“Nelson Mandela once said, 'If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.' He was so right. When you make the effort to speak someone else's language, even if it's just basic phrases here and there, you are saying to them, 'I understand that you have a culture and identity that exists beyond me. I see you as a human being”

- Trevor Noah, Born a Crime: Stories From a South African Childhood

The Sacred Heart Network spans the globe, so our students have opportunities to study abroad as well as host students from abroad who come to Forest Ridge on exchange. Each Forest Ridge student at some point will study an International Language. Language study is simultaneously humbling (there’s a steep learning curve in figuring out how to communicate) and empowering (we learn how to work with the tools we have).  

Becoming a polyglot gives your daughters not only a competitive edge but an empathetic one. As we grapple with language learning, we learn about other cultures and ways of living. Many students arrive at Forest Ridge already multilingual, or on their way to adding English to their language arsenal. We celebrate these gifts and encourage our students to exercise resilience as they take on the challenge of learning the language of their focus.

To read more about the benefits of language learning, please click on the link below. https://www.leadwithlanguages.org/why-learn-languages/top-ten-reasons-to-learn-languages/