National
Foreign Week this year was celebrated March 4th-8th. For that week students and teachers explored the many
different languages the world has to offer as well as the places where these languages
are spoken. Each day of the week focused on a certain language. In French and Spanish classes students created flags of the places where
foreign languages are spoken and displayed them on their lockers.
For
Foreign Language Week some classes decorated their doors to represent all
the different languages. They included different comments from
students about why they thought learning a new language was so important.
Sophomore Jasmine Haygood said, "As a part of the Spanish class I think learning
a new language is important because it opens up many doors for you; you become
eligible for more jobs and career
choices."
Another sophomore, Sarah Jones, a French student here at Messmer, says, "Learning
a new language can be fun, not only do you learn things about the language but also
things about its origins." Spanish teacher Mrs. Karry Jo Jazwiecki
says, "Studying a foreign language improves knowledge of one's own language and
increases student awareness and appreciation of other cultures. It is also fun
to be able to express oneself in another language and to understand native
speakers when they speak a language other than English."
In
addition to door decorating,
treats from each culture were sold at lunch every day. Students were able to try new things. Not
only was Foreign Language week a hit, it was a learning experience for many
students as well as some teachers. Sarah added, "I loved learning new words from different languages and what they meant, and the treats at lunch were not half
bad either."
The
purpose of Foreign Language week was for students to explore different
languages and to open students up to things they may not hear, see, or taste every
day. Mrs. Jazwiecki adds, "The purpose of Foreign Language Week
is to highlight the importance of foreign language study."
--Contributed
by sophomore Ramanda Davis
