It is no secret that the US is lagging (severely) behind in Geography skills. Our own Global Studies Program at San Jose Episcopal Day School is looking to improve global awareness among our students.

I was made aware of a Chicago tribune article called “Why is U.S. in another world?” today by “My Wonderful World Blog“.

The article addresses Geographic illiteracy in the United States.

Educators attribute the problem they call “geographic illiteracy” to several factors.

As a large country separated from the rest of the world by two oceans, the U.S. has not had to concern itself as much with such fine points as knowing that Guinea is a country in Africa and that New Guinea is an island north of Australia.

Also, with English the dominant language of international business and culture, it’s easier for Americans — as well as Canadians and Britons, who also rank low in geographic knowledge — to overlook the fact that the world is made of multiple cultures.

“We tend not to give as much importance to other cultures and languages as we might otherwise,” Garcia said. “We don’t travel outside our own country as much as people in other countries. We don’t speak multiple languages as people in Europe commonly do.”

Play a TravelIQ game to measure your geography skills. Careful: It can become addicting.

Posted: 28. November, 2007 at 7:08 pm. Filed under: Uncategorized.
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