Pictured front to back, left-right: Susan Hefty, Kristen Macklin, Yoko Eshita, and Carlisa Gunter. Middle: Steve Ross, Amanda Lemco, Alison Manning, and Sharon Meng. Back: Madaline Paturel, Alecia Nichols, Rana Khashroom, and Michael White. Not pictured: Anna Gao and Ruth Bradner.
During November we recognize the accomplishments and work of the MLWGS Language Department.
Spanish:
The department welcomed veteran Spanish teacher Alison Manning in August. Ms. Manning, who is teaching Spanish I, II, and III, brought to Maggie Walker an immersive education from the Defense Language Institute; experience as a Spanish linguist in the U.S. Army; and 21 years of teaching experience in Chesterfield County.
In February, Ms. Manning’s students will participate in Chesterfield County’s La Feria, a division-wide celebration of Hispanic culture and language. Students will participate in workshops and enjoy performances by the Latin Ballet of Virginia.
Ms. Ruth Bradner’s Spanish Conversation class is again leading participation in the Teletandem Program and “Amigos Por Correspondencia.” These monthly, online exchange programs aim to improve students’ Spanish language skills and cultural proficiency.
In October, Ms. Alecia Nichols assisted her Pre-AP Spanish students in hosting a “Hackers Conference,” where they creatively recounted imaginary heists, inspired by the short film “Adiós mama.” This Mexican film depicts an elderly woman who scams her way into obtaining free groceries at a supermarket. Her students are also conducting a pen pal letter exchange with Mexican and Peruvian peers, in an initiative led by Ms. Bradner.
In 2023, Ms. Nichols completed a year-long Fulbright program in Peru. As a product of her Fulbright, she published “Biohuerto to Table,” a bilingual farm-to-table cookbook co-authored by her and 200 Peruvian students at CMSPP-COAR Lima in Peru. The cookbook is available for free online at biohuertototable.weebly.com.
Ms. Lemco’s AP Spanish Literature and Culture class recently attended a performance of two operas– “Don Giovanni” and “Carmen,” and in the spring the group will attend “Cosi Fan Tutte.” These viewings are paired with classroom study of the operas. Her students will also visit the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in February, where they will analyze artworks to link their themes to texts read in class.
Our Spanish teachers are also in the process of promoting and interviewing candidates for the Governor’s Spanish Academy, a prestigious summer immersion program. In addition, many of their students will participate in the 2025 National Spanish Exam. Those who perform well on the exam will have the chance to apply for scholarships and travel opportunities.
Japanese:
Ms. Yoko Eshita’s Japanese III class has been selected to participate in Global Classmates, a grant-covered virtual language and cultural exchange program for high school students in the U.S. and Japan, offered by Kizuna Across Cultures. Maggie Walker will host 12 high school students from Chiben Gakuen, our partner school in Japan, for two weeks in March. In addition, Japanese II and III students will be competing in April in Japan Bowl, a quiz competition on Japanese language and culture.
French:
Mme. Madeline Paturel has organized a homestay language trip to Nice in the summer of 2025. Her students will also participate in February in “Congres,” an annual event in which Francophiles from across the region compete and perform to sharpen their linguistic skills and cultural proficiency.
Russian:
Under the leadership of Mr. Michael White, students who have completed Russian I will compete in the National Russian Essay Contest, which is held annually by the American Council of Teachers of Russian.
Arabic:
Under the leadership of Ms. Rana Khashroom, the Arabic Honor Society and Club continue to build a relationship with the University of Richmond’s Arabic program. While UR students visit Arabic classes monthly to tutor students, Maggie Walker students traveled to UR in November to attend Arabic classes and experience a college-level language experience. In addition, on Nov. 25, the club and honor society will host an Arabic Thanksgiving celebration and potluck lunch.
German:
Frau Kristen Macklin is busily planning another school-to-school exchange program for the Spring and Summer. After hosting students from Carl-Orff-Gymnasium in Unterschleißheim, in April, Maggie Walker students will travel to Bavaria in June and July to visit Berlin and Munich and enjoy homestays. The exchange is sponsored by GAPP (German American Partnership Program), which is funded by the U.S. Department of State and the German Federal Foreign Office.
General:
The Department looks forward to its annual Middle School Language Fair, which will be held on February 22. This event, overseen by the faculty but largely planned and executed by a student committee, invites middle-school kids from around the region to engage in interactive sessions focusing on the ten target languages and cultures taught at Maggie Walker.
