Education systems in Latin America get to make a choice on teaching second languages at a young age:
1) Teach English as it's the key global language and will assist in interactions with the US.
2) Teach Portuguese (or in Brazil, Spanish) as it will help integrate the region.
3) Teach Chinese (or Hindi or....) because it's the global language of the future
4) Teach the local indigenous language to preserve cultural heritage.
I can see a case for all four, but in an environment where there are limited resources, particularly time, education systems will only get one (if that). I don't know that any of those choices is necessarily right or wrong, but it does say something about how a country views their future in 10-20 years.
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Are any of the countries creating a model like the JET Programme (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JET_Programme) or TFA (Teach For America) to bring young minds into teach? Also, are any partnering with China as it looks to expand its soft power? I see both as routes for a nation to take.
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