Voices of the World: International Reading Month at Ashbury

The Lycée Ashbury Campus recently transformed the traditional "National Reading Month" into a vibrant, month-long celebration of global culture and linguistic diversity. What began as a simple goal, combining reading practice with an international theme, evolved into a powerful initiative that resonated deeply with students, teachers, and parents alike.

Bringing the World to the Classroom

The project, spearheaded by the DEIB Coordinator on Ashbury Campus, Alden Pelletier, was inspired by the desire to celebrate our students' unique identities. By inviting families to share stories in their native languages, the Ashbury campus became a hub for cultural exchange.

The response was overwhelming. More than 30 family members found time to visit classrooms, sharing books that held deep personal meaning. We heard stories in a breathtaking array of languages, including: English, French, Korean, Farsi, Tagalog, Mandarin, Russian, Latvian, Bulgarian, Hindi, Belarusian, Swedish, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Arabic... and even American Sign Language (ASL).

These moments offered students an eye-opening perspective on different ways to communicate.

Beyond the Pages: Identity and Pride

The impact on student identity was immediate and visible. Teachers observed shy students "blossoming" as they heard their home languages celebrated in front of their peers. Whether it was a second-grader fluently reading in Russian or a student identifying words from their Mandarin lessons, the pride was palpable.

"The project supported the students' sense of identity; I saw a lot of pride in the students whose families were reading in their home language," noted Pelletier. "It allowed us to see a side of our students that isn't always visible in the daily curriculum."

Language as a Bridge

International Reading Month wasn't just about listening; it was also about linguistic discovery.

• For Younger Students: The focus was on vibrant illustrations and the "magic" of translation.

• For Older Students (Gr2-3): The readings became a living lab for language study. Students looked for common roots between the guest languages and French or English, sparking deep discussions on how languages evolve and connect.

The students showed immense respect and curiosity, even when they didn't understand the words. They listened to the unique rhythms of different tongues and noted cultural nuances, like the "backwards" page-turning of a Farsi poetry book, which sparked "amazing conversations" about how culture shapes the way we tell stories.