Let's Talk About Foreign Language

After extensive deliberation and debate, three years ago Saint David's School launched its new Foreign Language program as one of the several major outcomes of the Curriculum Initiative. Strategically, Saint David's views fluency and competency in a second language as being essential to success in the world our sons will inhabit as young adults. Not only in their being able to communicate in a second language but, more importantly in broadening their perspective of the world around them, and their minds.

Saint David's now teaches Spanish from the Pk through the 3rd grade using a complete immersion approach. Next year, the final of our gradual 5 year roll-out, Spanish will be added to the 4th and 5th grade curriculum. This will complete the initiative, incorporating Spanish fully into the curriculum PK through 8th grade. Saint David's also offers French, using a more traditional approach, beginning in the 6th grade; and Latin, now a 4 year sequence beginning in the 5th grade.

Understanding and communicating in a language other than your native tongue offers many benefits.

http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2012/01/29/is-learning-a-language-other-than-english-worthwhile/more-foreign-languages-means-more-opportunities

http://www.actfl.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=4524

http://www.tip.duke.edu/node/866

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/22/education/edlife/the-21st-century-education.html

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