“I think I want to take Arabic,” was the statement our daughter made to us, as we were reviewing course offerings for her 11th grade year. After a family talk about enrolling in a MSON language course, our daughter applied and was accepted to MSON Arabic 1.
After settling-in to a new medium for classroom instruction, she has enjoyed the challenge of learning a new language, with a new set of classmates (none of whom attend her school). Because her MSON class time is prioritized over her normal daily schedule, she’s had to sharpen her skills for managing conflicting timelines.
At times, she has “command performances” at Wilmington Friends, like midterm exams, which require her to negotiate what she’s missed in her Arabic class. What impresses me most is that she is learning to manage challenging coursework, conflicting schedules, and learning the importance of pro-active planning—skills she will need in “the real world”.
It’s been a good year in Arabic 1 and she plans to take Arabic 2 next year. Additionally, she’s been asked about her experience and has been encouraging other students to pursue MSON courses. As one of her parents and as her head of school, I’m grateful for the opportunity to witness her experiences in the MSON program.