World Languages

In ASL 1, you learn the basics of American Sign Language. You will start by learning to sign each letter of the alphabet, which allows you to finger spell words. At the same time, you will build your vocabulary by learning signs for a variety of words and expressions, such as those related to family, work, and leisure activities.

At this beginning stage, you will also learn handshapes, classifiers, as well as non-manual markers. By the end of the year, you will know how to introduce yourself, greet others, express your likes and dislikes, ask questions, and engage in basic conversations. Activities include watching signing videos, reading texts which are enhanced by visual clues, having face-to-face interactions, and translating between ASL and English. You will also research a Deaf person of your choice to start to learn more about the Deaf world.

For your final project, you will create a children’s book and will have an opportunity to combine much of the language you have learned during year one. English is only used to clarify, as most of class time will be spent communicating using ASL.

In ASL 2, you will expand on your signing skills learned in ASL 1 and begin to add detail and nuance to your expressions when communicating needs, conveying detailed information, or comparing and contrasting ideas. This higher level of precision is particularly important when using and understanding signs that express emotions. New vocabulary includes holidays, travel, events and activities. You will learn about linguistic register and will practice shifting from a formal to a more informal tone, as well as using contextually appropriate signs.
You will also begin to use increasingly sophisticated sentence structures by using coordinating conjunctions. At this level, project work involves songs which offer a valuable opportunity to hone fluency skills and express emotions. This course is conducted in ASL and no spoken language is expected by this level.

 In ASL 3, you will continue to expand on your knowledge gained from ASL 1 and 2. You will be expected to demonstrate greater fluency, accuracy and control of vocabulary, with an emphasis on connecting ideas and creating short compositions that are presented to the class. You will spend more time interacting as a group, as opposed to the partner work primarily used in ASL 1 and 2. Deaf culture is explored in depth, as you develop a fuller understanding of the relationship between culture and language. For example, you will explore the daily life and experiences of Deaf people at work and at play.

Culturally appropriate expression is practiced throughout the year. You will complete two major projects in addition to several smaller ones. You will work in groups to create a filmed TV broadcast in the fall and a dramatic skit performance in the spring. At this level, you will also develop basic interpreter skills in order to be able to interpret during assemblies and other school events the following year. This course is conducted entirely in ASL.

In ASL 4, you will continue to expand on your knowledge gained from ASL 1, 2, and 3, developing your receptive and expressive skills at the advanced level. In tandem with using advanced signs, you will continue to deepen your knowledge of Deaf culture. This includes the exploration of other sign-based languages, for example International Sign, as well as life stories of famous Deaf people from around the world.

Emphasis is placed on practicing the language in a wide variety of contexts and engaging in authentic conversations inside and outside of the classroom environment during field trips. You will also have the opportunity to practice ASL interpretation using scenes from a wide range of films, allowing for a thorough review of commonly used language. At this level, you will take turns interpreting for your teacher at school-wide events, providing invaluable real life interpretation practice. This is an advanced level class during which ASL will be used exclusively.

During this introductory course, you will develop the ability to recognize and use basic vocabulary to communicate and express your ideas in French. You will work toward mastering the present tense and using it in relation to a variety of themes including family, school life and personal preferences. You will have the opportunity to research various cultural aspects of daily life in many of the world’s 40+ francophone countries and will carry out an in-depth study of the French-speaking country of your choice.
French is introduced to the classroom on day one and by the end of the year, instruction is approximately 50% in French. The Promenades text provides structure for the course, though a variety of authentic, supplemental materials will be used as well. Lastly, a significant portion of this class will focus on language-learning strategies i.e., learning how to learn a language.

As a student in French 2, you will continue to develop four skills—listening, speaking, reading, and writing—using a communicative method which emphasizes the ability to use French for authentic purposes. You will work toward mastering the primary past tenses and object pronouns in this lower intermediate class. A deeper understanding of the French-speaking world is promoted through the use of culturally rich, authentic materials and comparisons with your own life and experiences.

As a primary example, you will cook and compare foodways and cultural traditions in France and the United States. Each unit includes a project and additional written and oral assessments. Examples of themes explored include: planning a trip, designing and presenting a dream home, and creating a fashion show. You will use a number of resources, including authentic written and audio sources scaffolded for second language learners. The class is taught in both French and English, with French becoming the primary language of instruction by the end of the year.

This upper-intermediate course provides an in-depth review of grammar and vocabulary previously studied and introduces advanced language forms such as the past perfect tense and conditional mood. The theme of storytelling is embedded throughout this course during which you will read and discuss a variety of literary texts, as well as write your own stories in a variety of formats (comic books, readers, picture books, blogs, videos).

In addition, speaking skills are developed through a series of storytelling activities and oral presentations. Our textbook, Promenades, is used for some grammar practice and additional activities, however, the majority of resources used are authentic materials. French is the primary language of instruction and English is used only for clarification purposes.

French History, starting from the French Revolution, provides the framework for this advanced course which provides extensive opportunities for practice and consolidation of previously learned content and skills. Activities are designed to reinforce the four language skills needed to demonstrate proficiency in a language. Literature, as well as various selections of articles, films and other authentic materials are used as a tool to enrich vocabulary, deepen comprehension and develop both written and oral expression.

On a regular basis, you will investigate, share and reflect upon current events in the French-speaking world and participate in roundtable discussions on a wide variety of topics. Language register is also explored and you will learn French slang, while contrasting it with its more formal counterparts. This comparison culminates in a video project during which you will create and film two versions of the same scene, one in formal French and the other using a highly colloquial version of the language. This course is taught exclusively in French and students are expected to only speak French in the classroom.

This honors level course explores six essential themes: Global Challenges, Science and Technology, Contemporary Life, Personal and Public Identities, Families and Communities, and Beauty and Aesthetics. We use authentic materials (podcasts, news articles, television programs, films and other materials from various French-speaking countries to explore these themes and better understand how they impact life in French-speaking countries, as well as the student’s home country. 

It is expected that you will already have developed a strong grammatical base in French and should be able to express yourself orally and in writing, with a fair amount of accuracy and fluency. Some grammatical and lexical topics will be addressed in this course, focusing on the difference between formal and informal registers and written academic language versus spoken colloquial language. You are expected to sit for the AP exam in May and will be prepared by completing tasks mirroring those seen on the actual AP Exam under the same time constraints.

Prerequisites: Department approval is required for honors-level courses. Approval is based on a placement test, teacher recommendation, and previous academic performance in language courses.

This advanced honors-level course is designed for those students who have successfully completed French 5 or are already proficient in French. You will continue to explore the guiding themes of level 5, while taking on a leadership role in the classroom and acting as mentors for the French 5 students. Course materials include literature, film, news articles, podcasts and other authentic source materials in the target language. You will be expected to work independently on a variety of papers, projects and presentations, lead classroom discussions, and design, develop and run a variety of activities for your classmates. This is an excellent leadership opportunity for motivated students who wish to deepen their understanding of global challenges, particularly as they pertain to the French-speaking world.
Prerequisites: Department approval is required for honors-level courses. Approval is based on a placement test, teacher recommendation, and previous academic performance in language courses.

This is a first-year course for beginning Mandarin students who have not completed one year of formal instruction, or who are taking the language for the very first time. In this course, you will work to build a solid foundation from which to continue your Mandarin language learning. The focus of this class is on fundamental elements such as tones, syllable pronunciation, character writing, and basic grammatical structures. This course utilizes a textbook and authentic materials to cover topics like greetings, family, dates and time, etc. These materials, combined with an interactive classroom atmosphere, will help you build confidence and skills while communicating in Mandarin Chinese. Cultural topics covered in this course include (among others) the importance of names in Chinese culture, family structure, and Lunar New Year, all of which are explored through dedicated projects. This course is taught in both Mandarin and English.

This is a second-year course for students who have completed one year of Mandarin, or students who demonstrate mastery of the vocabulary, grammar, and foundational elements covered in Mandarin 1. This course aims to strengthen the four skills of reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Making use of both a textbook and authentic, supplementary materials including videos, advertisements, Mandarin-language websites, and local signage, this course focuses on interacting with others in Mandarin through topics such as hobbies, visiting friends, etc. Class sessions are interactive and incorporate a variety of classroom routines designed to provide you many opportunities to build confidence speaking in Mandarin.

Cultural topics covered in this course focus on (but are not limited to) the importance of modesty in Chinese culture as well as etiquette to observe when visiting people’s homes, both of which are explored through a student-produced video project. Additionally, you will examine a cultural topic of choice through your annual Lunar New Year Project. This course is taught in both Mandarin and English, with increasing amounts of Mandarin spoken throughout the year.

This is a third-year course for students who have completed two years of Mandarin, or students who demonstrate knowledge of and ability to use the vocabulary and structures covered during Mandarin 1 and Mandarin 2. During this course, there is continued focus on four skills - reading, writing, listening, and speaking - with an added focus on learning how to type characters and presentational speaking skills. Use of the course textbook and authentic sources will allow you to explore topics such as making appointments, learning Mandarin, and school life.

Cultural topics covered in this course include (among others) a continued look at modesty as well as the concept of losing/saving face, and teacher/student dynamics. Through the annual Lunar New Year project, you will explore a new cultural topic of your choice in preparation for our school-wide event. Mandarin is the dominant language of instruction for this course, with English used for clarification purposes and to discuss more complex cultural topics. 

This is a fourth-year course for students who have completed three years of Mandarin, or students who demonstrate both knowledge of and an ability to use vocabulary and structures covered in the first three levels. This course is designed to further strengthen the four skills of reading, writing, listening, and speaking, and uses a combination of textbook and authentic sources to explore what life in a Chinese-speaking country might be like through topics such as transportation and shopping in the target culture. Through project work, you will practice bargaining in a simulated market, explore and build awareness around your identity as a speaker of Mandarin, and research a more nuanced cultural topic during Lunar New Year. Mandarin is the language of instruction for this course, with English used for clarification purposes only.  

This is a fifth-year course for students who have completed four years of Mandarin, or students who demonstrate both knowledge of and an ability to use vocabulary and structures covered in the program ́s previous four levels. This course is designed to continue developing the four skills of reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Mandarin 5 uses a combination of textbook and authentic sources to grow your understanding of Chinese language and culture and prepare you for life abroad, through topics such as talking about the weather, dining out, visiting a doctor, dating, traveling, etc.

Students in this course will attend class with their peers in Mandarin 4 and project work, including the Lunar New Year project which will be a collaboration between the two groups. Mandarin is the language of instruction for this course.

Spanish 1 marks the beginning of an exciting journey towards learning a new language and participating in a new culture. This course is designed for students new to Spanish but will also serve students with previous experience in Spanish who may need to strengthen their fundamentals. From the first day of class, you will be speaking en español, giving mini presentations, learning how to greet people and introduce yourself and your friends. Additionally, this level will give you the fundamental tools to master the present tense and other building blocks of the Spanish language. You will work on a variety of projects to get familiar with Spanish vocabulary and grammar including creating visual presentations of the Spanish vocabulary terms and taking turns acting as the teacher to articulate your understanding of how the Spanish language works.
You will also begin to discover the fascinating link between language and culture, especially through music, movies, historical events, food and more. Lastly, a significant portion of this class will focus on language-learning strategies i.e., learning how to learn a language. This course is taught in both Spanish and English.

Students in Spanish 2 continue to develop the four skills—listening, speaking, reading, and writing—with a focus on both conversational and academic language. Through daily work, class conversations, journaling, and more formal written work and projects, you will acquire a diverse vocabulary encompassing culinary traditions, festivities, shopping, and daily routines. You will use a number of resources, including the Vistas online textbook, sources from the Internet, and supplementary materials written by the teachers.
This course taps into many different assessments so that students have a variety of modes to demonstrate their understanding. Every chapter includes at least one project as well as oral and written assessments. This course is taught in both Spanish and English, with Spanish used with increasing frequency throughout the school year.

Spanish 3 is an intermediate Spanish course that is an extension of the skills covered in Spanish 1 and 2. Designed to build each student’s foundation in Spanish through the incorporation of new vocabulary and grammar, this course also aims to deepen your cultural and historical knowledge about the Spanish-speaking world. The four skills of reading, writing, listening, and speaking are developed in this course, with a special emphasis on fluency-building activities. Through projects, you will be asked to demonstrate your understanding of new knowledge (the subjunctive mood, for example).

The examination of specific issues and events relevant to the Spanish-speaking world will not only provide a foundation in the history and culture of Latin America and Spain, but will also serve as a framework for the practice and integration of this level’s grammatical concepts and vocabulary. You will use many resources, including an online textbook, authentic sources from the Internet, and materials written by the teacher. This course is conducted predominantly in Spanish.

Spanish 3 Honors is designed for students who are looking to take on the challenge of an honors-level language course with greater rigor in terms of the pace of the class and expectations for student accuracy and workload.

This course develops fluency in all skills (listening, reading, writing, speaking) through more oral presentations, higher-level readings and more advanced writing than the regular section. The class is taught in Spanish, and you will be expected to make every effort to interact exclusively in Spanish in the classroom. In terms of grammar, the focus will shift towards the imperative and subjunctive moods, as well as the perfect tenses.

The scope of Spanish and Latin-American culture is broadened through short stories, films, songs, and excerpts from local and international media sources. There will be cumulative written and oral final exams at the end of the spring semester.

Prerequisites: Department approval is required for honors-level courses. Approval is based on a placement test, teacher recommendation, and previous academic performance in language courses.

This course provides a comprehensive review of Spanish grammar and seeks to develop and enhance language skills that are vital for active communication in real-life situations. By developing both cooperative learning and individual skills, you will use real-life, task-based activities to practice the four skills of listening, reading, writing, speaking in the target language with authentic Spanish-language materials. The class includes culturally rich authentic materials, mostly literature and film. The course is taught primarily in Spanish, and you are expected to communicate with your classmates and with the instructor in Spanish.

This is an advanced course designed for students who have demonstrated an ability to synthesize and use a wide variety of languages in both written and oral formats. This Honors section differs from the non-honors section in that it has higher expectations in terms of students’ language accuracy and focuses more on exploring literature in Spanish. Each unit consists of lexical development, grammar refinement and a 20th century fiction or nonfiction narrative in Spanish by a variety of Spanish-speaking authors. You will write essays to practice different language registers at the written level. You will lead and participate in informal conversations, as well as conduct formal oral presentations to the class. You will also watch Spanish-language films and participate in cultural events. 

Prerequisites: Department approval is required for honors-level courses. Approval is based on a placement test, teacher recommendation, and previous academic performance in language courses.

This honors level course explores six essential themes: Global Challenges, Science and Technology, Contemporary Life, Personal and Public Identities, Families and Communities, and Beauty and Aesthetics. We use authentic materials (podcasts, news articles, television programs, films and other materials from the Americas, Equatorial Guinea and Spain to explore these themes and better understand how they impact life in Spanish-speaking regions, as well as the student’s home country.

It is expected that students entering this class will already have developed a strong grammatical base in Spanish and should be able to express themselves orally and in writing with a fair amount of accuracy and fluency. Some grammatical and lexical topics will be addressed in this course, focusing on the difference between formal and informal registers and written academic language versus spoken colloquial language. You are expected to sit for the AP exam and will be prepared by completing tasks mirroring those seen on the actual AP Exam under the same time constraints.

Prerequisites: Department approval is required for honors-level courses. Approval is based on a placement test, teacher recommendation, and previous academic performance in language courses.

This advanced honors-level course is designed for those students who have successfully completed Spanish 5, or are already proficient in Spanish. Through study of a series of short and feature-length films, short stories, poems, plays and novels as well as online publications, songs and podcasts, you will be exposed to a wide variety of rich, authentic cultural material from throughout the Spanish-speaking world while at the same time enhancing your reading, listening, and analytical skills.

You will also continue to develop both formal and informal written and spoken registers of Spanish through activities designed specifically to work towards mastery in each of these areas. In addition, you will strengthen your research skills via independent and collaborative projects. You will be expected to work independently on a variety of papers, projects, and presentations. You will also act as mentors to the current Spanish 5 students and enrich the classroom discussions through formal presentations and student-led activities. Course objectives include further stimulating your interest in Spanish and its many representative cultures while preparing you for college-level study in Spanish.

In Spanish 6, you will collaborate with your peers from Spanish 5 during classroom sessions, acting as valuable resources for both your classmates and the instructor. Additionally, Spanish 6 students are expected to assist Admissions during Spanish-language Open Houses and other school events needing Spanish interpretation as part of their responsibilities.

Prerequisites: Department approval is required for honors level courses. Approval is based on a placement test, teacher recommendation, and previous academic performance in language courses.