World Languages
Language Is Connection
A global perspective from the mountains of Maine.
Language learning at Gould is practical and grounded in real-world connections. Students build confidence in small classes through daily activities that incorporate speaking, writing, reading, and listening. They collaborate throughout the year and participate in exchanges with partner schools in Angoulême, France, and Zaragoza, Spain. Evening study halls include access to the faculty- and peer-led World Language Help Center, where students can prepare for class and practice conversations.
Upper-level courses explore film, art, and literature from Spain, Mexico, South America, France, Canada, and other regions. At the same time, conversations with international classmates and teachers bring language to life in the dining hall, dorms, and across campus. Travel opportunities, including immersion-based Four Point trips in ninth grade and semester-abroad programs in France and Spain, provide students with a chance to build fluency through lived experiences.
FEATURed Courses & Programs
Becoming a World Traveler
Being a Gould student means connecting with the world beyond the classroom. Ninth graders travel abroad for cultural immersion as part of the Four Point program. Others join special trips to places like Costa Rica and Quebec during school breaks—or even spend a full semester studying in Spain or France at one of our global partner schools. These experiences bring world languages to life and help students develop new world views.
Advanced Topics in Spanish
A deep dive into Spanish literature, art, and contemporary culture from across the Spanish-speaking world. Students strengthen their analytical and communication skills while discussing complex texts and topics—all in Spanish.
Advanced Topics in French
This upper-level course brings together literature, cinema, and current events from across the French-speaking world. Students collaborate with French peers from Lycée Marguerite de Valois in Angoulême, France, and engage in advanced reading and conversation that prepares them for college-level language work.
World Language Help Center
Run by advanced language students and faculty, the World Language Help Center offers evening support during study halls. It’s a collaborative space where students can get extra help with grammar, prepare for assessments, or simply practice speaking in a low-pressure setting. Here, students build confidence and fluency through community.