Friday, September 12, 2014 10:06am ET by  
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Shakira urges Latino students to learn second language

Shakira has encouraged Latino students to pick up a second language.

The singer, who hails from Colombia, told MediaPlanet that learning more than one language will help "open doors" to success in countries like the US.

She said: "Latino students need to be empowered for academic success, starting from early education. It is time to get stronger in our commitment to reduce inequity by expanding educational opportunities for all... Being bilingual is a competitive business advantage.

"Particularly for Hispanic students - which make up the majority of the English learner population - limited English proficiency in the early years is associated with low achievement and other poor school outcomes.

"Language opens doors to other cultures in a way that nothing else does, except music. They are the two most universal things we share as humans, and both have allowed me to connect with people around the world in a way I don't know that I ever could have imagined as a young girl just starting out."

Shakira meanwhile is a member of the President's Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence of Hispanics.

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Watch Shakira being interviewed below: