French and Spanish

NOTE: In the study of French, Spanish, and Latin, the option is available at most levels for Advanced study. This study means that where the student has a special interest in or facility for the language, he or she may explore in depth the material offered at that level. (For example, there may be reading selections of a more demanding nature regarding the specific employment of some of the grammar presented in the course.) Additionally, the aural-oral skills (where pertinent) and the reading and writing skills will be more rigorously emphasized in various extra activities such as special projects on the cultures) where the target language is dominant. The focus of the subject matter in Advanced language courses is more concentrated but not materially different in substance. Enrollment in Advanced language courses is subject to departmental approval. 

French I and Spanish I introduce elementary grammatical concepts, present and past tenses, basic sentence patterns, and useful and idiomatic expressions. Major units emphasize practical daily situations, such as greeting people, expressing opinions, talking about the weather, counting and telling time, traveling, shopping and discussing family relationships. The courses present geographic and cultural features through dialogues and readings. [Full year. One credit. Advanced study is not available in Level I language courses.]

French II and Spanish II further develop reading, aural comprehension, speaking and writing skills by introducing several new major language structures, including the present and past tense of reflexive verbs, direct and indirect pronouns and the imperfect tense. Students acquire an active vocabulary of up to 700 new words and expressions, often working in small groups to maximize use of the language and studying genuine material from the target languages, such as newspapers, films, and Internet sites.  Students complete independent projects relating to French or Spanish geography, politics, society and culture. [Full year. One credit. Advanced study is available.]

French III and Spanish III emphasize oral, written and listening facility, bringing students to a higher level of language proficiency. Students learn additional and more sophisticated grammar and vocabulary; read advanced material such as newspaper editorials, literary prose and poetry, and compose essays in the target language. These courses further explore the customs, history and geography of countries where the languages are spoken. [Full year. One credit. Advanced study is available.]

NOTE: Students currently enrolled in French III Advanced may opt to take AP French language next year if they would like to and if the language department approves their choice.  There is no obligation to take this option, and students may still prefer to take French IV Advanced next year and AP French language the year after. Current freshmen, for example, may not need to take AP French language next year, because they may still take French IV Advanced as sophomores, AP French language as juniors, and AP French literature as seniors.

French IV and Spanish IV focus on comprehension, conversation and listening skills, emphasizing recognition and use of complex grammar and new vocabulary in everyday speech. To increase proficiency, students participate in class discussion, listen to and watch audio and video tapes, compose essays and confront practical scenarios, such as how to find an apartment. Students read essays, short stories and novels by important authors and debate in class to become aware of relevant social issues. [Full year. One credit. Advanced study is available.]

AP French and Spanish provide rigorous practice in reading, writing, speaking and listening for the purpose of gaining proficiency in the language. Students study advanced grammar, read and discuss original works of literature, write compositions and gain cultural knowledge through film, songs and the Internet. Interactive games and activities build fluency. Some French and Spanish students choose to take the AP Literature course either concurrently with or immediately following the completion of this course. In the former, they cover the prescribed works of the AP Literature syllabus, discussing them in detail and submitting frequent written explications demonstrating their expertise in literary analysis. Both AP courses, conducted entirely in the target language, assist students in preparing for the required AP examinations in language and literature. [Full year. One credit. Open to students with departmental approval.]

Spanish Literature is available for those students who have taken the Spanish AP Language course and wish to pursue their studies with a close examination of some of the benchmark works in Spanish and Spanish-American literature. In this class we will pursue in the target language such authors as Jorge Luis Borges, Gabriel Garcia Marquez (Nobel award winner), Pablo Neruda (Nobel award winner), Ruben Dario, Antonio Machado, Pio Baroja, Gustavo Adolfo Becquer, Federico Garcia Lorca, and Miguel de Unamuno, reading works in their entirety. We may also explore seminal authors such as Cervantes, Lope de Vega, Calderon de la Barca, and Galdos, focusing on selected excerpts from their most important writings: El ingenioso Don Quijote de la Mancha, Peribanez, La vida es sueno, and Marianela or Misericordia respectively. We may even have the luxury of dipping into some of the literature which has arisen from climactic events in a country’s development (e.g., the Mexican Revolution in Azuela’s Los de abajo). The emphasis in this course will be on reading and critical essay writing with some ventures into the creative writing world, but the class will be conducted entirely in Spanish and, therefore, will continue to provide an opportunity for the cultivation of the students’ listening and speaking skills. [Full year. One credit.]

Latin

Latin I develops sound reading and writing skills, introducing elementary grammar and vocabulary through lively classes in which students realize Latin is not a dead language. Students participate in a variety of exercises, including creating their own inflected languages, writing and performing skits and public orations, producing videos, preparing meals from original Roman recipes, practicing language skills on the computer and building scale models of ancient monuments. Related studies include Greek and Roman history and culture, the archaeology of Troy and Pompeii , mythology and the influence of Latin on the English language. [Full year. One credit. Advanced study is not available in Latin I.]  

Latin II introduces most of the advanced grammatical constructions while reviewing the important lessons of Latin I. This course emphasizes reading, writing, and vocabulary development and undertakes a systematic study of English vocabulary through Greek and Latin roots. Related study includes Roman history and culture, the archeology of Rome , Mycenae and Athens, ancient philosophy and classic architecture. Students team with advanced classes to build a life-sized, fully-functioning replica of Roman handiwork, such as a catapult. [Full year. One credit. Advanced study is available.]

Latin III immerses students in the works of genuine Romans, reviews important concepts of Latin I and Latin II and adds new grammatical and syntactical elements as they appear in readings. Texts in this course include selections from Caesar, Cicero, Catullus, Vergil, Livy, and Ovid. Students assume leadership roles in the large Latin building project, a fully-functioning replica of Roman handiwork. [Full year. One credit. Advanced study is available.]

AP Latin reviews the more difficult concepts in grammar and syntax and enables students to read one or two authors extensively. The course content, which differs each year, might include Vergil, Cicero and Sallust, or Catullus and Horace. Especially able students may prepare for and complete the AP examination. Students in this course spearhead the Roman handiwork building project that involves Latin II and Latin III students. [Full year. One credit.]