This course begins the sequence of the study of Mandarin Chinese language and Chinese culture and centers on mastering the Mandarin sound system and the rudiments of the Chinese writing system. Students in Mandarin Chinese I will learn to read and write the sounds of Mandarin using Pinyin (a phonetic system using the Roman alphabet). Students will also learn to read and write up to 300 essential characters in order to engage in simple correspondence.

This course is a continuation of material studied in French I. We review the basic components of French grammar and then develop more complex linguistic forms. Our principal aim is to expand students’ ability to use the four linguistic skills. Acting out short skits initiates their explorations of French culture. The language laboratory is also used to enhance skills. This class is conducted in French. An honors section is offered depending upon enrollment.

Students in Advanced Francophone Culture will use their proven linguistic skills to dive deeper into social and cultural issues across the Francophone world. Through studies of history, literature, art, and current events, students will become culturally competent experts in the Francophone region of their choosing. This yearlong course is reserved for students at the highest level of French and will be conducted entirely in French. Departmental approval required.

Spanish III Honors is an intensive course for highly motivated language students who wish to become more linguistically and culturally proficient. The class will study grammatical topics outside the regular third-year curriculum, such as the uses of definite and indefinite articles, the gerund and infinitive, and verbs that require certain prepositions. Although grammar is an integral part of the curriculum, the course will also help students to see grammar as a tool for effective communication rather than simply a set of rules to be memorized. Throughout the course, students will study history, music, food, literature, film, and other offerings from the Spanish-speaking world, helping them to understand and to draw connections between various cultures, practices, and perspectives. Student-led discussion is essential, and the class is conducted exclusively in Spanish.

The course is designed to master all the language skills through a variety of activities and projects. The students will be exposed to multiple sources to improve their language skills and they will be able to study some key cultural aspects of multiple Spanish speaking countries. The course will be based in the 6 topics that are the core of the AP Spanish Language and Culture exam: Beauty and Aesthetics, Contemporary life, Families and communities, Global challenges, Personal and public identities and Science and technology. This class will be conducted 100% in Spanish. The teacher will provide extra worksheets for the students who might be interested in taking the AP exam in May.

In the first-year Latin course, students encounter the thriving culture of ancient Rome and develop a methodical approach to translating Latin. The study of Latin comes alive as students make connections between the ancient and modern world and begin to understand how ancient Roman culture has shaped western civilization as we know it today. By participating in the National Latin Exam, using online programs to learn vocabulary and grammar, and studying Roman and Greek mythology, history and culture, students expand their knowledge of English vocabulary and grammar, develop memorization and critical thinking skills, and build a foundation for the future study of ancient Roman literature as well as modern Romance languages.

This Advanced Latin course is a survey course in Latin literature of the Late Republic and Early Empire, with special emphasis on the prose of Caesar and Livy and the poetry of Catullus, Ovid, Horace, Juvenal and Martial. Students will develop an appreciation of the different genres of Latin prose and poetry, refine their sight translation skills, participate in the National Latin Exam, prepare for the SAT 2 Subject Test in Latin, and build a foundation for the further study of Latin at the collegiate level. Departmental approval required.