The Italian exchange program has been a part of Burlingame for years. Yet, it is not the largest foreign language program in terms of classes or students, and no similar opportunities exist for Spanish or Mandarin students. Students in every language program should have the opportunity to be immersed in another language and culture.
The Italian program allows students to visit Italy for two weeks and host Italian students in return. Like similar programs, it has measurable benefits. According to a 2014 study conducted by the researchers at the University of Bern, learning a language through cultural immersion rather than a classroom improves cognitive flexibility. Being surrounded by a language and practicing more frequently also helps increase fluency.
Through exchange programs, students can also network with peers around the world, helping them understand other cultures and opening doors to new opportunities. During the exchange, students attend school in Italy and meet new teachers, students, and families. Beyond that, the connection between foreign students and their hosts often runs deeper, creating friendships that will last a lifetime. The strength in these connections was evident on Oct. 27, when Burlingame and Italian students parted ways and reacted emotionally to the program’s end.
This cultural experience should not be exclusive to Italian students. Mandarin and Spanish are widely spoken and used around the world, and students learning these languages deserve the same opportunities.
According to Pew Research, 92% of students in Europe learn another language, compared with only one in five K-12 students in the United States. We should aim for the same emphasis on language and culture, and exchange programs are a good way to do so. These programs are expensive and challenging to coordinate, but we should work to make them accessible to everyone. Instead of individual boosters, Burlingame should focus on creating a unified program. By spreading funds to facilitate exchange opportunities for all foreign language courses, our school would give every student the chance to have this transformative experience.
