The Internet has perhaps made the concept of a "global community" more relevant than ever, and area schools are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of bilingual studies.

Most area high schools offer foreign languages to students interested in learning another language, either for knowledge or college admission standards. Among the most common languages offered to high schoolers are Spanish, French and German.

Although most of the languages offered to students are in everyday use, there are more traditional languages being taught to area high school students. Some would say Latin is an archaic language without a place in modern society, but Latin instructor Deloris May would say knowing the ancient language allows students to remain in omnia paratus.

May, who teaches Latin to eager students at Marion High School, said knowing Latin gives her students a better understanding of their own language - whatever it is.

"Recognition of Latin roots and prefixes supports the expansion of English language vocabulary and overall reading comprehension," May said.

There is a broad cross-section of students in May's advanced Latin class, comprised of 12 seniors and seven juniors. The students aspire to different career goals - from a budding writer to a potential pharmacist - but the students share the common trait of an interest in the language.

Latin is a language that will benefit students in a different way than commonly spoken languages, May said. When a student takes a class in German, he will likely practice those skills by conversing with other German-speaking individuals. This is not the case with Latin.

"Other modern languages are more communicative," May said. "We're not ordering lunch in Latin. It's more of a professional real text."

The study of Latin is not one which has come easily to students. Most students have found that learning Latin is decidedly more difficult than learning everyday spoken languages such as French and German.

"This is a subject they have to work on a little every night," May said. "You can't just pick a night and cram and learn Latin."

Knowing Latin could be a huge boost in college admissions. For some area schools, learning any language gets a foot in the door of a college.

At Carterville High School, students learning a foreign language have the option of receiving college credit for their efforts, said Karen Hawkins of Carterville High School.

"They're allowed to go to John A. Logan during junior and senior year," Hawkins said. "They're also allowed, as juniors and seniors, to take French 101 and 102 for dual credit. They'll take college credit and high school credit."

Learning languages in high school have obvious benefits "- beyond college credit - but many educators feel that bilingual skills are best acquired at a younger age.

De Soto Elementary School is a big subscriber in the idea that "younger is better." For 17 years, the school has taught a progressive language studies program built around the idea that the younger students learn, the better they retain.

Students in grades kindergarten through fifth grade in De Soto receive 30 minutes of Spanish instruction each day. These Spanish classes are an important part of the curriculum for De Soto students, who have the option of continuing their Spanish lessons through junior high.

Initially, De Soto's young language program began as a grant that was so well-received by the community that educators embraced it long after grant monies had evaporated.

Although the classes teach children much about the Spanish language, program coordinators are mindful of their audience and education level, said Tracy Shepherd, Spanish instructor for De Soto Elementary.

"Most of the lessons are based on singing, dancing, stories and activities," Shepherd said. "They're working on writing sentences on how their family might celebrate the holidays and how Mexican families might."

Children absorb so much more at a younger age when they're still excited about learning and unembarrassed to jump into a new study with enthusiasm.

"The children learn so much better at a young age," Shepherd said. "They're exposed to it at an age when their self-esteem issues don't come into play. They're willing to try it and do something different."

Many of De Soto's elementary students decide to continue their Spanish studies in the sixth grade, when the language becomes an optional exploratory class. Shepherd said students who continue on in Carbondale High School often test out of Spanish classes or receive extra credit because they are too advanced for the high school's Spanish curriculum.

Spanish is a particularly important language to learn, Shepherd said, which makes the children's ability to learn at a young age an enormous advantage.

"Many of our students wouldn't otherwise have the opportunity to experience culture, and it helps us to build a bridge between the second-largest culture in America," Shepherd said.

School administrators have been supportive of the Spanish program - particularly considering that the program has sustained itself for almost two decades.

"I think it's a very good program," said DeSoto Superintendent Mark Bullock. "In this progressive world we live in, it's very good and probably better to introduce a foreign language at a younger age rather than waiting for an older age."

ashley.wiehle@thesouthern.com

(618) 997-3356 x 5807