Central language classes compete in sing off
Photo By Emily Keomany
March 15, 2018
French Teacher Scott Donaghe’s classes took 1st place in all blocks except 7th and 8th block at this year’s Central World Language Sing Off’s. First year Punjabi teacher Jasbinder Saini’s 7th block and Hmong teacher Nalee See’s 8th block provided an upset.
Punjabi and Hmong classes were added this year, additional levels of French and Spanish have been introduced over the years, and as the program has expanded, so has the sing off. Language classes now compete in the PAC and judges began scoring the event in 2013. The friendly competition has grown as well, with performances becoming more elaborate each year. Teachers and classes are clearly out to dominate the competition, which keeps raising the bar in terms of language acquisition and presentation.
Due to all reports, Scott Donaghe’s French class is a tough competitor. “Donaghe does go all out because he does want to win. That’s when it gets really competitive,” states junior Chloe Roquta. After participating in the sing-off for the first year, junior Isaiah Perales agrees that the long-standing French champions are hard to beat, “It’s really hard to compare to Donaghe, but we got 2nd place.”
Aside from the fun of seeing their peers perform, the competition helps students learn more about language, culture, collaboration and how to confidently present themselves in public. Spanish teacher Alfonso Jimenez comments, “It teaches students language while teaching them stage presence.”
Donaghe adds, ”The best part about the sing off is that it creates a very strong class bond while providing a window into the target culture.”
Junior french student Seth Ladd agrees that the sing off helps students learn more. He states, “It’s one thing to just see a word on a board, but it’s another thing to hear it in music.”
Most essentially, students are moved by music and this motivates them to learn more about language. Ladd adds, “I think it’s just another way to teach students about different cultures, and music is one of those branches that students connect to most.”
Ofelia Calderon • Dec 12, 2018 at 1:15 pm
All classes did a wonderful job. Hope each year they improve. I wish you all the best of luck.
Teigan Davis • Dec 12, 2018 at 12:52 pm
I think the sing off is a great opportunity for students to get closer with one another and have a fun time while learning a language.
Judy Alatorre • Dec 12, 2018 at 1:04 am
The world language sing off gets extremely competitive and students from other classes always try to find intel about other classes performances. Preparations for the sing off begin as early as September so classes can have the upper hand in coordination and limited errors. It’s all fun but it’s always hard to tell who is going to win depending on the songs and what story the class decides to tell. It definitely does bring the class together and helps them bond if there is anyone you will remember when high school is over it’s going to be the kids you learned another language with. You’ll even catch yourself singing the songs from time to time and they might even jump in.
Teigan Davis • Dec 11, 2018 at 9:31 pm
I think that the sing off is an amazing way to learn as languages culture. It helps us come together as a class to create something that makes the audience happy and us happy and proud of we what we have done.
Roel • Dec 11, 2018 at 7:00 pm
Mr. Donaghe we are gonna take this dub again!!!
Jennifer Hernandez • Dec 11, 2018 at 1:16 pm
I think its cool to participate in the sing off, hopefully we win 1st place this year.
Damian Carrillo • Dec 11, 2018 at 1:15 pm
I like the way that they brought the World language sing of to central which is pretty cool because you get to compete against other languages and so forth. Its a good and fun way to learn and have fun with your classmates. I believe that this a good way to be competitive and learn your language at the same side!
Yesenia Garcia • Dec 11, 2018 at 1:15 pm
All classes did an excellent job. The sing off seems really fun! I’m really excited to soon be apart of it and see the other classes perform.
Daniella Munoz • Dec 11, 2018 at 1:14 pm
Its so cool that thanks to this sing off/ competition many students get to have an opportunity at connecting with music
Allie Anderson • Dec 11, 2018 at 1:14 pm
Its really amazing because it teaches students a different language in a fun and competitive way and I think that’s awesome! Students also learn different cultures while having fun on stage and learning stage presence. The students also get familiar with the songs after singing it so many times that they feel comfortable on stage with other people and a crowd that they get to express themselves in a different way.
-Allie Anderson
Ofelia Calderon • Dec 11, 2018 at 1:14 pm
All classes did a wonderful job and hope they improve in the next sing off.
Azariyah Hollins • Dec 11, 2018 at 1:13 pm
As Seth Ladd stated, “It’s one thing to just see a word on a board, but it’s another thing to hear it in music.” As everyone knows, we love music and to be able to listen and sing in a different language is helpful when trying to learn and also helps to understand another’s culture.
Adelyn H. • Dec 11, 2018 at 1:13 pm
Watching the sing off last year with friends was amazing! I hadn’t had a language elective yet, and was looking forward to having one. This article makes the sing off sound really fun, and it pushes contestants to work harder. I can’t wait to see the sing off of 2019!
Colton Fields • Dec 11, 2018 at 1:13 pm
Though I haven´t participated in the Sing Off, I eagerly look forward to not only being in but to listen to the other classes as well. I don´t sing much, mainly to myself if ever, and I think a lot of students can relate to that. It´s good to see students push the boundaries and sing with all they can, even better that it´s in a language most aren´t familiar with.
Carlos Aguilera • Dec 11, 2018 at 1:12 pm
This is a great article it gives good information to students and is written in a way that would motivate me and other readers to take language classes.
Emily Zermeno • Dec 11, 2018 at 1:12 pm
This year being my first time in a sing off like this is different. The class does seem to be closer together after working so hard.
Arianna Perez • Dec 11, 2018 at 1:12 pm
Being able to participate in the sing off for two years now, I can easily say that everything in this article is true. I’ve had a great time performing with Spanish and now i have the opportunity to perform with French 1 and i’m extremely excited.
Luke Valdivia • Dec 11, 2018 at 1:11 pm
This article was amazing all the languages did a good job.I am greatful to be in such a great class.Hopefully we take the win this year too 🙂 Good luck to all the languages.Very excited
Daniella Munoz • Dec 11, 2018 at 1:11 pm
Its so cool how through this sing off/competition and music that students get to connect with it. Thanks to this I would say a lot of people would like to participate in native languages especially French. 🙂
Elona Boonmy • Dec 11, 2018 at 1:11 pm
Reading this article made me even more excited for this years sing off!! I may be a freshman but when the time comes I will give my all to win against the other language classes. So you all better watch out. The freshmen are coming for you;)
Kari Hale • Dec 11, 2018 at 1:11 pm
I am a freshman French 1 student and I’ve heard so many good things about the previous sing off’s that I’m so psyched to participate this year. My entire class can’t wait either, we hope to come in at least 2nd or 3rd place seeing as we have no experience yet and that this is our first year.
Alan Gutierrez • Dec 11, 2018 at 1:10 pm
The sing off is a great thing as everybody says it is. The teachers say it is fun and gets the class to have a great bond together which is great. But not only that the sing off helps with other things. It gets you to see other languages and cultures. Also helps with being out in a crowd which is tough for some people. So I’m glad we are having this sing off this year. Hope we take that first place!!!
Semaj London • Dec 11, 2018 at 1:10 pm
Well I am first of all nervous because we have to live up to the expectations of French classes before us but it inspired me to work harder than ever so we may win but most importantly have fun
Guneet Aujla • Dec 11, 2018 at 1:09 pm
I think it is amazing how this year we get to be apart of the sing off. Hopefully the French classes get first place again.
Ofelia Calderon • Dec 11, 2018 at 1:09 pm
All classes did an excellent job and hope they improve each year. The sing off is a really fun and helps students in there performance.
treyvon givens • Dec 11, 2018 at 1:08 pm
I like sing so the compaction is going to be fun
Amelia K • Dec 11, 2018 at 1:07 pm
Being able to know how fun it was at the sing off sounds interesting!!!
Scott Donaghe • Apr 17, 2018 at 10:44 pm
Correction for the article:
Hmong won first place and Punjabi won first place. The other blocks were won by the French classes.
Great article other than that change.
Sabreen Atwal • Apr 25, 2018 at 10:55 am
Thank you Mr. Donaghe. We have made the corrections and updated the article.
Scott Donaghe • May 4, 2018 at 8:58 pm
Awesome! Merci beaucoup!