User:Hyun2020/Dominican Republic Language, Education & Street Food

 Language 

While Spanish is the main language, there are other languages spoken in the Dominican Republic too. These languages include Haitian Creole, Samana English, and English, French, Italian, Chinese and Japanese. Italian, Chinese, Japanese are known as foreign languages in the Dominican. These are mainly used by tourists who visit the Caribbean country. Haitian Creole is known as the minority language in the Dominican. It's mainly spoken by those of Haitian decent or immigrants and approximately 160,000 people who live in the Dominican speak this language. Those who speak Haitian Creole are also known to be bilingual and can also speak Spanish, but it is also considered a foreign language in the Dominican as well.

Samana English is mainly spoken by the descendants of black immigrants which is about 12,000 people of the population in the Dominican. However, Samana English has rapidly declined in the Dominican and is now known as an endangered language in this country.

 Cuisine 

Street foods are very popular in the Dominican Republic. One of the most common and popular street foods is the chimichurri or "chimi". A chimichurri is filled with various grilled and seasoned meats, and is typically similar to a burger. It's topped with its garden which contains cabbage tomatoes and onions and is served inside of a bag with ketchup and mayonnaise. The bag it's served in helps collect any falling bits that may fall out while being consumed. Another popular street food that is commonly eaten in the Dominican is what is known as in the United States is fried pork rinds. This street food is called chicharrón de cerdo. Street foods are typically more popular at night since breakfast and lunch are such large meals.

 Education 

The Dominican Republic school system is similar to the United States and other school systems, however, it does have a little difference. Children go to preschool for one year and following are four primary grades which are typically known as elementary school. Since there are only four grades instead of the usual five, the fifth grade carries onto the next four primary grades, also known as middle school. High school is your average four years, but instead of the students earning a diploma, they receive what is called bachillerato degree. After students earn this degree, they are welcome to join vocational schools or universities for further education, which is typically known as college.