World Languages

The goal of language is communication. Students learn language best when they actively participate in lessons that encourage a high level of interest and are meaningful to them. In order to acquire a new language, students need to be surrounded by the language, as they were by their first language. They need many different listening experiences in order to lay the foundation for speaking, reading and writing.

Languages are best acquired when the teacher uses the target language. Students need not understand every word the teacher says, but should understand the main ideas. This allows the students to be active constructors of the language. Students are expected to participate at their comfort level and to extend that comfort level as they experience more language learning.
Students take risks in an environment with a low anxiety level. At first, students’ communication may not be grammatically perfect, but with many listening, reading and writing experiences, opportunities to communicate, and guidance, their sentence structure will improve.

Cultural authenticity is at the heart of the world languages program. Our goal is to educate citizens of a global culture using culturally authentic materials and activities, in order to put the language in its true context and give students a perspective on the language and the people who speak it. Literature, poetry, art, games and cuisine are but some of the cultural experiences encountered by the students. They do not learn "about" the language and the culture; they learn in the language to experience the culture.

Upon entering the sixth grade, all Middle School students make a commitment to a three-year study of French or Spanish. On occasion, a student may wish to add a second world language and may do so with the permission of his/her advisor, the Division Director and the World Languages Department Chair. Students may continue or change their language of study when they enter ninth grade. Students who complete C-level courses before the eighth grade may be placed in High School level courses with permission from their advisor, the Middle School and High School Division Directors, and the World Languages Department Chair.

Middle School World Languages classes are delineated by mastery level. A variety of teaching techniques is used to maximize student success and mastery. The world languages faculty designs class work practice, assignments and projects. Students use a textbook as a reference tool and as a source for vocabulary.

• A1-Level courses are for students with no prior world languages experience or continuing Trevor Day School students who will benefit from reviewing the foundations of the language of choice.
• A2+-Level courses are for continuing Trevor Day School students or by placement by the World Languages Department. Students extend basic vocabulary, structures, and expressions for everyday communication. The focus is on the self and related present-time activities.
• B-Level courses are for students who have successfully mastered A-level material or by placement by the World Languages Department. Language is recycled and integrated with new language. Students expand their knowledge of vocabulary and language structure, adding language irregularities and past events. The focus expands from the self to others.
• C-Level courses are for students who have successfully mastered B-level material or by placement by the World Languages Department. Language is recycled and integrated with new language. Students expand their knowledge of vocabulary and language structure. Past events are highlighted and further developed. Additional tenses and moods are explored as students expand their communication to events in the future and other time-specific circumstances.