Empowering Students through Language and Culture

Our Services

Language and Culture Classes

WLCA offers affordable language and culture classes to elementary and middle school students in Washington state at their local schools. Our program is designed to be flexible in order to best fit the schedules and needs of our students. Learn more

Summer Language Camps

WLCA offers summer camps that provide children with a strong base for future language learning and international curiosity to build upon. Through engaging activities, children learn about traditions, food, music and basic communication in another language. Learn more

Study Abroad

Study Abroad Student Service Program:
WLCA encourages all students to explore the world! In order to help make this possible, A.C.E. offers a study abroad program to middle school and high school students. This program is offered in partnership with Outreach360, a non-profit organization that specializes in volunteer service learning trips to the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua.

View the Outreach 360 video here.

To find out more about this program check out Outreach360's website:
http://www.outreach360.org/

Why Language and Culture?

The benefits of learning another language and gaining cultural insight are endless!

The importance of knowing multiple languages is growing at a rapid pace. Students gain invaluable communication skills, an understanding and awareness of other people, and benefit from a developmental edge that will have a profound impact on their future. In a globally competitive world, language and culture education are key components to success.

Start Young!

Learning a new language at any age is an exceptionally rewarding experience with countless benefits. While this experience is beneficial at every age, children have the most to gain from learning a new language. Learners who start early are more likely develop accent-free pronunciation and reap accelerated cognitive developments. Studies show that children who begin learning another language early have greater success in other academic areas, including English, and higher test scores later in life. The exposure they receive to different cultures and customs gives children a broadened view of the world, allowing them to easily navigate the global community both internationally and within our borders.

Incorporating Culture

The interdependence of language and culture has become more and more evident. Incorporating cultural components in language education has a remarkable impact on students. They become better communicators, critical thinkers and exhibit greater cultural sensitivity. The rich knowledge that our teachers offer students about other countries and cultures encourages their interest in language study and international exploration. Depending on the language and teacher, students may learn about Argentinean tango dancing, the Inca ruins in Peru, French cuisine, or Chinese astrology.

Future Ambassadors of the World

Many WLCA students go on to study more languages, participate in overseas volunteer service learning projects, study abroad and eventually work abroad. Our goal is to provide students with the capabilities to become citizens of the world.

WLCA wants all kids to have successful futures and we firmly believe that this is possible through language and culture education.

Learn more about the benefits of world language and culture education:

"Why Bilinguals Are Smarter" by Gray Matter
http://www.nytimes.com

The popularity and demand for International Schools is growing. You can internationalize your school by offering WLCA classes. Read here about a Seattle school that went global:
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com

"Foreign Language for All Students" by the National Council of State Supervisors for Languages
http://www.ncssfl.org

For a list of trusted sources that describe the benefits of language learning and cultural education visit the following section of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL):
http://www.actfl.org