Loving The Now. Ready For Next.
Enjoying a French breakfast, celebrating Mexican Independence Day, building a castle or researching famous French, Chinese, and Spanish biographies -- these are just some of the ways students learn about new languages and cultures in ACDS foreign language courses. Our students delight in broadening their world views and developing their language skills in culturally relevant and engaging ways.
ACDS offers classes in French, Spanish, and Mandarin, beginning with French in second grade and adding Spanish and Mandarin electives in middle school. Unlike language immersion schools, the objective of our World Languages program isn’t to develop fluent French, Spanish, and Mandarin speakers. Rather, World Languages at ACDS is intended to:
Expand the children’s global horizons and spark their curiosity by introducing them to other countries and cultures;
Introduce students to new language structures, which activate important neurodevelopmental processes during their formative years -- in the “window of opportunity” that will help prepare children for advanced language studies in high school;
Foster an appreciation for the world beyond their immediate experience, and spark a lifelong interest in pursuing a foreign language.
Our World Languages teachers use a variety of instructional methods, including project- and activity-based lessons, to incorporate vocabulary, culture, geography, music, cuisine, art, and history to make foreign languages stimulating and fun.
Many of our students opt to continue World Languages studies in our middle school elective program, where they can choose to take French, Spanish, or Mandarin, meeting three times per week.
Our middle school curriculum includes some of the content found in high school “conversational” and introductory French, Spanish, and Mandarin classes. These popular elective classes comprise approximately half the instructional time covered in high school language courses, so they aren’t intended to be equivalent; while each year some of our students place into advanced World Languages classes in high school, this is not among the goals of our program.
Instead, our teachers focus on building enthusiasm, curiosity, and interest in learning Mandarin, Spanish, and French in middle school and beyond. World Languages studies at ACDS set a foundation to help our students thrive in high school and college language studies, while exploring a world they begin to realize is much broader than the Almaden Valley!
ACDS bridges elementary French language education with real-life immersive application in middle school beyond French electives -- by heading to Paris, France! Each day of the trip is focused on connecting what they learned in grades 2-5 such as fine art, architecture, conversational French in the marketplace, French cuisine, and more. Students currently taking a French elective in middle school are eligible to sign up for this unique experience. To learn more, click below for the two-page PDF flyer.
"Honestly, I can’t say enough about this experience! The trip was well organized with a focus on cultural experiences that you’d never get as a typical tourist. From shopping in the local markets, to preparing a French inspired meal, to meeting with a local street artist and leaving their mark on Paris, this was the best thing we could have done for our child. Fantastique!"
— Sandra, Parent of 8th Grade Student
"My son took part in the ACDS Paris trip in 2023, which was, for him, an unforgettable experience. He loved everything, from the awesome trip guide, Mitch, to visiting so many beautiful Parisian sites, to tasting the local, delicious meals, (of which he sent many photos!). Students were given some really unique opportunities to engage authentically with French speakers in a safe and fun environment. He made new friendships as well as lasting memories and built confidence in his French-speaking skills."
— Lorraine, Parent of 7th Grade Student
"As parents of a 6th grader taking French at ACDS, we were delighted to learn the class would be traveling to Paris together! More than just a trip to an historic European city, we saw it as an opportunity for our child to take responsibility for her travel preparations, budget her spending money, experience sharing a room with another student and rise to the occasion of representing ACDS outside US borders! Students were able to experience wonderful, local and off-the-beaten path activities and speak French regularly. Thank you, ACDS!"
— Allison, Parent of 6th Grade Student
"My son enjoyed Paris trip very much! It was exceptionally planned with all main attractions and also some unusual experiences like graffiti painting and cooking class with local person. I am very grateful for this opportunity. I am sure it will be one of the most cherished memories from his ACDS journey. "
— Anastasia, Parent of 8th Grade Student
"The trip was truly a dream come true, one that we know our children will cherish for a lifetime. Traveling with people who have a deep connection to the city and an endless wealth of knowledge about it - is an unbeatable experience! The range of activities was absolutely extraordinary, from crafting a street mural with ACDS graffiti and cooking in a French apartment, to immersing in the grandeur of the Louvre. I was thrilled to see our daughter, Yesenia, come back from the trip with so much enthusiasm about French culture, history, and language."
— Elena, Parent of 7th Grade Student
"This was truly a magical experience that I will never forget. Going to Paris has been a dream of mine, and my experience was everything I could have asked for and beyond. I couldn’t have asked for a better time in Paris."
— Sarah V. 8th Grade
"The trip to Paris was truly awesome. I’ve been looking forward to it all year,, and I can’t believe how amazing it was. I honestly couldn’t have asked for anything different."
— Caroline P. 6th Grade
"I always wanted to go to Paris and finally I got to go, and it was so amazing. I had a great time, it was nice practicing my French. I hope to come again one day."
— Patricks. 6th Grade