Foreign Language
HIGH SCHOOL BEGINNING CHINESE
This course introduces the fundamental aspects of Chinese language in both written and spoken forms. In speaking, the emphasis is on the tone system, the phonetic transcription, the language specific sounds, and the word order in basic types of sentences. In writing, the emphasis is on the principled formation of characters. The basic strokes and the stroke order are practiced and the different types of characters are recognized.
MANDARIN CHINESE II
This course continues to reinforce the foundation built in Chinese I. With form-focused instruction within the context of the communicative approach, this course aims at developing both fluency and accuracy. Students continue to learn the basic grammatical forms with the topics of daily life. They gradually develop a familiarity with different types of discourse such as stating opinions, commenting, requesting and ordering.
MANDARIN CHINESE III
This course starts with a thorough review of the vocabulary and sentence structures learned in Chinese I and II. Then, the course moves on to more complex grammatical forms and more elaborate texts and dialogues. The instructional content continues to cover the here-and-now topics, and gradually expands to future plans and past events. While listening and speaking skills remain the priority, students start to learn how to use some basic written expressions in their essays.
MANDARIN CHINESE IV
This course continues to review the basic grammar and vocabulary acquired in Chinese II and III throughout the year. It also goes beyond the basics by introducing students to frequently used formal and idiomatic expressions, popular and colloquial phrases both in speaking and in writing. The class is conducted entirely in Chinese, focusing on developing both oral and aural competencies. The course is designed to offer more opportunities for listening to unrehearsed text and for discussions in Chinese. Topics in this course reflect the diversity of high school students’ lives: from school-based interests and activities to personal and social concerns about health, adolescence, part-time work, relationships, customs, technology and environmental issues.
H S BEGINNING FRENCH
This beginning section of French is designed primarily for new students. It is also open to students who wish to begin a second language. This is an accelerated course that covers the material offered in Forms I and II.
FRENCH III
This course continues to strengthen speaking, reading, listening and writing skills. Grammar is studied more formally and with more emphasis on writing. Adapted excerpts from French literary works are introduced.
FRENCH IV
A continuation of French III, this course offers further reinforcement of speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills. Grammar forms are reviewed and extended to all essential grammatical concepts. Readings in French literature are expanded to include a variety of styles and genres, and composition work becomes more complex.
FRENCH V
This course continues to strengthen speaking, listening, reading and writing skills. It reviews acquired grammar, dealing with less common concepts and introduces students to a systematic study of significant political, social, and cultural contributions of the twentieth century in France. Authors studied might include Jean Anouilh, Jean-Paul Sartre, Marguerite Duras, Eugene Ionesco, Albert Camus.
FRENCH VI: CONVERSATION AND COMPOSITION
This course is intended to reinforce students’ language and communication skills. Through activities based on varied texts, films, recordings, websites, etc., students will review basic structure and vocabulary and strengthen their ability to express themselves orally and in writing.
FRENCH VI: SELECTED THEMES: FRANCE AND THE FRENCH-SPEAKING WORLD
This course is designed for students with good language skills. It focuses on contemporary issues in France and the French-speaking world (le monde francophone). Readings (literature, articles, historical documents) and audio-visual materials will enable students to explore significant social, economic, and political developments. Grammar is reviewed when needed. Authors studied might include Birago Diop, Tahar Ben Jelloun, Assia Djebar, Léopold Sédar Senghor, Joseph Zobel.
FRENCH VI: ADVANCED THEMES: FRANCE AND THE FRENCH-SPEAKING WORLD
This course is designed for students with excellent language skills. The course focuses on contemporary issues in France and the French-speaking world (le monde francophone). Readings (literature, articles, historical documents) and audio-visual materials enable students to explore significant social, economic, and political developments. Grammar is reviewed when needed. Authors studied might include Maryse Condé, Tahar Ben Jelloun, Marie N’Diaye, Léopold Sédar Senghor, Birago Diop, Amin Maalouf.
FRENCH FOR NATIVE SPEAKERS
This course is offered to students in Form III and above who speak French fluently but have never formally studied the language. Students are taught grammatical structures through an advanced level. Great attention is devoted to writing, with particular emphasis on correct spelling as well as development of a sophisticated vocabulary.
HIGH SCHOOL BEGINNING SPANISH
This beginning section of Spanish is designed primarily for new students. It is also open to students who wish to begin a second language. This is an accelerated course designed to cover the materials offered in Forms I and II.
SPANISH III
This course continues to strengthen speaking, reading, listening and writing skills. Grammar is studied more formally and with more emphasis on writing. Adapted excerpts from Spanish literary works are introduced. The difficulty of the selections increases gradually.
SPANISH IV
A continuation of Spanish III, this course offers further reinforcement of speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills. Grammar forms are reviewed and extended to include all essential grammatical concepts. Class discussion and reading center around universal themes such as human rights, technology, diversity and interpersonal relationships as they pertain to the Spanish-speaking world.
SPANISH V
This course focuses on extensive speaking, listening, reading and writing skills. It reviews acquired grammar, dealing with less common concepts and introduces students to a systematic study of the history, customs, social issues and problems of Spanish-speaking countries.
SPANISH VI: CONVERSATION AND COMPOSITION
This course is intended to reinforce students’ language and communication skills. Through activities based on varied texts, films, recordings, websites, etc., students will review basic structures and vocabulary and strengthen their ability to express themselves orally and in writing.
SPANISH VI: CONTEMPORARY SPAIN AND LATIN AMERICA
This course has two components. During the first semester, students will study contemporary Spain; in the second, students will focus on contemporary issues in Latin America. Through the use of literature, historical readings, and film, this course will explore the political issues, major intellectual currents, and social movements which have led to civil wars in Spain and Latin America. It will go on to examine the defining revolutions and experiments with democratic government in Latin America as well as Spain’s transition from dictatorship to constitutional monarchy.
SPANISH VI: ADVANCED SPANISH LITERARY THEMES
This course is designed for those students who have excellent language skills. Students will read selections from literature, history and politics, critical essays or film, and generate their own analyses of the material. Possible topics include: Magic Realism, Contemporary Spanish or Latin American Theatre, The Generation of ’98, Literature of Oppression and Literature of the Spanish Civil War.
SPANISH FOR NATIVE SPEAKERS
This course is offered to students in Form III and above who speak Spanish fluently but have never formally studied the language. Students are taught grammatical structures through an advanced level. Great attention is devoted to writing, with particular emphasis on correct spelling as well as development of a sophisticated vocabulary.
LATIN III
After a thorough review of the elements of Latin, students in Latin III continue their study of grammar. In the second semester, students read selections from the works of Roman authors, including several selections from Ovid’s Metamorphoses. The class also delves into several aspects of the culture of the ancient Roman world.
HIGH SCHOOL BEGINNING LATIN
This course, intended for high school students, covers the same work as Forms I and II but in one year. Supplementary cultural work and projects are geared to the high school level.
LATIN IV
This course is a reading seminar. In Latin IV, the genres of poetry (Catullus) and oratory (Cicero's speeches) are studied.
LATIN V
This course provides an introduction to Vergil's Aeneid and is a reading seminar. Emphasis is placed on the linguistic and literary qualities of the epic. Selections from Books I, II and IV of The Aeneid are read. The class also studies the political and intellectual background of Vergil's era.
LATIN VI
This course is an advanced reading seminar in Latin prose and poetry. Students read Book VI of Vergil’s Aeneid and selections from such authors as Lucretius, Ovid, Petronius, and Livy. Emphasis is on a critical understanding of the works as literature.
GREEK I
The aim of this course is to introduce students to ancient Greek and to cover the essentials of Greek grammar. The reading material from the start is adapted from original sources including those of Plato, Aristophanes, and Herodotus.
GREEK II
This course continues the study of Greek grammar begun in Greek I. During the second semester, students are exposed to more sophisticated prose. The readings have traditionally included adapted passages of Aristophanes, Herodotus, Aesop and Homer.
GREEK III
In Greek III, students complete the study of advanced Greek grammar and review the essential elements of Attic Greek. They read increasingly difficult modified excerpts from the works of such authors as Thucydides and Aristophanes. By the end of the year, the class will be reading passages of authentic Greek.
GREEK IV
After a brief review of the essential elements of Attic Greek, students will read selections from the works of Greek authors. Possible choices include a play of Euripides, Plato’s Apology, a book of the Iliad or the Odyssey and a book of Herodotus.
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