The World Language Department at Atherton High School serves the mission of our school philosophy as an IB school. This is done by encouraging students to develop diverse perspectives, civic responsibility, engagement, personal and professional integrity while preparing them to be lifelong learners.

Our mission is to help students become tolerant, open-minded citizens who understand linguistic and cultural diversity, and can adapt to change as competitive participants in our increasingly diverse, multicultural and global society. Students will develop their ability to communicate in the target language through the study of language, themes and texts. In doing so, they also develop conceptual understandings of how language works, as appropriate to the level of the course.

Atherton High School recommends students gain an Intermediate Level of proficiency in at least one world language which is generally accomplished in the third year of language study. More than two thirds of Atherton’s language students who take an IB language test usually pass with a 4 or higher and earn advanced placement in college language courses.

Arabic is offered as a World Language Option

French Levels 1-IB (level 4)- Encompass a variety of instructional methods that seek to develop speaking, listening, writing and reading skills in French. In addition to this, discussions around culture and francophone life are part of daily instruction. Students develop the IB learner traits and become more aware of what it means to be an active member of a global community.

German Level 1 - IB (level 4) Exposing students to the German language, Germanic Culture and history. A variety of different instructional methods are used in order to develop a high level of proficiency in speaking, listening, reading and writing, while also helping students cultivate their international-mindedness.

Japanese You will learn to be a great communicator in Japanese language through practice, perseverance, and openness to trying new things and doing the work you need to do for success. Learning Japanese is not more difficult than any other language despite the stereotype, but it does take longer to become fluent. With Japanese, a little bit can take you quite far. Your experiences in this class will enable you to make a significant difference in your world. Japanese students determine most of their own learning goals and plan a roadmap to achieving them. We work independently and in collaboration with others. We work at stepping outside of our boxes in a safe environment to make ourselves better global communicators and citizens.

Up to 20 students from Atherton can participate in the exchange trip to our sister schools in Tokyo and near Yokohama in the beginning of summers in even-number years (2022, 2024, etc.) and students from one of our two sister schools visit at the beginning of school each year, staying with Japanese language students.

Spanish 1-IB (level) The main focus of the course is on the development of the four primary language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing, through the study and use of a range of written and spoken material. The instructional materials used in our program will range from everyday oral exchanges to literary texts, always related to Hispanic/Latino culture. The student not only learns and assimilates basic language structures, but should be able to use the language in a variety of situations such as in the community, workplace, and social relationships.

Special Features of the World Language Program

• Trips abroad (Japan, Costa Rica, Germany/Austria/Switzerland)

• Field trips (restaurants, language events in Louisville)

• World Language Clubs (French, Japanese, Hispanic Student Union)

• Global Citizenship Certificate: Program, a free, two-year program for high school students interested in gaining practical experience in public diplomacy and global affairs.

• Global Seal of Bi-literacy: Your language passport, ensuring that you are recognized for your language achievement by schools, employers, and individuals across the globe. As the need for language skills in the workplace grows, your Global Seal credentials will increase your opportunities.