Students are required to take at least two consecutive years of a single foreign language; we recommend that they take at least three years of a foreign language. Students must obtain a grade of at least "70" and the teacher’s recommendation to progress to the next level.
-
-
...we seek to enhance our students' ability to find the "light" shared by humankind among those of diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds.
Department Philosophy
The Language Department aims to prepare the students of Westtown for a world in which they are increasingly interacting with people of diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds. We see the acquisition of a second language and its cultural context(s) as essential to successful participation in the world community. We seek to cultivate in our students a respect for diversity by providing the tools with which to better understand and accept diversity. In addition, we seek to enhance our students' ability to find the "light" shared by humankind among those of diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds. The variety of our course offerings provides a language study sequence which meets each student's needs.
Goals
It is the Department's goal that each student who completes a full course of language study at Westtown will have gained:
- insight into, and appreciation for, at least one culture and way of thinking different from the student's own
- a working knowledge of how to go about the study of another language
- an ability to communicate by reading, writing and/or hearing and speaking at least one additional language
- the proper preparation to continue the study of the language at the college level
- an enhanced desire to continue to pursue the study of language(s) and cultures beyond graduation from Westtown School
In addition, we hope to help our students develop critical thinking skills which will serve them in both their future studies and in practical problem-solving they will be engaged in throughout their lives.
Distinguishing Features
- High level of conversational, communicative focus in the spoken languages
- Long-standing exchanges in all three spoken languages; strong impact on the hosting students involved as well as on the language classrooms and the community as a whole
- A classical language option (Latin) which serves as a strong linguistic base for learning additional languages and for enhanced understanding of English
- Teaching staff with native ability in all four languages taught
Latin
As a classical language, the study of Latin must be considered somewhat separately from the study of modern languages. Although there is similar attention given to learning grammar, vocabulary, history, and culture, there are noted differences:
Since classical Latin is no longer a “spoken” language, less emphasis is put on mastery of conversational skills and accent. Although Latin is employed in oral exercises, most of the class is conducted in English.
Students study relevant etymological and syntactical connections between Latin and English in an effort not only to increase proficiency in Latin, but also in English.
The study of Latin culminates with a student’s ability to translate the original works of Latin authors and to analyze them in the appropriate contexts of history, literature, and philosophy.
For specific course information, go to the Curriculum Guide.