ACADEMICS
A Notre Dame Education

Modern and Classical Languages

    • French I students singing in French with Miss Benion

Philosophy

In today's global society fluency in another language is a life advantage. Being able to communicate in a language other than one's own assists in developing responsible citizens of the world community, provides opportunities to appreciate and understand the diversity of other cultures, and provides expanded career opportunities. 

The French, Japanese, Mandarin, Spanish and Latin Clubs provide students with opportunities to experience the foods and traditions of the cultures.  The French Club celebrates French Week with French cuisine and music.  In the Latin Club, students explore ancient Rome's influence in art, architecture, literature, law, and politics, as well as learning about Roman history and mythology and their representation in contemporary media. Students also have opportunities to recreate ancient Roman artifacts through modeling, sculpture, and graphic design. The Japanese Club provides many opportunities to expose our students to Japanese culture. The Mandarin Club will be active for the 2020 - 2021 school year to receive students who are currently enrolled in their courses or those who are curious about expanding their horizons in the ancient language and culture.   

The Spanish Honor Society also hosts Hispanic Culture Week where foods from Spanish speaking countries are served with the added ambiance of Latin music. Students also have the opportunity to use their Spanish language while serving the Spanish-speaking communities of Los Angeles during the L.A. Immersion program. 

Students in the Japanese program can practice using Japanese to communicate with Japanese students online and face-to-face. We have a group of Japanese high school students visiting us every fall. They visit Japanese classes and interact with ND students using both English and Japanese. ND students have an opportunity to host them at home. We have on-going online exchange with Japanese college students who are learning English as well.
 
For the last three years, students also had an opportunity to learn traditional Japanese music and dance with a master teacher during X-period and performed at the International Cultural Talent Show Assembly.
 
Ms. Emily Hansum
MCLD Department Chair
Spanish Teacher
818-933-3406

Ms. Luisa Benion
Spanish Teacher
818-933-3498
 
Ms. Jessica Castillo
Spanish Teacher
818-933-3412
jcastillo@ndhs.org
 
Ms. Alicia Coffey
Spanish Teacher
818-933-3407
 
Mr. Thomas Moody
Latin Teacher
MCL
818-933-3442
moody@ndhs.org

Ms. Montserrat Perez
French &
Spanish Teacher
818-933-3437
mperez@ndhs.org
 
Ms. Kyoko Shoji
Japanese Teacher
818-933-3408
shoji@ndhs.org

Ms. Joanne Shumway
Spanish Teacher
818-933-3452
shumway@ndhs.org

Ms. Christine Stewart
French Teacher
818-933-3436
stewart@ndhs.org

Dr. Buenaventura Torres-Ayala
Spanish Teacher
818-933-3430
torres@ndhs.org
Ms. Rachel Yang
Chinese Teacher
818-933-3634
yang@ndhs.org
 
 

A College Preparatory School of Excellence
13645 Riverside Drive
Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
(818) 933-3600 Main Office
info@ndhs.org

Office Hours
7:30 am - 3:30 pm.    M-Th
7:30 am - 12:00 pm.  F

The office is closed to visitors after 3:30 pm M-Th, 12:00 pm F

Absences, Late Arrivals,
Off-Campus Permits

attendance@ndhs.org
***Do not call***

Contact Us
Click Here
©2024 Notre Dame High School. All Rights Reserved.  |  Privacy Policy  |  WCEA AccreditationMission and Statement