Language
Learning Critical Languages for Today's Globalized World
ANNOUCEMENT: Registration now open for the 2011 Summer Language Camp! Learn more!
Less than 3% of high school students in the USA study Mandarin Chinese,
and less than 1% of high school students in the USA study Arabic.
Mandarin Chinese and Modern Standard Arabic are critical in today's continuously globalizing world, and are giving a unique experience to those who are able to study it, especially early in life. The OneWorld Now! language program focuses on a student-centered learning and interactive approach to critical language learning.
Students choose to either study Mandarin or Arabic as part of the OWN program. Typically, our language classes are twice per week, after school (the third class per week is “Leadership”). Students experience speaking the language, writing the script or characters, and learning about the cultures intertwined with these languages.
OWN uses dynamic curriculum, designed by national experts in language learning. With the goal of preparing students to study abroad consciously and successfully, instructors focus on providing fun and relevant learning opportunities.
Best Practices in Critical Language Instruction
OneWorld Now! is recognized for offering languages not traditionally taught in public schools, and is also being recognized, nationally, for our best practices in student-centered teaching.
Two OWN instructors have been recognized by STARTALK in a Best Practices Video Series:
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Mandarin Chinese – Sun Burford
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Modern Standard Arabic – Abdessamad Meskini
Full Year Language Learning for High School Students (and some Middle Schools)
OneWorld Now! offers language classes and leadership workshops throughout the academic year, typically after school and for high school credit. OWN is also extending language learning opportunities during and after school to a handful of middle schools in Seattle as well.
During the summer time, if students are not studying abroad, OWN also offers a variety of immersion language camp experiences to OWN youth. Each summer, OWN offers a three-week Arabic and Chinese immersion camp, funded by STARTALK, at Seattle University.
