Esperanto course at Seattle Academy

This trimester I began an Esperanto course for 8 students at our private high school. Seattle Academy is an independent school with about 600 students (350 in our high school). The course is structured as "independent study" class although I have students meet together during the regular school day. As such, it is not graded -- students earn credit for 50 hours of work. This is the standard format for non-established course in a school. We decided to not have it meet a portion of the 3-year foreign language requirment for gradution so that it would not conflict with other courses -- instead it currently counts just for elective credit.

In any case, a 'club' with an independent study option may be a good format for incorporting Esperanto into the American high school environment. My hope is that these initial students can be the tutors and mentors for the future club members and that it will lead to a strong group of speakers within the schools and the opportunities that this will afford to their language understanding in general, and their Esperanto progress in particular.

Among other things we are interested in is to compare the progress that students using this format for learning Esperanto can make compared to traditional foreign language classes. Also of interest will be whether this format can be self-stustaining without giving students foreign language credit (it would almost certainly be very popular if credit were given -- especially with an enthusistic teacher).

I will use this blog from time to time to update everyone on the progress of our efforts.

Ĝis!

Gary "Gaĉjo Anderson
Math Department Chair
Seattle Academy