World Languages
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Saint Andrew Catholic School offers instruction in Latin to students in Kindergarten - 8th Grade. Spanish is offered to students in Preschool, Kindergarten, and in 6th - 8th grade.
LatinWhy Learn Spanish?In classical education, the primary focus of language study is a classical language, and the primary focus of history is the classical civilizations of Greece and Rome. There are only two classical languages - Latin and Greek. Latin will be offered to Kindergarten - 8th Grade students.
Why Learn Latin?
- Latin builds Logic Skills: Latin trains one's mind and memory. Translating Latin is an exercise in Logic. Latin helps to develop a logical mind and a habit of observation. Latin is a precise language of thought and expression.
- Vocabulary & English Grammar: Learning Latin helps Build Vocabulary and strengthens students' understanding of English Grammar. At least 60% of words in the English language are derived from Latin.
- Latin is the official language of the Church. Edward Peters, advisor to the Holy See's top tribunal and a professor of canon law at the Sacred Heart Major Seminary of the Archdiocese of Detroit states that, "A working knowledge of Ecclesiastical Latin affords one direct access to nearly two millennia of accumulated Christian wisdom."
Spanish
An introduction to the Spanish language is offered in PreK and Kindergarten one day a week. At 6th grade, students choose between Spanish and Latin. They continue their choice of language through 8th grade.
Spanish is spoken by over 550 million people, making it the second most spoken language in the Americas and beyond.
Acquiring a second language affords students the ability to connect with millions of people in social and work environments. It opens the door to future achievements, relationships, and job opportunities. The Spanish program at Saint Andrew Catholic School uses Acquisition-Driven Instruction (ADI) which allows for a more authentic acquisition of language. Some of the key techniques utilized are collaborative/immersive storytelling and lots of reading. This style of teaching aims to mimic the way we learn our first language, which is with a heavy focus on input versus the traditional grammar/vocabulary format, which focuses more on explicit instruction, rote memorization, and forced output.
Teachers scaffold language usage over time in order to remain fully comprehensible while telling stories or leading the class through communicative tasks. This helps foster an environment that is heavily focused on listening, comprehending, and speaking the language with greater ease.