CHC students will have more opportunities to learn Spanish during the 2020-21 academic year — starting now in Grade 5.

Once a week, all fifth graders will meet with Faculty Member Nathan Hynum, who will open new realms of global exploration through an introduction to the world’s fourth most spoken language. Students will learn Spanish words and phrases through fun and engaging lessons focused on aspects of Latin culture, such as food, music and art. This enrichment class is designed to prepare students to pursue Spanish-language learning in The Upper School.

CHC is proud of its Spanish Language Program, chaired by Spanish Language Department Head Gisele Conn, who will teach a new Spanish-language elective for our Grade 8 students demonstrating the most Spanish-language proficiency. To register for The Advanced Spanish Language Acquisition Course, a student must have completed two years of Spanish at CHC or the equivalent. The student also most pass an entrance exam with a minimum score of 80 percent.

The Advanced Spanish Language Acquisition Course is designed with the objective to provide a challenging and stimulating setting for students who have surpassed expectations and seek more learning. The course is taught completely in Spanish, with some exceptions, such as clarifying directions and translation exercises. The course will meet twice a week, and independent reading is required between classes. Spanish language conversation will take place in an organic manner, such as through discussion of reading assignments and everyday exchanges. The class also will include analysis and discussion of age-and-content-appropriate Spanish-language film. Students will write in the target language, and grammar will be explained in the form of “pop-up” lessons as needed. Targeted verb conjugations are taught, and expanded from previous grades.