Logan is proud of its diverse cultures. For example, Logan recently hosted Heritage Week where students could represent their culture by wearing cultural clothing. Of course, a large part of those cultures is the unique languages each one speaks. However, despite the school having students who speak 45 languages, many students fail to understand just one language other than English.
Two teachers, Ms. Zilberman and Mr. Mueller, have realized this dilemma. They saw students shaking their heads when they were taking a quiz or sleeping on their desk during class. It was clear something was missing.
The sleepy students are missing out on the benefits of learning Spanish or any other foreign language. The State Seal of Biliteracy – an organization that rewards students who can speak, read, and write more than one language – says that bilingual graduates have an advantage in the workplace. In California, speaking multiple languages makes your chances of going to college and be employed greater.
A foreign language teacher that advocates this is Zoya Zilberman, who teaches Spanish at Logan. Her solution was to create the Foreign Language Mentoring Program. Created this year, the program allows students who excel in their language to help students who are not doing well.
“Not only that, mentors can get community service for their help. Giving access to students that need help makes a difference in their lives,” Zilberman said.
Another teacher who supports the program is Michael Mueller, who teaches Spanish 1 and 2. He is also the ICL Spanish teacher. Mueller believes that not only can the mentee get help, but the mentors can also improve their language skills by teaching the language.
“It helps them exercise their leadership abilities by having to teach the language with their own words,” Mueller said. The program is basically a win-win for the mentor and mentee.
Unlike the regular classroom, the mentor and mentee control their own meetings. This allows the mentee to get personal assistance whenever he or she needs to prepare for a test, review information, or ask questions.
“Mentors and mentees can make their own schedule. This is very important,” Zilberman said.
Unfortunately, the program hadn’t produced all rainbows. There were instances when mentors and mentees weren’t executing a set plan and meeting at their times. The response has also lessened as the year has progressed.
“I think people have enjoyed having someone to reach out to, but not sure I’ve seen a huge impact. Because I haven’t seen consistency,” Zilberman said.
All hope is not lost though. Zilberman has future goals of making a better checking system, which can keep track of the progress of mentors. Also, she wishes for more Logan students to participate in the program; there are currently only 19 mentors and she hopes to increase this number next year.
Mueller also has goals himself for the program.
“Hopefully, we can have more funding and more teachers cooperating in the program. As well as more languages,” Mueller said.
Overall, the program has one goal: to improve students’ skills in a foreign language. If you are reading this right now and struggling in Spanish, French, Tagalog, or Chinese; the foreign language mentoring program can be a great source for help.
“People should get help before falling behind and it’s good to support,” Zilberman said, and who doesn’t like that?
If you are interested in getting help or becoming a mentor, go to Ms. Zilberman in Room 534.
