Modern and Classical Languages

Students entering fifth grade explore Mandarin, French and Spanish in 10-week rotations. Each language is introduced through lively, interactive lessons that make learning fun and memorable.

Students take one year of exploratory Latin, a course that builds grammar and comprehension skills while immersing them in the world of ancient Rome. Through stories, novels, conversational Latin, authentic texts, and inscriptions, students explore Roman architecture, religion, culture, and entertainment.

 

The language students choose for their seventh grade year—French, Latin, Mandarin, or Spanish—carries through into eighth grade. These Level A courses emphasize self-expression and cultural insight through the reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills of the target language. Course content relies heavily on cultural studies and traditions. Given the diverse cultural-linguistic backgrounds of our community, teachers differentiate their instruction since some students enter a language program with previous knowledge of, or exposure to, that language.

 

Level B courses in French, Latin, Mandarin and Spanish continue the emphasis on reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills as both the pace and expected proficiency increase. Students pursue deeper and richer study of the history, culture, and traditions of native speakers. By the end of their two-year language experience, successful students are ready to place into Upper School French 2, Latin 2, Mandarin 2 or Spanish 2 courses. 

Students who enter the Middle School in eighth grade without sufficient prior language study to join the Level B class take an Introduction to Latin course to prepare them to pursue the study of the language of their choice in the Upper School.