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Modern Languages

A teacher in the foreground holds papers while a whiteboard with Spanish notes and a projector screen displaying %22FlipClock%22 are in the background.
Handwritten Chinese characters and English text are written on a whiteboard, with some words circled and underlined.

Inspiring Culturally Aware Scholars & Global Citizens

At Milton, we believe learning a new language should be an immersive, joyful journey into global perspectives and understanding. Our Modern Language Department offers courses in Spanish, French, and Mandarin Chinese, empowering students to speak, think, and connect across cultures. From day one, our students speak in the target language with native or near-native faculty and dive into real-world cultural materials, from film and literature to food, music, and current events.

Learning and Living
a New Language

While some schools stop modern language instruction at Level 4, Milton offers advanced Level 5 and Level 6 courses, allowing students to pursue language study at an impressively deep, nuanced level. Students in advanced courses discuss literature, analyze global events, and create meaningful projects entirely in the target language. In China and the World, students analyze international business cases, debate strategies to enter and expand local markets, and apply multicultural insights to real-world challenges.. In French Literature and Film, students explore identity, politics, and history, all entirely in French. In Spanish 5 (Honors): Hispanic Literature from Medieval to Contemporary Times, students engage in close reading of a variety of works by Spanish and Latin American writers, building analytical skills and expanding their global awareness.

Language in Action: Exchanges, Travel & Community

We have long-standing relationships with schools in France, Spain and China where our students can experience real immersion and practice their language beyond the classroom and develop cultural competency. Students are also able to apply to be part of the School Year Abroad program, which offers semester and year-long opportunities in France, Spain and Italy.

A Joyful Noise

Our classrooms are lively, collaborative, and fun. Students learn through:

  • Project-based learning
  • Language immersion activities
  • Cultural exploration projects
  • Film, music, and literature discussions

We’re proud of the vibrant work that happens in our classes every day. Whether students are filming short films in Spanish, debating global issues in Chinese, or celebrating French culture through cooking and conversation, they’re fully engaged with language as a living, evolving force.

 

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Modern Languages Beyond the Classroom

Our Modern Languages Faculty

Laurence Huughe

Modern Languages Department Chair

Severine Carpenter

Modern Languages Faculty

Mulian Chen

Modern Languages Faculty; House Parent, Hathaway House

Mark Connolly

Modern Languages Faculty, Instructional Technologist

Emily Cook

Penn Fellow

Salomón Diaz

Modern Languages Faculty

William Hamel

Modern Languages Faculty

Katherine Kelleher

Modern Languages Faculty; Dean, Class of 2029

Cédric Morlot

Modern Languages Faculty

Arantxa Perales

Modern Languages Faculty

Tina Rychalsky

Modern Languages Faculty

Xiaolu Shi

Modern Languages Faculty

Jenny Romero

Modern Languages Faculty