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Visible Learning™
Visible Learning MetaX™
Version 1.4 – Updated February 2026

Foreign languages

Overview

  • Influence: Foreign languages
  • Domain: Curricula
  • Sub-Domain: Other curricula programs
  • Potential to Accelerate Student Achievement: Potential to considerably accelerate
  • Influence Definition: Programs to develop students skills in foreign languages

Evidence

  • Number of meta-analyses: 3
  • Number of studies: 133
  • Number of students: 14,128
  • Number of effects: 99
  • Weighted mean effect size: 0.77
  • Robustness index: 3

Meta-Analyses

Meta-Analyses
Journal Title Author Article Name Year Published Variable Number of Studies Number of Students Number of Effects Effect Size
Dissertation Stewart A meta-analysis of the relationship between learning a foreign language in elementary school and student achievement. 2017 Learning foreign language on general achievement 99 14,128 17 0.85
Spanish and Portuguese Review Hill A meta-analysis of the effect of ten language immersion programs on academic achievement.  2018 Immersion programs 10 NA 58 0.26
Advances in Science, Technology and Engineering Systems Journal Kim & Kim A meta-analysis of content and language integrated learning in English.  2017 Content immersed foreign teaching 24 NA 24 0.68
TOTAL/AVERAGE 133 14,128 99 0.60
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