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SALT LAKE CITY — Some educators in Utah are getting recognition on an international level. They were recently honored by the French government for their dual-immersion language programs.
Officials from Diamond Ridge, Butler, Morningside, Edgemont, Trailside and Fox Hollow elementary schools were invited to France to be recognized by the LabelFrancEducation program. Only 17 schools from around the world were invited.
"It was a great experience to be able to go over and network [with] people from around the world," said Joan Bramble, principal at Morningside.
Bramble said the best part of the event was the chance to pick the brains of some of the best educators in the world.
"Being able to listen to and to share our experiences in recruiting teachers and training teachers was very helpful," she said.
Bramble said recruiting native speakers is crucial to the success of the program.
"We have been able to take advantage of a program that the French government is continuing to provide called the Jules Verne Scholarship Program. Teachers apply to be able to participate in that program," she explained.
She said they've also learned how to find the best reading materials for their students, and they have other programs to keep kids speaking French out of the classroom.
"We are doing some pen pal relationships with other students who are also learning French, which is something that, I think, will be a good piece to continue," Bramble said.