Foreign Language News...

December is the perfect time for the Foreign Language Department to celebrate diversity.  During this month, all students learn the cultural significance of the Christmas holidays around the world.  The hall of the Foreign Language wing was decorated celebrating the world’s diversity.

 

Students learn vocabulary based on the holidays as well as participate in various cultural activities.  The German and French classes have a visit from “Nickolaus”and Père Fouettard on December 6, St. Nikolaus Day. He rewards good children for their behaviors.  They also participate in the advent calendar, eating chocolate as children do in Europe.  

Spanish students learn of the differences in the celebration in Spanish speaking countries because of geography.  In Mexico and Central America, palms and other trees are decorated for Christmas and gifts are brought by the three wisemen.  They also enjoy a rousing game of Christmas Bingo, hoping to win a pin in Spanish to put on their book bags.  Learning the words to the ever popular Christmas carol, “Feliz Navidad”, is also an eye opening experience for many students.

The French students enjoy preparing and sharing bȗche de Noȅl, the traditional French yule logs.  Of course, in Latin class, students talk about “Saturnalia” or the winter solstice instead of Christmas.  However, they do note the importance of Latin in the early church with Christmas carols.  Speaking of Christmas carols, the halls of the school will be filled with many carols celebrating, Navidad, Noȅl  and Weihnachten.  December is definitely a month when the cultural traditions from many countries overlap and coincide. 

Feliz Navidad, Joyeaux Noȅl, Frohe Weihnachten and Io Saturnalia!