Huntington High School seniors Jack Alba, Lucas Cirlincione, Emily Geller, Christopher Maichin, Tallulah Pitti and Robert Smith visited Woodhull Intermediate School dual language students to discuss their experiences in the program.
The seniors started in the dual language program as kindergarteners. Now they are closing in on qualifying for the Seal of Biliteracy, a special designation on their high school diplomas that indicates a graduate is completely conversant in a second language.
The teenagers discussed how pursuing studies in two completely different languages can be challenging at times, but is always rewarding in the end. They all expressed gratitude for the district offering the dual language elementary school program and said they were happy to have persevered through it and multi-language studies at the middle school and high school.
The group also shared how being able to speak, read and understand two languages is sure to be helpful in college and during their respective careers.
The fourth and fifth graders peppered their guests with questions about their experiences and their future plans. The youngsters soaked up as much information as they could, seizing on the opportunity to be mentored by the teenagers.
“It was great to go and speak to the fourth and fifth graders about the dual language program,” Mr. Maichin said. “After being in the program for 13 years, I now see the tremendous effects it has had on my education. From the lifelong friendships to the learning of new cultures and a new language from such a young age, I was exposed to a whole different world not many other kids get the opportunity to experience. The Huntington dual language program has always put the success of its students first and after being with the most amazing teachers I could ever ask for in this program, I can attest to that success.”
Mr. Maichin hopes parents and students understand the value of dual language study. “Some may not see what this program can do for them now, but believe me, after you are done and looking back at your time in dual language, you will be eternally grateful for the person and student it made you into,” he said. “I would never give up this experience and what this program has done for me. ¡Gracias a todos mis maestros y al distrito de Huntington por esta experiencia inolvidable!”
Some of the seniors that visited Woodhull studied with the very same teachers whose classrooms they returned to this week. The elementary school students and the teenagers took delight in celebrating the dual language experience that bonds them.
“It was such an awesome experience to be able to talk to the young dual language students about the program,” Ms. Geller said. “As someone who completed the entirety of the program, I have been able to recognize the benefits of it firsthand. I discussed with the students that I give all of the credit to the dual language program and the teachers who taught me Spanish for my accomplishments, specifically in the Spanish language. Because of the dual language program, I have become fluent in the language which has opened up doors I would never have even have imagined. My goal when enlightening the students about the program was to motivate them to continue with it through to its conclusion. I am so glad I was able to speak to the students and discuss my experiences with them.”
The seniors feel the time they spent at Woodhull was well worth it. “I had a fantastic time at Woodhull, I was able to share about my experience in the dual language program and tell the kids about my years in it,” Mr. Cirlincione said. “They also prepared questions regarding the program and I answered them. Overall, it was a great experience.”
