World Languages

At Seattle Academy, the Middle School World Languages program is designed to support and challenge students as they gain foundational understandings and communicative skills. Our program begins in 6th grade with the Foundations of World Languages class or Spanish Foundations class. Both classes introduce students to the foundations of grammar and language study. Foundations of World Languages strengthens students’ understanding of and facility with English, builds geographic awareness, and fosters a love of words and their meanings. Spanish Foundations is an introductory modern language class designed for students with some previous academic study of Spanish. Building on this foundation, students in 7th and 8th grades choose French, Mandarin Chinese, or Spanish. Designed for novice learners, the SAAS Middle School World Languages program emphasizes communicative skills, cultural awareness, and study habits that support long-term success in language learning. Students with significant prior knowledge of one of our offered languages are encouraged to explore a new language so they may benefit from valuable peer-to-peer collaboration and interactions.

Middle School World Languages courses emphasize active learning, critical thinking, and effective communication. Students are guided through increasingly complex language tasks that encourage creativity and collaboration, preparing them for the demands of Upper School language classes while supporting their academic skill-building in different disciplines. Upon entering the Upper School, students may choose to continue with their language of study or choose a new language of study.
 

MIDDLE SCHOOL CURRICULUM GUIDE

At Seattle Academy, the Upper School World Languages program offers a comprehensive progression designed to meet students at their current proficiency levels, whether they are novice or more advanced language learners. Our program provides individualized pathways while supporting all students in cultivating skills in effective communication, creative problem-solving, critical thinking, and respectful collaboration. Students choose to study French, Mandarin Chinese, or Spanish, with placement determined by demonstrated proficiency rather than grade level. Upon entering the World Languages program, students with prior experience in their chosen language take a placement exam. Continuing students are placed in consultation with their current teacher. Students usually progress through the program sequentially. Some students may choose to learn a second World Language after–or while–completing their World Language requirement. Students are required to take a minimum of 3 years of World Languages classes in the Upper School; students must progress at least one level in the same language. Students earn elective credits for classes taken in excess of the World Language requirement.

Standard-level courses, offered for Levels 1-4, focus on building foundational language skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing while fostering cultural competencies and confidence in real-world communication. These courses emphasize practical application over grammatical precision, allowing students to immerse themselves in the target language in a supportive and engaging environment. Students practice navigating ambiguity and nuance, developing transferable skills that prepare them for meaningful interactions in an increasingly interconnected world. For students with a higher level of language proficiency, honors-level courses in French, Mandarin Chinese, and Spanish are available beginning at Level 4. In French and Spanish, teachers provide a placement recommendation between Honors and Standard in level 4, while all level 5 and 6 classes are Honors classes; in Spanish, Honors level 7 is also offered. In Mandarin Chinese, levels 4, 5, and 6 are Honors classes. These courses provide faster-paced curricula that emphasize nuanced communication skills, a higher level of grammatical accuracy, and cultural analysis. Honors-level students engage with authentic texts and cultural artifacts, advancing their ability to articulate ideas with precision and navigate linguistic and cultural complexities.