Thank you for visiting the Foreign Language page at Morton Jr. High School! My name is Zach Statham and I am the 7th and 8th grade World Language teacher at MJHS. This is my 14th year of teaching, but only my 1st year at MJHS.  I earned my bachelors degree from Monmouth College in 2012 and my masters degree from Greenville University in 2019. My career in education began teaching 3rd grade in South Pekin, Illinois, which I did for 6 years. After that I taught 5th grade at Central Intermediate School in Monmouth, Illinois. I also have been the boys Varsity soccer coach at East Peoria High School for 6 years and then the boys and girls Varsity soccer coach at Monmouth-Roseville High school for 6 years. I am also now the Varsity soccer coach for the boys and girls team at Morton High School. I love introducing students to new cultures and languages and seeing their excitement as they learn about the world around them. I have lived and taught in Thailand for one school year teaching English and I also lived in Mexico during my summers in college and love traveling to learn more about our amazing planet and the people that live on it. I am so excited to be here in Morton and embark on this journey with the students. I look forward to a great school year!

7th Grade (9 weeks): World Language Survey (Mandarin, Russian, and Arabic)

8th Grade (9 weeks): World Language Survey (Spanish & French)

In both the 7th and 8th grade foreign language courses, we will explore target language and cultures through several various methods and activities. Students will explore language through the TPRS® method (Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling®) as well as through activities that incorporate TPS (Total Physical Response).  Students will be active in their learning, engaging in language acquisition as apposed to memorizing words or phrases. Gracias amigos y padres, looking forward to a great year!