World Languages
Students begin to see connections between their own cultures and the ones they study — an important first step toward becoming principled global citizens.
Our language program builds a nuanced view of the world
At City Day, we believe it is vital for today's students to develop a global mindset. Toward that end, all of our students begin learning a world language — students choose either Spanish or French — in junior kindergarten
Proficiency is a key goal of our program. Teachers build skills in speaking, listening, reading, and writing. In the younger grades, teachers use songs, chants, and rhymes to develop basic vocabulary skills. As students advance, instruction turns to the more complex grammatical foundations of the languages, as well the different components involved in speaking the languages properly — accent, intonation, etc. As is the case with all classes at City Day, our language teachers differentiate their instruction to accommodate varying levels of fluency among students.
Our younger students perform Spanish and French songs for parents at the end of each school year. In addition, the School participates in the National French Contest and the National Spanish Examination each year. City Day enjoys an outstanding reputation for success in these competitions; students routinely achieve in the upper echelons of competing schools.
Another important aspect of our program is a deeper awareness of Spanish and French cultures. Our students regularly communicate with their peers in French-speaking and Spanish-speaking countries. In addition, sixth-graders participate in weeklong immersion experiences outside of the United States. As a result, students begin to see connections between their own cultures and the ones they study — an important first step toward becoming principled global citizens.
