Ryan Langley, СAPP12, found his passion through his heritage.
СAPPI spent the first half of my childhood growing up in Bayou Pigeon where I was surrounded by French and the СAPPbayou lifestyle,СAPPСAPP he said. СAPPI didnСAPPt realize how special and different it was until we moved away.
СAPPI had learned to speak French with my grandparents, but I didnСAPPt understand the importance of what I was doing until much later,СAPP he said. СAPPOnce I did, however, I knew that in order to do my part in preserving and promoting my culture I needed to learn from those that have dedicated their lives to that very mission."
СAPPAfter that, choosing my major and concentration seemed obvious,СAPP he said. СAPPI simply had to follow my passion.СAPP
Ryan began his academic career elsewhere, but the Cajun and Creole studies program at UL Lafayette caught his eye.
СAPPThe possibility to obtain a minor in Cajun and Creole studies really piqued my interest,СAPP he said. СAPPThat interest was compounded when I went to a recruiting event where I met a few of the professors in the Department of Modern Languages.
СAPPI was so impressed by the passion and expertise of the faculty and the caliber of the program I decided to transfer to UL Lafayette in the middle of my sophomore year,СAPP he said.
Preserving the Language through Research
As a student, Ryan helped preserve an oral history of stories and jokes from his community.
СAPPI had to sift through the available material and from it create a repertoire that I could perform,СAPP he said. СAPPI loved this project so much because it allowed me to more deeply connect to the storytelling culture of my hometown and to preserve a bit of oral history that would have been forgotten.СAPP
Sharing His Love of Louisiana French
Since graduating, Ryan has earned his masterСAPPs degree in education, taught at three schools in France, and settled back in Lafayette to teach French immersion. He now teaches fourth grade at Myrtle Place Elementary School.
СAPPI am a part of a three-person team that teaches fourth grade,СAPP he said. СAPPI teach social studies, science, art, and French language arts.
СAPPI consider myself incredibly lucky to be teaching at such an amazing school,СAPP he said. СAPPEven after just one year there I already consider Myrtle Place my home.СAPP
Ryan works hard to pass on the Louisiana heritage to his students.
СAPPI am in a position to be able to expose our students to our unique French dialect and culture,СAPP he said. СAPPOne of the reasons that parents choose French Immersion for their kids is due to their desire for their children to learn their heritage language, Louisiana French."
СAPPMy long-term goal is to one day create a Louisiana French curriculum that will be accepted by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education that can be used in our immersion schools,СAPP he said.
СAPPDue to my programs of study and my unique childhood experiences, I am able to help serve as that link,СAPP he said. СAPPIn my area of Louisiana, even those that donСAPPt speak French were still surrounded by native Louisiana French speakers growing up.СAPP
