World Languages
Faculty
| Name | Position | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Ana Barrios | Teacher | abarrios@pausd.org |
| Gabriela Garger | Teacher | ggarger@pausd.org |
| Matt Hall | Teacher | mhall@pausd.org |
| Mathilde Lenoir | Teacher | mlenoir@pausd.org |
| Laura Lizundia | Teacher | llizundia@pausd.org |
| Liz Matchett | Teacher | lmatchett@pausd.org |
| Norma Medina | Teacher | nmedina@pausd.org |
| Teresa Niño Oliva | Teacher | tninooliva@pausd.org |
| Claudia Schroeppel | Teacher | cschroeppel@pausd.org |
| Daissy Tabares | Teacher & IL | dtabares@pausd.org |
| Yanan Vrudny | Teacher | yvrudny@pausd.org |
Seal of Biliteracy
What is the Seal of Biliteracy? Palo Alto Unified School District has been working together with the Santa Clara County Office of Education since the 2012 school year to award our eligible high school graduates with the Seal of Biliteracy. Appearing on the transcript of the graduating senior, the Seal of Biliteracy is a statement of accomplishment for gaining competency in two or more languages, and is viewed as an asset when applying for college admission and employment. See PAUSD eligibility requirements.
Extracurricular Coursework
If you are considering whether to take a course off-campus, please visit the Off Campus Courses page to learn about the appropriate steps to follow.
World Languages FAQ
Why should you enroll in a World Language?
- You need 2 years to satisfy the PAUSD graduation requirements.
- The UC system prefers three years of WL. Most private universities look favorably on students who have completed four years of a single language. This is seen as evidence high academic rigor.
- Learning a WL will increase your employment opportunities. Currently, only about 25% of Americans speak second language. However, employers increasingly say they are looking for multilingual employees.
- Learning a WL helps to promote global understanding. People who know how to get along with folks from other cultures are prized employees.
- Learning a WL enriches your knowledge of culture, literature, history, music, art, and your enjoyment of traveling.
Who can take a WL AP course?
- You must have passed or have the equivalent proficiency for the end of Level 3 AND be at least a sophomore to take a WL AP course.
- The WL department offers APs in every language.
What about summer courses?
Summer language courses and camps can be taken for enrichment but these courses cannot be used to satisfy the graduation requirement or to accelerate the program.
What about languages not offered at Gunn?
- American Sign Language is offered at Palo Alto High School.
- Students may receive credit for languages not offered at Gunn provided that the school is accredited and that prior approval has been granted.