World Language Department
The World Language Department believes that communication is essential to foster connections among groups, communities, and countries. In this context, world language knowledge becomes a skill that promotes much needed communication, teaches and encourages respect for other people, and cultivates a deep understanding and appreciation of other cultures.
The World Language Department at Wardlaw+Hartridge offers courses in Spanish, Mandarin Chinese and Latin. Latin courses teach reading, understanding and interpretation of classic prose and poetry, while cultivating critical perspectives of the Greco-Roman legacy. On the other hand, Spanish and Mandarin courses use a communicative teaching approach where the target language becomes the vehicle to teach grammar and concepts in context. Other important strategies used, and recommended by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL), are authentic resources, and comprehensive input-process-output techniques that aim to produce meaningful learning experiences.
A highlight of the World Language curriculum is the travel exchange program with Spain and China through our Global Education Programs . The travelling experience provides students with authentic language and cultural enrichment and fosters long lasting relationships among student participants and their families, as well as between our school and the host school.
The World Language Department is committed to help students to achieve their highest proficiency level in the language of their choice, and to explore the cultural and linguistic diversity of our world.
Learning a foreign language promotes the skills of communication, teaches and encourages respect for other people, and cultivates a deep understanding and appreciation of other cultures.
