Foreign Language
Beverly Ekstrom, M. Ed., Department Chair, Spanish
Joanne Adams, B.A., Spanish
Diane Jackson, M.A., French
Goals:
In support of the school’s Goals and Objectives, the Fine Arts Department is particularly concerned with the growth of students, both as individuals, developing their God-given talents, learning the discipline necessary for artistic creation, and increasing their ability to be self critical, and also as groups, learning to work together cooperatively in creative activities and developing their abilities to benefit from mutual evaluation and positive correction.
Objectives:
The following objectives are achieved through various testing methods, both written and oral:
• to provide an opportunity for each student to attain a level of modern foreign
language proficiency consistent with his/her ability.
• to develop in our students over a minimum two-year program a basic competency.
• to acquire proficiency in the four areas of language learning which are listening, speaking, reading and writing; these skills are further developed in our third, fourth and fifth year programs.
These objectives are achieved through the use of AV materials and class discussions:
• to promote a Christian understanding and acceptance of foreign cultures, values, and lifestyles;
• to increase student awareness of the long-range application of foreign languages in the rapidly expanding world marketplace;
• to provide exposure to cultural differences through field trips, foreign travel, and various classroom media;
• to incorporate into our academic curriculum, the practical applications for the student’s developing language skills, especially in the area of career awareness.
Requirements:
Successful completion of TWO years of the same modern foreignlanguage (French or Spanish); however, the Foreign Language department strongly recommends THREE years or more of the foreign language for those students considering selective colleges or universities. Entering freshmen who have completed a first year of a modern foreign language in Grade 8 will be placed in the second year of the modern foreign language, providing they pass an achievement examination.
