Students Tape Interviews for High School Language Project
The video production teacher from South Cobb High School recently approached AIS to request an interview with students and a teacher from the Primary School. The South Cobb students planned to produce a video investigating the pros and cons of learning a second language at an early age.
The interview and subsequent production of the video were performed by three sixteen-year-old students who learned about AIS's dual-language program both through their own research and from their teacher, a former Channel 46 news reporter. They interviewed Mr. Dal Sohi, Head of Primary School, and four Grade 5 students.
Ms. Beverly Fetter, the PS Counselor, selected students for the interview who represent a complete range of language abilities and home language reinforcement. Matei Dan grew up speaking English and Romanian at home, and enrolled at AIS in 5K where he is now learning French. Sarina Kirpalani's parents speak English and Hindi, but her only language was English until she joined AIS in Grade 3 where she started in the Spanish immersion class. Sarina had to fully commit to learning Spanish as she enrolled at AIS well into the language curriculum. Clémence Petré and her parents spoke French only until she enrolled at AIS in Grade 3 and spent two years in ESOL. Sarah Stebbins comes from an English-speaking family but has been learning German since 4K.
The students quickly overcame their initial shyness to give composed, thoughtful answers to the interviewers' about their studies in two languages. The South Cobb students showed great interest in the ability of these young people to learn in two languages, and were intrigued with seeing the possibilities that open up to those who can converse, think and interact bilingually.
We look forward to seeing the finished product when the video is complete.