World Languages

While LCS is not an immersion program, Children's House (CH) learners are exposed to Spanish daily. As they arrive in the classroom, Assistants and/or Guides begin by greeting students in Spanish. Throughout the day, Spanish is used in a natural way through typical interactions, songs, transitions, and weekly collectives using basic vocabulary such as elements of the calendar, weather, body parts, and clothing. Children develop an ear for sounds in the world language, learn everyday words, and by their third year, use some of the language they are exposed to while they interact with Guides and Assistants with simple functional phrases.

Elementary 1 (E1) students have more opportunity to engage in conversation with a Spanish Specialist and work on building upon the Spanish acquired in CH. In small groups and full class lessons, the Spanish Specialist uses diverse materials such as books, pictures, or games to build Spanish vocabulary and basic sentence structure. Storytelling, small group instruction, and a full class collective once a week continue the exposure and use of the Spanish language throughout E1. Cultural competencies are developed while students learn about Spanish speaking countries and regions around the world.

In Elementary 2 (E2), students are introduced to French while they continue to have opportunities to use their Spanish in diverse settings within their classroom, in open studio, or by participating in school extracurriculars. French is taught with picture-based vocabulary-building lessons as well as additional age-appropriate reading, writing, speaking, and game-based activities. Students choose self-directed projects to end each unit and practice their newly acquired skills. Francophone cultures are also incorporated into other academic areas, including the level's annual stage production.

Building upon lessons focused on vocabulary expansion and grammatical structures in Elementary 2, Junior High students' French learning shifts toward practical and meaningful communication and cultural connection. Students explore Francophone cultures in greater depth, reflect on social issues within those cultures, and connect language learning to global citizenship. To put these lessons in practice, Junior High students have the opportunity to travel to France every other year.