[classical & world language]
In this increasingly global society, knowledge of classical and world languages is an essential skill for tomorrow's leaders. Fluency in world languages and familiarity with foreign cultures enable students to think beyond their own experience. The study of a world language widens students' understanding of the great works of literature as students learn to read works as they were originally written. The World Language curriculum develops students' abilities to speak, write, read, and comprehend an unfamiliar language. Travel abroad programs are encouraged to further an in-depth appreciation of different cultures.
[courses]
French Ia
French Ia is an introductory course in the French language. In this course, middle school students will master phrases of basic communication, as well as be able to ask and respond to simple questions. Students will be able to describe people and things, both in writing and in speech. Students will be able to narrate simple stories in the present tense and will be able to provide simple explanations as to why something is done. Upon completion of French Ia, students will continue their study of the language in French Ib.
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French Ib
In this course students will continue to learn the basic elements of communication in French. Students will review simple question asking and answer techniques. Students will learn to give and understand simple descriptions of people and things and simple explanations as to why something is being done using the present tense. Additionally, students will learn to say to whom objects belong. Students will also narrate events in the present and begin to narrate events in the past. Finally, students will also talk about future plans.
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Spanish Ia
Spanish Ia is an introductory course to Spanish language and culture. In this course, middle school students will master phrases of basic communication, as well as be able to ask and respond to simple questions. Students will be able to describe people and things, both in writing and in speech. Students will be able to narrate simple stories in the present tense and will be able to provide simple explanations as to why something is done. Upon completion of Spanish Ia, students will continue their study of the language in Spanish Ib.
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Spanish I
Spanish I is an introductory course to Spanish language and culture. In this course, upper school students will master phrases of basic communication, as well as be able to ask and respond to simple questions. Students will be able to describe people and things, both in writing and in speech. Students will be able to narrate simple stories in the present tense and will be able to provide simple explanations as to why something is done.
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French I
In this course, students will learn the basic elements of communication in French. They will memorize phrases and learn to construct simple questions and answers. They will learn to give simple descriptions of people and things and simple explanations as to why something is done. Likewise, students will narrate events in the present and begin to narrate events in the past.
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French II
In this course, students will learn to speak more creatively than in French I. They will give more detailed descriptions, including simple comparisons. Students will learn to narrate complex short stories in the past and in the future while also learning to express personal wishes and needs. Additionally, students will refine their speaking and writing through study of article use and direct and indirect object pronouns. Finally, students will begin learning how to construct paragraphs in French.
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French III
In this course, students will practice extended conversation using complex sentences and appropriate pronouns. They will draw more complex comparisons of people, things, and actions than in French II. Students will practice extended narration of past, present, and future events and corresponding conditions while also learning to express emotions, wishes, and hypotheses in complex sentences. Students will learn to construct longer written pieces, as they read selections relating to French culture and history, as well as Antoine de Saint Exupéry’s Le Petit Prince.
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French IV
In this course, students will practice the four skills of French Language: reading, writing, speaking, and listening. They will build on skills developed in French I-III in order to gain more fluency of speech and a mastery of written French while continuing to learn about French culture and read and analyze French literature. Students will also learn to construct longer analysis papers. Literature read includes Sartre's Huis Clos, Goscinny's Astérix chez les Bretons, and Moliére's Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme.
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