An Open Letter to Parents and Guardians ....

	An Open Letter to Parents and Guardians .... .......of World Language students

Dear Parents and Guardians:

If you are visiting the academic portion of this website, it's likely that your son or daughter is a world language student in one of my advanced Spanish classes (Spanish II, III or IV).

I do hope that you find our site interesting and informative. Here's some information all parents can feel especially good about!

Did you know that students who dedicate four years to the study of world language perform better on standardized tests (such as the Scholastic Aptitude Test) than those who study two years or less? Scholarly research consistently demonstrates that world language study improves cognitive abilities, positively influences achievement in other disciplines, and results in higher achievement test scores in reading and math. (Cooper: Modern Language Journal) Deep knowledge of Spanish grammar and the ability to converse freely in the target language will also help your child 'ace' that college world language requirement, too.

If your child is college bound and is carrying a B (85) or better average in Spanish II or III, encourage him/her to continue to the next level of language study. You'll both be glad you did!

Sincerely yours,

Patrick Joyce*
Department of Language Arts
and World Languages
Riverside Jr.-Sr. High School

*2006 Fellow: The Pennsylvania Governor's Institute for the Teaching of World Languages, Villanova University