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Students with High-Functioning Autism Make Great Strides in World Language Education Using Rosetta Stone
[April 25, 2017]

Students with High-Functioning Autism Make Great Strides in World Language Education Using Rosetta Stone


Arlington, VA, April 25, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- When one walks the halls of Gateway Academy, it’s not uncommon to hear conversations taking place in languages from all over the world. For these Twice-Exceptional students (those with high-functioning autism), access to a world language program has unlocked a passion for learning and is helping students excel. By bringing technology into its classrooms through Rosetta Stone (NYSE: RST) digital programs, teachers at Gateway are effectively addressing the primary challenges facing their students: extremely short attention spans, and a wide spectrum of learning abilities and pace. The online learning solution plays to each student’s individual strengths, allowing them to learn at their own pace—and they are making great strides, with some students completing two years of study in this school year alone.

“Most of our students are exceptionally bright, but have various learning and social and emotional skill levels,” said O. Robin Sweet, founder, Executive Director and CEO of Gateway Academy. “It’s amazing to see how engaged they are with the Rosetta Stone program. Technology has really allowed them to excel, and I truly believe we have some future linguists among us!”

Located in Phoenix, Arizona, Gateway began using Rosetta Stone in its classrooms in July 2016. Learning a second language is required for all grades—Spanish for grades K-5; French, German, Italian, Spanish, Dutch or Portuguese for middle school; and Japanese, Russian, Korean, Hebrew or any of the more than 20 languages offered in grades 9-12.  Students have the opportunity to spend 40 minutes a day, up to five days a week in an interactive language lab where they learn not only a new language, but also aout its culture and traditions, through group projects and research papers.



Many students struggle with basic learning tasks, such as coming to class prepared, turning in homework, meeting deadlines and time management. World Language Lab teacher Jessica Ahl added, “Integrating technology into our program has made a significant impact with both the students and parents who are seeing the impact that learning a second language is having.” Students recently presented a commercial written and performed in their language of study to see if their classmates could figure out the meaning (the commercial was then performed in English) and are now working on a cookbook of native dishes representing their language’s country of origin that have been prepared in class throughout the school year.


Matt Hall, Vice President of Enterprise and Education at Rosetta Stone notes that it is because of Gateway’s similar approach to learning that makes the digital product an effective tool for its student body. “Like Rosetta Stone, learning at Gateway is tailored to the unique needs of the students and is the perfect combination of strengths-based, self-paced and individualized instruction. The result is a game changer for both students and faculty.”

“These are complicated kids, but their potential is out of this world,” added Sweet. “It’s our job to try to draw out their gifts by providing effective tools and resources, which enable them to find success.”


About Gateway Academy
Gateway Academy was founded in 2005 by O. Robin Sweet and Dr. Thomas Bloom, as a 501c3 not for profit corporation. We are an approved K-12th Grade Private Day School by the Arizona Department of Education. AdvancEd accredited. SEVIS approved for accepting International Students. School of Excellence awarded 2006-Present by the National Association of Special Education Teachers. Chapter of the National Honor Society. International affiliation with Jolly Nobel Chinese Exchange Program. School Choice Leadership Award 2016. National School Choice Proclamations from Governor Doug Ducey and Scottsdale Mayor Jim Lane.

?Gateway Academy offers students an academic curriculum that is challenging and structured; rich in its academic offerings, and nurturing in its approach to fostering personal growth, responsibility and independence. The Gateway community: students, faculty, staff and families, alike, work collaboratively to help students discover and develop their individual gifts and strengths, become self-advocates and realize their full potential. A safe, thoughtfully prepared sensory sensitive environment encourages mutual trust, respect, and acceptance among those in its school community.

?About Rosetta Stone 
Rosetta Stone Inc. (NYSE: RST) is dedicated to changing people’s lives through the power of language and literacy education. The company’s innovative digital solutions drive positive learning outcomes for the inspired learner at home or in schools and workplaces around the world.  

Founded in 1992, Rosetta Stone’s language division uses cloud-based solutions to help all types of learners read, write, and speak more than 30 languages. Lexia Learning, Rosetta Stone's literacy education?division, was founded more than 30 years ago and is a leader in the literacy education space. Today, Lexia helps students build fundamental reading skills through its rigorously researched, independently evaluated, and widely respected instruction and assessment programs.?? 

For more information, visit?www.rosettastone.com.??“Rosetta Stone” is a registered trademark or trademark of Rosetta Stone Ltd. in the United States and other countries. 

Media Contacts 
Michelle Alvarez | Head of Global Communications, Rosetta Stone 
202.390.0032 | [email protected] 

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