Small size of French program does not hamper students’ enthusiasm

Two years of a foreign language are required for graduation from high school. Most kids take Spanish or Chinese in order to fulfill this requirement. When a student chooses to take French, he or she knows they will be a kind of minority in the school.

At just 139 students, the French program has struggled to compete with the more popular Spanish and Chinese classes. According to Spanish Department Head Arnaldo Rodriguez, there are 563 students enrolled in Spanish. According to Chinese teachers Mariam Fan and Sarah Tseng and 227 enrolled in Spanish and Chinese programs respectively.

However, senior Antara Rao says this small size just makes the program better.

“I think one of the things about being part of such a small program is that everyone in it is really dedicated to it,” Rao said.

Rao said another benefit of smaller language classes is that people are forced to participate more.

“When you’re in a class of 30, there are so many people who don’t want to participate,” Rao said, “and you still feel sort of estranged from the rest of the class.”

The French program here at the high school is small enough that there is one class of French 3. The French 4 H and French 5 AP classes are combined.

“It’s not ideal, but a combination class never is,” French teacher Laura Lizundia said. “There are activities and literature that we do together as a large class. I have to give credit to my students this year (and last) for being patient with this situation and helping me make it all work.”

Rao said another benefit of being part of such a small program is that everyone is really close.

“Last year, there were like 16 people in my class,” Rao said. “The teacher feels more at home as well when you’re in a smaller class, because everyone is so comfortable with each other.”
Rao, a French 5 AP student, has been taking French since 7th grade.

Rao chose to take French instead of Spanish since she felt the former would be more of a challenge for her.

“I just loved the sound of it,” Rao said. “I loved the culture, specially the food. It was a difficult choice at first, as Spanish is obviously more useful in our current location. [However,] I don’t intend to live in California all my life.”

With a large number of students in taking French at Redwood Middle School, the program here at SHS is expected to grow.

“Our numbers in French actually seem to be growing,” said French teacher Kim Bergkamp, who teaches French 1 and French 3. “It looks like there will be more students than ever coming over from Redwood [Middle School]. The students we currently have at SHS are amazing. There is truly a love for French language, culture and food, of course!”

Lizundia said she does not understand prospective French students who are deterred by French “not being practical enough.”

“French is very useful outside of California, particularly on the east coast – where we are closer to the province of Quebec and that much closer to Europe” Lizundia said. “French is a working language of the United Nations and is considered one of the top three languages to know for business. French is also spoken on every continent. One would be correct in arguing that French is definitely a very practical language worldwide.”