A panel of alumnae and teachers with foreign language backgrounds encouraged language students to continue their studies at the 5th Annual World Languages Forum.

The panel included teachers Alicia Grant, Gaylen Isaacs, Kimberly Lauzon and Chloe Smith, as well as former teachers Matthew Martin and Lauren Williams. Academy graduates included Nancy Cheung, ‘05, Kiara Moad, ‘14, Sara Tashima, ‘14, and Lacy Tsutsuse, ‘10. All spoke about their experiences with languages and many regaled students with their studies abroad adventures.

Panelists agreed that learning a language only in a class was not the best way to learn a language.

According to Martin, direct dialogue, social interaction and exposure to mixed media such as songs and films is one effective way to learn a language.

Panelists found that studying in a country where the language is spoken was the best way to learn a language.

Grant, a Biology teacher, said that she learned more of the Greek language in a month by visiting Greece than she learned Spanish in four years in a classroom.

Besides the numerous opportunities to study abroad, panelists mentioned the advantages of studying a language.

Tsutsuse, a 10-year Japanese language student, said that continuously studying a language in high school will ultimately result in better college placement.

“Most college students are required to take two years of language, usually 101, 102, 201 and 202. I was able to test out of these levels and place into 301,” said Tsutsuse. “[Because of these credits] I could have graduated from college early but I decided to take my time.”

Cheung, who runs the Happy Wahine Boutique at Ward Centre, said that being fluent in another language has been beneficial for her in business.

“Because I can speak the Chinese language, I can speak directly to manufacturers. I don’t need a translator, and sometimes this can help me get a better deal,” said Cheung.

Martin said that learning another language “makes you a good person.” Being able to converse with a foreigner in the native tongue makes one a better global citizen because it shows that an effort is being made to communicate.

Tashima also joked that her college-level Japanese classes are far easier than the classes she took at the Academy with Sensei Yoko Harada.