Webb believes that language study is a vital part of any high school education, fostering an understanding of other cultures and preparing students to become citizens of the world. Our eclectic curriculum focuses on building practical communications skills through exposure to authentic language and culture, from news broadcasts and magazine articles to poetry and even soap operas.

Our small class sizes allow a seminar-like classroom format, going beyond the textbook to emphasize student participation and in-class language use. We challenge students to develop their idiomatic fluency with practical exercises like singing pop songs and writing and performing their own original skits and dialogues. Each student has ample opportunity to be heard, allowing them to gain confidence in writing, listening, and speaking that will serve them well in the real world.

Webb requires at least three years of language study, and we strongly recommend that all students complete four years of study. We offer comprehensive French and Spanish programs, including both honors and AP courses, as well as participation in national French and Spanish exams. Webb launched a Chinese language program in 2011-2012.

Foreign language teachers represent a variety of languages and experiences: three native Spanish speakers represent both Latin America and Spain; one Spanish teacher is fluent in Farsi and another is fluent in German and proficient in Mandarin Chinese and Korean; a French teacher is fluent in Arabic. The teachers of foreign languages at Webb have on average more than 10 years of experiences.