Students tried tapping their toes in a salsa lesson, were inspired by foreign films, and got to try their hands at fencing because of this year’s World Language Week. This series of events was more advertised than past years and covered a wide range of activities set up for students promoting the use of world languages.

“We have benefited from having new people in the department – Senorita Windsor and Madame Hyde – they have brought in new ideas from other schools and have contributed to the variety in activities,” said French teacher and head of the foreign world language department, Dr. Sue Cipolle. Students in foreign language classes received their “Passports to Fun” and got credit for attending the different activities by getting stamps after the completion of an activity.

“Knowing a second language is such an invaluable skill to have – as you go on in your profession, it opens so many doors, and that’s only a small part of it,” said Dr. Cipolle, “When you learn a language you are really learning for life.”

World Language Week is seen as a tool to motivate and inspire students to recognize the benefits of learning a second language. “It’s easy to get discouraged, but it’s good to hang in there – eventually it will click,” said Dr. Cipolle, “We’re planting the seed of language, cultures, and the exploration of language – we need to be global people.”

Students had many opportunities to take part in this year’s World Language Week. Some wore different colors each day of the week to represent different emotions and ideas necessary for global unification. Blue stood for understanding, green for peace, yellow for hope, orange for community building, and red for love.

Chef Paul also prepared a variety of ethnic dishes for students to experience something other than what they are used to. To cap off the week, students attended the PRO sponsored and organized “Dancing With the Stars” dance, complete with a salsa competition.

“World Language Week gives students the chance to explore cultures different from their own. We live in the middle of the United States – we’re pretty isolated,” said Dr. Cipolle, “This promotion of language is something that should continue after this week. Try an ethnic restaurant, go to a foreign film with your friends; there are many ways to become more worldly.”

by Kaia Preus, staff writer