During the spring, Pleasant Valley juniors and seniors enrolled in a world language class can take the Seal of Biliteracy exam. Students are tested on their proficiency in reading, writing, speaking and listening in a foreign language.
In 2024, only 55 of 500 seniors earned the Seal of Biliteracy, even though every student is required to take foreign language courses.
Although PV is known for its high standard of education and rigorous courses, it’s not flawless. Every core subject is taught since elementary school, except for one: world language. For a school that prides itself on being “Committed to Excellence,” its students are being cheated out of a thorough foreign language experience.
The problem with the language program is not the courses themselves but, rather, their shortened length. PV’s lack of bilingual students rests on the fact that the program starts too late and is too short.
PV offers two language courses: Spanish and French. Students can take a language course starting in 8th grade and can continue through senior year. However, they are only required to take two years of a foreign language to graduate.
Because of the two-year requirement, most PV students don’t take advantage of the five-year program. But research has proven that two years is not sufficient for a student to even have a baseline in a language, let alone fluency.
Spanish teacher Stephanie Risius has taught all levels of Spanish students, proving to be an expert on what it takes to reach fluency. “To be fluent in a language, you need a lot of exposure to that language,” Risius shared. “The more time you have with the language, the more you understand the nuances.”
Senior Andie VanDerSchaaf took Spanish classes starting in 8th grade, but quit the foreign language path after her junior year in high school. “Spanish was very complex to learn when I’ve only spoken English my entire life,” VanDerSchaaf said. “Even though my Spanish skills are helpful, taking another year of Spanish would’ve been difficult for me.”
Experts say part of the reason so many students struggle to learn another language in high school is that it is more difficult to learn another language at an older age. According to Michigan State Extension, “As adults, we have to consider grammar rules and practice, but young children absorb sounds, structures, intonation patterns and the rules of a second language very easily. Up until the age of eight, young learners benefit from flexible ear and speech muscles that can detect differences between the sounds of a second language.”
Risius has experienced firsthand what positive effects learning another language can have on students. “There’s so much value in students being bilingual,” Risius said. “There are over 500 million native Spanish speakers that you can now communicate with. Knowing another language is vital these days, in whatever profession you are seeking.”
By providing a comprehensive, high-level foreign language program beginning in elementary school, PV can create more opportunities for its graduates. Bilingual students can find more success in the workforce and can even earn 20% more than non-bilingual employees.
Known as a melting pot, the United States is composed of diverse cultures, languages and customs. As society becomes increasingly interconnected, bilingualism is more than beneficial; it is a necessity.
“Besides just learning words and verb tenses, you are learning about a culture and also your own,” Risius said. “Learning about another culture helps you to understand why things are the way they are.”
PV has created a respected reputation for academic excellence. But, in order to truly be ‘committed to excellence’, there needs to be a consistent critical approach towards achieving a higher standard in all core subjects, including world language.
