I ask myself, “What would I want if I were a student here?”
The goal of the world languages program is to help our students develop strong language skills in all areas.
We want our students to be able to communicate in the target language; to use the language to discuss, read, and write about current events and a wide array of meaningful and relevant topics. Our classes are engaging, highly interactive, and student-centered. Students also explore the social patterns, value systems, traditions, and cultures of the people whose language they are learning. In our classrooms, culture comes alive with the use of various media literacies.
At all levels, the target language is used extensively in the classroom. Oral proficiency is developed through the use of various communicative activities. Reading is done not only for content and meaning, but also as a basis for oral discussion and writing. Our courses incorporate hands-on tasks and project-based approaches to enhance language acquisition in the modern era. Students are motivated to acquire more knowledge of the language in group- and self-guided projects.
Study through the advanced level is offered in Chinese, French, Latin, and Spanish. Advanced courses further develop linguistic skills while also focusing on the culture and literature of the countries where the language is spoken. Within the French and Spanish programs, there are also service-learning opportunities. In the fourth level of these programs, students have the opportunity to teach French and Spanish to local elementary school students once a week throughout each semester. Arabic is offered as an online course.
In addition to choosing from world languages offerings at NMH, students can participate in language-travel programs to China, Uruguay, and France. These programs are administered by the Global Engagement Office and led by NMH teachers.