VIRGINIA GOVERNOR’S FOREIGN LANGUAGE ACADEMIES INTEREST MEETING Sophomores and Juniors… VIRGINIA GOVERNOR’S FOREIGN LANGUAGE ACADEMIES INTEREST MEETING October 2018

The Academy The full-immersion Academies are designed to provide an immersion setting for students who have learned the Academy language in a traditional school setting. The focus is on the development of oral fluency and ease of expression.

Governor’s French Academy Governor’s German Academy Governor’s Spanish Academy June 23-July 14, 2018 Washington & Lee University Lexington FREE THREE WEEK RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM Governor’s Japanese Academy Governor’s Latin Academy June 24-July 15, 2018 Randolph-Macon College Ashland

Eligibility must have completed at least level three of the language prior to the beginning of the Academy; Grade 10 or 11 must have developed good proficiency in using this language; and must be willing to use the target language for all social and academic interactions.

The ideal candidate must be genuinely interested in attending the Academy and have the emotional maturity, stability, stamina, and self- discipline to live away from home for an extended period.

Typical Day A student's day in a language academy may include: Wake-up, breakfast Classes, such as: The economics of Latin America The unification of Germany Life in France seen from an economic perspective Great works of art Literary samplings A second language (Arabic, Korean, Greek, Russian) http://vagovernorsschool.com/GermanAca demy/ http://vagovernorsschool.com/SpanishAca demy/ Lunch Another class (or two) Creative activities, such as: Journal writing DVD production Drama Dance Music Sports, games Dinner Films, music, theater, student and faculty talent presentations.

Take a listen Can you speak English? Yes NO Do you give up your devices? YES NO Do you dream in the language? YES NO   Do you learn the culture? YES NO Do you do cooking, arts, sports? YES NO http://wvtf.org/post/no-english- allowed#stream/0 Is it better than living abroad? YES NO Do you celebrate festivals? YES NO Do you learn another language as well? YES NO Do introverts “come out of their shell”? YES NO Do you make new friends? YES NO

Application http://www. doe. virginia Personal Information Self description: hobbies, honors, language experience, health, homesickness, etc Two Recommendation Letters Online Testing Pledge

Online Testing FRENCH/SPANISH/GERMAN : listening, speaking, reading, and writing LATIN : reading comprehension test and composition in English on a Roman theme.

Online Testing French, German, and Spanish Academies Practice tests are available online at: https://stamp4s.avantassessment.com/avant/do/samplelo gin . Immersion students should be advised that their speaking and writing samples carry the most weight in the selection process.

Online Testing Latin Academy Additional information, including a sample of the Latin test, are available at: https://www.languagetesting.com/actfl- latin-interpretive-reading-assessment . The required composition may be completed at home and does not need to be proctored, although the student should not receive any help. The essay topic is included on the student application.

Not for native speakers Students with highly developed oral language skills do not find the rigors of the Academy as challenging or rewarding as students of lesser proficiency who, for the most part, have learned the language entirely in a classroom setting.

Timeline Interest meeting PFHS WL Dept. Selection Applications and Testing Notified Sessions October November January April June and July

Information All information and applications are available online at VDOE (Virginia Department of Education).