Growing Number of Students Study Foreign Language in Shrinking World

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Byline: Kristin Larson Daily Herald Staff Writer

Like many students, Stevenson High School junior Eric Tetauer checks his e-mail every day.

He receives about 10 to 12 messages a day - all from Germany.

Tetauer is one of many students studying German at the Lincolnshire school who participates in the trans-Atlantic classroom - e-mailing students his age across the Atlantic, and teaming up on class projects.

"It's cool because we have assignments that we have to write in German, and e-mailing helps with everyday use of grammar," Tetauer said.

It's all part of what Illinois education officials say is a booming interest throughout the state …