By:  Hannah Kim

   One of the graduation requirements at Marriotts Ridge is a world language credit, and students have the option to choose from Spanish, French, Italian, or Chinese. Learning a language is a new experience with new grammar rules, making new friends, and communicating in another language. However, some students would choose a language to only get their credit.    Students are encouraged to take at least two years of any world language during the four years of high school. MRHS students are able to learn one of the four foreign languages that are offered at the school, and can challenge themselves with higher levels of the language as well. Students who want to learn their native language are also offered the opportunity to take classes.

   “I take Chinese, and I really enjoy it because I relearn my own language because when I moved from China, I lost my language,” junior Jessia Suarez said.

   However, students are slowly losing interest and motivation in continuing to learn a foreign language. Students are forced to learn a language from scratch, and they have to put two times the effort to pass the class. If there were more diverse languages available, students would be more engaged and focused. MRHS students expressed they want to learn a language from their favorite shows, hobbies, interests or their native language. Students want to learn a language they are interested in and are willing to learn.

   ”I want to learn Japanese because I really like Japanese culture and one day I want to travel to Japan” junior Neelima Upadhyay expressed.

   Additionally, students who want to learn a language just because of how popular it has become more common.

   “The Korean language is starting to become more popular worldwide and people are using it more,” junior Wendell Stepp III said.

   Learning a language like Korean can benefit with translating jobs such as for concerts, interviews, and much more. Some students also want to take their native language because they want to take a language that they are most familiar with. Students expressed that they want the school to offer languages such as Japanese, Korean, Hindi, Portuguese, Vietnamese, Tagalog and Arabic.

   Despite how difficult language classes can be, they give such a benefit to students. Many students have been able to communicate with family, go abroad, college apps, for seniors to apply for the Maryland Seal of Biliteracy. In the future, students can get jobs such as medical interpreters, legal/judicial interpreter, flight attendant, social worker, or a immigration paralegal.

   Overall, learning a language opens so many opportunities for many Marriotts Ridge students.