The benefits of learning a foreign language extend far beyond the classroom. Not only does taking a language prepare students for academic success, but it also sets them up to connect with different people. M-A currently offers four world language classes: French, Latin, Chinese, and Spanish. By taking these classes, students found that their knowledge of a foreign language was more applicable outside of school than expected.
Junior Anika Desai found it especially useful to have taken Spanish at M-A when her family needed car assistance on a vacation in Costa Rica. “Our car had a flat tire at the beach, so we had to call someone to fix it. The person who came didn’t speak any English,” she said. “At that time I was only in Spanish III, but I knew certain phrases that helped me communicate with him, and eventually he understood and we got the car fixed.”
Although Latin may not be spoken today, freshman Aiko Robinson believes Latin helps her decipher English words. “I’ve used it when learning high level words for the SAT or for my science classes,” she said. “Everything I have learned in Latin is an extension of English grammar lessons, so I have learned moods, voices, and cases better than what is taught in English classes.”
“Spanish is helpful all over California, so I have been able to communicate with people in grocery stores or other places to clarify things when they don’t speak English very well,” senior Josh Adelberg said. “I have also been able to talk with locals on trips to Mexico which is always useful. Being in a higher level Spanish class will also open up opportunities for jobs in foreign countries like Spain.”
While studying abroad in France, sophomore Addy Moeller found herself using her French skills from class. “I used French almost every single day, whether it’s in class talking to my teacher, ordering food, or asking a stranger to help me in the metro station,” she said. “I definitely think my French class in the U.S. helped me learn the basics and the base for French words.”
Freshman Natalie Liu’s Spanish skills allowed her to better interact with local students during a service trip to Costa Rica. “We helped out a bunch of elementary school kids; we painted their schools and hung out with them. Most of them spoke very little English, so it was nice to connect with them and speak to each other in a language that was comfortable for them to avoid language barriers.”
Learning a language can also motivate connection and communication with family members. “Sometimes when I talk to my grandparents—since Chinese is their main language—there is a barrier. But since I started taking Chinese at school, I’ve been able to talk to them more and have the vocabulary to say what I want to say to them,” said sophomore Cindy Qiao, who currently takes AP Chinese. “I think this language could help me when I apply for jobs in the future, because if there is ever a Chinese-speaking person where I work that might need assistance, I could translate and help them out.”
Learning a language is an incredibly valuable skill as it broadens the connections between one’s community and opens up a world of opportunities outside the classroom. Being bilingual evidently has its advantages in professional and social experiences, making it a skill worth having.
