Students learn about new languages, cultures in Simmons Middle School language program
A new language club at Simmons Middle School is allowing students to learn about different cultures and languages.
Margaret Moore, who teaches English as a second language courses at Simmons and Holgate, said the program started earlier this year. It was originally designed to be a sort of ambassador program, where multilingual students would help welcome new students who spoke the same language to the school. Students were paired up and could do things like go to lunch.
But the has program evolved to include learning about different cultures and languages, Moore said.
The students meet every other week on Wednesday during their homeroom period. Guest speakers who are multilingual visit with students about their experience learning English and their culture.
For example, Moore said two Northern State University students from the Czech Republic recently visited the language club. They talked about learning English and shared information about Czech culture. They even stayed late after the meeting because students were eager to continue asking questions. Another Northern student from Bolivia, who is a musician, played music for students and talked about Bolivian music. Other guest speakers might include multilingual students from Central High School.
Moore said the program is always looking for new speakers, including folks from the community.
Last week, Northern State University international student Cheng Chen spoke to the language club. Chen grew up in China where she began learning English in the third grade. Her first language is Mandarin Chinese.
Chen also talked about characteristics of Mandarin Chinese and her culture. Students asked her questions about the language and cuisine of her homeland.
Afterward, Chen spoke in front of one of the school's social studies classes as more students wanted to ask questions, Moore said. Those queries were about different Chinese festivities, the Mandarin Chinese alphabet and other topics.
The language club really blew up once guest speakers were added, said Moore. The club has more than 30 students who speak nine different languages, including:
Spanish
Karen
German
Russian
Swahili
Chinese
Malayalam
Mam
American Sign Language
Moore said the club is popular. She hosts a similar program at Holgate, although there are fewer students involved. For now, that club mostly consists of learning about different languages, cultures, and arts and crafts. Students do not need to speak or be actively learning another language in order to participate.
Moore things the group is popular because it helps students feel a sense of belonging. It also helps students acknowledge and respect people of different cultures who live in the community, she said. Kids learn that people are all same and feel that within the confines of the language club, she said.
This article originally appeared on Aberdeen News: Simmons Middle School implements language program
