Wilsonville High School’s Dual Language program is a great way for students to branch out and create new opportunities for themselves. This program helps push students to work on their current or growing bilingual skills in a way that brings out interest, awareness, and love for another culture.

The Dual Language program has been kept in the dark, without much awareness and recognition. It’s time it gets brought out into the light.

This program starts for elementary school students at a young age where they get the opportunity to join. For some students, this program is something more important to them than others such as young children whose first language is Spanish. This allows them to keep that part of their identity in a school environment while also learning English and creating strong bilingual skills. For other students who also want to become fluent in Spanish and bilingual students, they get placed in a lottery system.

While for some students, this journey starts from kindergarten through middle school until they are allowed to carry on with this program in high school, some students who move in late to the community or simply aren’t aware of this great opportunity should still be open to it.

Wilsonville sophomore Allison Zayago has been in the dual language program herself since elementary school. Zayago explains, “If students are interested in the language I would encourage them to stay in the program in high school because it can help you in the future whether it be for college or a job.”

The main goal of the Dual Language program at Wilsonville High School is to keep building on those bilingual skills, giving students more bi-literacy and multicultural opportunities in a school environment.

The benefits of the Dual Language program is immense; biliteracy taken into future careers where that skillset is ideal, and you can earn special recognition for your hard work from colleges or employers by earning the Seal of Biliteracy on your high school diploma.

Dual Language students are given a rich cultural experience while still being in a rigorous and challenging program. Dual Language student Kira Wilson states, “I would say it can be really hard and takes hard work but for some people, it’s worth it.”

This brings out dedication, determination, curiosity, and ambition in students and puts it to the test with a chance of great life opportunities!