Languages

Department Chair: Fadia Sarruf
email | phone:425-868-6191 ext. 693

The Modern and Foreign Language Department seeks to equip students with a firm foundation of reading, writing, conversation, and grammar in French, Spanish, Latin, and/or Japanese. In addition to preparing students for national exams and building oral and aural proficiency, the department’s goal is to promote an appreciation and understanding of other cultures’ commonalities and differences.

Overlake’s multilingual faculty emphasizes an immersed, communicative approach to learning languages in an open and respectful environment. They aim to awaken students curiosity about themselves and other cultures. Many of the faculty members are native speakers, which offers students a unique perspective and understanding of cultural idiosyncrasies.

Students have 4 language choices and the opportunity to study up to 5 full years in one language. This variety accommodates most learning styles and preferences. Unique to Overlake is the 6th Grade Latin & Technology course, where students learn language patterns and the major concepts and building blocks of languages through various technology based projects. Furthermore, Overlake offers AP Spanish and French Literature electives which are a rarity in standard Upper School curriculum.

Mathematics