significant role as change agent for the greater good in our society and in our world