In 2008, Liberty had six French classes. 17 years later, only two remain.
Though not as popular an option as Spanish, the French program once had a thriving student base.
Michael Hausenfluk, the current French teacher, began working at Liberty in the program’s ‘golden age’. He remembers working alongside Sarah Duran, the previous head instructor.
“She would teach six classes of French, and I would teach three,” Hausenfluck said.
Duran left Liberty nearly 10 years ago, and since then different teachers have been part of classes. Even hybrid classes were also implemented for a year. This inconsistency may have provoked the declining interest in the course.
In 2023, French 1 was offered, but too few students requested it to create an entire class.
Some students were disappointed that it wasn’t a choice.
“I had tried to get into French my freshman year, but then they cancelled it,” junior Julia Keyes, a current French student, said.
Fortunately, French 1 was offered again the next year and enough students were interested to get the program off the ground. Today, both French 1 and French 2 are options for students. In the next few years Hausenfluck hopes to have even more French students.
“My goal is that there will be a minimum of five French classes,” Hausenfluck said.
Hausenfluck needs at least 15 students for a class to happen. His goal of five classes will more than double the current size.
Teachers are not the only ones who hopefully anticipate this program’s future.
“I’m excited that they’re bringing back the language,” senior Gracie Aryal, a former French student said. “I think it’s important to have diversity.”
A new curriculum creates a challenge for the only teacher. It will take about two years for Hausenfluck to work out any problems with it. But the largest obstacle in the way of this five class goal will be sufficient participation.
“Ultimately, you guys are the ones who choose your class. So if you don’t choose French beyond the second year, then we’re not going to have a third year,” Hausenfluck said.