The Mission of TMI's World Languages Department is to prepare our motivated students to communicate with respect and cultural understanding in more than one language, accomplishing such preparation through a curriculum that incorporates linguistics, literature, culture and history as well as offering our students opportunities to interact with outside communities to use the target language.    

Communication through language is at the core of the entire human experience. How human societies cluster together in language families brings a beautiful kaleidoscope of vitality to our world cultures. What languages to focus study on is an ongoing discussion. Do we study other languages for economic benefit or to gain experiences that enrich our lives?

At TMI Episcopal we have chosen Latin and Spanish as our world languages of study. Latin has been offered at TMI since 1893. It is the mother language of Western society and the basis for so much of our modern culture. Our Latin classes are small, close knit and quite active in local and national competitions.

Spanish is the language of study for 75% of our students, the native language of a number of our students and the first European language of Texas. Students want to study Spanish at TMI for the reality of local history and our proximity to Mexico. Our Spanish teachers’ goal is to get students speaking and comprehending from the first level. We are proud to have a good number of students study Spanish beyond the required courses.

What World Languages long-term transfer goals should all TMI Episcopal graduates achieve?

• Understand and appreciate other cultures and experience them through travel and through active engagement in the community and abroad.
• Demonstrate comfort and confidence communicating in a second language.
• Communicate effectively in the second language in multiple settings and various types of audiences.
• Display appropriate cultural understanding when communicating in the second language.
• Apply linguistic knowledge to deepen understanding of a second language.
• Value productive struggle and the process of acquiring a new language.
• Make interdisciplinary and etymological connections within and between languages to become a more engaged global citizen.