Global Language/Heritage Language Services
Global Language Services (Spanish & French)
Who we serve:
This program is an elective course designed for all students in grades 6 through 8 who wish to acquire a new world language. These courses take place during the standard school day.
What we aim to achieve:
- Communicative Proficiency: We aim for students to communicate effectively in real-life situations using the target language.
- Global Citizenship: We want students to develop an awareness and appreciation of other cultures and perspectives.
- Foundation Building: We establish the essential linguistic building blocks required for high school language success and beyond.
Core Learning:
- Spanish & French Instruction: Students engage in the four domains of language learning: listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
- Interactive Curriculum: Learning is driven by communication-based activities, storytelling, and interactive projects rather than rote memorization.
- Cultural Connection: We explore the geography, traditions, arts, and daily lives of Spanish and French-speaking communities around the world to foster cultural empathy.
How This Helps Your Child:
Benefits of the program:
- Cognitive Development: Learning a second language improves memory, problem-solving skills, and critical thinking.
- High School Readiness: It provides a robust academic foundation, allowing students to potentially place into advanced courses when they reach high school.
- Preparing Students for the Seal of Biliteracy Path: This program puts students on the direct path to achieving the Seal of Biliteracy upon high school graduation—a credential highly valued by colleges and employers.
- Broader Worldview: Students gain a wider perspective of the world, fostering tolerance and curiosity.
- Communication Skills: Learning the structure of a foreign language often reinforces and improves a student's understanding of English grammar and vocabulary.
Heritage Spanish
Who we serve:
This program is designed specifically for students in grades 6 through 8 who speak Spanish at home or have a strong background in the language. This course takes place during the standard school day and is distinct from Spanish Global Language.
What we aim to achieve:
- Academic Biliteracy: We move beyond conversational fluency to ensure students can read complex texts and write formally in Spanish.
- Language Maintenance: We prevent language loss by reinforcing the students' mother tongue during their formative middle school years.
- Identity Development: We validate the student’s linguistic and cultural background as an academic asset.
Core Learning:
- Advanced Language Arts: Instruction mirrors an English Language Arts curriculum but in Spanish, focusing on grammar, spelling, composition, and text analysis.
- Literature & History: Students study literature from Latin America and Spain, exploring themes relevant to their heritage and history.
- Cultural Connection: We deeply explore the history, diverse cultures, and contributions of the Spanish-speaking world to strengthen the students' sense of belonging.
How This Helps Your Child:
Benefits of the program:
- Transferable Skills: Strong literacy skills in the home language have been proven to transfer to and strengthen literacy skills in English.
- Preparing Students for the Seal of Biliteracy Path: This program puts students on the direct path to achieving the Seal of Biliteracy upon high school graduation—a credential highly valued by colleges and employers.
- Cultural Pride: It allows students to explore their roots in an academic setting, boosting self-esteem and cultural identity.
- Professional Advantage: Developing high-level fluency in Spanish opens doors to future career opportunities in a globalized economy.
Heritage Mongolian
Who we serve:
This program is designed for students in grades 6 through 8 of Mongolian descent who wish to maintain or develop their home language skills. This is an enrichment program that takes place after school.
What we aim to achieve:
- Language Preservation: We ensure that students maintain their ability to speak and understand their native language while living in an English-dominant environment.
- Literacy Development: We aim to teach students how to read and write in Mongolian, bridging the gap between oral fluency and literacy.
- Community Building: We create a space for students to connect with peers who share similar backgrounds and experiences.
Core Learning:
- Language Arts: Instruction focuses on vocabulary expansion, reading comprehension, and writing skills suitable for heritage speakers.
- Customized Instruction: Because proficiency levels may vary, instruction is differentiated to meet the needs of the group.
- Cultural Connection: We teach Mongolian traditions, history, geography, and customs to ensure students remain connected to their family’s origins and values.
How This Helps Your Child:
Benefits of the program:
- Intergenerational Connection: It enables students to communicate more effectively with parents, grandparents, and relatives in Mongolia, strengthening family bonds.
- Identity & Confidence: Participation fosters a strong sense of self and pride in being Mongolian-American.
- Preparing Students for the Seal of Biliteracy Path: This program puts students on the direct path to achieving the Seal of Biliteracy upon high school graduation—a credential highly valued by colleges and employers.
- Cognitive Flexibility: Maintaining a heritage language promotes mental flexibility and enhances overall academic performance.
- Unique Skill Set: Proficiency in a less commonly taught language is a unique asset that distinguishes your child in future academic and professional endeavors.