Mobile Menu Trigger (container)

Mobile Menu

Embed

Off Canvas Container (Do Not Edit)

Site Info Container

World Language Program

Since its inception in 1960, St. Richard’s Episcopal School has placed a strong emphasis on world languages. Consistent with our traditional British primary school roots, French is the primary world language taught in all grades.

Spanish and Latin are also key components of the world language curriculum offered in our Middle Division, which aligns with our Classic Curriculum and Global Readiness Pillars.

French

  • The French curriculum includes a focus on language concepts, as well as cultural aspects of French-speaking countries.
  • Early Childhood students meet three or four times per week, with the goal of providing the students with beginning language concepts and vocabulary. Teaching techniques include singing and total physical responses (TPR), which incorporates language and movement. At the end of each year, our Early Childhood Dragons celebrate a capstone event, Promenade à vélo!
  • Building on concepts learned in Early Childhood, the students begin to read and write in French in the Lower Division. Students meet three times a week.
  • In Grade 5, students have the opportunity to participate in a unique Back-to-Back Franco-American Exchange Program with a partner school in France.
  • Middle Division students meet five times a week.

 

By the end of Grade 8, 2,000 years of French culture have been covered.

 

Spanish

  • In Grade 6, students elect if they wish to continue in French language study or transition to Spanish.
  • The Middle Division Spanish language class meets daily and is taught by a full-time Spanish and Latin teacher. Each year covers material consistent with one semester of high school Spanish.
  • Students study Spanish culture and the arts from the time of the Ancient Mayan, Incan and Aztec cultures, through the conquests, and continuing into present day.
  • Students are exposed to a variety of authentic language resources and have the opportunity to express their learning through interpersonal, interpretive and presentational communication styles.
  • Students participate in the National Spanish Exam in Grades 7 and Grade 8 andhave a history of high performance on the exams.
  • If interested, students in Grades 7 and 8 have the opportunity to host exchange students from Guatemala for 8 weeks in the fall.

Latin

  • All students begin Latin in Grade 6, meeting two times a week. The focus is on mythology, etymology, and Roman culture.
  • In Grades 7 and 8, Latin is taught three times a week and in addition to a historical focus, also encompasses novice Latin grammar, etymology, vocabulary and translation.
  • All students in Grades 7 and 8 participate in the National Latin Exam and have a history of high performance on the exams.
  • SRES has a large, active Latin Club, which meets twice a month. The club attends the Indiana Junior Classical League State Latin Convention and is the only middle school in attendance.