A two-decade, districtwide immersion into language and culture again drew hundreds of students for the Massapequa School District’s World Language Festival on March 18 at the high school.
The 20th annual event featured activities around the five world languages offered by the district – American Sign Language, French, German, Mandarin Chinese and Spanish. Elementary school students received passports that were stamped as they visited each room. The activities were run by their middle school and high school peers.
“This event is a great opportunity to introduce elementary students to the world language program, see the options they have at the secondary level, and help them understand the importance of learning about languages and cultures,” said Will Anderson, curriculum associate for world language and ENL. “They get to see that the world is much bigger than just here in Massapequa.”
In the French rooms, elementary students could color pictures of landmarks in France, and make crafts celebrating the culture of other French-speaking countries and regions. Senior Faridah Benhammou helped youngsters make a paper lantern for Morocco.
“I like the sharing of other cultures and helping kids experience new things,” said Faridah, who volunteered at the event for the third time. “It’s good for students to experience the outside world.”
In Deutschland, students were immersed in the culture of Germany, Austria and Switzerland. They could sing, dance and ring German handbells, and decorate cookies. Mandarin Chinese students taught youngsters how to use Chinese yo-yos and draw different symbols. They also performed a lion dance up and down the halls.
Animals was the theme in the ASL room, where visitors learned signs for different creatures and colored animal face masks to take home. The Spanish club celebrated the animals of Costa Rica and taught students how to say the different made how to make tissue paper flowers.
The cafeterias were transformed into an international food court. Students from the language clubs made a variety of delicacies representing the different languages and cultures for guests to enjoy. There was also a face-painting station led by students from the National Art Honor Society.
Mr. Anderson said the event was once again a huge success because of efforts by Berner, Ames and Massapequa High School’s language learners.
“They do an outstanding job,” he said, “along with the classroom teachers and club advisors to plan for this night.”