Language study is a highly effective way to increase global understanding and awareness. In middle school this opportunity is available to a limited number of students; however, the library serves students both inside and outside the world language curriculum. With its central placement in our very busy library, the collection of French-language Harry Potter books will be visible and available to all. The books will add to the cultural focus of the library and encourage students to investigate language, even if they are not studying one presently, and to enjoy the beauty of languages.
The Harry Potter novels serve as a particularly rich context to develop literacy in French because the author embeds many words and phrases of French and related origin in the stories, drawing upon an extensive background in both French and English literature. For example, the Malfoy family name, translating to "bad faith," harkens back to the brothers Sansfoy, Sansjoy, and Sansloy in Edmund Spenser's Faerie Queene, and the name of the evil wizard Voldemort conveys multiple nuanced meanings in French. In addition, the French translations employ wordplay that is fun for students to figure out, such as the French name for the Sorting Hat: le Choixpeau (a portmanteau combination of "choice," "leather/skin," and "hat.") Our French enrollment has nearly doubled since 2014, and I want to expand the library's French-language holdings to support this increase.
World language students need to read stories that are more interesting, longer and in depth than the short passages and contrived conversations in textbooks. Middle-school students in the first years of studying a language enjoy reading books written for adolescent interests. Providing multiple copies of longer age-appropriate books such as J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series will allow simultaneous reading and encourage students to collaborate in interpreting and discussing the stories.
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Language study is a highly effective way to increase global understanding and awareness. In middle school this opportunity is available to a limited number of students; however, the library serves students both inside and outside the world language curriculum. With its central placement in our very busy library, the collection of French-language Harry Potter books will be visible and available to all. The books will add to the cultural focus of the library and encourage students to investigate language, even if they are not studying one presently, and to enjoy the beauty of languages.
The Harry Potter novels serve as a particularly rich context to develop literacy in French because the author embeds many words and phrases of French and related origin in the stories, drawing upon an extensive background in both French and English literature. For example, the Malfoy family name, translating to "bad faith," harkens back to the brothers Sansfoy, Sansjoy, and Sansloy in Edmund Spenser's Faerie Queene, and the name of the evil wizard Voldemort conveys multiple nuanced meanings in French. In addition, the French translations employ wordplay that is fun for students to figure out, such as the French name for the Sorting Hat: le Choixpeau (a portmanteau combination of "choice," "leather/skin," and "hat.") Our French enrollment has nearly doubled since 2014, and I want to expand the library's French-language holdings to support this increase.
World language students need to read stories that are more interesting, longer and in depth than the short passages and contrived conversations in textbooks. Middle-school students in the first years of studying a language enjoy reading books written for adolescent interests. Providing multiple copies of longer age-appropriate books such as J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series will allow simultaneous reading and encourage students to collaborate in interpreting and discussing the stories.
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