After three years of work getting the Spanish program up and running, I would like to address the community directly to say thank you for your patience in this transition from French. While there is still a lot of work to be done continuing to develop the program into the best that it can be, the foundation has been laid with the patience and cooperation of the community, the students, and the administration of HCSD. It is my aim to continue to create a program here that aligns with the HCS mission statement; to help students to become self-sufficient, life-long learners who have the skills necessary to participate in a rapidly changing, global society. However, in my time as a teacher I have noticed that an important question is always at the forefront of language teaching and learning: how does learning another language, specifically Spanish, benefit students in the long term?
The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Language (ACTFL) has researched this very question extensively. The consensus across hundreds of studies conclude that language learning positively correlates with higher academic achievement in high school and college. Specifically, these studies concluded that language learning helps students to improve skills related to problem solving, cognitive abilities, and reading comprehension – skills that can be found across many different core subjects. In addition, language learning can help augment students’ understanding of the world and other cultures, which can help students have a more positive attitude towards the language itself and the people who speak it. Being more open minded in this way can give students the social skills they need to compete in a globally connected world.
Aside from the academic and social benefits to learning a language, it is important to understand that many employers across all employment levels are increasingly seeking employees with foreign language skills. Spanish, in particular, has become the highest in demand for U.S. employers (ACTFL). In an increasingly global economy, the need to effectively communicate with other people has increased as well:
Outside of New York State the U.S., unfortunately, is behind the times in this arena. While the U.S. does not have a federally defined official language, it also does not have a federally defined standard for the requirement of learning a foreign language, leaving the decision up to the states, thus creating an ambiguous culture around the study of foreign language. Meanwhile, across Europe 90% of students have studied at least one foreign language - often before becoming a teen. This compares to 20% of U.S. students. Similarly, nearly 60% of Europeans speak more than one language fluently compared to 20% of U.S. students (Devlin). This leaves U.S. students behind on the global stage where language skills are involved.
Since the 1980s, New York State has required that students take one unit of foreign language prior to grade nine. This has evolved over the last twenty years or so to the current requirement, which is as follows: for high school graduation, students must pass a two year, level one (Checkpoint A) language course (Spanish 1) and pass a local exam aligned with the Checkpoint A Languages Other Than English (LOTE) proficiency standards. LOTE Standards are broken up into Checkpoint A, B, and C proficiency levels to which I align my classes and my final exams. In order to earn a Regents Diploma with Advanced Designation, students have the option to take and pass two additional levels of language and the Checkpoint B exam (Spanish 2 & 3). Here at Harrisville CSD students also have the option to continue their education with a Spanish 4 class that is accredited by North Country Community College. Students who complete all four levels of study will be exempt from taking a language at college by most universities (NYSED, ACTFL, LOTE).
Regardless of the state requirements, the research undeniably points to the developmental benefits of learning a language. It is my mission to bring this to the students of Harrisville CSD and to our community. Please check future issues of the Glances for cultural information, recipes, and tips to help your children learn Spanish!
If you would like more information on the benefits of language learning, the LOTE standards, or the Spanish program here at HCSD please contact me at aoxenford@hcsk12.org. You can also visit the following websites for more information about language learning:
Work Cited
“100.5 Graduation Requirements.” NYSED, www.p12.nysed.gov/part100/pages/1005.html#regentsAD.
Devlin, Kat. “Learning a Foreign Language a 'Must' in Europe, Not so in America.” Pew Research Center, Pew Research Center, 13 July 2015, www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2015/07/13/learning-a-foreign-language-a-must-in-europe-not-so-in-america/.
Devlin, Kat. “Most European Students Are Learning a Foreign Language in School While Americans Lag.” Pew Research Center, Pew Research Center, 6 Aug. 2018, www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2018/08/06/most-european-students-are-learning-a-foreign-language-in-school-while-americans-lag/.
“Standards and Guidelines.” New York State Education Department, www.nysed.gov/world-languages/standards-and-guidelines.
“What the Research Shows.” ACTFL, ACTFL, www.actfl.org/advocacy/what-the-research-shows.
Listen to Matthew's reasons to learn a new language!
Let's make learning a language a priority!
Take a deep breath and ask:
Just because you believe something now, doesn’t mean you have to continue to do so! You can ALWAYS change your mind!
What is bias? What can we do about it?
14371 Pirate Lane | Harrisville, NY 13648
Phone: Phone # 315-543-2707 | Fax: Fax # 315-543-2360
