A Success in Any Language

More than 150 students, representing nearly all of the county’s public school districts, attended a Celebration of Languages on Monday, April 14th. The event was sponsored cooperatively by Rockland BOCES and Rockland Community College. In its second year, the event is the brain child of a group of the county’s high school foreign language teachers who participate in a “Job Alike” group.

BOCES Director of Professional Development and Instructional Support  Kathleen MacNaughton says that participants in the Job Alike groups and their students benefit immensely from the sharing of ideas. And the Celebration of Languages is one of these “great ideas.” Student participants learned the importance of foreign language study in today’s culturally diverse world.

Following a welcome by Rockland Community College President Dr. Cliff Wood, and keynote by Mara-Lee Bierman, coordinator of foreign languages at RCC, told the audience that "Knowledge of a foreign language is the key to open the door to tomorrow's opportunities,". "Your success in the future will depend on your ability to communicate with all, not some, of the people you will meet tomorrow,” she said.

The high school students were also treated to musical performances by 1st, 3rd and 5th grade students from the Viola Elementary School of the Ramapo School District ,whose command of Spanish was acknowledged by thunderous applause. These elementary students also signed a song.

For the remainder of the day, students were able to choose from a variety of workshops, led by teachers and students alike. Forty-five minute workshop topics included Mandarin Chinese, Arabic, American Sign Language and a very popular dance demonstration.