Mr. Kelvin Martinez (standing) with students in the Language Lab (photo: Mr. John Spear).
For years, Northwood has had a conventional foreign language program. However, this year, the academic department is trying something different. Instead of organized classes in Spanish and French, Northwood is trying something new this year called the Language Lab.
The Language Lab, located in the library and open during select periods during the day, is where students studying Spanish, French, and other languages can conduct their studies more independently. Languages being studied at Northwood this year include German, Indonesian, Japanese, American Sign Language, and the traditional French and Spanish.
Eighty percent of the course is a letter grade given by that student’s language teacher, while another 20% is earned through “cultural events,” such as cooking, music, or dancing, amongst other activities possible. The goal is that in addition to learning the language, the student will also do their best to learn about the culture or cultures behind that language.
The primary objective of the supplemental cultural activities is for students to utilize what they’re learning in an authentic way. Another goal of activities like conversation clubs and movie nights is for our community to better understand one another’s cultures.
Reviews have been mostly positive. Many students who have taken a language in the traditional style of teaching consider the Language Lab a significant step forward. “I like being self-paced. Last year, I kind of felt held back in French class,” Jack Kroll ’25 said.
