GSIS 10 Year Anniversary Yearbook: Memories | Page 137

“GSIS students hold a special place in my heart. The students’ enthusiasm and drive
prompted me to give much more to a school community than I ever have. The relationships
that were built as a result of my involvement with cheerleading, SCA, and every single
Spanish class I taught are very meaningful. GSIS students are talented, hardworking,
compassionate, and fun!” - Señora Sheri Plath, Spanish Teacher, 2013

1

As an international school that prides itself on being a community that fosters many different
languages, GSIS has an unique culture that cannot be replicated in any ordinary
school.

The common language of the community is English. English as a global
language, is able to span across multiple cultures. The English language has over
one million vocabulary words and that’s without taking into consideration compounds and derivatives.

Senior Trey Noh commented, “English is a language that every

GSIS student and teacher shares. I think through this, it helps us
connect together.” He continued, “I also think English is pivotal to our school

2

3

because language is a part of culture and our school students are from different
cultures. The best way to share different cultures is through English.”

Eric Yoon responded similarly, saying, “The faculty and the student body is
diverse, coming from different cultures. Due to this, we do not share one common
language besides English. I think it’s important to respect and share each others
culture, and English is essential for this. I also think by sharing each others cultures,
we show empathy and Christ-like behavior.”

When one thinks about language, the first thought that comes to mind
isn’t math. However, math can be considered a language since it uses symbols to
communicate ideas and to figure out problems.
Jiwon Min said, “It’s [Math] a universal language, if you write

in let’s say, numerics, everyone would understand what you’re
saying.”

Emily Lee commented, “Math is a way people can express themselves in
numerical terms. Math has a set procedure and a set answer.”
Regardless of their nationality, student speak a multitude of languages in
addition to the common language of the school including, but not limited to
Spanish, Mandarin, Swedish, Finnish, German, Russian, Korean, Japanese,
Thai, Tagalog, Hindi, Dutch, and French.

Freshman, Elmeri Antikainen said, “My mother tongue helps

4

me to connect with other people whose mother tongue
is not English. Also, I have taught Korean students Finnish words helping me to connect and get to know them.”

5

“It [English] helps me establish my identity within the community, and it
helps other people identify me as someone from Ukraine,” commented Olena
Vasyltsova.

Mattias Buesing said, “Since German is similar to English, it makes it
easier for me to communicate with my friends. I have also occasionally taught my friends some German words.”

6
7

137
GSIS Yearbook-USS_Part 3.indd 137

4/16/16 6:38 PM