South High offers a wide variety of language classes, ranging from your basic Spanish class to Latin and now Somali. The new Somali classes were added a few weeks after school began and have now become popular classes within the Somali community at South.     The classes began because several parents in the Minneapolis community called to request a Somali language class, responding to the increased Somali population over the past few years.

“It was added because of the huge Somali population,” assistant principal Stephen Simondet said,” it provides a good cultural aspect at South High School.”

Although the two classes both focus on the cultural aspects of Somali language, they are split by the different levels among Somali speakers. Students’ language ability ranges from basic knowledge of the Somali language to native speakers. The heritage class relates more with the cultural aspect and many of the students speak Somali more fluently.  The Somali one class teaches more about language and pronunciation. There is a very fine line between the two classes, but both provide cultural aspects to the students, aiming to teach students to become closer with themselves, their family, and their history.

     “This class has made me connected with my family,” said sophomore Sahur Abdi, a student in Somali one. “I talk a lot more with my family in Somali and I tell them what I learn.” Many other Somali students also found that the Somali one class has made them closer with their family members, as well as improving their pronunciation and writing skills.     “I want to learn my language,” junior Mohamed Ali said, a Somali one student in teacher Dahir Hassan’s class.

Hassan wants to teach students to learn about their culture and language. “When they know who they are, it opens up the students minds  to be more engaged in what’s going on at South High. It opens up their minds statewide and nationwide, and it opens their minds to other cultures and languages.”

    The Somali classes have also brought more representation of Somali culture to South.

“This class has given me more of a voice at South High,” said Sophomore Nadirah Farah, who feels more open to identify with her culture, now that she is learning more about her culture, history, and language.

These Somali classes have impacted South by helping Somali students feel more comfortable in the school community, as well as providing a voice and an opportunity to share their opinions and views about Somali culture.

“ I feel like I can talk more to my non-Somali friends about Somali events that are happening in the Somali community and in the Somali Student Association (SSA)- which was recently added last year, and I am more willing to invite them to the events,” said Abdi.

“When they know who they are, then can identify and understand other cultures, and understand our diverse society,” Hassan stated. Students in the Somali classes want to learn their language and understand their culture, it’s about accepting and identifying with their culture, that makes students feel that they can voice their opinions at South. “ South is an amazing and unique school culturally, linguistically, and diversely,” said Hassan.

    “It has brought us together.” stated junior Mahad Hassan.  “We were already a community, but now we are  a community that now has a voice.”