Bravo! Tres bien! Gut gemacht!
By Anya Tikka
MILFORD — A school with a strong academic program usually offers a strong world language program, says the Pennsylvania State Modern Language Association, which has honored Delaware Valley High School with an award for meeting its high standards.
To recognize the importance of world languages, the association offers its Globe Awards program. This year, Delaware Valley High School qualified for the Globe from among four levels — Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Globe, based on how well a school meets the criteria. It's the first year that Delaware Valley High School applied.
“I am very proud to have the award,” said Department Chair Gary Cotroneo, who also teaches Spanish.
He said he's received congratulations from everyone, from the Superintendent John Bell to the middle school principal.
Cotroneo credited dedicated teachers for the department's success.
“They work hard with their students, and take part in professional conferences and training seminars,” he said.
DV offers French, German, and Spanish in its curriculum, and Advanced Placement (AP) courses in the three languages year 'round, he said.
Cotroneo said the award has both a verbal and written component. Other criteria include how many full-time language courses a school offers, and the number of students who sign up and stay the course throughout high school.
“Forty percent of students are enrolled in a world language class, and stay in the program," said Cotreono. "Ninety-one percent of students continue with four consecutive years in high school.”
DV's world languages program took students enrolled in the Spanish course on an October field trip to New York City to see the play “La Gringa." Spanish students also took part in National Spanish Exam, which French students participated in the National French Contest. The school also has a Foreign Culture Club that meets every other Monday after school.
The teachers also continuously update and keep up with their skills.
One of DV's language teachers is a member of the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese and the Pennsylvania State Modern Language Association, Cotroneo said. One teacher is a member of the American Association of Teachers of French, and another is a member of the American Association of Teachers of German. Two teachers attended a one-day World Language Workshop at the University of Scranton, and one teacher attended week-long AP French training at The Taft Educational Center in Watertown, Conn., he said.
“All students deserve high-quality world language programs — not just those who live in affluent neighborhoods or those who are sometime referred to as the academic elite,'" says the Pennsylvania State Modern Language Association.
The PSMLA program is part of the national “2015 Year of Languages.” The awards are valid for two years, and all Pennsylvania high schools are eligible to apply.