National Foreign Language Week
National Foreign Language Week, March 6-12, 2022.
The theme for this year's National
Foreign Language Week is: "Celebrate humanity through language". National Foreign Language Week is a reminder that Prince
William County Schools (PWCS) offers ten languages for formal study:
American Sign Language (ASL), Arabic, French, German, Latin, Italian, Russian, and Spanish. All language study focuses on the five Cs or the
Virginia SOL goals of: Communication, Cultures,
Comparisons, Connections, and Communities.
Over 12,000 PWCS students are enrolled in
language study in middle and high schools. PWCS is proud to have six World
Language Elementary Specialty Schools, where all students in these schools learn
French or Spanish in first through fifth grade. Eight additional elementary
schools are preparing for the Primary Years International Baccalaureate Program
and will offer a world language to all students in their schools as part of the
program.
Some PWCS celebrations
during March include applying the use of world languages to many
multi-disciplinary and cross-cultural communication activities such as creating
bumper stickers in another language; showcasing PWCS international students'
cultures with presentations to students across classes; organizing an Idol
competition with international music and songs, announcing key information in
multiple languages; competing in poster contests; having students identify their
home language on large wall displays and writing messages in their home
languages; and identifying the key features of their home language or country on
hand prints among other attractive multi-lingual visuals.
PWCS students and families represent an average of 100 heritage languages from
130 countries. Linguists report over 6,000 actively used languages throughout
the globe. Being bi- or multi-lingual is a lifelong skill that increases
cognitive ability at any age, especially for younger students; prepares all
students to be more competitive in the global market and for any career path;
and provides students the interpersonal communication skills essential to be a
more effective friend, neighbor, leader, or citizen of our community.
