Modern Languages

Chinese I is an introductory-level course designed to orient the beginning student properly within the Chinese language by introducing fundamental syntactic constructions along with basic vocabulary. We will also be promoting cognitive association between concepts and Chinese characters through character practice and study, and by facilitating culture-based learning. Emphasis is placed on pronunciation and listening skills as well as on recognizing and writing Chinese characters. Students will encounter various aspects of Chinese language and culture through projects and cultural activities.

Chinese II is a course intended to build upon and diversify the curriculum of Chinese I and Chinese B. The course introduces more Chinese characters as students broaden their range of vocabulary. Students will build up writing and reading skills along with practice listening and speaking. They will be required to produce more handwritten and typed compositions. The course continues to promote culture-based learning, with students delving deeply into Chinese culture through presentations, discussions and hands-on activities.

Chinese III continues to develop students’ proficiency in Chinese. Communication skills are stressed while there is an ongoing integration of culture and multimedia presentations. Students learn to write more characters and they are challenged with more spontaneous and authentic speaking situations through oral presentation and culture activities. This course finishes the foundational Chinese vocabulary and grammar. This course completes the Modern Language requirement for graduation.

Chinese IV continues to engage students in a variety of authentic and spontaneous conversations. Students also solidify their understanding of more complex grammar patterns and vocabulary through reading, multimedia presentations and projects. More cultural topics will be introduced and incorporated through daily discussions, watching Chinese movies, and reflection writing.

Chinese V focuses on expanding vocabulary and practicing the usage of grammar patterns through audio files, movies, projects, daily discussion, reading and writing. Topics will mainly relate to high school and college students’ lives and will also extend to the comparison with Chinese culture. Students will gain oral and aural proficiency as well as advanced reading and writing skills throughout the year.

Chinese VI will provide individual students with opportunities to reach the highest level of achievement through personalized instructions. Topics will mainly relate to Chinese geography, history, culture, and modern society. Through discussions, movies, projects, literature, debates and presentations, students will sharpen their communication skills and develop strategies for accessing authentic language.

French I is an introduction to the language and cultures of the French-speaking world. Students will develop skills in listening, reading, writing, and most importantly, speaking the language with confidence. This program presents a host of useful vocabulary for real-life situations, enriched by original sources in a variety of media.

This course is a continuation of the foundational skills introduced in French I. Students will expand their knowledge of basic grammar constructs and further develop and deepen the speaking, listening, writing, and reading skills necessary for continued study in the language. Students will study Francophone cultures through selected short story readings, games, videos, oral presentations, and multimedia projects.

This course is an intensive, accelerated study of French II. Students are urged to develop levels of fluency and continue in the development of grammatical skills. Classes are oral-based and students are expected to make frequent presentations to the class and contributions to class discussion. They extend their knowledge of the Francophone world through writing assignments, short stories, and discussion.

This course will continue to develop all of the skills previously studied in French I and II. Students will develop their level of fluency as they review and expand their knowledge of grammar with classes conducted in French. Students will read and discuss several short Francophone texts and will extend their knowledge through audiovisual material, oral presentations and multimedia projects. This course completes the Modern Language requirement for graduation.

This course is an intensive, accelerated study of French III. Students will develop their level of oral proficiency by speaking exclusively in French while reviewing and expanding accelerated grammar structures. The students will read several Francophone texts, a novel, and a play as they extend their knowledge of French-speaking countries through audiovisual materials, art, oral presentations, and multi-media projects. Students will develop both creative and analytical writing skills. This course completes the Modern Language requirement for graduation.

This course combines a gentle review of grammar with an emphasis on film and literature, focusing primarily on stories from the Francophone world. In addition, a great deal of emphasis is placed on current events and culture. Oral presentations, short essays and projects ranging from the study of French artists to WWII propaganda posters are also included. Students will expand their knowledge of French-speaking cultures through music, films and multimedia projects.

This course continues to develop the skills that have been studied in the previous levels of French. Students engage in a thorough review of complex grammar and nuanced vocabulary terms in order to speak more like native speakers as well as develop both their speaking and writing skills. Students also read selected works from the 17th to the 21st centuries and watch films with the goal of a deeper understanding of Francophone culture and history. Students are expected to practice their writing, speaking, and listening skills by communicating exclusively in French.

This course continues a survey of modern Francophone literature and media, focusing on contemporary history and culture. Students will review vocabulary and grammar constructs, as well as enhance their knowledge of French-speaking cultures through films, music, art, and multimedia projects. Oral presentations as well as analytical and creative writing assignments help develop students language proficiency.

French VH will focus on oral fluency using literature, film, history and current events. Readings will include Voltaire's Candide, Flaubert's Madame Bovary, Colombani's La Tresseand/or and/or Mariama Ba’s Une Si Longue Lettre. Films will include La Haine, La Jetée, les intouchables, and a television mini-series, Disparue. Students will be evaluated based on their oral participation, various required presentations and short critical essay writing.

Spanish I is an introduction to the language and cultures of the Spanish-speaking world. Students will develop skills in listening, reading, writing, and most importantly, speaking the language with confidence. This program presents a host of useful vocabulary for real-life situations, enriched by authentic sources in a variety of media.

This course is a continuation of the basic skills introduced in Spanish I. Students will expand their knowledge of basic grammar and further develop and deepen the speaking, listening, writing, and reading skills necessary for continued study in the language. Students will study Spanish culture through games, videos, oral presentations, and multimedia projects.

This course is an intensive, accelerated study of Spanish II. Students are urged to develop levels of fluency and continue in the development of grammatical skills. Classes are oral-based and students are expected to make frequent presentations to the class and contributions to class discussion. They extend their knowledge of the Spanish world through writing assignments, the reading of a novel, other short readings and discussion.

This course will continue to develop all of the skills previously studied in Spanish I and II. Students will develop their level of fluency as they review and expand their knowledge of grammar with classes conducted in Spanish. Students will also deepen their knowledge of social and global issues. They will extend their knowledge through audiovisual material, oral presentations and multimedia projects. This course completes the Modern Language requirement for graduation.

Spanish III Honors is an intensive and expanded study of Spanish III, covering vocabulary acquisition and grammar with a strong emphasis on oral proficiency. Students develop their level of oral proficiency by speaking exclusively in Spanish while reviewing and adding to accelerated grammar structures. Students learn about, investigate, and discuss current cultural themes in Spanish-speaking countries, demonstrating their comprehension through seminars, projects and presentations. Also, they read short stories by Latin American authors and watch films in the target language. Finally, the students focus on developing greater sophistication in their writing through a number of varied formsThis course completes the Modern Language requirement for graduation.

This course continues to develop the skills that have been studied in the previous levels of Spanish. Students will review grammar in order to improve their speaking and writing skills and integrate what they’ve learned in the previous years. Students will be exposed to readings, movies and other media from Spanish-speaking countries. The themes from these selections will form the basis of class discussions, projects, and short stories and essays. This course will emphasize speaking, listening and writing. Overall, the objective of the course is to increase a student’s confidence in using the language.

This course continues to develop the skills that have been studied in the previous levels of Spanish. Students will engage in a thorough review of complex grammar and nuanced vocabulary terms in order to speak more like native speakers as well as develop both their speaking and writing skills. Students will also read selected works from the 17th to the 21st centuries and watch films with the goal of a deeper understanding of Spanish-speaking culture and history. Students will be expected to practice their writing, speaking, and listening skills by communicating exclusively in Spanish.

Spanish V continues to foster reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills with an emphasis on improving oral communication. Students will strengthen their confidence and further develop their ability to think critically and communicate effectively in Spanish. In this course, students will examine the representation of diverse Spanish speakers in film, music, literature, and art, and dismantle the myth of the Spanish-speaking world as a monolith. Toward the end of the course, students will explore travel, volunteer, and career applications for Spanish skills beyond the classroom.

Spanish V Honors will focus on conversation fluency while sharpening grammar skills and expanding vocabulary. From caballeros to conquistadores to criollos, the Spanish have a flair for both noble and ignoble pursuits. Tracing the adventurous spirit as evinced in diaries of discoveries, and testimonies of cultures in contact, students will come to understand what motivated the era of discovery, the riches it brought, the destruction it wrought, and the synthesis of societies that we find today in Latin America. Students will continue their journey through Central and South America, exploring the development of language, culture, literature, film and current events from the South American Spanish-speaking countries. Sources will include current media as well as works of literature, music and the visual arts.