The BHS World Language Department

  • Brighton High School offers a choice of French, German, or Spanish. Students who have completed grades 6, 7, and 8 in the middle school are enrolled in Level 2 or 2 Honors French, German, or Spanish, and usually continue into Levels 3, 3 Honors, Intermediate, and Advanced Placement courses as they progress through high school. Advanced Placement courses are college courses taught to high school students who may gain either college credit or advanced college standing, or both, while enrolled in high school. Some colleges and universities grant sophomore standing to successful Advanced Placement students.

    The French, German, and Spanish courses are excellent preparation for students who like to understand, speak, read, and write these languages and who are preparing themselves for careers in mathematics, music, science, business, travel, teaching, and scientific careers.

    Video and audio internet recordings, foreign films, foreign magazines and newspapers, and supplementary readers at all levels introduce the students to other cultures. Technology is being used in the programs with the availability of the World Language Department Mobile Cart or the Humanities Computer Lab. Field trips and active language clubs reinforce and extend the cultural aspects of language study. Teachers and native language assistants help students of French, German, and Spanish with reading, writing skills, oral reports, dramatic presentations, and cultural projects.

    Students are prepared for the Local Comprehensive Examinations (which follow the Level 3 year of study and receive Regents credit), College Entrance Board Achievement and Proficiency Tests, Advanced Placement Examinations, national language contests, Student  Exchange programs, and for general success in using language skills in the world of work and travel. Student Exchange Programs are available in two modern languages at this time: French and German. Students of these languages can participate in school-to-school programs by hosting a foreign student or visiting the partner school. Students of Spanish can participate in a trip to Spain.

    World Language Teaching Staff for the 2023- 2024 School Year Include:

    Nicole Baker, Spanish

    Jessica Beh, French

    Isabelle Cirulli, Spanish  

    Suzanne Crowley, Spanish

    Heike Geiger, German

    Krystyna Growney, French; Department Coordinator  

    Rita Harris Proctor, Spanish    

    Laura Hernandez, Spanish

    Rachel River, French & Spanish

    Questions about the World Language department staff or program? Contact the Coordinator, Krystyna Growney : 

    --email: Krystyna_growney@bcsd.org

    --phone: 585-242-5000