Becoming Global Citizens

Language is the key to unlocking the doors of a global environment. Tuscaloosa Academy knows this and has geared our language program and offerings to reflect a changing global worldview. We want our students to leave our Academy with the skills, knowledge, and language experience, so that when they enter into college and beyond they are able to communicate on a global level. We currently offer Spanish, German, French, and Mandarin. Our instructors are second to none, some of which are native speakers.

The language program at TA is beyond amazing! I am currently an AP Spanish student and I have absolutely loved to watch our class become more and more comfortable with the language. Over the past few years, our class has become a really close group. We have formed friendships and made memories that we will never forget and always cherish. This year as AP students, we are required to speak only Spanish during class time. While this can be challenging at times, we know we are all capable and prepared to do it because of the amazing teachers and education TA has provided us. From a very young age at TA, you are exposed to so many different languages and given the freedom to decide which route you want to take. While I chose Spanish, you simply can’t go wrong with any of the choices. They are all exceptional! - Lucy Bonhaus, 12th Grade

Becoming Global Citizens I like how our entire class has a strong desire to learn about the language and culture of Latin America and other Spanish-speaking countries. We all came to class and had a great time. We had an entire class of students who strove to excel in the course and to make it practical in the real world and the future. I believe that my understanding in the Spanish language will allow me to step ahead of others in the labor force of the future. I feel that I will be able to connect with many others during my career (hopefully in the medical field)--which will give me an advantage over others that I will be working with. I believe that TA’s Spanish program is so different and far more advanced than other programs around Tuscaloosa because of the involvement of speaking. All of my classes implemented the skill of understanding the language by having us listen to and respond in Spanish. Many programs tend to implement the knowledge of vocabulary and basic grammar rather than speaking to others and allowing interaction through the Spanish language. - Carson Claytor, 12th Grade

Tuscaloosa Academy has such an amazing language program. I love my Spanish classes because they give me a great opportunity to learn a new language. This will help me in the future because I have grown a love for Spanish and want to study it in college. TA’s program is very different from other schools in our area. This is because the teachers really help you because they want you to excel in the language you are studying. This is an amazing thing, and I am so thankful for Tuscaloosa Academy’s language programs. - Sarah Davis Roe, 8th Grade I think it’s great that I am able to pursue the language track at TA, meaning I take both Spanish and French. Even though I am in the United States, I am able to learn about different cultures and further my intercultural knowledge. - Mira Fischer, 9th Grade Native German

I took Spanish from 3rd to 8th grade at a public school. Because I started Spanish in 3rd grade I was never taught the beginning of Spanish and never understood it at all. When I came to TA I struggled a lot in Spanish because I didn’t know anything. When I told my teacher she would allow me to get tutoring and taught me everything I missed on top of what we were currently learning. TA has really helped me understand Spanish, I don’t quite understand it but I would have failed my Spanish class if I was at another school. But at TA my teacher didn’t give up on me and I am so thankful. Being taught another language is hard however TA took it step by step and has an amazing way of teaching. - Mary Collier Pope, 10th Grade The language program at TA is truly amazing! I have had the honor of being taught by some awesome and very talented teachers while being at TA. I’ve been taking Spanish since fourth grade and i have loved every second of it. The language depart-ment at Tuscaloosa Academy allows for students to start learning as early as possible (pre-k/ kindergarten!) This is a fabulous opportunity and the best time for a person to familiarize their self with a language. I’ve been able to apply my great knowledge of Spanish I’ve learned here at TA in the real world when traveling to Spanish speaking countries. - Megan Bonhaus, 12th Grade

Personally, I find the TA Spanish courses to be challenging, fun, and extremely rewarding. In the time I’ve been at TA, all of the teachers I’ve had genuinely wanted me as a studen to learn and grow. The use of another language opens so many doors that without these courses we wouldn’t be able to reach. Using fun activities and learning methods were key to keeping the class engaged and make them realize that Spanish really is fun! Without these things, it would be a drag to go back into class every day, but thanks to our teachers, we’re able to actually enjoy learning. The resources and skills us students have gained from these experiences will allow us to expand our lives into different cultures, countries, and languages. Compared to other schools, TA’s language programs are much more in-depth and even after school we can find ways to learn. In the Spanish department, we often go out to eat to practice, and learn how to speak the language comfortably and understandably. For this, I am eternally grateful, as just looking at written words does not give the experience needed to hold a conversation with someone. -Jordan McAbee, 11th Grade

I chose French because I’ve always dreamt to one day live in Paris. Knowing French, I could speak with local Parisians and have better job opportunities. French is also the fourth most spoken language with over two hundred eighty million speakers. I really enjoy French history as well as the art that comes with it. I look forward to my class each day; my instructor makes the class fun and engaging. - Layton Ball, 10th Grade I chose French because I really liked Mrs. Price’s exploratory French class. She made it look like a lot of fun to speak French and learn about the culture of France and the many other countries where French is spoken. Speaking French could help me in many careers, such as engineering. Speaking French could also help me outside of my career, such as in traveling to the various French-speaking countries in the world. It could even help me with playing games; the international governing body of chess is French. I plan to continue studying French into the college level. - Michael Constantine, 9th Grade