The Foreign Language Department offers a four-year regular program in the French and Spanish, and a three year program in Italian.

In addition to the regular programs, there are also Honors Programs in French and Spanish. For those students who want to become proficient in French and Spanish, the department offers AP courses in French Language, Spanish Language, and Spanish Literature. Students who come from Spanish-speaking families may benefit from regular and advanced classes of Spanish for native speakers.

Freshmen wishing to take first-year foreign language classes are required to have earned an “A” or a “B” in both semesters of eighth-grade English. The prerequisite for higher levels in any foreign language course is a “C” or a higher grade because a “D” is not a grade recognized by American colleges.

Although foreign languages are considered to be elective classes, most American universities require that applicants complete at least two years of a foreign language program with a “C” or a higher subject mark; however, three years of the same foreign language are recommended by most American universities.

The Department philosophy links the language course with the culture, history and arts of the countries whose language students study. Therefore, in addition to grammar, vocabulary, conversations, and reading materials, in Honors and AP classes’ students make reports and presentations, as well as research various topics, to get familiarized with numerous aspects of ethnic life.

The Department personnel implement the advanced methods of practical acquisition of foreign languages through meaningful classroom activities, homework, discussions, projects, and conversations about real-life situations and cultural legacy of the countries.

Palisades Charter High School      15777 Bowdoin Street, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272      Tel: (310) 230-6623      Fax: (310) 454-6076      info@palihigh.org