Academics
Courses | Language
The World Languages Department requires that a student earn a grade of 70 or better in order to be eligible to move on to the next level of any given language. Exceptions are at the discretion of the department. All courses meet four periods pert week for 4 points credit per term. Unless otherwise noted courses are college prep weight.
Girls Language Courses |
Boys Language Courses |
| Latin 1 – Grade 9† | Latin 1 – Grade 9† |
| This is an introductory Latin course which aims to give students a grasp of the fundamentals of Classical Latin and ancient Roman culture. With the use of a reading-based textbook, Ecce Romani I, students use readings in Latin to generate an understanding of the basics of grammar. These same readings generate study of related cultural topics. Students are exposed to extensive use of oral Latin in the classroom and learn to both understand spoken Latin and to respond in Latin to basic work in grammar and comprehension, as well as some limited Latin composition. A $10.00 supply fee is due the first day of class. Course material is supplemented by gender-focused readings on the place of women in Roman society and biographical studies of Roman historical figures. | This is an introductory Latin course which aims to give students a grasp of the fundamentals of Classical Latin and ancient Roman culture. With the use of a reading-based textbook, Ecce Romani I, students use readings in Latin to generate an understanding of the basics of grammar. These same readings generate study of related cultural topics. Students are exposed to extensive use of oral Latin in the classroom and learn to both understand spoken Latin and to respond in Latin to basic work in grammar and comprehension, as well as some limited Latin composition. A $10.00 supply fee is due the first day of class. Course material is supplemented by gender-focused readings on the place of men in Roman society and biographical studies of Roman historical figures. |
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| Latin 2 – Grades 10, 11, and 12 |
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| This is an intermediate level Latin course open to students who have a solid grounding in introductory Latin. Students continue their study of Latin forms, syntax, and vocabulary through extensive exposure to Latin readings in Ecce Romani II, in addition to cultural studies in Roman entertainment, food, and social life. They also continue to develop their skills in Latin composition and their ability to comprehend and respond in Latin. The focus of this intermediate year is an introduction to more advanced Latin syntax in preparation for the reading of classical authors and Swedenborg in Advanced Latin. A $10.00 supply fee is due the first day of class. | |
| Latin 3/4 – Grades 11 and 12 |
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| This course concentrates on reading authentic Latin written by native speakers of the classical world and Swedenborg’s neo-Latin. Students will read a variety of authors. Students begin by reviewing grammar and reading skills, then move on to reading and translation. Part of the course is dedicated to reading classical Latin prose, including selections by authors such as Pliny, Caesar, Cicero, and Eutropius. Another part of the course focuses on classical Latin poetry by Horace, Catullus, Vergil, and Ovid. Selections are chosen primarily from Ecce Romani III, and are aimed at furthering students’ understanding of the ancient world through topics that will interest them. Advanced Latin students will also be reading selections from the Vulgate (Latin) Bible and experience the delight of reading the Heavenly Doctrines. Presupposes a solid grounding in basic Latin forms and grammar. Course content is alternated yearly so that it can be repeated as Latin 4. (Latin 3 is Honors weight; Latin 4 is Accelerated weight.) | |
| French 1 – Grades 10, 11, and 12 |
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| This is an introductory French course. The text is Discovering French Bleu, which invites students to develop new language skills as they learn basic French vocabulary and grammar centered around the study of everyday life in France and other French-speaking countries. Topics include family life, school life, social life and leisure activities, food, and travel. Using the text, a workbook, and audio-cassettes, students learn to listen, speak, read, and write in the target language. Students will also be involved in activities that will expose them to the richness of French culture and history, including art, music, fashion, cuisine, theater, and film. | |
| French 2 – Grades 10, 11, and 12 |
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| This course will build on the skills gained in French 1 and students will continue developing conversational French skills with a focus on learning through reading, writing, listening and speaking. In addition there will be films, music, current events, geography, history and religion to enhance the language learning process. Because we live in a modern world, technology will also be integrated, including: current events, online webquests, French podcasts, videos with native French speakers, and other online resources. | |
| French 3/4 – Grades 11 and 12 |
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| An elective course in which students will continue expanding the knowledge of French through reading, writing, listening and speaking through conversation and discussion in French. The primary language of instruction is French and students are expected to participate in activities and discussion in French to the best of their ability. We will finish the textbook Discovering French Blanc and Le Petit Prince, and use other resources: short stories, poems, plays, songs, newspaper articles, and online resources. Building on grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation learned in French 1 and 2, students will develop competency in discussing topics in French and expressing their opinions. | |
| Spanish 1 – Grades 10, 11, and 12 |
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| The central goal of Spanish 1 is communication. Listening, speaking, reading and writing are used to facilitate the student's acquisition of Spanish. The class is conducted in Spanish so that the students are consistently hearing and using the target language. Developing an awareness of and appreciation for Hispanic culture is another important element in Spanish 1. Classroom activities are organized to put the students at their ease so that they may relax and enjoy learning and communicating in Spanish. | |
| Spanish 2 – Grades 10, 11 and 12 |
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| The goal of this class is to make the students independent users of Spanish, to gain a new, objective view of their own language and culture, and to give students an understanding of the people who speak Spanish. Topics include classroom life, daily activities, holidays, movies, cooking and travel. Free expression and creative use of the language are encouraged through role plays of specific situations such as going to a hotel, taking a train trip and planning a quinceañera party. Grammar will be studied as a means for effective communication and points of emphasis include: review of Spanish 1 grammar, reflexive verbs, and preterit and imperfect tenses and the subjunctive. Reading, writing, listening, speaking and culture are emphasized in a proficiency-oriented approach. Spanish is the language of instruction. | |
| Spanish 3 – Grades 11 and 12 |
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| Continuation of Spanish 2. The focus is on improving and fine-tuning communication skills and using more advanced grammatical structures. Topics include weather; nutrition and exercise; histories of Spain and Latin America; and music, art and dancing. Points of emphasis include: the future, subjunctive and conditional tenses and their uses. Classroom activities directly involve students in the language acquisition process. Reading, writing, listening, speaking and culture are emphasized in a proficiency-oriented approach. Spanish is the language of instruction. | |
| Spanish 4 – Grades 11 and 12 |
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| Spanish 4 focuses on aural/oral skills, reading comprehension, grammar, and composition. Emphasizing the use of Spanish for active communication, the course has the following objectives: the ability to comprehend formal and informal spoken Spanish; the acquisition of vocabulary and a grasp of structure to allow the accurate reading of newspaper and magazine articles, as well as short stories; the ability to compose expository passages; and the ability to express ideas orally with accuracy and fluency. A wide variety of authentic materials is used, including movies, music, radio broadcasts, poetry and short stories. A comprehensive review of Spanish grammar is included. Prerequisite: 85 or above in Spanish 3 or teacher's permission. Accelerated Weight. | |
| †Required. |
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