This editorial represents the opinion of all 15 Outlook editors.
At the moment, Aragon offers three foreign language classes: Spanish, Chinese, and Japanese. Per Aragon graduation requirements, all students are required to take at least one year of language.
Many, however, decide to continue on for two or more years to demonstrate continued interest and deepen their understanding of the language.
Although Aragon offers three foreign languages, the fact remains that the choices offered at Aragon represents a small subset of the nearly 100 different major languages spoken by hundreds of millions of people around the world.
It is, of course, impossible for Aragon to offer every language as a class. However, it would be a worthwhile effort to grant students greater access to foreign language classes that are not offered on-campus. There are many situations that demand this push: because every middle school in the San Mateo Foster City School District offers a different language program, it is hard for high schools to find a solution that accommodates the needs of every incoming student. At Bowditch Middle School, French is still being offered — a class that has long been absent from both Aragon and Hillsdale, where many Bowditch students end up matriculating.
It is important for students to feel like their academic needs are being addressed. Although there is not any one language that constitutes a “core” subject — with the exception of English — students should still be able to choose which language they want to learn. At Aragon, there will be students who will want to continue French or learn a language that simply is not offered. In fact, foreign languages are best retained when students continue the language that they have already started learning in elementary or middle school.
Additionally, as globalization and immigration into the U.S. continues, it is more important than ever for students to be able to learn the language they feel will meet their educational needs. The opportunities to work abroad increases the importance of learning a foreign language.
There are also cultural benefits to expanding language options at Aragon. Students from certain cultural backgrounds who have never had the chance to learn the language their ancestors spoke may find it more engaging or useful to learn a language that allows them to connect to their heritage.
It is important to recognize that Aragon already has a few resources available to students. American Sign Language, for example, is offered off-campus for Aragon students who wish to take the language. The counseling office offers the option to take foreign language classes with a couple online courses through Brigham Young University.
Unfortunately, this is not announced across campus, and it certainly is not introduced as an option during freshman orientation. Even worse, those students who do participate in this online program report unsatisfactory experiences with learning languages.
There are several solutions that could help solve this issue. For example, the administration could try to strengthen and publicize an arrangement for students to study languages with the nearby College of San Mateo.
These options could be listed in the course catalog when students sign up for classes as “alternative courses.” If the BYU program does not suffice, perhaps finding a better connection with an online language-learning resource that has high customer satisfaction would be another alternative.
Finally, if these options were presented during Aragon orientation programs, students would have more time to consider their options in taking another language.
Of course, making these options clear for incoming students is one issue. In any case, it is important for Aragon to first work towards a solution that gives students an opportunity to pursue their own educational path.
