91. Learning Languages in situ

Dalton’s language focused trips help develop language proficiency, strengthen cultural understanding, and global competence. Dalton students in Morocco.

Nothing gets a student more excited than being able to express herself or read a sign in situ in the target language. We can all remember that moment when we first communicated something to a native speaker in French, or Mandarin, or Spanish — and we were understood! Those joyful moments in which we connected with speakers on a personal level are the stuff of beautiful memories and the motivation for continued language study.

To provide students with opportunities to use their language in real world contexts, the Dalton World and Classical Language Department offers travel programs each year in a variety of different countries around the world. In conjunction with DGI, Dalton Global Initiatives, we have designed and organized language immersion experiences for all of the languages that we offer in our K–12 programs. Some of our most memorable programs include:

• French: Canada with MS students; France and Morocco with HS students
• Latin: Italy and Turkey with HS students
• Mandarin: China with HS students
• Spanish: Peru with MS students; Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru and Spain with HS students

During these trips, students participate in home stays, cultural tours, and service work. They have taught classes to local students in subjects ranging from English language to robotics and soccer and connected with local organizations to support existing service projects. These travel programs are invaluable for developing language proficiency and strengthening cultural understanding and global competence in our students. They are truly journeys of a lifetime!
—Lori Langer de Ramirez, Ph.D, Director, World and Classical Language Department