The Window/Mirror Effect of
Language Study
By Saybel Nunez
“To learn a language is to have one more window from
which to look at the world” – Chinese Proverb
T
his ancient Chinese proverb suggests that a whole new world is available when someone learns a foreign language. Each
language brings with it an opportunity to discover an entire new culture. A set of norms, perspectives, and points
of view come alive and are accessible when you speak the new language. It is said that teaching languages requires
teaching the culture of its speakers and that statement is very true.
At Saint David’s School, the Modern Language department understands how crucial this endeavor is. That is why language
and culture are taught hand in hand in a variety of ways. This follows the suggested practice of the American Council of
Teachers of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) to introduce products, practices and perspectives throughout language instruction,
not just on certain days or certain moments.
One way in which culture is taught at Saint David’s is through the significant events that take place in every grade. These
include learning the Bate Bate chocolate song tradition in Pre-K, the performance of the Christmas Pageant in Spanish in
Third Grade, inquiry into Days of the Dead at various grade levels, the Spanish Study Tour in Salamanca (Seventh Grade),
Students share their findings about Argentina.