The study of foreign languages at Oak Hill Academy is an integral facet of a student’s overall development as a learner. Oak Hill believes that English language skills improve greatly when a foreign language is simultaneously introduced. In fact, the learner is forced to think about the structure and role of language in a whole new way. Development of the English language, as well as a foreign language, is then benefited by starting at a very early age.

Studies have shown that a student’s ability to read, write, and do math increases with the study of foreign languages. Analytic and interpretive capacities improve. Creative and divergent thinking is encouraged. Learning several foreign languages creates new opportunities and gives children a perspective that they might not otherwise encounter.
French

Oak Hill Academy begins its language instruction with French being taught in Grades PreK-4. French is the official language spoken in 29 countries. It is estimated that close to 300 million people speak French worldwide as a native language.
In lower school in addition to learning through games and songs students learn to introduce themselves and use basic descriptive words about themselves and others. as well as learning the verbs “to have” and ” to be” ETRE and AVOIR in order to practice and have confidence in preparation for 5th grade.
Starting in 5th grade they will have a good foundation at which point more grammar and interactive skills are needed to prepare through 6th, 7th and 8th grades preparing for high school. By the end of eighth grade they have a very good foundation and have no difficulties adapting to the level of French taught in High School. Language, we feel, needs to be taught in an interactive setting in which students learn through verbalization and projects on different topics in the French speaking world as well as learning about different French speaking cultures. This goes hand in hand with grammar and syntax as students are then able to communicate and interact confidently.
Spanish
Spanish is also taught to students in grades K-4 using the Auténtico by Savvas Learning Company. Students concentrate on the key areas of language study: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Courses are taught using the computers in the Lower School Tech Center. The use of video, audio, images, and texts allow for a contextualized, interactive, and individualized experience.
The teaching of French and Spanish continues in the Upper School. In grades 5-7 students take half year courses in both French and Spanish. Eighth graders can then choose a full year of either French or
Spanish in order to prepare for higher level courses in high school. The conversational approach of instruction is supplemented by a rich study of grammar and culture. Technology provides a valuable tool for developing the auditory component of learning.
Latin
The study of Latin is offered in seventh and eighth grade. The study of Latin in particular has proven itself to aide in the understanding of English vocabulary and grammar. Latin is the key to modern languages, since about 80% of modern Romance languages take their vocabulary from Latin. Historically, Latin students have performed better on standardized tests, including the college SAT.

Oak Hill Academy’s Latin instruction consists of the development of vocabulary and the grammatical structure through translation. Also, the history and culture of the Roman daily life is studied.
The Cambridge Latin Course has replaced our previous Latin text, Ecce Romani. I was introduced to the Cambridge Latin method this past summer at a workshop I attended, along with other local Latin teachers from High Tech and CBA. The Cambridge course has two main objectives; to teach comprehension of the Latin language for reading purposes, and to develop an understanding of the content, style, and values of Roman civilization, with special reference to the first century AD. With reading for comprehension as a goal, Latin becomes the medium of instruction, rather than the object of instruction.
The advantages for this method of teaching and learning Latin are that the more difficult passages can be read sooner, as there is an increase in the amount of Latin that can be read, and an increase in student motivation. Students receive immediate reinforcement and gain a sense that they can understand what the have read. Culture and language are integrated throughout the text. Grammar structures and vocabulary are taught in context of meaningful stories.
Oak Hill Academy’s Latin instruction consists of the development of vocabulary and the grammatical structure through translation. Also, the history and culture of the Roman daily life is studied.

After school Clubs
After school activities offer more opportunities in foreign language learning. Students in grades 1-8 may participate in Spanish and/or French Club. A Roman Classics Club develops an appreciation for Latin culture in grades 6-8.