Students in Menands School have a leg up on their counterparts across the United States as a result of the school’s foreign language program.
While nationally only 20% of students in grades K-12 are enrolled in foreign language classes, every Menands student has the opportunity to learn the
Spanish language.
Even more advantageous for the Menands students is the opportunity they have to complete two high school Spanish classes—Spanish 1 and Spanish 2—even before entering high school.
“We in Menands understand and appreciate the benefits of students
learning a foreign language. As a result, we offer not only Spanish 1, but
also Spanish 2 to students in order to help them grow as learners and build their skills even before they enter high school,” said Superintendent Jennifer Cannavo.
Studies cited by the National Education Association show learning a second language helps students to boost mental agility, learn to juggle more than one project at the same time, achieve higher academic results on standardized tests, have improved reading ability and better problem-solving skills.
All Menands students have the opportunity to take the Spanish 1 Regents exam a year early. If a student excels in seventh grade Spanish and scores 80 or above on the Regents, they can advance to Spanish 2 in eighth grade, allowing them to enter Spanish 3 as freshmen in high school.
“This gives students a time to thrive in their new language and even push themselves further,” Cannavo said.
Spanish teacher Diane Solomon said learning Spanish brings a wholeness to students.
“Encouraging your child to learn Spanish not only equips them with a
valuable skill but also enriches their educational experience and personal
growth,” she said.
Solomon added that “in today’s fast-paced global market, proficiency
in Spanish is increasingly valuable. In New York, Spanish is a graduation
requirement, making this program crucial for future success.”
Spanish instruction starts even before seventh grade in Menands
with younger students encouraged to speak Spanish in class starting in
third or fourth grade.
Multiple Menands Class of 2025 eighth grade graduates were accepted
into Spanish 3 at Shaker High School and reported positive experiences in
their high school Spanish classes.
“I am able to keep up with my Spanish 3 class and maintain excellent grades because of the work that I did in the program at Menands,” said Evelyn Jaskula.
Class of 2025 Menands graduate Siva Saranya Karthika Chembeti
concurred.
“I learned a lot in Spanish 2 at Menands. It was easy to learn, and
projects helped make it fun and simple,” the Shaker High School
freshman said.
Current Menands eighth grade students said the program is
helping them.
“I like learning how to communicate with other people and the fact that
I am earning credits towards high school that will also help me one day
with college,” said Alaa Elhag.