Modern Language
The goals of the Modern Language department are to equip students with the lifelong tool of a new language, to awaken in them a sustained curiosity and openness to new people, places and cultures, and to have fun in the process.
Authenticity and multi-dimensional exposure to new languages are crucial elements in our students’ success. In the classroom, we endeavor to bring new languages and new cultures to life through literature, film, music, art, visiting native speakers, and a wide range of computer-assisted, interactive activities. We make every effort to conduct the learning experience exclusively in the target language, and we routinely facilitate individual and group travel to the French and Spanish speaking world beyond our borders.
The classroom immersion experience enables students to listen, speak, read and write in the target language. Early language work is grounded in grammar, syntax, and the exploration of language within a cultural context.
French
MOD310 French I
major elective | grades: 9, 10, 11
This course sets the foundation for the acquisition of a modern language. Students will develop the linguistic skills necessary to learn a language in an immersion setting through the use of targeted vocabulary and expressions. The emphasis is on building communication skills through dynamic and interactive activities focused on the four skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing), while developing cultural competencies.
MOD320 French II
major elective | grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
prerequisite: completion of the two-year course in Middle School (French Ia and Ib) or French I
A dynamic classroom environment conducted uniquely in French provides ample opportunity to practice new language skills grounded in real-life scenarios. Several creative projects require Internet exploration on French-language sites, including a dedicated unit on the Francophone world. Students also read a short book Le Nouvel Houdini, designed to improve all language skills. Basic grammatical structures and thematic vocabulary are acquired through the use of Bien Dit!, the second textbook in a series. Continued exposure to French music, poetry, and rhymes provide students with the opportunity to improve their pronunciation and increase their aural comprehension. Students engage in spontaneous conversations and develop more extensive reading and writing skills by working with authentic and diverse materials.
MOD410 French III
major elective | grades: 10, 11, 12
prerequisite: French II
Students complete a thorough grounding of grammatical concepts and pertinent vocabulary through the continued study of the textbook Bien Dit!, news articles, and authentic texts such as poetry and fables. Spontaneous conversation and oral presentations are used to improve proficiency and to gain confidence in oral expression. Aural comprehension is enhanced by exposure to podcasts, music, and French voices from around the world. Language skills are also reinforced through analytical and creative writing. Throughout the course of the year, Francophone culture is investigated through videos, Internet articles, and current events.
MOD510 French IV: Advanced
major elective | grades: 11, 12
prerequisite: French III
This advanced level class provides a systematic review of finer communication skills, written and oral, as well as providing an introduction to literary analysis. A grammar textbook will provide an intense review of the language, while the International Baccalaureate coursebook will guide students through a variety of contemporary topics. Selected authors will represent the Francophone world with a concentration in the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries through various genres, such as poetry, short story, novel, film, Internet articles, and a comic book. Students will demonstrate their proficiency through various assessments: quizzes, tests, oral presentations, essays, and group projects.
MOD610 French V: Advanced
major elective | grades: 11, 12
prerequisite: French IV
This advanced level French course is designed to further strengthen the students’ expressive language skills, cultural competencies, and their creative and analytical abilities in the target language. Finer points of grammar and stylistics are reviewed and enriched through the study of Francophone literature, art, cinema, news, and magazine articles. Literary pieces may include readings of Camus, Sartre, Duras, Schmitt, and contemporary short story authors. Formal writing assignments, oral presentations, and extemporaneous interactive discussions are required.
Mandarin
MOD810 Mandarin I
major elective | grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Students are introduced to the speaking and writing of Mandarin within a thematic context. Vocabulary is introduced in authentic encounters, including greetings, family and school life, seasons and weather, and shopping, through authentic videos, websites, music and readings. Additionally, with support of the textbook and workbook, students will be given a solid foundation in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Assessments of student learning will be based on oral and written mastery, with an emphasis on spontaneous production.
MOD820 Mandarin II and III
major elective | grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
prerequisite: Mandarin I or placement determined by placement test and teacher
Students will work towards the mastery of speaking and writing Mandarin. Within authentic contexts, students will work on further developing their vocabulary as well as their ability to converse fluently. Readings of increasing complexity from contemporary newspapers will help students to develop their language skills and cultural awareness. Throughout, a solid foundation will be given in reading, writing, speaking and hearing Mandarin. In this beginner-intermediate level course, students begin to do oral presentations on contemporary and cultural topics. Assessments will be based on oral and written mastery, with an emphasis on spontaneous production.
MOD830 Mandarin IV and V: Advanced
major elective | grades 9, 10, 11, 12
prerequisite: Mandarin III or IV (placement determined by placement test and teacher)
Students will systematically work towards mastery of the speaking and writing of Mandarin. In these years students will solidify their sense of grammar and expand considerably the complexity and scope of their conversational fluency. Authentic readings in an array of genres will help students develop their skills and cultural awareness and understanding. Students will be asked to complete presentations, skits and give oral reports. Assessments will be based on oral and written mastery, with an emphasis on spontaneous production.
Spanish
MOD710 Spanish I
major elective | grades: 9, 10, 11
This course sets the foundation for the acquisition of a modern language. Students will develop the linguistic skills necessary to learn a language in an immersion setting through the use of targeted vocabulary and expressions. The emphasis is on building communication skills through dynamic and interactive activities focused on the four skills (listening, speaking, reading and writing), while developing cultural competencies.
MOD720 Spanish II
major elective | grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
prerequisite: completion of the two-year course in Middle School (Ia and Ib) or the yearlong Spanish I course
This course provides a continuation of the goals of beginning Spanish at a more advanced level. The use of authentic materials, film, articles, short stories and music will enhance cultural awareness while developing reading, writing, and oral comprehension skills. Students are expected to speak exclusively in the target language and will begin to develop increased spontaneous speaking skills focusing on real-life scenarios. The textbook for this course is Descubre 2 with additional materials provided by the teacher.
MOD730 Spanish III
major elective | grades: 10, 11, 12
prerequisite: Spanish II
Students complete a thorough grounding of basic grammatical concepts and increasingly sophisticated vocabulary as presented thematically in the textbook Descubre 2, short stories, and other authentic materials. Spontaneous conversation and oral presentations are used to improve proficiency and to gain confidence in oral expression. Aural comprehension is enhanced through exposure to podcasts, music, and Spanish voices from around the world. Language skills are also reinforced through analytical and creative writing. Throughout the course of the year, Spanish and Latin American culture is investigated through videos, internet articles, and current events.
MOD740 Spanish IV: Advanced
major elective | grades: 10, 11, 12
prerequisite: Spanish III
This course is designed to improve students’ mastery of grammar, reading comprehension, and oral fluency through short readings, discussion, dramatizations, as well as creative and analytical reading and writing. The International Baccalaureate coursebook will guide students through a variety of contemporary topics. The curriculum will include units on identity, war and propaganda, and folklore. Additional readings will include short stories, Spanish theater, a Latin American novel, poetry, essays, and periodical literature. Authors may include Jorge Luis Borges, Julio Cortázar, Federico García Lorca, Julia Alvarez, and Carlos Fuentes. Students will demonstrate their proficiency through various assessments: tests, quizzes, oral presentations, essays, and collaborative group projects.
MOD750 Spanish V: Advanced
major elective | grades: 11, 12
prerequisite: Spanish IV
This advanced level course will focus on increasing both students’ language skills and their analytical abilities through the study of a novel, short stories, poetry, art, film, and online resources. Students will further explore the people, places, culture, and history of Latin America and its relationship to Spain. Authors may include Gabriel García Márquez, Isabel Allende, Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, and Antonio Skármeta. Students will explore the Spanish Conquest of Latin America, women’s voice in Latin American literature, dictatorships in the Southern Cone, and Latinidad in the United States today, while improving writing and speaking skills through guided discussions and directed grammatical study.
Opportunities in Global Languages
A variety of global languages is offered for minor or major credit as part of the Directed Independent Study (DIS) program that supplements the Modern Language and Classics offerings. Students have pursued study of American Sign Language, Arabic, Japanese, German, Italian, and Russian through the program.
Students may elect to take a language DIS in addition to, but not in place of, their foreign language requirement. Additional Advanced Level language study is also available for students who have finished Level V.