Introducing multi-language instruction

Government leaders, business, and educators are endorsing what’s to be a new profile of a South Carolina graduate.  There have been discussions within the Oconee public schools how to adapt to what Governor Haley, the chambers of commerce, and others want to see in future graduates.  And one way to prepare Oconee students for the world is to equip them with the skills to speak multiple languages.  Dr. Michael Thorsland said yesterday that’s something that’s lacking.  Language instruction is offered in the high schools, but few students graduate with the skills to speak fluently in a second language.  That’s why Thorsland and Ginger Hopkins, director of instruction, have begun discussions with elementary grade teachers about how language instruction can be introduced into the lower grades.  One such discussion took place yesterday at the district office.