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Bienvenue au département de français d’Edgemont.
Why do we study French? Beyond the obvious beauty of the language, there are so many different reasons to learn and study French.
French is a vibrant world language that is spoken across all the continents. Fifty-five countries and over 250 million people speak French as their first or second language. As French-speakers, students will become active members of the large and diverse Francophone community throughout the world.
In addition to learning a beautiful language, students will cultivate an appreciation for the arts including literature (recognized by numerous Nobel prizes), fashion, visual arts, architecture, and culinary arts. French cinema is an important asset in the movie industry with events like the Cannes International Film Festival which celebrates and promotes the best in the business. As students watch authentic French -language movies, they will develop a strong understanding, respect and interest in cultural diversity and will gain new perspectives on different aspects of their lives.
The French language provides students with tools that will help with English literacy (including benefits on the verbal section of the SAT and ACT) and will enhance their understanding of grammar. French will give students advantages in all career fields. After English, French is the second language on the Internet. French is also the official language of several major international organizations which are leaders in government and humanitarian causes including the United Nations, UNESCO, NATO, the Red Cross, Doctors without Borders and the International Olympic Committee.
One of Edgemont’s strategic goals is to create “authentic opportunities to foster students' understanding of their roles as local and global citizens.” As such, learning to speak a second language, such as French, is essential in enhancing a greater understanding of the world.
Laura Cantor began her teaching career in 1997 and joined the Edgemont faculty in 2006. Before coming to Edgemont, she taught at The Episcopal Academy, The Cathedral School and The Rodeph Sholom School. Ms. Cantor graduated from Carleton College with a major in French language and literature and received her MA in Spanish from Columbia University. She holds NY State certification in both French and Spanish. She has presented at the Northeast Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages and has participated in a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities. At Edgemont, she has taught levels 1-3 in both French and Spanish.
Beatrice Spinali, a native speaker of French, came to study in the United States at age 20. She is a graduate of Marymount College in Tarrytown, NY, and received her MA in French from the College of New Rochelle. She has been teaching since 2000 and joined the Edgemont faculty in 2006. Before Edgemont, she taught for 5 years at Hackley school in Tarrytown. Mrs. Spinali has taught all the courses in the French program from 7th grade through 12th grade. She is currently teaching French 7/1A, 8/2B, 4 Advanced Honors, and 5 Advanced Honors. She is a long-time member of American Association of Teachers of French (AATF) and she is the President of AATF Westchester Chapter.
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