Massapequa High School students served a variety of cultural dishes in the international food court at the 21st annual World Language Festival Courtesy of the Massapequa school district
“Discover languages, discover the world†was the theme of the 21st annual World Language Festival, hosted by the Massapequa school district in March at Massapequa High School. Hundreds of elementary school students attended the event and participated in cultural activities organized by students from the high school's world language clubs and honor societies.
The festival highlighted French, German, Mandarin Chinese and Spanish language and culture. Children learned basic phrases while participating in interactive activities and collecting passport stamps at each location.
Students learned fun facts about French-speaking countries and regions while making crafts to take home. The German-themed activities included traditional dance, handbell songs and cookie decorating. In the Mandarin Chinese room, guests spun yo-yos, competed in chopsticks challenges and learned how to write Chinese characters. A Chinese lion dance also moved through the hallways.
Several rooms focused on Spanish language and culture. Students made Guatemalan worry dolls, decorated images of animals found in Costa Rica, created tissue-paper flowers inspired by the movie “Encanto†and explored the Amazon jungle.
Fourth graders Antonio Mezzaucella, left, and Mason Ehrlich were joined by high school French students Mia Castrogiovanni and Kylie Hartmann, right.
The gym lobby became a facepainting station led by members of the National Junior Honor Society, while the cafeterias became an international food court featuring dishes representing the four languages.
“This year's 21st annual World Language Festival was the quintessence of community connection,†Katherine Kirschner, curriculum associate for world language and ENL, said. “The creativity and dedication of our students and teachers turned the halls of Massapequa High School into a vibrant tapestry of global voices and cultural traditions. It's one thing to study language and culture, but it's another thing entirely to experience it. Events like this one are essential in promoting the development of empathy and global-mindedness needed by 21st-century learners and leaders.â€
A Chinese lion dance through the hallways was one of the highlights of the event.
