Language

The Language Department at Thacher believes in the power of full immersion to produce highly competent language students.

We offer courses in French, Spanish, and Mandarin Chinese with expert teachers who work to help students master the language, while also providing insight into and understanding of the varied cultures that speak them. Written work and in-depth daily class discussions of literature, history, current events, and films offer a classroom experience that bridges these two aims.

Featuring a large variety of offerings for a school of our size, we emphasize a flexible program that accommodates individual interests, abilities, and talents. Students will find curriculum that goes well beyond general comprehension to focus on the detailed and nuanced workings of language on their path to fluency. Students who are particularly invested in their language studies have the opportunity to spend their junior year in the School Year Abroad program, with campuses in France, Spain, and China.

- Ana

“As a French teacher, Ms. Halsey encouraged me to take risks and to speak in class even if my sentences were full of grammatical errors. Her devotion to teaching French was contagious, but more than just being an outstanding teacher, Ms. Halsey has been an unfailing source of advice, wisdom, and knowledge.”

Chicago, Illinois

Notice of nondiscriminatory policy as to students: The Thacher School admits students of any race, color, national, and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national, and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other School-administered programs.