English - Language Arts
"Literature and the arts are also, in their own way, of great importance to the life of the Church. They strive to make known the proper nature of man, his problems and his experiences in trying to know and perfect both himself and the world. They have much to do with revealing man’s place in history and in the world; with illustrating the miseries and joys, the needs and strengths of man and with foreshadowing a better life for him. Thus they are able to elevate human life, expressed in multifold forms according to various times and regions."
-St. John Paul the Great, Gaudium et Spes, 1965, #62
The classical approach to Language arts empowers students to excel in reading, speaking, and critical thinking. To achieve this, it's important for them to comprehend how language operates at both the word level and in terms of speech components, which form the bedrock of constructing persuasive arguments. Proficient reading involves not only efficiency but also the ability to extract insightful meaning from texts.
Exploring language and narratives serves as an entry point to fundamental human inquiries. Students are encouraged to critically analyze stories and engage in thoughtful discussions. Students are empowered to evaluate a character's choices, contemplate the consequences of their actions, and appreciate the significance of truth. They examine whether a story or character embodies fairness, justice, or beauty, and consider the emotional impact of a story. Furthermore, they begin to identify the importance of symbols and foreshadowing.
The study and recitation of poetry not only improve memory and recitation skills but also serve as a gateway to insight and truth. The study of language and literature complements the exploration of history and culture by providing a deeper understanding of them. For instance, it can illustrate how the theme of life as a perilous journey 'home' as depicted in the works of Homer and Virgil, is transformed in Christianity and reflected in a millennium of Christian literary and visual art. Additionally, the study of Latin (and, when applicable, Greek) serves as a parallel to the study of history, religion, and English grammar.