World Languages Department
Allison Renye, Supervisor
WHY STUDY WORLD LANGUAGE?
National Security Language Initiative (NSLI) from Dept. of Defense (2005) funds language programs K-16 to increase proficiency in language and culture to be competitive in today’s global society
Summit of US University Presidents in Washington, DC (2006)- Dept. of Defense and Condoleezza Rice presented NSLI. University presidents began to improve programs by increasing language requirements for acceptance and college graduation
- Proven to raise SAT scores
- Increase cultural awareness and sensitivity
- Have a better understanding of English syntax
- Colleges now requiring 3 years of language grades 9-12, recommending 4 years of the same language
WHICH LANGUAGES DOES ASHS OFFER?
- FRENCH: French is the official language of 28 countries and is considered a “Critical Language” in the NSLI because of the large number of Caribbean and African countries that speak it.
- LATIN: For students who prefer a primarily written language and/or who want to focus on grammar and structure.
- SPANISH: Spanish is the official language of 20 countries and is considered a “Critical Language” in NSLI.
- GERMAN: German is the most widely spoken language in Europe and has one of the strongest economies in the world and is a top exporter.
- MANDARIN CHINESE: is the most spoken language in the world and also considered a critical language in NSLI
HOW DO I PICK WHICH LANGUAGE TO STUDY IN HIGH SCHOOL?
Ideally, a student will continue the language begun in the junior high school to develop a high level of proficiency in that language by 12th grade.
A student may choose to start a new language in high school. Once a student chooses a language, the student should try to reach the highest level possible in that language.
DID YOU KNOW THAT THESE COLLEGES AND ONES LIKE THEM REQUIRE AT LEAST THREE YEARS OF LANGUAGE STUDY (Grades 9-12) TO BE ACCEPTED?
- Bryn Mawr College
- Dickinson College
- Franklin & Marshall College
- Gettysburg College
- Grove City College
- Indiana University of Pennsylvania
- Kutztown University
- Lincoln University
- Lock Haven University
- Penn State University
- Shippensburg University
- Slippery Rock
- St. Joseph’s University
- Susquehanna University
- University of Pennsylvania
- Villanova University
- Westminster College
- University of Delaware
- Georgetown University
- Howard University
- State University of New York
- New York University
- Colgate University
- Columbia University
- Cornell University
- Fordham University
- Loyola University
- University of Maryland
- Florida State University
- University of Miami
**Abington Senior High School strongly recommends a minimum of four years of language study and takes pride in the numbers of students who study languages for an even longer sequence.
**Studies have shown that long sequences of language study result in higher SAT scores over any other variable studied.
For fluency and skills competency, three to five years’ study of the same language is more desirable than two years of one language plus two years of another.
The level five (V) Honors courses are considered Advanced Placement courses with preparation for the AP examinations.
Teachers
First | Last | Voice | Web | |
Natalina | Bucci | NatalinaBucci@abington.k12.pa.us | 2079 | web |
Rachel | Colon | RachelColon@abington.k12.pa.us | 5520 | web |
Kirsten | Crooks | KirstenCrooks@abington.k12.pa.us | 2073 | web |
Ester | Eichler | eichee@abington.k12.pa.us | 2085 | web |
Sharon | Grosch | grosse@abington.k12.pa.us | 2080 | web |
Vanessa | Lai | laiv@abington.k12.pa.us | 2474 | web |
Kristen | Loew | loewkm@abington.k12.pa.us | 2273 | web |
Silvana | McGillis | mcgisr@abington.k12.pa.us | 5543 | web |
Ann | Menichelli | meniak@abington.k12.pa.us | 2084 | web |
Andrea | Mirabal | miraal@abington.k12.pa.us | 5577 | web |
Allison | Renye | allisonrenye@abington.k12.pa.us | 2325 | |
Giovanna | Salas-Wert | GiovannaSalas-Wert@abington.k12.pa.us | web |