Bonjour, hola, hallo and salve!
Fairfax High School welcomed 30 rising fifth-, sixth- and seventh-grade students last week for its fourth annual World Language Camp. The free camp, sponsored by the City of Fairfax School Board, gave students an opportunity to explore French, German, Latin and Spanish through interactive lessons, games and cultural activities.
Led by Fairfax High School world language teachers and student members of the school’s language honor societies, the camp introduced participants to new vocabulary while encouraging them to experience the history, traditions and cultures connected to each language.
“The energy at World Language Camp was incredible,” Fairfax High School Principal Dr. Georgina Aye said. “Students were not simply learning vocabulary. They were immersing themselves in cultural experiences, exploring global perspectives and approaching each activity with curiosity and enthusiasm.”
Throughout the week, campers learned about foods and cooking, practiced identifying body parts through a game of Twister, explored numbers, colors and weather, and participated in charades and Jeopardy-style competitions.
Students also created Mardi Gras masks, participated in World Cup-themed lessons and explored mythology and the Latin roots found in many modern languages. In Latin class, students even played “I Piscatum,” a version of the card game Go Fish.
“Students participated in all kinds of fun activities in German, French, Latin and Spanish,” French teacher Nathalie Coyle said. “On their feedback forms, many of the campers asked for even more time to continue learning the languages.”