World Languages at SA

Our World Languages Department members can always be counted on for lively conversation —after all, conversation is at the heart of what they do. Although each teacher approaches the teaching of language in a slightly different way, they all agree that becoming proficient in another language is about much more than conjugating verbs and memorizing tenses. Our World Languages department helps students learn to communicate across cultures, utilizing context, empathy, and an understanding of real-world issues in order to become truly fluent.

Florence Rink, our French teacher since 2004 and former Department Chair, believes that taking the time to really connect with every single student in every single class period makes teaching and learning more active and engaging. “We get to know our students really well,” she says, “because some of us get to have them for all four years. And because we spend so much time asking and answering questions about ourselves—our likes and dislikes, and our opinions and experiences as students get more advanced—we really have a strong connection.”

Many projects in World Languages courses are inspired by issues that affect people in the real world, and each language teacher uses different tactics to expand their focus far beyond the classroom walls. In early language study, the element of fun is just as important as reinforcing grammar. For example, Danielle Delario helps Spanish I students connect to the cultures of Spanish speaking countries through their culinary traditions, hosting a popular salsa making competition. Playing games, acting out skits, and listening to music engages students in multimodal learning as they build their confidence and vocabulary.

As students become more proficient, they use primary sources to learn about history, literature, and current events in the countries where their language of study is spoken. In Pam’s Mandarin courses, students examine the lives of their teenage counterparts in China to deepen their understanding of Mandarin language. Weekly lessons in contemporary slang and projects examining youth trends help Pam’s students connect with Chinese culture. For example, Pam’s students recently looked at the revival of ancient hanfu fashion that is being popularized by teenagers in China. Students learned about the historical significance of this traditional clothing style and discussed why 21st century Chinese teens might be attracted to it.

As students progress in their language proficiency, their assignments and areas of study expand in scope. In a capstone project for Alissa’s AP Spanish class, students are paired with participants in an adult English Language Learners course that meets on our campus. Together, the high school student and the adult student practice conversation, understanding, and interpersonal connection in both their first and second language. After their meeting, the AP students write an essay in the first person, inhabiting their interview partner’s voice and life story. Of course, this project helps students hone their written accuracy, their auditory comprehension, and their verbal agility in Spanish. It also gives them an opportunity to learn about the experiences and perspectives of people from other places in a personal and deeply affecting way.

Maitane’s AP students undertake a project that dives into the socioeconomic environment of Spanish-speaking cities around the world. Students “apply” for jobs, create resumes, find apartments, and create budgets based on the cost of living in their chosen city (all in Spanish!). Not only do they develop a stronger grasp on everyday life in that city, but they learn valuable “adulting” skills that they will need after high school.

As our mission statement says, we believe that helping our students learn to communicate across cultures is crucial to preparing them to be leaders in a dynamic world. We know that the study of language is a means to a greater understanding of global issues and diverse points of view. At this geopolitical moment, that is more important than ever.