The Academy Annual World Languages Week will be held Feb. 25 through Mar. 1. World Languages Week celebrates the cultures of the languages taught at the Academy and is organized by its foreign language teachers.
Language Department Chair Yoko Harada said, “The Academy dedicates one week to foreign languages to help students learn in a fun way since time is limited in class. We hope that this week will encourage students to take more that the required years of foreign language.
“Since there are three new language teachers at the Academy, we have been meeting often in preparation for World Languages Week. We have started creating posters and videos to use during that week.
“As a team, the other teachers and I are planning new activities such as Bon Dance so everyone can join in. Also, I have made a request to Sodexo in regards to the food for the week. We are also planning a World Languages photo contest this year. Students can shoot good pictures during the week and they can win a prize,” said Harada.
Each day of the week will feature a different language. Activities relating to the respective language will be presented in front of the Performing Arts Center (PAC) during lunch and recess.
Sophomore Vikatolia Tupou said, “As a sophomore, this is my second year taking Hawaiian. The reason I took this on as a language was because I wanted to speak this endangered language fluently. I also wanted to learn more about my culture.
“I think that it is good that our school celebrates World Languages Week because it helps students perpetuate each language and get a better understanding of them,” said Tupou
Junior Lei Ngoap said, “I am looking more forward to the food and the games that we are going to play. However, I do enjoy getting to know and learning more about the different cultures. Last year I wore a happi coat for Japan day, and this year I plan to dress up if I manage to find something in time.
“I think that it is a really good thing that our school celebrates foreign language for a week. During World Languages Week, we learn and appreciate the different languages that our school has to offer,” said Ngoap.
