For a lot of students at Raleigh Charter High School, English is not the only language they use every day. Many students speak more than one language and use another at home, which means that they constantly switch back and forth between two different worlds.
Language is more than a tool for communication; it’s a bridge that connects students to the school environment and their family roots. For multilingual students, they shift between different languages throughout the day.
At school, English dominates, whether it’s class assignments, tests, projects, or just talking with friends in general. But once they’re home, the language switches right back to keep their connection with their family as well as their heritage roots.
“Being able to speak multiple languages growing up is such a privilege,” said junior Dhruthi Gadde. “I use English at school and whenever I go out, but speaking my native language at home gives me a sense of belonging and keeps me connected to my identity.”
Speaking the native language isn’t simply just about communicating, but it’s about holding onto the culture and traditions, as we’re living in an era where our cultures are constantly intertwined. There are certain words, or even inside jokes, that don’t hit the same way when we translate them into English.
“Speaking my native language at home has become my family tradition,” said junior Chanasya Suraparaju. “I always want to preserve my native language, it helps me connect to my culture and bond more with my family.”
Having students who are multilingual or speak more than one language at RCHS makes our campus more diverse. Whether it’s the greeting in different languages on the display board in the second floor hallway, students promoting their culture in a cultural club, or sharing phrases with friends, it shows how diverse our community is, making our student body unique.
