Español-Spanish

“I’ve learned [Spanish] since I was little, like how you guys learned English. I’ve been speaking it since I could talk. I help my parents [because] I translate for them from Spanish to English. At my house we can only speak Spanish. It is my favorite language because it is the language that my parents speak and it keeps me in touch with my cultural background.”

English

“Before I went to Academie Lafayette I went to public school and learned [English] in one year. I took the same classes as all the other kids, but they took me with some other kids and taught [us] more English. I [speak] English at school and around the city, and it is probably my least favorite language.”

Français-French

“I learned French in grade school, since Kindergarten. I went to Academie Lafayette, and I was six [when I started to learn]. My parents heard about [Academie Lafayette] from a friend and they wanted to check it out and they liked it. My dad is really into languages and education, and he wanted me to learn more [languages], so they sent me there. French class helps me [stay fluent] now.”

Looking to the future

“I want to be a surgeon. I take Latin now because I wanted to add a new language to my language list. Also I heard it helps with being a doctor because the body parts have Latin [stems], and also it could help me with my English which I have always struggled with. I also want to learn Russian, Italian, and maybe Portuguese.”