World Languages Department

Department Philosophy

Serra’s World Languages Department prepares students to communicate with confidence and cultural awareness in an increasingly interconnected world. Our program emphasizes real proficiency — speaking, listening, reading and writing — so that students can use language beyond the classroom. Through engaging instruction and authentic materials, students encounter the histories, perspectives and traditions that shape global communities.

We believe learning a new language strengthens critical thinking, deepens empathy and expands opportunity in college and career. By challenging students to take risks, collaborate and grow in fluency over time, we cultivate not only skilled communicators but globally minded young men ready to lead with understanding and respect.

World Languages Courses

• French I
• French II
• French III
• Honors French III
• French IV
• AP French Language and Culture
• Mandarin I
• Mandarin II
• Mandarin III
• Mandarin IV
• AP Chinese Language and Culture
• Spanish I
• Honors Spanish I
• Spanish II
• Honors Spanish II
• Spanish III
• Honors Spanish III
• Spanish IV
• AP Spanish Language and Culture
• AP Spanish Literature and Culture
• American Sign Language 1
• American Sign Language 2
• World Languages TA, elective

Initial Placement

Incoming 9th grade students are required to take a placement test in May to become eligible for advanced standing as an incoming freshman. Non-native and non-heritage speakers of the language, as well as students with little or no prior exposure or instruction in the target language, will be placed in the first level of the world language.

Honors and AP Courses

Following freshman year, students who meet established criteria outlined in the Serra Course Catalog are eligible to enroll in honors and AP courses, which include:

• Honors French III
• Honors Spanish I
• Honors Spanish II
• Honors Spanish III
• AP French Language and Culture
• AP Chinese Language and Culture
• AP Spanish Language and Culture
• AP Spanish Literature and Culture

Student Opportunities

Students deepen their interest in world languages beyond the classroom through diverse co-curricular experiences.

Clubs and Honors: Zumba Club, Latinos Unidos, Multicultural Club or qualify for membership in the National French Honor Society. These groups host cultural events including dance and cultural celebrations and explore cultures of interest, especially those represented in the Serra community.

Leadership Roles: World Languages Teaching Assistants support activity preparation, assist teachers and broaden their linguistic and cultural understanding of world languages.

National French Honor Society: Students who have earned an A- in French and completed four semesters of French are eligible to join the National French Honor Society. Through cultural activities, community service and school events, students deepen their appreciation for Francophone traditions while fostering a supportive language community.

Tools and Resources

Our World Language Department favors comprehensible input to provide students with a full immersion experience which integrates a set of language learning applications and authentic resources.

Technology and language learning applications: Quizlet, Conjugemos, Roxxem.

Audio and visual resources: Video resources in the target language.

Authentic resources: Real world materials in the target language.