The World Language Department regards our students as people of one world, made up of many nations, languages and cultures. Committed to the development of our students' personal, spiritual and academic growth, we seek to broaden their view of the world by providing opportunities to cross boundaries and open doors, both linguistically and culturally. We believe that through the study of a second language, students make comparisons to better understand their first language. We acknowledge that the world, though vast and ever changing, is shrinking with the widespread use of electronic communication, and the ease and availability of travel. We advocate that language as the expression of culture, and that the teaching of language goes hand in hand with the teaching of cultural perspectives, practices, products, traditions and beliefs. We believe in the importance of a four-year program to enable our students to communicate with those whose first language is not English. We value the ability to communicate in any language, both in the United States and abroad.

We appreciate the importance of learning a world language by using that language in and outside of the classroom as much as possible. We make every effort to recognize the dynamics of life in the 21st century, which include the promise of unique career, service and leadership opportunities to students who may become bilingual. We encourage the interconnectedness of the various disciplines taught at Magnificat, together with the rights of all world citizens, and the themes of Catholic Social Justice teachings.

For a detailed list of course offerings, please see the curriculum guide.

• CHAIRPERSON
  Mrs. Josephine O'Hara
  johara@magnificaths.org
  A.B., Hood College
  M.A., University of Findlay
  
  
• Mrs. Sajida Abu Ali
  sabuali@magnificaths.org
  B.A., Yarmouk University
  M.Ed., Cleveland State University
  
  
• Mrs. Luz-Elena Bermudez-Klopp
  lbermudezklopp@magnificaths.org
  B.A., Cleveland State University
  
  
• Ms. Elsida Caraballo
  ecaraballo@magnificaths.org
  B.A., Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico
  
  
• Mrs. Su-Jane Chen
  schen@magnificaths.org
  B.A., University of Chinese Culture
  M.A., Cleveland State University
  
  
• Mrs. Barb Graw-Kikta '69
  bkikta@magnificaths.org
  B.A., Barat College
  M.B.A., Case Western Reserve University
  
  
• Ms. Dolores Sankovich
  dsankovich@magnificaths.org
  A.B., Youngstown State University
  M.Ed., Baldwin-Wallace College