World Languages

At Bay, our world language curriculum is more than just a series of courses; it's a transformative experience that prepares students to navigate an increasingly interconnected and diverse world with confidence and cultural competence. Whether students are embarking on their language learning journey or refining their skills to advanced levels, they can expect to be challenged, inspired, and empowered to become global citizens who embrace linguistic diversity and cultural understanding.

Developing Proficiency Through Variety and Immersion 

With offerings in both Spanish and Mandarin, our approach goes beyond traditional acquisition methods, focusing on active participation and real-world application. Students are challenged from day one, tasked with communicating solely in the target language at least 90% of the time. Classes are engaging, combining a mix of speaking, reading, writing, and listening, with ample opportunities to practice and reinforce language skills in authentic contexts. By making language applicable to their daily lives and future aspirations, we ensure that students see the relevance and value of what they learn in the classroom.

Additionally, we are proud to offer several advanced curriculum offerings, including classes that further explore the literature, history, and culture of their chosen language, and classes designed specifically for students with previous experience in the language, deepening their multilingual and multicultural experience.

Courses Offered

Students must complete six semesters in a single language. Most students complete the language requirement in their first three years at Bay; they are encouraged to continue their language studies beyond this requirement.