Blythe Asmann, French

Mary Orozco and Apollonia Guerra, Spanish

Lori Abe,
Japanese

General Information:

Whitman offers three, full year foreign language elective choices: Spanish, French and Japanese. Foreign language classes begin in the seventh grade and continue through grade eight. Upon successful completion of the two year program, Whitman students will receive the equivalent of one year of high school world language study.

One of the highlights for students enrolled in one of the foreign language classes, is the opportunity in the eighth grade to travel to a country that speaks the language they have been studying.

Since foreign language classes are electives and not required, basic skills classes, a limited number of sections are offered in each language. In the event a student is unable to study a world language at Whitman because classes are full, the student will have opportunities to study a world language in high school.

Spanish 1A: Grade 7-Prerequisite-Recommendation of current math teacher. Begins with emphasis on listening to and speaking Spanish utilizing the T.P.R. method. Total Physical Response: Listen, watch instructor, and act out to develop oral proficiency. This develops functional vocabulary and correct usage in conversational patterns based upon common situations. Practices reading and writing, starting with familiar materials and later using materials on Latin Cultures.

French 1A Grade 7-Prerequisite-Recommendation of current math teacher. French 1A begins with emphasis on listening to and speaking French utilizing the TPR method. Total Physical Response: Listen, watch the instructor and act out to develop oral proficiency.  This develops functional vocabulary and correct usage in conversational patterns based upon common situations.   The class also practices reading and writing, starting with familiar materials and later using materials on France and Francophone Cultures.

Japanese 1A: Grade 7-Prerequisite-Recommendation of current math teacher. Begins with emphasis on listening to and speaking Japanese utilizing the T.P.R. method. Total Physical Response: Listen, watch instructor, and act out to develop oral proficiency. This develops functional vocabulary and correct usage in conversational patterns based upon common situations. Practices reading and writing, starting with familiar materials and later using materials on Japanese Cultures.

Spanish 1B: Prerequisite-Successful completion of Spanish 1A in grade seven. This course expands the learning from the previous course. Students develop oral proficiency and reading and writing skills.

French 1B: Prerequisite-Successful completion of French 1A in grade seven. This course expands the learning from the previous course. Students develop oral proficiency and reading and writing skills.

Japanese 1B: Prerequisite-Successful completion of Japanese 1A in grade seven. This course expands the learning from the previous course. Students develop oral proficiency and reading and writing skills.