View Our Curriculum

World Languages

Basic or advanced proficiency in a second language is a fundamental part of a college preparatory course, particularly in the global context in which our students now live. Through language study, students will be well prepared to enter college second language courses at an advanced level. Courses in Chinese, Japanese, French, Spanish, and English (for non-native speakers) challenge students to confront the responsibilities of living in an increasingly interconnected world where understanding other languages and cultures is not a luxury. In all language classes, even eventually at the first-year level, classes are conducted entirely in the target language, and materials used as references, tools and resources are authentic. In ESL classes, all classes at all levels are conducted 100% in English.

Mandarin Chinese 1 (Honors)

This course is an introduction Chinese language course for students who have no prior experience in the language. Students develop the ability to communicate about themselves and their immediate environment using simple Chinese. This communication is evidenced through listening, speaking, reading and writing. Pinyin (phonetic symbols) will be used as a supplementary tool to learn the spoken language. Students will also be asked to recognize and write simplified Chinese characters, and they will also learn to type Chinese characters and complete various multi-media projects.
Mandarin Chinese 2 (Honors)

Students continue building on their oral and written proficiency in this course. By the end of the year, they will rely less on memorized phrases while expressing themselves in a variety of topics regarding themselves, families and the communities they belong to. They will be able to use larger amount of vocabulary and varied structures in their oral and written communication. Authentic materials will be used for listening and reading since the beginning of the course. Skills to handle authentic texts will be explicitly taught.
IB Mandarin Chinese 3 (SL)

Mandarin Chinese 3 is the most critical year in students’ Chinese learning experience at AWS. By the end of this course, students’ communication will be mainly at the sentence level. They will be able to talk with more confidence and accuracy about what happened in the past and what will happen in the future. They can contribute to discussions using more advanced vocabulary and more complex sentence structures. They will continue practicing the skills needed to decipher authentic materials. Students will also practice writing in different text types with the awareness of context, purpose audience, register and tones of each text types.
IB Mandarin Chinese 4 (SL)

In this course, students dive into the five IB prescribed themes: identities, experiences, human ingenuity, social organization, and sharing the planet. Students explore topics such as life styles, migration, globalization, and innovation. Students communicate clearly and effectively in these topics. They also understand, analyze and reflect upon a range of written, audio, and visual texts about these topics. High achievers take the IB Mandarin Chinese SL exam at the year’s end.
IB Mandarin Chinese 5 (SL)

In this course, students continue diving into the five IB prescribed themes with a range of topics that are different from their previous year’s SL course. While students continue improving their language proficiency in the first semester, they spend roughly half of 2nd semester preparing for the IB exam. By the end this course, students are ready to take the IB Chinese SL exam.
French 1 (Honors)

Students are introduced to basic vocabulary, good pronunciation and grammar principles. Students lay the foundation for effective communication skills in speaking and writing using dictations and various audio devices. We will reinforce material learned through extensive role playing. This course will also introduce students to cultures, customs, music, geography and arts of the French-speaking world (Francophonie). Throughout the year, students will strengthen their cultural sensitivity and abilities to engage in cross-cultural communication.
French 2 (Honors)

In this course, we work on developing communication skills and vocabulary using props, gestures and skits as well as audio-visual media. Students will learn how to use language that is semantically and grammatically accurate according to a given context. The class will explore the cultures, traditions and civilizations of the French-speaking world through music, films and the Internet. Throughout the year, students will strengthen their cultural sensitivity and abilities to engage in effective cross-cultural communication through enhanced practice of writing, listening and reading skills.
IB French 3 (SL)

This course introduces a more advanced grammar skill set by making use of the four moods in the French language (indicative, imperative, conditional and subjunctive). To further develop the international-mindedness principle advocated by the Upper School for Girls and IB, we continue to hone a student’s ability to demonstrate some understanding of linguistic variation and regional accents as well as use vocabulary appropriate to the task, nuanced and varied. The class will explore the cultures, traditions and civilizations of the French-speaking world through music, literature and films. In preparing for the IB exam in senior year, specific themes centered on education and opportunities in the 21^st century’s workplace, human rights or health and well-being will be explored. Finally, students are introduced to excerpts of literary texts of Francophone authors such as Saint-Exupéry and Victor Hugo.
IB French 4 (SL)

In this course, conversational and analytical skills are emphasized through writing, listening and reading. Students continue to hone their ability to communicate clearly and effectively in a range of contexts and for a variety of purposes as well as identify, organize and present ideas on a range of topics. French vocabulary is expanded with a view on making it context appropriate and varied. We continue our focus on the use of a variety of basic and more complex grammatical structure to enhance effective communications. In preparing for the IB exam, themes centered on cultural identities, societal transformations through technologies as well as the challenges and opportunities faced by individuals and communities in the modern world are explored.
IB French 5 (SL)

This higher-division class builds on conversational and analytical skills through some literary analysis, critical reading, writing and oral presentations. At this level, students read sample works by classic French authors such as Molière, Voltaire and Ionesco as well as other Francophone writers. In preparing for the International Baccalaureate exam, themes centered on global health issues, world peace and the role of France in the concert of nations, as well as societal transformations and challenges brought through scientific innovations will be explored, to name a few. Students are also expected to stay current on the news cycle stemming from the francophone world.
Spanish 1 (Honors)

This course is intended for beginners and provides a basic introduction to Spanish grammar, principally the present and some preterit tense as well as high-frequency and thematic vocabulary. Students both acquire foundational listening, reading, speaking, and writing skills and strengthen their culture competency. With the help of gestures, movements, images, and repetition, direct communication in the target language is built into the course from the start.
Spanish 2 (Honors)

In this course, students delve deeper into the past tense and acquire vocabulary used to describe both their daily lives and childhoods. Once again, the four literacy skills (speaking, reading, writing, and listening) are emphasized and students broaden their knowledge of Spanish-speaking cultures. Useful communicative strategies like circumlocution, paraphrasing, and substitution are also introduced and practiced.
IB Spanish 3 (SL)

IB Spanish 3 and IB Spanish 4 are a combined two-year course. In this course, students further increase their knowledge of Spanish grammar with the introduction and practice of the subjunctive and imperative moods and also increase the breadth of their lexicon. They are fully immersed in the target language in the classroom as Spanish becomes a medium for exploring diverse subjects of interest and global significance, rather than explicit study of the language (grammar, syntax, etc.) itself. Once again, authentic materials representing different text types (stories, plays, literary excerpts, articles, poems, etc.) are used, and students prepare to take the IB exams at the end of the two-year-long course.
IB Spanish 4 (SL)

IB Spanish 3 and IB Spanish 4 are a combined two-year course. In this course, students further increase their knowledge of Spanish grammar with the introduction and practice of the subjunctive and imperative moods and also increase the breadth of their lexicon. They are fully immersed in the target language in the classroom as Spanish becomes a medium for exploring diverse subjects of interest and global significance, rather than explicit study of the language (grammar, syntax, etc.) itself. Once again, authentic materials representing different text types (stories, plays, literary excerpts, articles, poems, etc.) are used, and students prepare to take the IB exams at the end of the two-year-long course.
IB Spanish 5 (SL)

This course focuses on Hispanic literatures and cultures as mediums for the exploration of diverse subjects of interest and global significance. Sources include novels, plays, films and film clips, theater, and poetry, with students’ individual interests informing each year’s selections. Further study of Spanish syntax and vocabulary provides students with additional structure as they increase their level of grammatical control, linguistic accuracy, and verbal and written fluency.
IB Spanish: Ab Initio 1 (SL)

In accordance with the IB Diploma Program model, the Spanish ab initio course prepares students for intermediate-level Spanish study in two year. Receptive, productive, and interactive skills, as well as intercultural understanding, are emphasized and grammar and vocabulary are taught in connection with thematic units prescribed by the IB (identities, experiences, human ingenuity, social organization, and sharing the planet). Authentic materials representing different text types (pamphlets, flyers, stories, posters, etc.) are introduced early on in order to encourage differentiation and prepare students to take the IB exams at the end of their second year of study.

Our Faculty

Lisa Hirschmann

Upper Schools Faculty - Spanish

lisa_hirschmann@aw.org

2018
Bio
Lisa Hirschmann, Upper School for Girls Spanish Teacher, joined Annie Wright Schools in 2018. After earning a Bachelor of Arts in Hispanic Studies at Columbia University in 2008 and a Master's in Spanish and Portuguese from Princeton in 2013, she taught at Princeton and the Lawrenceville School in New Jersey. She enjoys sharing her knowledge of transatlantic studies and Spanish & Latin American languages, cultures, and politics with students.
Ji Kim

Upper Schools Faculty - Spanish

ji_kim@aw.org

2016
Bio
Ji Kim, Upper School Spanish Teacher, joined the Annie Wright faculty in 2017 with the opening of the Upper School for Boys. Ji has been a Spanish teacher and secondary school administrator for most of her educational career. After receiving her BA in Spanish Language and Literature from Virginia Tech, she went on to earn MAs in Curriculum & Instruction and in Educational Administration from Johns Hopkins University. Before returning to teaching she pursued postgraduate doctoral work examining curriculum development in schools and shared leadership models through educational research.
Chiaching Lin

Upper Schools Faculty - Chinese

University of Washington - BA

chiaching_lin@aw.org

2019
Bio
Chia-Ching Lin, Middle School and Upper School for Boys Chinese teacher, joined Annie Wright Schools in 2019. After earning her bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Washington, she went on to teach Chinese in both public and private schools in the Seattle area. While obtaining her Washington State Teaching Certificate from Pacific Lutheran University, she taught at Seattle Academy of Arts and Science for six years. Chia-Ching (prounounced "Jiajing") encourages students to explore topics of personal interest to promote engagement with the Chinese language and culture.
Olivier Soustelle

Upper Schools Faculty - French

253-284-4332

olivier_soustelle@aw.org

2010
Bio
Olivier Soustelle, Upper School French Teacher, joined Annie Wright Schools in 2010. After earning a Master in Fine and Decorative Arts, Olivier, a native of Lyon, France, worked as a researcher at the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles. He went on to teach French and Art History at several Washington colleges, including Pacific Lutheran University and the Evergreen State College. Olivier’s classroom is a student-centered environment where the emphasis is equally on language skills and exploring the complexity of French and Francophone cultures.
Melisa Suarez

Upper Schools Faculty - Spanish

Universidad Catolica Andres Bello - BA

melisa_suarez@aw.org

2019
Bio
Melisa Suarez, Upper School for Boys Spanish teacher, moved to the United States from Venezuela in 2017 and joined Annie Wright Schools in 2019. After earning her bachelor’s degree in chemistry & biology from the Universidad Catolica Andres Bello, she taught biology and served as the IB coordinator at Colegio Moral y Luces Herzl- Bialik, an IB school in Caracas, and went on to teach Spanish and serve as Diploma Programme coordinator in the United States. Melisa is a believer in creating challenging inquiry environments.
Sarah Wenzlick

Upper Schools Faculty - Spanish, Residential Faculty

sarah_wenzlick@aw.org

2016
Bio
Sarah Wenzlick, Upper School Spanish Teacher and Dorm Parent, joined Annie Wright Schools in 2016. After earning her bachelor's in Spanish and her master's in Teaching Spanish from Northern Arizona University, she taught at the college and high school levels in Arizona. She went on to teach in Monterrey, México, and West Palm Beach, Florida. Sarah enjoys teaching grammar and learning the ever-developing jargon of Spanish dialects. She is an active proponent, creator, and supporter of local community service opportunities, particularly for populations from Latin America.
Luna Yu

Upper Schools Faculty - Chinese

253-284-4334

luna_yu@aw.org

2013
Bio
Luna Yu, Upper school Chinese teacher, joined Annie Wright in 2013. After earning her Master's degree in foreign language education from the University of Texas at Austin, she taught beginning Chinese to 6th and 7th grade students at YES Prep Brays Oaks for two years, and advanced Chinese to 5th and 6th grade students at Northwest Chinese Academy for another two years. Luna believes that Chinese is for everyone, no matter your age, and it can be learned in fun and engaging ways. Luna enjoys water sports, especially swimming.

Introducing… Read | Watch | Listen

The Upper School proudly presents Read|Watch|Listen (RWL). RWL replaces traditional summer reading with a more engaging, relevant, community-building experience that helps students gain greater cultural awareness. Students, faculty, parents, and alums are encouraged to engage the program to whatever degree they’d like. It is entirely optional, non-assessed, and loads of fun.