Seventh grade Spanish students learn to communicate about familiar topics using simple sentences, sometimes supported by memorized turns of phrase.  They will learn to handle short social interactions in everyday situations by asking and answering simple questions with proper grammar and pronunciation.

Along the way, students study clothing trends and traditions in Latin America and Spain, and discuss the differences between traditional (indigenous) and modern clothing in the book Patricia Va a California.  They address the wave of European stores currently thriving in America–Zara, H&M, Bershka–and how they are influencing modern global fashion. Students will compare the different eating habits of several Latin American countries, Spain, and the USA, and the value of la sobremesa (hang-out time at the table after eating).  Students will plan the perfect fiesta and assign responsibilities using affirmative tú commands.

French speakers learn past and future conjugations, expand their understanding of contextual vocabulary, and begin to write complex sentences. Students are continually reading, writing, and speaking to develop both their understanding of the structure and pronunciation of French. They take the ACTFL Assessment of Performance toward Proficiency in Languages (AAPPL).

In connection with their study of the Rwandan genocide in History, students review the history of colonialism in Africa, and the role that language played in cultural power struggles. Students are introduced to Francophone literature by studying texts and excerpts from numerous French writers.