Culture is an instrumental part of learning a language.  At Schreiber High School, many upperclassmen are able to go on field trips to experience different cultures and develop their language skills.  These field trips extend all across the world to countries like Spain, France, and Italy.  However, freshmen and sophomores do not have the same opportunities.  Field trips should be extended to all grade levels to engage students in their language, improve their ability and desire to speak their language, and to apply their skills in the real world. 

Field trips to different museums, shows, or exhibits can engage students in the language they are taking.  Elements of the culture may resonate with some students, and cause them to have a more profound interest in the language they are learning.  Since Schreiber High School offers languages with such deep history and culture, there is much to be learned.  These field trips will immerse students in the culture of the language they are learning. There are also many potential benefits, students may learn the history of a particular country which can help them in history.  They may encounter a new found appreciation for other languages which can lead them to taking another language at school.  

“I feel like there is a lot to be learned from field trips to museums;  I feel like it could really help students understand the culture of the people who speak the language that they are taking.” said junior Jordan Golan. 

Places like shows, where actors or actresses may speak in a language other than English, can help students see real life applications of their language.  This can motivate students to improve their skills in the language that they are studying.  A lot of students have never heard their language spoken outside of the classroom, and real life situations can put the language into perspective and emphasize the importance of their linguistic skills.  In today’s interconnected world, proficiency in a foreign language is increasingly valuable.  Field trips that expose students to different languages and cultures help develop global competence, preparing them to communicate effectively and navigate diverse environments in an interconnected world.  

 “Languages are such an important part of today’s society and I feel like field trips could really help students engage in their languages more,” said junior Anna Klein. 

Field trips offer opportunities for underclassmen to apply their language skills in real-world settings.  Interacting with native speakers, navigating public transportation, ordering food at a restaurant, or participating in cultural activities requires students to communicate effectively in their target language.  This also helps students in reinforcing language acquisition and boosting confidence in their linguistic abilities.  These field trips provide students with invaluable experiences that bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world application, preparing them for success in the future.  Participating in real world activities in the language being learned will reinforce the ideas learned in the classroom, making concepts more memorable. 

“Having a conversation in school is much different than one in a real life situation, and being able to participate in field trips will help me immerse myself in activities that require effective communication,” said sophomore Maya Rosen.  

Extending field trips to all grade levels in the foreign language curriculum is essential to engage students in their language, enhance their proficiency, and allow them to apply their skills in real world situations.  Field trips offer a practical and experiential aspect to language education, reinforcing classroom learning and building confidence in the language a student is learning.  Ultimately, integrating field trips into the foreign language, especially for underclassmen, empowers students to become more effective communicators, equipping them with the skills they need to have success in an increasingly interconnected world.