Over the past few years, Southern Lehigh High School’s French program has undergone many changes – most recently, the establishment of a Société Honoraire de Français, or French Honor Society. French teacher Mrs. Leila Farley is sponsoring the society in Southern Lehigh to provide more opportunities to her students, and hopes to further that goal in coming years with a trip to France, The Seal of Biliteracy, and potentially an AP French class.
“We have the profile of a school with the caliber to host high-standard programs, and I haven’t seen them in foreign language yet,” Mrs. Farley said. “There was no reward [for high-achieving students] and not even a French AP test before. We are a dying program, and I need to bring it back to life because I really feel you cannot let that dwindle.”
Mrs. Farley is passionate about initiating French programs because she believes familiarization with European culture is important for students, as comparing and contrasting it with America’s allows them to value what they have and explore what they don’t.
“[T]oo many students feel like it’s more important to take a specific language, maybe one ‘more useful,” she said. “But I think the French language is very good to open the door to European culture and grow closer to it.”
As such, she wishes to provide ways for her students to immerse themselves in French language and culture, such as meeting at ethnic restaurants or learning the seven mother sauces. The honor society provides a foundation from which to do that, providing time outside of school for students to get together. Senior Justin Funk,Vice President of the program, feels that being part of the honor society has helped reinforce what he’s learned in class.
“You kind of en-douse yourself in the French culture and pick up more words quicker and easier,” Funk says.
Another member, junior Ella Bausher, appreciates the community of her classmates.
“I feel like it’s a good group,” she says. “I think the French Honor Society really connects people. We had a guest speaker at the ceremony, for example, and really learned a lot.”
The French Honor Society is intended for students currently enrolled in French 4 or 5 and have maintained a minimum grade of A- for at least three quarters. Mrs. Farley and the program’s officers will be fundraising to support more participants and activities.
She also plans to expand the French program next year by organizing a summer trip to France and bringing The Seal of Biliteracy to Southern Lehigh. The Seal of Biliteracy is a national organization which evaluates the standardized tests of students who have attained a certain level of literacy in both English and a foreign language. Those with high enough scores receive a medal and a seal on their diploma to certify that they’re bilingual.
Furthermore, Mrs. Farley is exploring the possibility of replacing her French 5 class with an AP course. This would add weight to students’ GPAs and allow them to take the AP test for college credit. Since her French 5 curriculum already includes the topics covered by the College Board, she believes the only change would be scheduling practice time for AP test formats.
“If all my French 4 students are interested, I would be willing to talk about the possibility with administration and guidance,” Mrs. Farley said. “I would do it to honor the capacity and enthusiasm of my students.”
This has been her driving force behind all recent changes to the French program and her plans for its future.
“My students’ love and passion is motivating me,” Mrs. Farley says. “I know it’s going to be great.”
