Welcome to the Modern Language Department

CHINESE I (650)/full year

Chinese I is an introduction to standard Mandarin which is the official spoken language of the People’s Republic of China, the Republic of China (Taiwan), and Singapore. With over 800 million speakers, it is one of the six official languages of the United Nations. Students will begin learning the four basic skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing simplified characters.   There will be an emphasis on mastering the essentials of pronunciation, basic characters and structural patterns. Chinese culture will be incorporated in order to help students put the language in context.

CHINESE II (651)/full year

Chinese II is a continuation of the CHINESE I  which incorporates and integrates topics, structures, grammar and cultural information within a framework based on a communicative approach to language learning. The emphasis throughout the course is on what students can do using the Chinese language and how they can communicate with Chinese language speakers in various real life situations, though reading and writing are also integrated as an indivisible part of this course.

(Prerequisite: Chinese I or the equivalent)

HONORS CHINESE II (652)/full year

An accelerated course, Honors Chinese II covers the material of Chinese II and requires additional readings and works and cultural projects. (Prerequisite: Teacher permission to qualified students who have completed Chinese I or the equivalent)

CHINESE III (654)/full year

Chinese Level III is the continuation of Chinese Level II. The emphasis throughout the course is on what students can do using the Chinese language and how they can communicate with Chinese language speakers in various real life situations, though reading and writing are also integrated as an indivisible part of this course.

(Prerequisite: Chinese II or the equivalent)

FRENCH I (610)/full year

                 This course presents an introduction to the four language skills in French (listening, speaking, reading, and writing). Emphasis is placed upon the development of the student's ability to comprehend and communicate in the language. Attention is paid to various aspects of the culture of the Francophone countries. Students will manipulate basic grammatical structures and vocabulary in oral and written prose. (Open to all students.)

FRENCH II (620)/full year

                This course is a continuation of French I. It places increasing emphasis on oral proficiency. Students are required to apply knowledge of grammar and vocabulary in oral situational dialogues and written compositions. Continued attention is given to aspects of the culture of the contemporary Francophone world. (Prerequisite: French I or its equivalent).

FRENCH III (630)/full year

                 This intermediate to advanced level course reinforces oral communication skills acquired in French I and II with a continued emphasis on reading and writing. Pertinent grammar and vocabulary are introduced to enhance oral and written communication proficiency. French history, literature and culture are studied in greater depth. Students acquire skills through a holistic instructional approach: audio, video, guest speakers, excursions, improvisations, skits, etc. (Prerequisite: French II or its equivalent).

HONORS FRENCH III (631) /full year

                 This advanced level course is designed for the independent, highly motivated student. The rhythm is intensive and requires the ability to extend instruction received in the classroom to further personal study and application. While the curriculum and instructional approach mirror that of French III, the pace is accelerated and all areas are explored in a more profound manner. Students who successfully complete this course may elect to solicit admission to AP French. (Prerequisite: Teacher permission to qualified students in the honors program who have completed French II or the equivalent.)

AP FRENCH (641)/full year

                A specialized elective course of college level study of the French language, literature, culture and advanced grammar. AP French seeks to challenge the most advanced students; all are required to take the CEEB Advanced Placement French Language examination at the end of the spring semester. Students are required to read literary texts, give oral presentations in French and write serious and well‑organized compositions. (Prerequisite: Teacher approval to qualified students who have completed French III or its equivalent.)

SPANISH I (612)/full year

                A beginning level course, Spanish I introduces the four language skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing with strong emphasis on aural/oral skills. Awareness of Hispanic culture is emphasized through multimedia presentations. (Open to all students.)

ACCELERATED SPANISH I (608)/full year

                This course is designed for students who have previously studied Spanish but who need to reinforce basic skills. Students are accepted into this class based on their performance on the Placement Test and their background studies.

SPANISH II (624)/full year

                 An intermediate level course, Spanish II builds on the four language skills, provides vocabulary enrichment, cultural content, and introduces additional grammatical concepts. (Prerequisite: Spanish I or the equivalent.)

HONORS SPANISH II (625)/full year

                 An accelerated course, Honors Spanish II covers the material of Spanish II and requires additional readings and cultural projects. (Prerequisite: Teacher permission to qualified students who have completed Spanish I or the equivalent.)

SPANISH III (634)/full year

                An upper level course, Spanish III emphasizes oral communication, listening comprehension skills and some literature, plus the application of basic survival skills. The purpose of such exercises is the development of intermediate to advanced oral proficiency and a wider vocabulary through reading and writing exercises. (Prerequisite: Spanish II or the equivalent.)

HONORS SPANISH III (635)/full year

                 This accelerated class is geared to completion of all class material of the regular Spanish III course with the additional application of the language in original and creative works such as speeches, creative writing and reading. (Prerequisite: Teacher permission to students who have completed Spanish II or the equivalent.)

SPANISH IV(640)/full year

                Is a fourth-year elective course that continues to enhance the acquired skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing in Spanish. Using a communicative approach to language learning, and the re-enforcement and integration of grammatical concepts, an emphasis will be placed on developing the requisite skills for conversational Spanish. (Open to students completing Spanish III or Spanish III Honors or equivalent with an A or B grade required of sophomores completing Spanish III.)

AP SPANISH (645) /full year

                 A specialized, elective course of college level study of Hispanic language, literature, culture and advanced grammar, AP Spanish seeks to challenge the most advanced students, all of whom are required to take the CEEB Advanced Placement Spanish Language Examination at the end of the spring semester. (Prerequisite: Teacher approval to qualified honors students who have completed Spanish III or its equivalent.)

IND. TUTORIAL (99699)
Spanish Culture and Ignatian Spirituality-The Camino de Santiago. 2nd Semester/ ½ credit