Imagine if every student was forced to take the same exact elective for two years of their high school experience. This is what Sierra Pacific High School students have to meet to graduate. Why not make the elective more interesting if everyone has to take it?
In order to attend a four year university or college, each student needs to meet the criteria of two years of passing foreign language classes. So far, Sierra Pacific High School only offers Spanish classes to meet this requirement. Adding more foreign language class options would not only give students the chance to pick which language they would like to take, but also add to the campus’ diversity.
Adding new languages such as American Sign Language (ASL) and French would give students more options. By letting them choose, they could be more willing to pay attention in class because of their own invested interest. This could improve their desire to attend and succeed throughout all of high school.
Adding more language classes would also give Spanish speaking students the chance to learn another new language. Currently, the only option they have is to take a class in their native tongue. With Sierra’s population in central California, there are many students that are affected by this. If SPHS added additional languages, more students could connect with their ancestors’ lifestyle and explore their culture and nationality.
Even though establishing ASL and French language learning clubs would also achieve a globally diversified school atmosphere, they wouldn’t go towards the foreign language credit and would just be for student’s enjoyment. However, adding ASL and French as foreign language classes would go towards their graduation requirements.
Including American Sign Language as a language class in school would also teach students to appreciate and better understand deaf and hard of hearing students on campus and in public.
ASL signs are also used in other sign languages around the world, and offering ASL as a foreign language class would not only teach those one language, but parts of other sign languages as well.
Having access to Spanish classes in our area is beneficial because of the population that lives in central California, but teaches students about a culture and language that is already so familiar. More students would be interested in learning French as it is a fresh, new concept, culture and country. Adding French would give students who are interested in traveling abroad more global access.
Overseas, French is spoken widely in many countries. Offering French as a foreign language class would prepare students who have interests and opportunities in the future to travel to other parts of the world. Teaching such a different language in central California would not only expose students to a new language, but would also allow them to experience French culture.
Learning more global languages such as American Sign Language and French would give students more chances to connect with others outside of the classroom and after high school. Adding more foreign language options would benefit everyone on campus and make a more globally diversified school environment.
