Most people view language as a barrier. A barrier of communication, travel, or even culture. However, thanks to the LFHS Foundation, the barriers of language are being torn down to make way for the students of LFHS.

As you may know, the Lake Forest High School Foundation has been providing grants to better our school since 2002. The projects the Foundation takes on are of no small significance, insofar as they have restored and refurbished outdated rooms, updated technology, and are consistently placing LFHS on the cusp of cutting-edge innovation. They have installed widescreen monitors around the school, work tables, comfortable seating arrangements, and aesthetically pleasing atmosphere in almost every classroom, ensuring a creative space for students, essentially giving new life to otherwise unused rooms in the school.

The Language Labs, in particular–located in the basement World Language hallway–are a prime example of a renovated space space. Located in the southeast corner of the basement by the World Language department office, the two rooms are, in student vernacular, “decked out to the max.” The first Language Lab serves primarily as a computer lab. 30 Dell computers line the desks with headphones attached to the side. Different flags of countries stretch across the isles, adding to the feel of the room. Señora Levinson, an LFHS Spanish Teacher, reported that she primarily takes her classes to the computer lab for online AAPL tests and AP testing as do most of the other teachers. She noted that it is a great space because it is so quiet and there are limited environmental distractions, ultimately helping the students focus on their language tests or practice programs.

Just next door to the computer lab is the other Language Lab. Upon walking in, it immediately feels like a whole different atmosphere. “It just feels like a college setting” a practicing Spanish student remarked. The double doors open to a brightly colored room with comfortable seating arrangements. Half the room is arranged with large couches and chairs that help incite a creative work environment, which is ideal for students. On the other side of the room are two work tables in which students are able to write on using dry erase markers. There is a multi-outlet power strip that splits the center of each table for students to charge up their devices, and a large monitor mounted on the wall above the table.