french, spanish classes see cuts

Sra. Caitlin Crain sits at her desk, putting in grades for her Spanish students. Sra. Crain teaches some of the upper level Spanish classes that have seen a decline in enrollment the past couple years.

Let’s Talk About It

Numbers of students taking higher level language classes diminish

By Birdie Brereton

Staff Reporter

Human beings communicate through a plethora of different languages, and because of our reliance on speech to connect, as teenagers, every student is required to take at least two years of a world language class. Although these classes can bring merit and opportunity to students, many decide to stop there and pursue other classes. Because of this lack of interest from students, many of the upper level classes are forced to be cut from the final school schedule and replaced by other classes in higher demand from students.

The French language is the one most affected by the cuts, as there is only one French teacher, and this year, the highest level of French being offered is level three.

French teacher Amy Roznos says students focus too much on ‘mastering’ the language and set unrealistic expectations for themselves that can dissuade them from continuing their education in this field.

“Even after three, four or five years of language, you’re still practicing speaking correctly in the present tense all the time,” Madame Roznos said. “Sometimes students make mistakes or they can’t speak exactly the way that they would in English after two years, and they’re like, well, I’m just not good at it, which isn’t the case. It’s just unrealistic expectations.”

Madame Roznos believes that many students are led to think other departments like STEM are more important than humanities, and although STEM is an important department, it doesn’t negate the importance of other departments.

“People have this idea that STEM careers are more difficult, and they’re more prestigious. You are proving that you’re a better person or you’re smarter if you do well in science, or math, or something like that than if you do on a language and I don’t see that,” Madame Roznos said. “I feel like language and math are really similar. And that makes sense that they would go together.”

Madame Roznos gives advice to students who are on the fence on continuing their education in languages.

“I want to encourage students to set realistic expectations for themselves, and remember that it’s a skill, it takes practice and it takes time to develop a skill just like any other,” Roznos said. “I would encourage students to talk to adults in their life and ask them if they wish that they knew another language, because I feel like the answer is always yes.”

One of the school counselors, Mr. Trevor Wolfe believes students learning another language is beneficial to their developing minds and can broaden their horizons.

“I think World Language classes give “I want to [ encourage students to set realistic expectations for themselves and remember it’s a skill, it takes practice and it takes time to develop.” - Mme. Amy Roznos