On September 9, 2025, the United States took a significant step in language policy with the adoption of Executive Order 14224, officially designating English as the nation’s official language. While this move codifies a historical reality—English has long been the language of the Federalist Papers, Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and federal law—it also arrives at a moment of immense linguistic diversity. According to recent U.S. Census data, more than 500 distinct languages are spoken in American homes, and nearly 70 million residents use a language other than English at home. As Attorney General Pam Bondi noted in a recent memo, this is a country of “vibrant linguistic diversity.”
The new executive order, however, doesn’t mark a sharp break from the past. The White House fact sheet clarifies that while English is now the official language for federal communications, agencies retain the flexibility to provide information in other languages when necessary. The order explicitly states that “agency heads are not required to amend, remove, or otherwise stop production of documents, products, or other services prepared or offered in languages other than English.” According to guidance from the Department of Justice, the challenge for federal agencies will be to “balance this mandate with mission-critical responsibilities” that demand multilingual communication—think disaster alerts, health advisories, or other urgent information.
It’s not just a matter of principle; it’s a matter of public safety. The Justice Department guidance makes clear that agencies must keep translating life-saving information, such as FEMA orders during natural disasters or National Weather Service warnings about hurricanes and floods. “Translating life-saving information into even less-prevalent languages, be it weather alerts or public health information, may still be mission-critical,” the guidance notes. This approach acknowledges that, for many Americans, access to information in their primary language can literally be a matter of life and death.
But the executive order also signals a shift. Federal agencies are now encouraged to review all existing non-English services and publications to determine which can be reduced or eliminated. The Department of Justice itself is conducting an inventory of such services, with plans to phase out unnecessary multilingual offerings. This move rolls back many of the initiatives that have been in place since President Bill Clinton’s Executive Order 13166 in 2000, which sought to expand accommodations for non-English speakers. Still, the new order does not require agencies to adopt English-only policies or cut current multilingual services outright; rather, it asks them to weigh the public benefit of English exclusivity against the needs of diverse communities.
Technology, especially artificial intelligence, is expected to play a leading role in this new language landscape. The Justice Department’s memo highlights that “technology, specifically artificial intelligence (AI), should be at the forefront of all agency translation needs going forward.” AI-powered translation tools can help agencies identify which documents are most critical for translation, scan vast datasets to find existing multilingual content, and even analyze web analytics to determine which languages are most in demand. Purpose-built AI translation systems, which are trained on agency-specific content and a wide range of languages, offer higher accuracy and lower costs than general-purpose models or human translators. These tools can quickly convert documents, videos, or audio files into multiple languages, making it easier for agencies to comply with the order’s requirements without breaking the bank.
This balancing act—between efficiency and inclusivity, cost and critical need—reflects broader tensions in language policy worldwide. In the United Kingdom, for example, English language training (ELT) providers are facing a different kind of challenge. According to English UK’s quarterly report released on September 10, 2025, enrolments in UK-based ELT programs have declined sharply in the first half of the year. The report found a 12% drop in student weeks from Q1 2024 to Q1 2025 and a 15% decline in Q2 2025 compared to the previous year. The volume of student weeks in Q2 2025 was just 68% of pre-pandemic levels, down from a 72% recovery at the end of 2024.
What’s behind this downturn? Policy uncertainty, enrolment caps, visa restrictions, and economic headwinds in key source markets have all played a role. English UK and its research partner BONARD cite “policy uncertainty including enrolment caps, visa restrictions, and changes in government administration and an economic downturn in key source markets” as major factors. Trade wars and volatile exchange rates have hit Asian markets particularly hard, reducing outbound student mobility. Even Saudi Arabia, the top sending market, sent nearly 3,000 fewer student weeks than the year before, though Türkiye bucked the trend with a notable increase.
It’s a vivid reminder that language learning is not just a matter of classroom instruction; it’s tied to global economics, migration patterns, and shifting government priorities. And for individual learners, the stakes are deeply personal. Consider the story of Ivy Nguyen, a 2023 graduate of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), who is now pursuing a master’s degree in teaching Chinese as a foreign language in Taiwan. Nguyen grew up speaking British English in Vietnam, then adapted to a medley of English accents after moving to the U.S. in 2014. Her journey—from learning to bridge linguistic divides in high school, to double majoring in Asian studies and global studies, to tutoring students in Maryland and studying abroad in Seoul—reflects the real-world complexities of language acquisition and cultural adaptation.
“Being able to listen without judgment is a critical skill,” Nguyen told UMBC News, describing her experiences as a tutor and AmeriCorps teaching fellow. She was an alternate for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program award to Taiwan but chose instead to pursue her studies at National Normal University in Taipei, supported by Taiwan’s Ministry of Education. Nguyen is also applying for a part-time job with the Ministry’s English Language Teaching Assistant Program. “You have to know how to be flexible and pick what is right for you. If there is a change in plans, that’s still okay. Everything will be okay in the end,” she reflected.
While individuals like Nguyen find ways to thrive across languages, many others face systemic barriers. Nowhere is this more apparent than in New York City, where a September 9, 2025, report from Comptroller Brad Lander revealed that thousands of English language learner (ELL) students are being denied legally mandated services in the city’s public schools. State law requires equal access to free education for children who speak little or no English, but the audit found that nearly half of those reviewed did not receive required courses or minimum instructional time. About 40% were taught by teachers lacking proper qualifications, and almost a third of parents weren’t informed of their rights.
Spanish-speaking students were most likely to be underserved, but large numbers of Chinese-, Russian-, Bengali-, and Arabic-speaking children also lacked access to essential services. The report found that 97% of the waivers requested by city schools to avoid creating bilingual programs were improper, denying instruction to thousands. The city’s Education Department has agreed to most of the comptroller’s recommendations, including recruiting more qualified teachers and expanding bilingual programs. Still, the findings underscore the vulnerability of ELL students and the urgent need for improved support nationwide.
As the U.S. government, schools, and individuals navigate the challenges of language diversity, the question remains: How can a nation that has always been shaped by many tongues balance efficiency, equity, and the promise of opportunity for all? The answer, it seems, will require a mix of technology, policy, and above all, a willingness to listen—without judgment—to every voice.
