Departments

Develops the four language skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing. Students communicate in French and explore the differences and similarities between themselves and the French-speaking world. (5 Credits)

This course develops the four language skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing. Students communicate in Spanish and explore the differences and similarities between themselves and the Hispanic world.  An appreciation and understanding of culture and history is fostered through the use of cultural videos.  (5 Credits)

An introductory study of vocabulary, declensions and conjugations. Readings introduce aspects of Roman life in the city of Pompeii and in Roman Britain.  An overview of the life and culture of ancient Rome is presented through lectures, discussions, and video presentations. Students become familiar with English derivatives of Latin words and Latin phases commonly used in English. (5 Credits)

Centers on a strengthening of vocabulary and an expansion of the listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. Emphasis is placed on an ability to communicate. Cultural focus is integrated to further develop an appreciation of the French-speaking world. (5 Credits)

Continues the stress on vocabulary expansion, oral and written expression, and reading stories on a variety of cultural and literary topics in French. (5 Credits)

This course strengthens vocabulary and grammar through listening, speaking, reading and writing. Emphasis is placed on improving the ability to communicate in Spanish. Thematic units from the Spanish I course are reviewed and reinforced, and new thematic units are introduced.  Students will also read and discuss a short story.  An appreciation and understanding of culture and history is fostered through the use of cultural videos. (5 Credits)

Students in this course will review grammar structures and learn new ones in context through short stories, full length documentaries, short newspaper articles, cultural readings, and discussion of topics that affect our world today.  The course will give students the opportunity to expand on their vocabulary and improve on their listening, writing, speaking, and reading skills in the target language in order to help them achieve their next level of proficiency.  (5 Credits)

The course continues the study of major grammatical points necessary for reading authentic passages of Latin authors. Readings introduce the student to Roman political and military life in the first century AD.  Students are trained to read Latin passages for comprehension.  Students continue to study the influence of Latin on English vocabulary and on the vocabulary and structure of the Romance languages. (5 Credits)

This course continues the study of major grammatical points necessary for reading authentic passages of Latin authors. Readings introduce the student to Roman political and military life in the first century AD.  Students are trained to read Latin passages at sight and to focus on precise translation. Students continue to study the influence of Latin on English vocabulary and on the vocabulary and structure of the Romance languages. (5 Credits)

Provides the opportunity for continued study of French. Verbal communication is stressed. Discussion centers on various literary and cultural readings. Includes an intensive grammatical review of the first two years. Audio and video tapes supplement coursework. (5 Credits)

Oral fluency and intensive grammar study are the goals of French III. Oral presentations are prepared and presented. Listening comprehension skills are further developed by the use of tapes and teacher exercises. A variety of reading materials is presented. Cultural exposure to literature is integrated in this course. Oral competency and comprehension in French are stressed as major objectives. (5 Credits)

All four language skills are reinforced within a contextual approach. Vocabulary needed to converse effectively in the Spanish language on everyday topics is fortified.  Emphasis is placed on improving reading, writing, listening, and communicative skills. Students will read and discuss a short story.  An appreciation and understanding of culture and history is emphasized in this course through readings, cultural videos, and short films. (5 Credits)

This course emphasizes oral and written Spanish fluency. Vocabulary needed to converse effectively in the Spanish language on everyday topics is fortified.  Creative speaking and writing, student presentations and extensive grammar exercises are practiced.  Reading skills and cultural understanding are fostered through short stories.  Cultural videos and short films emphasize appreciation of Hispanic culture.  (5 Credits)

This course reviews grammar and readings from Latin authors. Passages are authentic Latin slightly modified from the original.  Study of Roman culture focuses on the political situation in the late Republic and Early Empire, and on the literary history of Rome in the classical period. (5 Credits)

Readings for this course come from Latin prose and poetry. Students read extensively from Caesar’s De Bello Gallico, Ovid’s Metamorphoses, and the poetry of Horace and Catullus.  Students learn elements important to prose and poetic style.  Study of Roman culture focuses on the political situation in the late Republic and Early Empire, and on the literary history of Rome in the classical period.  Students must read and translate at sight on a regular basis. (5 Credits)

Designed to continue the study of French with greater emphasis on the oral/aural skills. Vocabulary expansion, grammar review and competency in conversational situations are the goals of this course. Cultural samples are discussed to enhance the students’ appreciation of French and the French-speaking world. A variety of materials and activities such as movies, tapes, debates, reports, skits, and projects are used to encourage self-confidence and self-expression of the language. (5 Credits)

French IV and French V are elective courses that refine and stress a high degree of proficiency in listening, speaking, reading and writing skills to strive for oral/aural competency that could lead to the AP French Language Exam. Listening comprehension exercises as well as oral presentations are required elements of the course. Novels and short stories are read and discussed and follow-up essays are written. Cultural and literary emphasis centers on 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th century literature. Thematic units incorporate the history, art and culture of the French-speaking world. Students who have demonstrated outstanding mastery of skills, with the recommendation of their teacher and the approval of the Department Chairperson and Associate Principal, may take the AP Exam. (5 Credits)

A fourth-level course designed to promote genuine communication in the Spanish language as well as to gain knowledge of the history and culture of the Spanish-speaking world.  Throughout this course, students will develop the ability to think critically and express themselves in Spanish through the study of various thematic units.  Each unit begins with thematically organized vocabulary lessons that are used to read, watch, and discuss various texts and films related to this theme.  Each unit also includes grammar points that are practiced and perfected through discussions and compositions related to the theme of the unit.  Ultimately, the goal in this class is to build a very strong foundation in the Spanish language for everyday communication.  (5 Credits)

This course is designed for those students who exhibit a high degree of Spanish proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Emphasis is placed on reading comprehension and literary analysis through the discussion of literature and film. Students will also study the history and culture of the Spanish-speaking world. Throughout this course, students will continue to develop critical thinking skills as well as the skills to express themselves in Spanish through the interpretation and discussion of authentic Hispanic literature and film. Finally, they will develop knowledge of significant cultural and historical events, specifically as they relate to literary and film texts studied in class. (5 credits)

This course includes review of grammar and readings from Latin authors. Students sit in the same class with students from Latin III Honors or Standard. Readings studied differ from those studied in the previous year. Students are expected to bring a more refined understanding to the work of translation. (5 Credits)

In a year in which AP is taught, students follow the AP Curriculum, but are graded according to a different standard. In a year in which there is no AP class, students read a variety of works from Latin authors, including Cicero, Livy, Ovid, Horace, and the Vulgate. Cultural topics include the moral and philosophical values of Romans and how these ideals are reflected in the works read. (5 Credits)

A fourth and fifth level course strengthening students’ solid Spanish studies background to overcome language and cultural barriers often encountered by people doing business in the Spanish-speaking world. The practice of oral and written communicative skills fosters effective interaction while conducting trade and commerce. Practical concepts such as budgets, insurance, importing/exporting, taxation and business travel are introduced. Along with vocabulary expansion and grammar review, social customs, protocol, and common business practices are explored. (5 Credits)

This course provides students at the post-level 3S, 3H, 4S, and 4H of Spanish with an opportunity to review, practice, and improve upon all four skills of language proficiency (listening, writing, speaking, and interpreting).  The course exposes students to a variety of  thought-provoking literary and non-literary texts (including films) and provides a review of grammar with emphasis placed on written and oral expression.  This course also promotes cultural competence: as students debate and analyze contemporary issues from different cultural perspectives, their awareness and understanding of both Hispanic and their own cultures grows.  (5 Credits)

Designed to continue the study of French with greater emphasis on the oral/aural skills. Vocabulary expansion, grammar review and competency in conversational situations are the goals of this course. Cultural samples are discussed to enhance the students’ appreciation of French and the French-speaking world. A variety of materials and activities such as movies, tapes, debates, reports, skits, and projects are used to encourage self-confidence and self-expression of the language. (5 Credits)

French IV and French V are elective courses that refine and stress a high degree of proficiency in listening, speaking, reading and writing skills to strive for oral/aural competency that could lead to the AP French Language Exam. Listening comprehension exercises as well as oral presentations are required elements of the course. Novels and short stories are read and discussed and follow-up essays are written. Cultural and literary emphasis centers on 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th century literature. Thematic units incorporate the history, art and culture of the French-speaking world. Students who have demonstrated outstanding mastery of skills, with the recommendation of their teacher and the approval of the Department Chairperson and Associate Principal, may take the AP Exam. (5 Credits)

Students who have demonstrated outstanding mastery of skills in French IV/French V Honors, with the recommendation of their teacher and the approval of the Department Chairperson, may take the AP Exam. (5 Credits)

A fifth-level course extending the themes taught in Spanish IV Standard. Its goals are to improve comprehension in listening and reading and to develop expression in speaking and writing. Grammar is reviewed with an emphasis on more advanced structures, conversational topics and Spanish language literary readings. Audio-visual aides are utilized to support class content. (5 Credits)

An upper-level fourth and fifth year course focusing on the major communicative functions of description, comparisons, narration in the past, expressing preferences, hypothesizing, and speaking of the future. These functions are used simultaneously, thereby engaging in the full range of natural language. (5 Credits)

The AP Spanish Language and Culture course emphasizes communication by applying the interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational modes of communication in real-life situations.  These include vocabulary usage, language control, communication strategies, and cultural awareness.  This course engages students in an exploration of culture in both contemporary and historical contexts.  The course develops students’ awareness and appreciation of cultural products, practices, and perspectives.  Preparation and extensive practice  for the AP Spanish Language and Cultural Exam is emphasized in the course.  (5 Credits)

Students who have demonstrated outstanding mastery of skills in Latin III or IV Honors may qualify for this AP course. AP Latin follows the syllabus established by the College Board.

Principal texts include Virgil’s Aeneid and Caesar’s De Bello Gallico. Students translate books that appear on the Latin Advanced Placement exam and read the remainder in translation. Students study Virgil’s poetic style, the influence of Homer, and the genre of epic. They continue the previous year’s study of Caesar, focusing on leadership style. Cultural topics include the moral and philosophical values of Romans and how these ideals are reflected in the works read.  All students take the AP Exam. (5 Credits)