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

Languages Department Faculty

List of 7 members.

  • Photo of Juliet Henderson

    Ms. Juliet Henderson 

    World Language Department Chair
    805-646-4377
    Pitzer College - BA
    University of California, Los Angeles - MA
    Southern Oregon University/Universidad de Guanajuato - MA
    Bio
  • Photo of Katherine Halsey

    Ms. Katherine Halsey 

    French and English Teacher and Riding Instructor
    Stanford University - BA
    Bio
  • Photo of Françoise Kasimirowski-Garcia

    Ms. Françoise Kasimirowski-Garcia 

    French Teacher
    University of Toulouse, France - BA
    University of Toulouse, France - MA
    Ashford University - MEd
    Bio
  • Photo of Lisandro Malissia

    Mr. Lisandro Malissia 

    Theater Technical Director, World Language--Spanish Instructor
    Bio
  • Photo of Juan Sánchez

    Mr. Juan Sánchez 

    Spanish Teacher and Director of Sustainability
    UNED Costa Rica - BS
    Tufts University - MA
    Cornell University - Professional Certificate
    Bio
  • Photo of Sayra Trejo

    Ms. Sayra Trejo 

  • Photo of Christina Yuan

    Ms. Christina Yuan 

    Chinese Language Instructor
    Principia College - BA
    Chinese University of Hong Kong - MA
    University of California, Santa Barbara - MA
    Bio
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.