World Languages & Cultures

Students are required to complete 3 levels of the same language.

Language class sizes average 10-12 students.

All students are capable of learning a language. A student should choose his or her language based on what interests him or her the most!

Culver is associated with many different programs that allow for language experiences outside of the classroom environment. Culver offers week long trips abroad during the Spring Break period in the Global Pathways Spring program. These trips change often to allow for multiple trips in a students’ time at Culver. Culver also works with the Indiana University Honors summer program, which is an immersion experience with many countries in which to study a language as a native speaker. “School Year Abroad” is another program that works with Culver to provide immersion programs during the summer, as well as semester and year-long programs. 

Each language presents honors extensions in their sections. Each language also offers the Advanced Placement, or AP course, in the fourth year of study. The World Languages & Cultures department also provides students the ability to “honor” in language by taking the Honor Seminar in their junior or senior year and writing an honors presentation concerning a specific matter of interest in the language of study.

At Culver, the Department of World Languages & Cultures strives to develop global citizens who are able to communicate effectively and empathize with all cultures. We teach language from a cultural perspective in order for students to be able to better relate to their roommates, classmates, and others with whom they might work and engage in their lives after Culver. By learning another language at Culver, students gain a great skill in communicating with others through both speaking and listening with purpose. 

Check out each language’s tab on this website. You should find a lot of information about each language. You can also schedule time to talk to a language teacher when you come to shadow at Culver! 

If a student fluently speaks and writes a language other than English, he or she is encouraged, but not required to study modern or classical language at Culver.  Gaining insight into a third (or fourth) culture and language reaps many benefits.

Students who come to Culver with previous language study are able to take a placement test should they wish to continue in that language. Those placement tests are available and the results then help Culver determine the appropriate level of entry for the student. 

The word “fluent” is often used as a synonym to “proficient.” “Fluency” in a language refers to language being delivered easily and accurately. At Culver, we focus more on a student’s “proficiency” in a language. Language students must demonstrate a high degree of competence and skill in order to advance in their proficiency. The language classes at Culver are conducted in an immersive environment using comprehensible input for even more comprehensive class time, which further encourages growth in language proficiency. If it is a personal goal to become “fluent” in a language upon leaving Culver, students are strongly encouraged to take advantage of this class time as well as one of the many study abroad opportunities to engage with the language! 

Certainly! After completing the required three levels, students can chose to take a second language class as an upperclassmen to expand on the first language studied. Other students whose goals are language-oriented will choose to take more than one language at a time during their years at Culver. 

Each faculty member holds tutorial hours during the week. Students may also make individual appointments with their teachers for a tutorial time if they are in need of more support. Teachers will also organize study tables or peer mentor groups. If a teacher recognizes that a student would benefit from a regular tutorial, academic support and the teacher work with the student to schedule a recurring time during which support is given on a regular basis.