During the week of Jan. 26, DGS hosted its annual World Languages celebration. From spirit days, photo-ops and music from around the world being featured before and after school, there were a variety of opportunities for students to immerse themselves in other cultures.
The World Languages Week was led and managed by DGS’s World Languages Department. Department Chair and Spanish teacher Tara Basar led the department in planning the events. The primary aim of the celebrations was to educate DGS in the ways that language goes beyond the classroom.
“The goal is always to celebrate our languages because we’re very enthusiastic and passionate about them,” Basar said.
Language has given many a chance to connect with the rest of the world in new and exciting ways. The importance of sharing that opportunity of connection to the whole of DGS’s student body has proven meaningful. Senior Natalie Gay, who is currently taking AP French, has seen the proof of these ties in her life.
“I feel like it’s a connecting point. If I know somebody speaks French, I’m like, ‘Oh my God, you speak French. I speak too.’ It’s just a very immediate connection with people,” Gay said.
Stressing the influence of language in a school environment not only further immerses the student body but also recognizes individual students’ cultures. Sophomore Sylese Emde is in her second year of German and takes the course in connection with her own heritage.
“As a language, I see [German] as a way to connect with my culture because it has immersed me by filling in the gaps of my culture, and given me a time to express myself,” Emde said.
DGS emphasizes the importance of students’ cultural identity through events like World Languages Week, as well as students’ unions and language clubs. Sophomore Maya Gobran is currently enrolled in Spanish 3 honors. Through her time as a part of DGS’s language learning community, Gobran has taken particular note of these organizations.
“We do have a Spanish club; they do a lot of baking, especially with their cultures,” Gobran said.
Language has an undeniable presence within the DGS community and beyond. Therefore, staff particularly aimed to include as many students as possible. Placing backdrops for photo opportunities and music over the school’s speaker system allowed for that widespread influence.
“We try to get the whole school community involved. So whether you’re in a language or not, you can participate in the activities that we have planned for the week,” Basar said.
Ultimately, the inclusion of foreign culture, food, and language within DGS has greatly shaped its environment. The occurrence of World Languages Week plays a key role in inspiring interest in other cultures and languages. Building a diversified community within DGS for everyone’s benefit.
“It develops awareness of culture, differences and diversity within not only our country, but other countries globally,” Basar said.
Click here to read more about DGS’s World Language Department and all they do.