February 21, 2019
Whom It May Concern: World Language education is the epicenter of cultural understanding and manifests its beauty in curricular connections that simply could not be made without the study of a language, its people, and their way of life. Studying a language not only empowers young minds by providing the unique opportunity to delve into countries and culture otherwise potentially unknown, but allows students to expand their knowledge of the world we live in and our ever changing, ever shrinking global society. It offers them the chance to better understand their own culture, their own friends, and their own community. The human aspect of World Language study is irreplaceable. A World Language classroom focused on the target culture in the target language allows students to take risks and communicate within the language. Students are in the primary phases of language acquisition when they begin their study and thus need immediate and consistent feedback. The absolute best way to learn a foreign language is to speak in the language and have someone speak with you. It would be an incredible disservice to students in the State of Maryland to offer an online computer coding program to equal a World Language Credit and negate the opportunity to embrace the target language and culture in a supportive and immersive environment with a World Language specialist who can provide written and oral feedback to students studying language. Computer Coding and World Language, both very valuable and important, are not the same and should not be regarded as the same. I am asking, as a highly qualified World Language educator and advocate, that you please oppose House Bill 1211 that would enable students to take computer programing courses to satisfy their World Language requirement. We cannot allow artificial intelligence to replace the human element of language acquisition, nor can we allow coding to replace the study of language. If we want to create culturally aware students who have the ability to negotiate meaning in more than one language, we must provide opportunities for students to speak, practice, and interact in the target language on a daily basis with consistent meaningful feedback tailored to their needs as unique learners. In this seemingly divided world we live in, language and cultural competency are powerful bridges – true gateways to discovering and understanding the commonalities that bind us, and allow us to celebrate the differences that make each of us unique. Appreciation for other cultures is critical in our 21st century global society. Being able to understand and interact with others across cultures while maintaining a positive attitude towards cultural differences empowers students to connect and communicate without prejudice or bias. Oppose House Bill 1211 and advocate for the future of our Maryland youth. They deserve access to education that builds skills to ensure they are capable of competing in a global market. Sincerely, Caroline Schlegel 2018 Maryland World Language Teacher of the Year Washington County Public Schools, Maryland
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Author14th year Spanish teacher Archives
June 2020
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