Introduction to the World Language Program

At Springfield High School, there is a new requirement that every student must take at least two years of a world language in order to graduate.

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Introduction to the World Language Program Ericka Schoff Some of the participants in the world language program created by Caitlyn Cooney, from left to right: Evelyn Stearns, Kimberly Holt, Maya Villemaire, Cooney and Christian Aires. ERICKA SCHOFF Some of the participants in the world language program created by Caitlyn Cooney, from left to right: Evelyn Stearns, Kimberly Holt, Maya Villemaire, Cooney and Christian Aires. ERICKA SCHOFF SPRINGFIELD — This year, young students have been given the chance to get a head start on their futures. At Springfield High School (SHS), there is a requirement that every student must take at least two years of a world language in order to graduate. While this requirement is beneficial, the students are being introduced to a new language very late in life. Students are so accustomed to their own language it can be challenging to introduce a new one. Caitlyn Cooney, a sophomore at SHS, understands the importance of learning different languages and how beneficial it can be. Cooney wanted to give you students the opportunity to learn a new language before entering high school. Enlarge Map “Knowing languages other than your own is important, not only because you learn a new skill, but you're now able to communicate with more people throughout the world,” Cooney said. “It’s so important that everyone gets the experiences that come with being bilingual or multilingual,” she continued. After the Riverside Middle School Spanish program was cut in 2015, Cooney was determined to reinvent a world language program for the younger students. Now, she must create lesson plans for the new classes and gather third year world language students from SHS to assist her as teachers. Although the workload wasn’t easy and required a lot of fundraising, Cooney’s program gives students in the district access to world languages from the time they are five-years-old until they graduate. SHS Spanish teacher, Mariana Lara-Albert, believes that even though the program may not be ideal, it’s great that young students are gaining exposure to a new language. “Caitlyn has worked extremely hard to get this program running. She has poured her heart into it and her efforts have paid off,” said Lara- Albert. “The program will benefit students because they now get to exercise other parts of the brain that get activated when speaking a foreign language,” she continued. Research shows that learning another language improves cognitive skills and overall brain function. Along with the support of Cooney’s two high school language teachers, she’s also grateful for her brother Ryan. He, along with many others, weren’t surprised by Cooney’s success and didn’t hesitate to describe her as hardworking and passionate. “Caitlyn has been successful at this because it was something she believes in and she didn't give up on. She worked hard and was determined to see it happen, which is something you don't see too often,” he said. “This program will allow students to have a better education than they had before. I hope that she continues to work hard on projects that she believes in and remembers that even if something doesn't work out, to keep trying and it will happen.”