World Languages

The upper school world language program provides a holistic approach to language instruction where students learn to speak, read, write and understand the target language in a variety of contexts. Instructors use a variety of methodologies including Comprehensible Input and Communicative Approach to teach language. Opportunities to understand and appreciate different cultures, and to compare them with their own, are integral to the program at all levels.

French I

This introductory course for upper school students emphasizes the basic skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. High-frequency structures and vocabulary are introduced using a wide range of comprehensible-input strategies to engage students and provide the input necessary for language acquisition to take place. Videos,French films, songs, readers, and short stories are used extensively in this course to reinforce vocabulary and grammar skills and to provide opportunities for cultural comparisons between the United States and the French-speaking world.
French II

This course, which builds on the foundation established in French I or in middle school French, emphasizes the skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. In this class, students will systematically acquire high-frequency structures and vocabulary through a wide variety of comprehensible-input techniques. Students will read short stories and several readers appropriate to this level of study during the year. In addition, the instructor will use French films, videos, and songs to supplement the curriculum. These materials will provide topics for longer essays, class discussion, and oral presentations. French is primarily used in the classroom except during guided reading and grammar or cultural explanations.
French III

Students focus on improving their language skills through a wide variety of comprehensible-input strategies and the use of authentic sources. Grammar is always highlighted within the context of these materials. The class reads several comprehension-based readers during the year and may complete independent reading assignments. Students use online resources to support the material presented in the classroom and to improve listening comprehension. Emphasis is placed on using narrative tenses (present/past/future) and on the use of advanced structures and transitional elements in their speaking and writing.
Advanced French IV

This class begins the preparation for the Advanced Placement French Language and Culture Exam (taken at the end of AP French V). Three of the six AP themes form the foundation of this course: contemporary life, families/communities, and personal and public identities. Students demonstrate their achievement levels in interpersonal communication (spoken and written), interpretive communication (audio and print), and presentational communication (spoken and written). Students also develop an understanding of and appreciation for the cultures, practices, and products of the French-speaking world. Both the teacher and students use French extensively. (Summer work is required for students going on to AP French V at the completion of this course.)
AP French V: Language

This class prepares students to take the AP French Language and Culture examination in May. The focus of the class includes in-depth work on advanced speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills, as well as specific test-preparation techniques. All student work is graded using the AP scale. The final three of the six AP themes form the basis of this course: global challenges, science and technology, and beauty/aesthetics. Students study authentic sources such as films, music, short stories, and online articles, and these sources provide topics for essays, class discussion and oral presentations. Students demonstrate their achievement levels in interpersonal communication (spoken and written), interpretive communication (audio and print), and presentational communication (spoken and written). French is used extensively in this class by students and the instructor.
Latin I

The Cambridge Latin Course (Part I, North American edition) used at this level combines the best features of both modern and traditional methods of Latin instruction based on the reading of original texts. The class introduces students to the fundamentals of Latin grammar, syntax, and vocabulary. Within the context of an ongoing story detailing the life of Caecilius (early Empire) and his family under the shadow of Mt. Vesuvius that is based closely on historical sources, the class introduces students to those aspects of Roman history and culture that were influential in the development of western civilization. This combination of the grammatical and cultural elements, featured in narrative form, helps students get to know historical Romans—with their daily activities, concerns, and habits—while also enabling them to develop a more thorough understanding of the structure and dynamic of the Latin language in its cultural setting. In addition, students’ recognition and mastery of the enormous storehouse of English words of Latin derivation are a constant and conscious pursuit in this course, as in all other Latin course offerings.
Latin II

The Cambridge Latin Course (Part II and III, North American edition) is used at this level. The description for Latin I applies here, with the addition of more complex grammatical structures and a more sophisticated level of Latin text for the narrative. This is especially true of Part III, which, while still centered on Quintus, son of Caecilius, and times (late Republic/early Empire), is much broader in its scope of characters and issues. The class maintains the narrative format throughout Parts II and III for both the grammatical and cultural/historical elements of the course. The opening chapters of Part III introduces the subjunctive mood of verbs, the sine qua non of grammatical sophistication, the rite of passage from syntactic simplicity to linguistic complexity. Also, students’ recognition and mastery of the enormous storehouse of English words of Latin derivation are a constant and conscious pursuit in this course, as in all other Latin course offerings.
Latin III

The Cambridge Latin Course (Part III, North American edition) used at this level is a continuation of Part III begun in Latin II. The description for Latin II applies here, with the addition of more complex grammatical structures and a more sophisticated level of Latin text for the narrative. This is especially true of Part III, which, while still centered on Quintus, son of Caecilius, and times (late Republic/early Empire), is much broader in its scope of characters and issues. The class maintains the narrative format for both the grammatical and cultural/historical elements of the course. Also, students’ recognition and mastery of the enormous storehouse of English words of Latin derivation are a constant and conscious pursuit in this course, as in all other Latin course offerings.
Advanced Latin IV

The Cambridge Latin Course (Part IV, North American edition) is used at this level. Primary authors, including Pliny the Younger, Cicero, Ovid, Vergil, Catullus, and Horace, are the focus of the pre-AP syllabus at this level. Students gain an appreciation of primary writers by studying the literary and technical challenges confronting the writers in composing poems in hexameter verse and prose with complex grammatical structures by translating accurately and interpreting critically the requisite lines of these authors. Students are required to discuss pertinent Roman cultural, social, and political history; scan hexameter verse; and recognize figures of speech.
AP Latin V

The Latin AP curriculum enables the student to experience the best of Latin prose and poetry through critical analysis of the works of two prominent Latin authors, Caesar and Vergil, whose collective geniuses and respective cultural milieux both shaped and recorded significant aspects of Rome’s transition from a Republic to an Empire.

Caesar’s Gallic Wars is the focus of the first half of the AP syllabus with emphasis on accurate translations of the required Latin passages, critical interpretation of the Caesarian text, and critical analysis of the historical, political, and cultural background of the late Republic/early Empire.

Vergil’s Aeneid, Rome’s most celebrated epic poem, is the focus of the second half of the AP syllabus with emphasis on accurate translations of the Latin passages and critical analysis of the historical, political, and cultural backdrop of the poem. Students are required to discuss pertinent Roman cultural, social, and political history; analyze characters; scan hexameter verse; and recognize motifs, figures of speech, the use of imagery, and rhetorical effects.
Spanish I

This introductory course for upper school students emphasizes the basic skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. High-frequency structures and vocabulary are introduced using comprehensible-input methods such as TPR (Total Physical Response) and TPRS (Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling). Videos, Spanish films, songs, readers, and short stories are used extensively in this course to reinforce vocabulary and grammar skills and to provide opportunities for cultural comparisons between the United States and the Spanish-speaking world.
Spanish II

The study of the four skills begun in Spanish I (or in the middle school Spanish curriculum) continues with equal emphasis on listening, speaking, reading, and writing. In addition to studying grammar and acquiring vocabulary through a variety of methods, students read from many sources, such as books and online magazines and articles. Students also view films each year with the objective of increasing vocabulary recognition and providing topics for discussion and writing. Spanish is used as much as possible by teacher and students, with increasing frequency throughout the year.
Spanish III

Students focus on improving their language skills through comprehensible-input methods and the use of authentic sources. Grammar is always highlighted and practiced within the context of these materials. The class reads two novels during the year and students write syntheses of podcasts throughout the year. Students also view films each year with the objective of increasing vocabulary recognition and providing topics for discussion and writing. Spanish is used as much as possible by teacher and students, with increasing frequency throughout the year. Students use online resources to practice skills and to improve listening comprehension. Emphasis is placed on practicing narrative tenses (present/past/future) and on the use of advanced structures and transitional elements in their writing.
Advanced Spanish IV

This class begins the preparation for the Advanced Placement exam taken at the end of Spanish V. Online news and media sources, songs, short stories, and films provide a rich base of language in context. Students demonstrate their achievement levels in interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational communication. Students also develop an understanding of the cultures, practices, and products of the hispanic world. Both the teacher and students use Spanish extensively. Summer work is required for students going on to AP Spanish V at the conclusion of this course.
AP Spanish V: Language

This class prepares students to take the AP Spanish Language and Culture examination in May. The focus of the class includes in-depth work on advanced speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills, as well as specific test-preparation techniques. All six AP themes form the basis of this course. Students study authentic sources such as films, music, short stories, and online articles, and these sources provide topics for essays, class discussion, and oral presentations. Students demonstrate their achievement levels in interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational communication. The class stresses more practice specific to the AP format. Students take frequent practice tests in order to prepare them for the rigor of the exam. Spanish is used extensively in this class by students and the instructor. Summer work is required for students entering this course.
AP Spanish V: Literature
Advanced French Literature & Film
Advanced Spanish VI/Literature, Culture & Conversation
Latin Teacher's Assistant

World Languages

French I

French II

French III

Advanced French IV

AP French V: Language

Latin I

Latin II

Latin III

Advanced Latin IV

AP Latin V

Spanish I

Spanish II

Spanish III

Advanced Spanish IV

AP Spanish V: Language

AP Spanish V: Literature

Advanced French Literature & Film

Advanced Spanish VI/Literature, Culture & Conversation

Latin Teacher's Assistant

Grade/Dept

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