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Benefits of Expanding the Foreign Language Program By Hailee Reilly
With the world rapidly evolving into a cultural and linguistic melting pot, the ability to understand others should increase as well, leading many people at Coventry High School to wonder if the foreign language programs should evolve as well?
With the world rapidly evolving into a cultural and linguistic melting pot, the ability to understand others should increase as well, leading many people at Coventry High School to wonder if the foreign language programs should evolve as well?
At the moment, CHS offers three languages to choose from: Italian, French, and Spanish. All three are part of the Romance languages which are widely spoken throughout the world. However, according to data from Ethnologue, Italian and French do not make it into the top 10 most spoken languages and Spanish only ranks as number two.
The benefits of learning a language are numerous and will stick with the speaker for the rest of their lives. While learning a new language in high school, Professor Jarold Weatherford claims that “such students often possess outstanding communication skills, both written and oral.”
Not only do students gain communication skills, but they also increase the chances of being accepted to a competitive college. Education consultant Kimberly Stezala claims that “more competitive colleges are looking for applicants with four years of foreign language, in the same language. “
Colleges are not the only ones looking for applicants who have studied a foreign language. With diverse populations in America, “a second language is now a vital requirement for a growing number of careers” according to Grace Chen.
Next year, Coventry High School will be hosting foreign exchange students from China. Asked if the there was a chance that Mandarin or Cantonese would be added to the language program Principal Hobin said that it won’t be possible for next year.
At CHS, two years of a foreign language is a requirement. However, in East Greenwich, a foreign language is not required. Out of 790 students, Superintendent of East Greenwich, Dr. Mercurio states, “660 of these students take a language, or 83.5%”.
After the two years of a required foreign language, only “50% continue with a language in their third year” said Hobin. This would be approximately 200 students pursuing a language in 11th grade compared to the 400 students enrolled in the previous year.
Katelyn Ferragamo, a CHS sophomore, expressed her interest in the idea of expanding the foreign language program. Stating that she would like more languages to be added because it would be other electives that would interest her, Katelyn also touched upon the idea that she would favor languages that are not spoken in the Americas, but rather ones from Europe or Asia.
According to world language curriculum coordinator Mrs. Giblin, if more languages were added, they would be Chinese and Arabic because “they are widely spoken throughout the world and are in high demand.” She added, “Now, perhaps more than ever before, it is abundantly important for people to be knowledgeable about and compassionate to other cultures.”