PORTLAND, Maine — When it comes to language, if you don't use it, you often lose it.
At Deering High School in Portland, French teacher Alexis Kanamugire is working to revive interest in the French language among his students, recognizing how quickly the language can fade without regular practice.
For him, the mission of the language in Maine is personal: "My own kids … used to speak the best of French, but now not anymore."
To celebrate Maine's Francophone history and discuss strengthening the language in-state, students, staff, and visitors took part in a town hall discussion with three ambassadors of French-speaking countries Friday on their visit to Maine.
Laurent Bili, France’s Ambassador to the United States; Noel Nelson Messone, Ambassador of the Gabonese Republic; and Martial Ndoubou, Ambassador of the Central African Republic, all took part in listening to students' experiences and answering questions.
"In a state such as Maine with strong Francophone communities, it is essential for opportunities for students to explore their own connection to the French language," Ambassador Bili said.
Maine has long-standing Francophone roots, with the language being the second most used in the state. However, advocates argue more work needs to be done to promote the language in schools, not only to preserve the state's history but to give students the tools to use the language as an asset.
There have been great strides to increase the use of the language in Maine, however. This year, 21 percent of students who earned the state's Seal of Biliteracy did so in French, according to the Maine Department of Education.
Deering High School senior Jael Mowa explains that understanding French has been able to bring her closer to her grandfather, who only speaks French.
"My whole family speaks French, so every time I’m talking to my grandpa from Africa, he’s always speaking in French and I’m like, 'Ehhh,'" Mowa joked.
