Upper School Modern & Classical Languages

  • French 3 Honors

    Prerequisite: French 2 Honors or French 2 and departmental approval
    This is the honors level of a required course for students who elect French as their foreign language. It offers students the opportunity to practice listening and speaking, and reading and writing, with particular attention to the acquisition of useful and correct speech patterns. Students gain skills through mastery of vocabulary, grammar and reading materials that are graded by degrees of increasing difficulty. Introduction to other cultures is part of language study, from simple awareness of the ways people express themselves, to readings that give a more specific and more sophisticated view of French civilizations. Honors courses are offered in Levels 2 and 3. Student performance each year determines whether or not they will be recommended for the honors course the following year.

  • Chinese 1

    In this beginning course students learn pronunciation patterns, tones and basic grammatical structures. Students learn to converse simply and are introduced to write simplified Chinese characters. By the end of first year, students will have completed Volume 1 of the text series "Contemporary Chinese" and will have mastered roughly 350 characters.

  • Chinese 2 / 2 Honors

    Prerequisite: Chinese 1
    Students continue with series "Contemporary Chinese" to work on Chinese grammar and vocabulary, which approximately doubles their knowledge of words and characters. They will master most of the basic grammar structures in Chinese. Emphasis is placed on oral proficiency and short written works using the structures they learned. By the end of Chinese 2, students will finish Volume 2 in the text series and can expect to have mastered about 700 characters.

  • Chinese 5H / Intermediate Mid

    Prerequisite: Chinese 4
    Students continue with text series "Contemporary Chinese" Volume 4. This course aims to help students solidify their knowledge of spoken and written Chinese. It deals with topics related to history, social sciences and current events. Students reinforce fluency through written work and oral presentations. Authentic resources (newspaper, magazines, literature and TV shows ) are used.

  • AP French Language

    Prerequisite: French 4 Honors, or French 4 with departmental approval (and a possible assessment test).
    The course will emphasize effective use of the language for active communication and will help students develop the following: a French vocabulary sufficiently ample for reading a variety of literary texts, plays, short stories, poetry, newspapers, magazines, and other non-technical writings, without undue dependence on a dictionary; the ability to understand spoken French in a variety of contexts; and the ability to express themselves reasonably coherently and with reasonable fluency and accuracy in both written and spoken French. Students in this course are required to take the AP French Language Exam in May.

  • Latin 1

    Students learn to read and comprehend Latin while studying the basic elements of grammar, vocabulary, and syntax. As 60% of English vocabulary comes directly or indirectly from Latin, students will frequently discuss and explore English derivatives when learning new Latin vocabulary. The textbook, Ecce Romani, features stories based on Roman daily life in the 1st century. Students will also learn a variety of Latin phrases and abbreviations still used today. Roman culture and history are an integral part of the course.

  • Latin 2

    Prerequisite: Latin 1
    Students review the grammar and vocabulary of Latin 1 while beginning the second book of the Oxford Latin Course. This course follows the life of Quintus Horatius Flaccus, the famous Roman poet who coined the phrase carpe diem. As the students continue their study of the language, they will be exposed to more complex syntax as well as new vocabulary. While studying the language, students will also explore topics of Roman culture and history of the 1st century BCE, the time of Caesar and Augustus. In addition to the Oxford Latin Course, we will read authentic Latin in forms of selections from By Roman Hands: Inscriptions and Graffiti for Students of Latin.

  • Latin 3

    Prerequisite: Latin 2
    Latin 3 begins with a review of the vocabulary and grammar of Latin 2, with an emphasis on developing reading competence. After finishing the third book of the Oxford Latin Course, students will begin to read authentic Latin literature. Students will be introduced to Latin prose by reading The Millionaire's Dinner Party, selections adapted from the Satyricon of Petronius. At the end of the year, students will be introduced to Latin poetry by reading Catullus, Ovid, Horace, and Martial.

  • Latin 3 / 3 Honors

    Prequisite: Latin 2 with departmental approval
    Latin 3 Honors begins with a review of the vocabulary and grammar of Latin 2, with an emphasis on developing reading competence. After finishing the third book of the Oxford Latin Course, students will begin to read authentic Latin literature. Students will be introduced to Latin prose by reading Fabulae Romanae, stories adapted from Livy's Ab Urbe Condita. This will be followed by an exploration of Cicero's life and career that will find us reading unadapted selections of many of his speeches, essays, and personal letters. This course will prepare students for AP Latin.

  • AP Spanish Language

    Prerequisite: Spanish 4 Honors, or Spanish 4 (Civilization and Culture Through Film) with departmental approval (and a possible assessment test). In very exceptional cases, an outstanding student currently in Spanish 3 Honors may be given permission to skip Spanish 4 Honors and advance directly into AP Spanish Language.

     

    The course will emphasize effective use of the language for active communication and will help students develop the following: a Spanish vocabulary sufficiently ample for reading a variety of literary texts, newspapers and magazines without undue dependence on a dictionary; the ability to understand spoken Spanish in a variety of contexts (television, radio broadcasts, movies); the ability to express themselves with reasonable accuracy, coherency, and fluency in both written and spoken Spanish. Some of the topics covered include the environment, business and globalization, immigration, technology, other current events. Students in this course are required to take the AP Spanish Language Exam in May.

     

  • Spanish 4/5 - Latin American Civilization

    Prerequisite: Spanish 3
    This elective course in Spanish examines the history, literature, religion, politics, arts and social customs of Spain through film, videos, music and literary selections. The course begins with the study of the unique geography of the peninsula and then explores the early history culminating in the viewing of the film version of the first literary work of Spain, "El Cid." The study of history and the exploration of literature continue with the films "Man of La Mancha," "Marcelino pan y vino" and "La Regenta." The films "Santos Inocentes," "Cría," "Don Juan," "Mi amor," and "Mitad del cielo" focus on sociological issues such as the rigorous class system that existed and the traditional and changing roles of men and women in society. Particular attention is paid to the Spanish Civil War with the viewing of a BBC video about the history of the War and two films by the renowned Spanish director, Carlos Saura - "¡Ay, Carmela!" and "La caza." Typical assignments include answering questions and/or writing summaries about the movies, discussion of the movies during class (in Spanish), and independent projects. It is strongly recommended that students who enroll in this class have an interest in history and that they be aware that the themes of the movies can be mature.

  • Spanish 4 Honors

    Prerequisite: Spanish 3 Honors or Spanish 3 with departmental approval (and a possible assessment test).
    This course is designed to enhance and refine students' oral and written performance in Spanish. Spanish IV Honors will be taught entirely in Spanish while the textbook contains some explanations and instructions in English. Students will be reading numerous texts in Spanish as well as participating in discussions, writing essays, and examining the more complex structures of the language. This course is for students who already have an intermediate level of Spanish and wish to better their communicative skills and pronunciation. The emphasis is set on situational every day conversation and certain cultural issues. The methodology enhances structured speech to provide a firm base in patterns of spoken Spanish with progression towards free conversation. The objective is for students to acquire a high level of communicative Spanish that will permit them to express their opinions and thoughts.
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