Embracing Multilingualism through WAB's After-school Language Program

Welcome to the eleventh episode of Season 5 of the WAB podcast. In this episode. We're joined by Marina Frias-Gavidia, the Middle School Principal and Spanish teacher, Moana Teriitehau, the French language acquisition teacher, and three students: Dominic, Kenzie, and Zoe from Grade 8. Together, they explored the After School Language (ALP) Program, discussing its benefits, learning approaches, and how it supports multilingualism, cultural understanding, and diversity at WAB. 

Marina highlighted our diverse community values multilingualism and ALP provides students the opportunity to learn Chinese, Spanish, or French after regular school hours. Moana added that the ALP content mirrors the daytime language classes, offering two hours on Mondays and lunchtime sessions on Thursdays. 

Three enthusiastic ALP students also shared their experiences. Grade 8 student Dominic is taking French ALP and also learns Chinese during the day. He explained his motivation that since he is moving to Canada next year, where French is widely spoken, he hopes ALP can help him stay ahead in his French studies.  

His peer Zoe takes ALP Spanish and learns Chinese during the day. She shared her reason for committing to the additional language learning, was to help prepare herself for the future, as she believes speaking three languages is a great advantage.  

As someone new to ALP Spanish, Kenzie mentioned she is really enjoying the course. She shared her previous experience of studying Spanish in Elementary School before she came to WAB. After taking a break for two years, she is now happy that she can pick it up again in Grade 8 this year.  

Marina highlighted the program's unique approach by leveraging translanguaging and recognizing students' home languages and cultures. Moana provided an example in his recent class, where a student from Korea compared French speech formalities to her home culture, demonstrating how students' home languages can facilitate their language learning.  

Marina concluded by emphasizing the broader benefits of ALP, as learning multiple languages can help our students connect with more people, understand diverse cultures, and develop crucial skills like discipline and perseverance.  

As the conversation wrapped up, the students offered advice to potential ALP participants by emphasizing the time commitment and the importance of attending each class. If you want to learn more about our students' language learning exploration, please tune in to this episode.