AG elementary students learning French
SPRINGHILL TWP. – It may not be a visit to the Louvre or a ride to the top of la Tour Eiffel, but fourth- and fifth-grade students at Friendship Hill Elementary School are getting a taste of French language and culture thanks to two high school students. Tasha Lanko of Point Marion and Sara Gilbert of Woodside, sophomores at Albert Gallatin Area Senior High School, spend half an hour every week with a group of students who participate in the elementary school’s after-school program.
A recent afternoon began with the class reviewing how to count in French and were asked math questions. Later, students were paired off and asked each other basic questions, all while their teachers were making sure the elocution was perfect.
Every week, students review what they learned the week prior and try to build on their knowledge.
With every question, nearly every hand in the classroom shoots up with students eager to shout out an answer.
The girls had planned to host a French Christmas party for their students, but the event had to be postponed because of weather.
They spent much of their time during their most recent visit teaching the students French phrases and words related to Valentine’s Day, and plan to bring heart-shaped cookies and French valentines for the students.
The two decided to make teaching French to elementary students part of their high school culminating project.
“Our French teacher told us that students do this at Smithfield Elementary and Masontown Elementary, and since we live near the school, we thought we could bring it here,” Lanko said. “Students can start with a language in eighth grade, but it’s better if they start earlier.”
“We try to keep them interested,” Gilbert said. “We keep going over things and reviewing them. They’ve learned a lot so far.”
Both girls said they’ve learned new phrases and concepts through teaching the younger students and are impressed with how quickly the students have embraced the language.
“They got the alphabet in one day, and it took us a week,” Gilbert said.
The students begin their afternoon with a quick snack and some free time before spending 30 minutes with their student teachers and another 30 minutes inside the library working on reading or math skills on computers.
Lori Detweiler, a fifth-grade teacher, said the French program began just before Christmas and gives most of the students their first experience with the language.
“I was really excited when they asked if they could come,” she said. “The students all got French names and they really seem to enjoy it.”
Detweiler said the students will continue their weekly lessons at the school through March, but the girls hope they can reach more students next school year.