Subject Philosophy
Foreign language acquisition encourages students to respect and understand other cultures as well as heightens the awareness of one’s own culture and language. Teaching students about culture promotes increased sensitivity and compassion, whilst seeking the value of differing perspectives. Foreign language acquisition equips students to participate more actively in the global community and to be more adaptable in an increasingly interconnected world. The aim for the World Language Program is to develop communicatively competent and culturally enriched students.
We believe that engaged learners:
- Work collaboratively as well as independently.
- Listen to and respect multiple perspectives.
- Take risks and demonstrate resilience.
- Demonstrate creative problem solving skills.
- As often as possible, use an ever increasing amount of the target language in student-student, student-teacher interactions.
- Display and promote intercultural understanding and respect of other cultures.
- Use the target language to exchange ideas in a variety of contexts.
- Go beyond the classroom to seek opportunities in their local community to use their linguistic and cultural competencies.
Placement is based on an interview and/or placement test. Students need a solid foundation at early levels for success at higher levels. All courses are sequential. Rising HKIS Middle School students will be recommended for a level by their current language teacher, based on proficiency. In order to be placed into the high school program, students not currently enrolled in a Middle School language class would need to consult with the high school Language Department.
The department provides multiple opportunities for reinforcement and enrichment and does not believe students should have to hire outside tutors. However, when there is interest, it has been a tradition in the language department to promote and facilitate peer tutoring through the Language Support Center.
Mapping the World Languages Program