World Languages

Students are immersed in French language in all activities. From academic instruction to music, physical education and recreation, acquisition of French as a target language is a key priority. Instruction is delivered through multiple teaching modalities (show, tell, touch, read, listen) to accommodate the various learning styles of our students and to provide a firm foundation for dual-language understanding and expression (in French and in English). Small groups and support specialists assist non-native French speakers in order to speed language acquisition. (Similarly, non-native English speakers are provided additional support and instruction.)

The majority of academic instruction is delivered in French. Teachers are trained and prepared for teaching with French as the target language, including adapting their presentations and classroom activities to encourage and support language acquisition: expanding vocabulary, foundational elements of grammar, early and intermediate literacy, oral expression. For students joining our Elementary program without a working proficiency in French, our Immersion Program provides intensive instruction and support to speed French language learning.

The middle school program covers oral performance, written presentation, reading and comprehension of images and texts, linguistic skills and language study. The program is structured around themes that allow the teacher to address both literary topics and the student's linguistic training simultaneously.

The high school program provides a general education in literature, cultural knowledge, personal education and citizenship. Among the overall objectives are: 

• to develop and enrich students’ literary culture,
• the creation of benchmarks to  place literary works in their historical perspective, 
• to develop an aesthetic sense that allows students to appreciate literary works, analyze the emotions they evoke, and describe them in both written and oral form, 
• the study of language as a primary instrument of thought, a means of expression of feelings and ideas, and a basis for creativity and imagination,
• To engender critical thinking and judgment skills and to build an independent and responsible attitude, particularly when researching information and documentation. 

We achieve these goals through a methodical progression based primarily on the reading and study of landmark French texts.

With bilingualism as our focus, early reading is taught simultaneously in English and French. The skills learned in approaching and analyzing written text is found to be fully transferable from one language to the other. Attention to differences in grammar and structure also help to reinforce language acquisition. Language groups are designed based on demonstrated student proficiency in order to provide targeted areas for growth for every student.

Secondary Students work to expand their oral and written skills, improving their ability to understand, express themselves, communicate and create. Four different English language groups are designed to support students of varying levels of proficiency and fluency, from introductory learners to advance and honors. In High School, students may pursue the International Baccalaureate Option (OIB) as well as preparatory studies for Advancement Placement English Literature exam. Success in these areas are widely achieved by our students, frequently resulting in college credit for outstanding exam results.

The program aims to bring students to Level A1-B2 in the European Common Framework of Reference for Languages 2. Through the study of a broad range of subjects, students acquire the oral and written skills to understand, express themselves and interact in the German language. Students discover the German culture while working on language activities. The range of material available through digital technology allows one to work using various media.

The goal of intermediate-level German is to take students from level B1 (independent user) to C1 (proficient user) of the European Common Framework of Reference for Languages 3. The program uses themes that not only develop students' linguistic skills but also help decode the Germany's complex cultural references.

Arabic in middle school is part of the mandatory Langue Vivante B requirement. Students have the choice between Arabic, German or Spanish languages.

The goal is to get students to the A1-A2 level (beginner or elementary basic user) of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. The class uses a variety of themes to help students acquire speaking and writing skills that help them understand, express themselves in, interact in, convey, and create in Arabic. The introduction of cultural aspects of Arabic-speaking countries is closely linked to the linguistic activities. The wide variety of digital technology tools allows the work to be done in various formats.

Classical Arabic for beginners:
This course is an introduction to Classical Arabic and the cultures of the Arabic-speaking world. Students learn pronunciation and writing and acquire vocabulary and basic grammar rules.

Intermediate / advanced Classical Arabic: This course is intended for students who already have a knowledge of the language to help further develop their communication skills and their oral and written comprehension

Arabic is, for now, an optional elective in High School.

The LVB classes from Middle School will be gradually implemented throughout High School starting in the 2021-2022 school year and will progressively be expanded to all High school grades by the start of the 2023-2024 school year.

Students can take Arabic at the baccalaureate as a Langue Vivante C elective. The goal is to get the students to the A2 level (basic user - elementary level) of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. Entry into these programs is based on themes that develop the students' linguistic skills as well as help them understand the complexity of cultural referents.

In the 6th grade, the non-francophone students receive special attention with the Greek alphabet, the pronunciation of Greek and Latin, and the declension system. The study of etymology is enhanced by the comparison with the other languages spoken by each student.

In the other years of junior high school, if the student continues to study the two languages, grammar lessons provide an opportunity for an in-depth review of French grammar.

The study of cultures and civilizations helps students with their history and geography through historical timelines and maps that provide reference points.

In high school, the study of classical authors (translation, analysis and commentary) completes and  enriches the preparation for the French and philosophy baccalaureate exams.

2 hours per week program:

• Targeted revisions of morphology and syntax
• Learning of vocabulary elements related to the themes on the program
• Elements of literary history
• Reading, translation and study of Latin literary texts
• Grammatical analysis, translation and commentary of excerpts from Latin literature
• Preparation for the baccalaureate exam