We offer the following languages (click on the language to view its curriculum): Hebrew, Mandarin, Russian, and Spanish. Kindergartners will select one of these languages with a second language added beginning in first grade.
Hebrew Curriculum
Moving from Knowledge to Function
The Hebrew curriculum at Lumen Academy is designed to help students move beyond memorization toward meaningful, practical use of the language. Our goal is for students to develop functional Hebrew skills in reading, listening comprehension, speaking, and writing.
Students learn to use Hebrew vocabulary and grammar in real-life contexts, such as introducing themselves, participating in simple conversations, understanding Hebrew songs, recognizing familiar words and phrases, and feeling more connected when encountering Hebrew in Jewish holidays, Israeli culture, or travel to Israel.
n addition to language development, the curriculum introduces students to Jewish holidays, traditions, and customs. Students also learn about Israel’s communities, geography, culture, weather, and food. Through these experiences, the program helps students build a connection to the Jewish world, Hebrew language, and Israel.
Program Overview
Teaching Approach
Instruction follows a structured progression to help students learn, practice, apply, and retain new material:
- Introduction: New vocabulary, expressions, and grammatical structures are introduced through repetition, simulations, word games, songs, and guided discovery.
- Practice: Working with materials in different contexts to strengthen comprehension and confidence.
- Assessment: Internalization checks through informal assessments, oral practice, written work, and classroom activities.
- Fluency: Revisit and apply knowledge in new situations to build long-term retention.
Authentic Experiences
Students engage with the Hebrew language and culture through a variety of meaningful, hands-on activities:
- Classroom simulations: Self-introductions, structured dialogues, and describing personal photos.
- Music & Culture: Children’s rhymes and authentic Israeli songs.
- Traditions: Interactive Jewish holiday learning, customs, and celebrations.
- Exploration: Discovering Israel through maps, weather, food, and cultural topics.
Units of Study
The curriculum moves from the familiar to the broader world, connecting concrete topics to abstract concepts:
- Myself & Family: Self-introductions, getting to know others, family dynamics, birthdays, numbers, days of the week, and Hebrew/Gregorian months.
- Daily Life & School: School subjects, friends, my house, meals of the day, and food groups.
- World & Environment: Clothing, body parts, seasons, weather, and celebrations.
- Integrated Concepts: Colors, numbers, and cultural context woven through all foundational units.
Through this curriculum, students build both language skills and cultural understanding, helping them use Hebrew with growing confidence and purpose.
Mandarin Curriculum
The Mandarin curriculum is thoughtfully designed to support students’ language development across all grade levels through a progressive and age-appropriate approach. Informed by ACTFL standards, the program integrates listening, speaking, reading, and writing to promote real-world communication, intercultural competence, and task-based learning through engaging, interactive lessons.
Grades 1 – 2
Pinyin & Vocabulary / 拼音与词汇
- Learn initials, finals, and tones in Pinyin (认识声母、韵母、声调)
- Read common words and expand daily vocabulary (拼读常见词汇并扩充生活词汇)
- Recognize basic radicals (认识基本部首)
- Distinguish and use the four tones in sentences (听辨并运用四声)
Grammar & Conversation / 语法与会话
- Grammar: Understand basic nouns, verbs, simple sentence patterns, and number expressions (名词、动词及简单句型初步).
- Conversation: Basic greetings, self-introductions, short dialogues, and daily role-play (基本问候、自我介绍及日常交流).
Reading & Writing / 阅读与书写
- Reading: Read simple words, short sentences, rhymes, and songs (阅读简单词句、儿歌与童谣).
- Writing: Write basic strokes, simple words, trace text, and copy short passages (书写基本笔画、词语并临摹短文).
Grades 3 – 5
Pinyin & Vocabulary / 拼音与词汇
- Master Pinyin and tones (熟练拼音与四声运用)
- Expand daily-life vocabulary and common verbs (扩充生活词汇及常用动词)
- Understand common adverbs and fixed expressions (理解常用副词与固定搭配)
Grammar & Conversation / 语法与会话
- Grammar: Express dates and time, use measure words, basic questions, conjunctions, and simple negation (日期时间表达、量词运用及否定句).
- Conversation: Describe daily life, express likes/needs, role-play asking for directions or shopping (描述日常生活、问路及购物情景对话).
Reading & Writing / 阅读与书写
- Reading: Read short stories, dialogues, rhymes, fairy tales, and simple fables (阅读故事、儿歌、童话与寓言).
- Writing: Write simple sentences, copy/rewrite sample text, and write short paragraphs (书写简单句、仿写并书写短段落).
Grades 6 – 8
Pinyin & Vocabulary / 拼音与词汇
- Consolidate Pinyin, tones, and expand complex daily vocabulary (稳固拼音并扩充日常词汇)
- Learn common adjectives, adverbs, and recognize homophones (学习常用形容词、副词并认识同音词)
- Learn basic idioms and everyday expressions (积累基础成语与日常用语)
Grammar & Conversation / 语法与会话
- Grammar: Simple compound sentences, time/place expressions, and flexible combined structures (综合句型、复合句及时间地点表达).
- Conversation: Discuss hobbies, experiences, plans, intentions; deliver short speeches and discussions (讨论兴趣经历、表达计划意愿及简短演讲).
Reading & Writing / 阅读与书写
- Reading: Read basic articles, short stories, cultural texts, and adapted literary stories (阅读说明文、文化文章及改编文学故事).
- Writing: Write 3–4 sentence paragraphs, rewrite short texts, and maintain simple diaries (书写短段落、仿写短文及写简单日记).
Russian curriculum
Our Russian curriculum incorporates materials licensed from a number of the world’s premier Russian-language teacher training institutions. Each level includes both practical work with the language (grammar, reading, writing, listening) and the study of Russian literature of various genres and eras. The program also involves the integration of games, projects and other interactive teaching methods to ensure maximum effectiveness and interest in the material being studied.
Kindergarten
Alphabet and Sounds
- Study of Russian letters and their sounds
- Writing letters in handwriting
- Practice reading and writing words from basic vocabulary groups
- Deepening knowledge of the alphabet and expanding vocabulary
Grammar
- Forming simple sentences using nouns and verbs
- Formation of simple interrogative sentences
- Mastering the rules for agreeing nouns and adjectives
Literature
- Introduction to Russian fairy tales and poems: reading and discussion
- Game activities based on fairy tales
- Reading and discussing simple texts and stories in Russian
- Role-playing games based on fairy tales
- Studying famous fairy tales and poems
- Creative activities to create your own stories and drawings
Grades 1 – 2
Alphabet & Vocabulary
- Practice reading and writing words of different categories
Grammar
- Mastering the rules for declension of singular nouns
- Studying pronouns and their use in sentences
- Studying the rules for forming the plural of nouns
- Introduction to the basics of verb tenses (present tense)
- Studying the rules for forming the genitive case of nouns
- Familiarization with adjectives and their use in sentences
Reading, Analysis & Writing
- Reading and analysis of short texts of different genres
- Write simple descriptive texts about yourself, your friends and family
- Reading and discussing more complex texts of different genres
- Study of the basic elements of plot and composition
Literature
- Reading and discussion of simple texts, fairy tales, poems
- Studying the life and work of famous children’s writers
- Study of famous fairy tales, legends and myths
- Creating mini-projects based on the works read
Grades 3 – 4
Grammar
- Studying the rules of formation of all cases of nouns
- Mastering the rules for forming singular and plural adjectives
- In-depth study of the rules for conjugating verbs of different types
- Introduction to the rules for forming comparative and superlative degrees of adjectives
- Taking a deeper dive into verb tenses: the past tense and its different forms
- Repetition and consolidation of the learned rules of noun declension and verb conjugation
Reading & Analysis
- Reading and discussion of works of various genres (stories, poems, news)
- Analysis of key ideas and images in texts
- Reading and discussion of more complex texts of different genres
- Analysis of linguistic means and stylistic devices
- Analysis of characters, plots and themes of works
Literature
- Studying the biographies of famous writers and poets
- Reading adapted versions of works by classics of Russian literature
- Studying the works of famous children’s writers and poets with an in-depth analysis
- Creating short book reviews or analyzes of books read
Grades 5 – 6
Grammar
- Deepening the study of verb tenses: present, past, future tense
- Introduction to the rules for forming complex sentences
- In-depth study of the rules for using tenses and voices in various types of sentences
- Mastering the rules for using different types and tenses of verbs in speech
- Repetition and consolidation of learned grammatical topics
- Deepening the study of complex grammatical structures: indirect speech, conditional sentences, etc.
Reading & Analysis
- Reading and discussion of works of classics of children’s literature from different eras and styles
- Study of key themes and motifs in literary works
- Reading and discussion of works of different genres: stories, poems, excerpts from novels
- Studying the structure of works and the role of the author’s intonation
- Reading and discussion of works by modern authors and modern literature
- Analysis of themes and symbolism in works
Literature
- Analysis of plots and images in the works of famous authors
- Creating short essays or reviews of works read
- Study the works of Russian classics (Pushkin, Lermontov, Chekhov) with an emphasis on artistic features and historical context
- Drawing up analytical theses or abstracts about works
- Study of works of various genres and styles presented in modern literature
- Preparation for presentations or reports on modern literature and its authors
Grades 7 – 8
Grammar
- Deepening the study of verb tenses: imperative mood, participles, gerunds
- Mastering complex grammatical structures: complex sentences with various types of subordinate clauses
- Deepening into the study of syntactic structures: circumstances of time, place, manner of action
- Mastering the rules of stylistics and stylistic analysis of texts
- Repetition and systematization of studied material in grammar
- Preparation for exams and tests, including completing grammar exercises and tasks
Reading & Analysis
- Reading and discussion of works of various genres: prose, poetry, drama
- The study of the structure and composition of literary works
- Reading and discussion of works of various styles and movements: realism, symbolism, modernism, etc.
- Study of the characteristic features and themes of works of different literary eras
- Reading and discussion of works by modern authors and modern literature
- Analysis of themes, symbolism and motives in modern literature
Literature
- The study of works of Russian and foreign literature of the 19th century with an emphasis on the analysis in the context of the historical era
- Preparation of analytical reports or essays about works
- Analysis and interpretation of works by Russian and foreign avant-garde and modernists
- Conducting discussions and debates about current topics and issues raised in literary works
- Study of modern literary trends and trends
- Preparation for independent analysis and interpretation of literary works for subsequent defense at class or school events
Spanish Curriculum
Building Communication & Cultural Understanding
The Spanish curriculum at Lumen Academy is designed to help students develop practical communication skills while deepening their understanding of Spanish-speaking cultures. Students build vocabulary, grammar, listening comprehension, speaking confidence, reading skills, and written expression through interactive and meaningful language experiences.
Our goal is for students to use Spanish in real-life contexts, including everyday conversations, descriptions, opinions, personal experiences, and cultural discussions. Instruction is leveled so that students can grow from their current level of proficiency while being appropriately challenged.
Levels of Proficiency
Levels 3-8A & 3-8C
For students ready to expand vocabulary, strengthen grammar, and build foundational fluency in basic situations:
- Topics: Detailed conversations, descriptions of people and places, daily routines, everyday life, and community settings.
- Grammar: Commonly used tenses (present, basic past, near future) and proper use of gender and number.
- Key Skills: Participation in everyday conversations, reading short texts, writing simple paragraphs, and building listening comprehension.
Level 3-8B
For students with a solid foundation who are ready to strengthen natural communication skills:
- Topics: Fluent and natural conversations, expressing personal opinions, and sharing personal experiences.
- Writing & Reading: Reading adapted texts and writing short compositions, including letters, narratives, and opinion pieces.
- Key Skills: Confident oral communication, understanding complex spoken/written Spanish, clear writing, and strong cultural awareness.
Instructional Approach
Spanish instruction is grounded in communicative language teaching, with an emphasis on participation, practice, and individual progress. Students learn through interactive activities, educational games, conversations, reading, writing, listening exercises, and carefully selected digital tools such as Duolingo and other language-learning platforms.
Through this curriculum, students develop both language ability and cultural understanding, helping them communicate with growing confidence, curiosity, and purpose.