We had the chance to meet with Sanza, a Jersey City parent from Barcelona who brings her passion for multilingualism and community to our school. As a PTO officer and an architect who lent her expertise to FAA’s new high school, she shared her family’s bilingual journey and their experiences at the FAA.
“In our opinion, mastering different languages early in life builds a more agile brain. Moreover, we believe that the European-American approach to the curriculum will open many doors in his future, especially now that it will have continuity in high school. The curriculum at FAA will help our son have a broader vision of the world and life.“
Q: What motivated you to choose a bilingual French-American school for your child?
My husband and I are both from Barcelona. Therefore, we grew up speaking two languages: Catalan and Spanish. When we started looking for schools, we both agreed that the mental flexibility that gives you the ability to speak different languages from a young age was something we wanted for our son.
Q: What role do the other languages spoken at home play in your child’s learning experience with French?
We speak Catalan and Spanish at home, which are close to French, especially the former, as they come from the same root. Since birth, he’s been constantly hearing Spanish, Catalan, and English, so when he started at FAA, he took in French quite naturally.
Q: How has your child’s experience with bilingual education at the FAA impacted his daily life or interests outside of school?
My son just recently started. He’s in PK2, but we’ve been hearing a lot of French at home, and he loves to sing his new French songs!
Q: How do you feel the bilingual education at the FAA is preparing your child for future opportunities?
In our opinion, mastering different languages early in life builds a more agile brain. Moreover, we believe that the European-American approach to the curriculum will open many doors in his future, especially now that it will have continuity in high school. The curriculum at FAA will help our son have a broader vision of the world and life.
Q: Can you share a memorable moment, activity, or achievement your child has experienced at the FAA?
The first time Sidney got to participate in the Spirit Run, he enjoyed every single moment of it. He loves hanging out and playing with his classmates!
Q: With no French at home, how has the school supported your family ?
In our case, we speak more than one language at home, but in the case of French, the FAA has provided plenty of resources to help us understand what Sidney is learning. From detailed weekly reports to visitation day, allowing us to stay informed about his day-to-day life.
Q: How do you embrace bilingualism at home?
Bilingualism was inherent in our upbringing, both for my husband and myself. We highly value it and wanted to pass it on to our son.
Q: What is your family background, languages spoken at home?
My husband and I are both from Barcelona, Spain. We met in college, where we both studied architecture, and we decided to move to the US seven years ago. At home, we speak Spanish and Catalan, the most common languages in the Barcelona area, and we use English with most of our friends here. When our son was born, we decided that my husband would speak Catalan to him, and I would take the Spanish, as we wanted him to know our home languages.
Q: Can you share some of the activities your family enjoys together, such as hobbies, volunteer work, or sports teams you follow? How do these activities bring your family closer or create special moments together?
As a family, we love to be by the water, whether at the beach or by a swimming pool. We try to dip into water every weekend during the summertime, and Sidney likes building sandcastles (and destroying them). In the winter months, we enjoy doing family activities such as baking cookies at home or walking to the bakery to get madeleines and hot cafe au lait.
Q: Please share some of your child’s activities, community involvement, favorite subjects, and special talents!
Sidney is obsessed with anything that has wheels. One of his favorite activities is riding his bike in the park. He’s also very interested in music. Every time we walk in front of someone performing in the street, he asks us to stop and listen to the music. He also likes to play his little guitar at home while singing “Bonjour les amis”.
Q: What are some interesting stories or fun facts about your family?
We ended up in the United States because I lost a bet to my husband. We both knew we wanted to leave Barcelona to get out of our comfort zone and grow, but I already had done the NYC experience and was ready for something else. But my husband really wanted to come here. So, as I knew how difficult it was to get a job in the States without a visa, or a visa without a job, I agreed to come if he found a solution before a deadline. I already had my visa ready to go somewhere else, so I was sure we would be moving to another country. But he made it! He got a job, first for 18 months, and it has been 7 years already!
Q: If your family had a motto to live by, what would it be?
What can you do today that will positively impact your life in the future?
Q: In what ways have you and your family contributed to or participated in the FAA community?
I am part of the PTO Board. I joined right after the first week of Sidney being in the FAA! Besides that, my husband and I are helping the FAA with the new High School. Through Galla, our architecture studio, we’re providing guidance on a few upgrades to the building to have it ready before the new school year begins.
Q: Have you found any unique ways to connect with other families from the FAA outside of school events?
Even though our son has been at the FAA for only a few months, we have a great relationship with all the families in our son’s classroom, and the kids have shared playdates and birthday parties. We’ve also connected with other families, mostly at drop-off or pick-up and at Hamilton Park.
Q: What are some of your favorite FAA community memories?
We really enjoyed the Holiday Market! And we’re looking forward to our first Winter show before the break!
