World Languages

World Languages at Vistamar

Learning world languages opens many doors to personal, professional and academic development. It provides a critical perspective through which students understand their individual identity and global community. Vistamar students are prepared to be orally proficient and culturally competent — to communicate effectively in real-life situations, and to know what language is appropriate depending on the context.

Department Objectives

Be orally proficient
Be culturally competent
Develop a broader understanding of global community
Possess a deeper sense of one´s identity
Foster opportunities for academic, professional & personal growth

Oral Proficiency Requirements

Vistamar students study at least one language other than English for a minimum of three years. To achieve a higher level of proficiency, students are encouraged to take a fourth year course. To reflect both local and global cultures, three distinctive programs are offered: Mandarin Chinese, Spanish, and Heritage Spanish. Small groups of students are provided with individualized support as they develop oral proficiency in an intimate, student-centered setting.

In order to qualify for the Vistamar diploma, all students must pass an oral proficiency test in a second language in addition to fulfilling the minimum course requirement. Students must attain a minimum level of “Intermediate” based on standards established by the American Council of Teachers of Foreign Language (ACTFL). Students in the Heritage Spanish program must attain a minimum level of “Advanced-Low” in both speaking and writing.

Spanish & Mandarin Courses

Spanish (I-IV)
Honors Spanish II,III
AP Spanish Language and Culture
Topics in Advanced Spanish (Honors) - Literature and Film
Spanish III - Heritage Speakers
Honors Spanish IV - Heritage Speakers
Mandarin Chinese (I-IV)
AP Chinese Language and Culture

Meet the Faculty

List of 5 members.

Hugo Carrillo

World Languages Dept. Chair, Spanish Faculty
Bio
Hugo, also known as “Profe” by most of his former students, colleagues, and parents, is a passionate Spanish teacher and educator. After graduating from Indiana University-Bloomington with a BA in Liberal Studies-Spanish, Hugo joined Teach For America and taught in Baltimore City for 4 years. Realizing that he loved working with kids, instead of pursuing a career in academia or being a vagabond as previously planned, he received a Masters of Arts in Teaching from Johns Hopkins University and continued his journey in education. Most recently, he helped found The City School in 2012 as the Spanish teacher, and co-led the school as a Principal between 2018-2021. Outside of school, Hugo loves spending time with his family, friends, surfing, running, reading, meditating, and acting like he knows how to dance salsa.
Andrea Hernandez

World Languages Faculty - Spanish
Bio
Maestra Andrea began her time at Vistamar unlike most other teachers. In the Spring of 2022, she was called to substitute teach at the school for a day. She didn’t know that the day would end up turning into a long-term substitute position, staying at Vistamar until the end of the year. She fell in love with the students, sense of community, and her colleagues, so much so that when the opportunity arose to continue teaching at the school as a Vistamar faculty member, she couldn’t say no. She is excited to be part of the Vistamar community officially and help students develop a love for learning Spanish. Maestra Andrea is a native from Spain, with a Master’s in Teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language from the University of Nebrija (Madrid). She’s worked in places such as the esteemed Cervantes Institute and taught at the University of Cairo. During her free time she loves to spend time with her dogs Chocolate and Baluza, walking on the beach or having some tea at a cafe.
Francisco Montilla

World Languages Faculty - Spanish & Heritage Spanish
Bio
Francisco Montilla recently moved to Los Angeles from Miami where he pursued his MS degree in Spanish from Nova Southeastern University. For 15 years, Francisco taught Spanish Literature in an American-International school in Caracas, Venezuela, his country of origin. In 2010, he moved abroad and taught Spanish in Curacao and in Lima, Peru.
Emily Pryor

World Languages Faculty - Spanish
Bio
Emily Pryor graduated from Earlham College with a B.A. in Spanish and Latin American Studies. She spent one year abroad studying in Valparaiso, Chile, and five weeks in Curacao studying a creole language, Papiamentu. Right out of college she moved to Philadelphia, PA and worked as an immigration paralegal. Shortly after, she landed a job teaching language at an independent school. While teaching in Philadelphia she earned her Masters in Secondary Education (M.S.ed.) at St. Joseph’s University. In 2013, Emily moved across the country to Riverside, CA to begin her PhD in Spanish at UC Riverside. Her dissertation concentrates on indigenous cultural production in Mexico and Central America and during her tenure at UCR, she was awarded numerous grants to conduct research and study the indigenous language of Tsotsil in Chiapas, Mexico. Since graduating, Emily has taught Spanish at Chapman University and now at Vistamar School. Emily teaches yoga in the Southbay, dances with a latin-dance company in Downey, and enjoys hiking and camping with her daughter, husband and friends. Her love of languages and learning, and international experience drives her to share that with her students.
Eric Shi

World Languages Faculty - Mandarin
Bio
Eric Shi joined Vistamar School from Thacher School where he taught Mandarin Chinese for 9 years. Before Thacher School, he worked as a high school English teacher in China for over twenty years, as well as, Iowa State University for three years. He holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Beijing Foreign Studies University and an MA in Applied Linguistics/TESOL from Iowa State University. In his free time he enjoys teaching, playing table tennis, and making dumplings.