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 gives a foundation in oral comprehension, speaking, reading and writing. The immersion setting allows for the opportunity to master the target language skills in a more authentic environment. Students will hear native speakers and be expected to memorize the material while reproducing the sounds and structure of natural speech. Assessments include written and oral comprehension of selected thematic units presented within a cultural context.
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
Basic grammatical structures and thematic vocabulary are acquired through the use of Bien Dit!, the second textbook in a series. Students engage in spontaneous conversations and develop more extensive reading and writing skills by working with appropriate supplementary material. A dynamic classroom environment provides ample opportunity to practice new language skills. Several creative projects require internet exploration on French-language sites, including a dedicated unit on Francophonie and Sénégal. Students also read a short novel Le Nouvel Houdini, designed to improve all language skills.
MOD410 French III
major elective | grades: 10, 11, 12
prerequisite: French II
The French textbook series is completed, giving students a thorough grounding in grammar and vocabulary. Supplemental readings include poetry and a guided reader, culminating the year with the study of the beloved classic Le Petit Prince. Students develop conversation and discussion skills based on these readings and other authentic materials, including realia, movies, dialogues, and multimedia documents. Free compositions, both analytical and creative, are assigned on given themes. Students are expected to begin to converse more readily on spontaneously generated subjects.
MOD510 French IV: Advanced
major elective | grades: 11, 12
prerequisite: French III
This advanced level class will introduce the basics of literary analysis through the study of many genres: poetry, short story, novel, film, Internet articles and comic book. Selected authors will represent the Francophone world with a concentration in the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries. Authors include Maupassant, Sartre, Goscinny, Ben Jelloun, and a special unit of Québecois authors. Students will develop finer writing and speaking skills through guided discussions and directed grammatical study, and are expected to participate in daily extemporaneous activities that require an increased mastery of the language. Assessments include oral presentations, quizzes and tests, essays, oral presentations, and collaborative group projects.
MOD610 French V: Advanced
major elective | grades: 11, 12
prerequisite: French IV
The emphasis of this course is to further increase both the students’ expressive language skills and their analytical abilities. Finer points of grammar and stylistics are reviewed through the use of Une fois pour toutes. Year-long themes are examined through the study of Francophone literature, art, cinema, news and magazine articles, and Internet sites. Literary works include Candide, Les Préceiuses Ridicules, a contemporary novel, and selected French short stories, poetry and movies. Formal writing assignments, oral presentations and extemporaneous interactive discussions are required. Additional projects may include writing and filming a short screenplay.
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, shopping, transportation, and hobbies. In addition to a textbook and workbook, students will be given a solid foundation of 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 II (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 will help students to develop their skills. 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 interesting 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 to develop their skills and cultural awareness and understanding. Students will be asked to do presentations and give oral reports. Assessments will be based on oral and written mastery, with an emphasis on spontaneous production.
Spanish
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. 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 and 3. Learning grammar and building vocabulary are increasingly accomplished through unstructured conversation as well as analytical and creative writing. Throughout the course of the year, culture topics are reinforced through videos, internet articles, and current events covering both Spain and Latin America.
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 writing. The curriculum will include units involving literature, history, film, and art, through topics such as identity, war and propaganda, and folklore. Readings will include short stories, Spanish theater, a Latin American novel, poetry, essays, and periodical literature. Authors may include Jorge Luis Borges, Julio Cortázar, Emilia Pardo Bazán, Federico García Lorca, Julia Alvarez, Ana María Matute, and Carlos Fuentes. Students will develop finer writing and speaking skills through guided discussions and directed grammatical study. Assessments will include: 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, Juan Rulfo, Mario Benedetti, 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 developing finer writing and speaking skills through guided discussions and directed grammatical study. Students are expected to participate in daily activities that require an increased mastery of the language. Assessments will include oral presentations, quizzes and tests, essays, and individual and group projects.
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.