The Lifelong Impact of Middle School Language Programs

At BIS, students gain more than vocabulary and grammar. With teachers like Vanessa Stubbs and support from BCE, they develop skills and connections that last for years.

At many public middle schools, world language instruction is limited or unavailable altogether. At Burlingame Intermediate School, however, students can begin studying Spanish or Mandarin years before high school thanks to funding provided through BCE’s annual grant. That early start gives students a significant advantage, allowing many to enter advanced high school courses such as Spanish 2 or Spanish 3, and Mandarin 2 or Mandarin 3. Access to middle school world language programs varies widely across the state, and schools that do offer them can better prepare students for advanced coursework and future academic opportunities.

For some students, those early language classes become much more than an academic advantage. Spanish teacher Vanessa Stubbs knows that firsthand. A graduate of Washington Elementary, BIS, and Burlingame High School, Stubbs first began learning Spanish herself as a seventh grader at BIS. That early introduction sparked a passion that eventually led her to double major in Spanish and Liberal Studies in college and study abroad at the Pontificia University of Santiago in Chile. “It was during my time studying abroad in Chile that my passion for Spanish truly crystallized,” she said. “Teaching Spanish in my own city, within the schools I once attended, is the perfect synergy of my love for teaching and my attachment to my community.”

Now back in the same classrooms where she once sat as a student, Stubbs says one of the most rewarding parts of teaching middle schoolers is watching their confidence grow over time. “At the beginning of the year, many students feel nervous about speaking a new language,” she explained. “Then, within less than a year, they’ve learned more than 1,000 words and are chatting in Spanish with each other. It builds resilience, determination, and confidence, which are skills they’ll need throughout their lives.” She also believes language learning opens doors far beyond the classroom.

“Learning a foreign language has a positive impact on students,” Stubbs said. “It allows them to converse with more people and make more friends, and it opens up opportunities like studying abroad or finding jobs outside of their own country.” - BIS Spanish Teacher Vanessa Stubbs

As both a former BIS student and a current teacher, Stubbs has also witnessed how education has evolved over the years. She recalls a time when classrooms relied heavily on traditional instruction, with teachers serving as the primary source of information. Today, she says, teaching is far more interactive and student-centered. Approaches like Universal Design for Learning (UDL) have created more opportunities for project-based learning and creative expression, especially in electives like Spanish. “It’s inspiring to see students present their work to real audiences beyond the classroom,” she said. “It elevates the learning experience and helps students develop a deeper appreciation for language and culture.”

Stubbs says programs like world languages are part of what makes Burlingame schools unique, and she credits BCE with helping make those opportunities possible. “Burlingame schools would not be the same without BCE,” she said. “Music and languages are a big draw for students, and all of those extras really enrich the educational experience.” She also values teaching in a district that embraces cultural learning and strong community connections. “I feel privileged to teach in Burlingame with former teachers who are now my colleagues, and in a community that truly values world languages like Spanish and Mandarin,” she said. “I love the culture here.”

That sense of community is especially visible during Fiesta Latina, the annual celebration organized by BIS Spanish teachers each May. The event brings together current students, families, staff, and even Burlingame High School students who return to participate and reconnect with former teachers. Through music, performances, food, and cultural activities, Fiesta Latina transforms language learning into a shared community experience. 

“World language education gives students so much more than vocabulary and grammar,” said Meredith Dunn. “It builds confidence, cultural understanding, and connection. As both a parent and the Executive Director of BCE, I’ve seen firsthand how meaningful these programs are for students and families.”

For students, the benefits are both academic and personal. “I like that in Spanish class you actually use the language instead of just memorizing stuff for a test,” said Nathan Hopkins, a seventh grader in his second year of Spanish at BIS. “It’s really cool when you realize you can understand conversations or say things on your own.”

Those early experiences continue paying off in high school and beyond. Desmond Lane, who began Spanish at BIS and now studies advanced Spanish at Burlingame High School, said the middle school program gave him a strong foundation. “Taking Spanish at BIS definitely gave me a head start,” he said. “I was able to move into higher-level classes in high school, and now I feel way more comfortable using the language. It’s also nice having more flexibility in my schedule because I got ahead earlier.”

How You can Help

BCE’s support ensures that opportunities like these remain available for all BIS students. In addition to funding world language instruction, BCE’s annual grant supports music, performing arts, elementary literacy and intervention, and more across the Burlingame School District.

Programs like Spanish and Mandarin at BIS are possible because of community support. To help BCE continue funding enriching educational opportunities for Burlingame students, please consider making a donation to Burlingame Community for Education Foundation.