World Languages: Ancient and Modern

The Department of World Languages: Ancient and Modern sees the acquisition of a language as the ultimate gesture of friendship to the world. The study of world languages, ancient and modern, provides our students opportunities to engage with the cultures, past and present, throughout the world. It gives them the tools necessary for deep inquiry, reflection, and communication.

We convey to students that the knowledge of languages promotes understanding and harmony between peoples. Our students emerge with a sense of world citizenship. It is our goal to give tangible meaning to the concept of respect for other cultures by helping students acquire the skills which will allow them to communicate through reading and speaking with a variety of people across the globe. Through striving for proficiency in their language(s) of study, students embody the excitement and the sense of achievement unique to the study of World Languages.

Graduation Requirement: 3 consecutive years of the same World Language

Arabic I

Arabic I offers an introduction to the language, emphasizing the acquisition of the new alphabet as well as the mastering of basic oral and written skills. Students learn Modern Standard Arabic and also gain exposure to basic structures of the Levantine dialect of Arabic. Vocabulary is presented in thematic units including introductions and greetings, the home and family, and food. Additionally, each unit has Important grammar concepts including forming adjectives, definite and indefinite articles, gender agreement, nominal and verbal sentences, pronouns and possessive pronouns, asking and answering questions, plurals, present-tense verb conjugation, and the root and pattern system of Arabic morphology.

Full year course – 4 credits
Arabic II

Arabic II is a direct continuation of Arabic I. After a thorough review of the previous year's material, students delve into new material covering units on the classroom, family, daily routines and hobbies, weather and climate, and urban life. Students are exposed to past tense conjugation through the study of the biographies of Arab personalities. The course also continues to incorporate elements of the Levantine dialect of Arabic to supplement their study of Modern Standard Arabic through a variety of audiovisual sources. Greater emphasis is placed on students' independent compositions in both writing and oral presentations.

In Arabic III, students begin to build an increasingly substantial vocabulary through the use of Arabic roots and patterns. Students are also exposed to a greater number of primary sources ranging from news articles to Arabic language websites as they learn to speak about their homes, their school, and tourism in their city, before studying tourism in Arab cities. The course ends with the reading and discussion of culturally rich and authentic Joha stories. Students are required to complete more complex projects and give increasingly independent oral presentations and develop Arabic typing skills.

5 periods/cycle
Full year course – 4 credits
Prerequisite(s): Arabic Level I or equivalent
Arabic III

In Arabic III, students begin to build an increasingly substantial vocabulary through the use of Arabic roots and patterns. Students are also exposed to a greater number of primary sources ranging from news articles to Arabic language websites, and they are taught to engage more closely with different texts. Thus, students are required to complete more complex projects and give increasingly independent oral presentations, working up to two page compositions, and developing Arabic typing skills as they learn to speak about home, school, travel and tourism in New York City. Students wrap up the year by reading culturally rich and authentic Joha stories, and performing one.

5 periods/cycle

Full year course – 4 credits
Prerequisite(s): Arabic Level II or equivalent
Arabic IV

Arabic IV is an intermediate level course that engages students in comparisons of their home culture with Arab cultures on topics ranging from holidays and celebrations to technology and social media. Students also discuss health and wellness, read the poetry and life of Nizar Qabbani, and survey Moroccan geography and society. Intermediate structures including conditional phrases, accusative verbs, and negators are introduced, while reviewing present and past tense, and question words.

5 periods/cycle

Full year course – 4 credits
Prerequisite(s): Arabic Level III or equivalent
Arabic V

After completing Arabic IV, students are ready to engage in a content-based class conducted fully in Arabic. Students in Arabic V delve into diverse Arab cultures through cinema, literature and current events. They acquire new vocabulary and hone their linguistic skills through oral and written reflections on the topics they are studying. The theme of the course varies from year to year. Possible topics for the course include current events and politics, Levantine cinema, literary and media translation, history of the Middle East, sports in the Arab World, traditional and contemporary musical forms, and Arabic literature.

5 periods/cycle

Full year course – 4 credits
Prerequisite(s): Arabic Level IV or equivalent
Advanced Arabic

Advanced Arabic is a content-based course that examines youth culture and society through the discussion of Arabic-language texts, both written and audiovisual. By focusing on youth voices, students learn from their peers about current issues, while also providing traditional context for those voices. Arabic VI builds upon previous study of the Levant region and broadens to include the Gulf and North Africa, necessitating the use of texts in Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) over those in Levantine dialect. Rigorous study of MSA grammar and vocabulary prepares students for standardized proficiency tests, specifically the AAPPL test detailed below, and college placement tests.

As a course for intermediate speakers (from intermediate low to intermediate high), Advanced Arabic is aligned to standards from the American of Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL). The course includes the annual topics of the ACTFL proficiency test (AAPPL), at the intermediate level. In order to challenge students to move toward the advanced level, rigorous topics will also be introduced. For example, a unit on gender and sexuality in Arab society includes a song by DAM (topic: music), excerpts from Girls of Riyadh (literature), fashion influencers (social media), and articles on LGBT culture in Beirut and Amman (current events).

5 periods/cycle

Full year course - 4 credits

Prerequisite(s): A- in Arabic V or equivalent and/or Departmental Approval
Arabic VI
Chinese I

Chinese I is an introductory class that focuses on the basics of the Mandarin Chinese language. It introduces the foundation knowledge of Mandarin including the pronunciation system and writing of Chinese characters. Chinese I also integrate four skills – listening, speaking, reading and writing - to help students build communicative competences. Students will learn to communicate about and identify the main idea and a few supporting details of short written and spoken messages on highly predictable, everyday topics on familiar themes involving personal identity, family, and daily life. They can use simple sentences that have been encountered, memorized, and recalled. Basic Chinese geography, ways of greeting Chinese people that explain your identity and ways of showing a beginning appreciation of Chinese language and culture are the focus of this course.

5 periods/cycle
Full year course – 4 credits
Chinese II

In this course, students expand their vocabulary for basic conversation and knowledge of characters that correspond to new vocabulary. Students also become familiar with conversational topics relevant to everyday life and more complex grammatical structures that will permit expression of more intricate ideas, both in speech and in writing. Students are exposed to authentic Chinese sources in the form of advertisements, popular music, and TV shows, and will be expected to be competent in the use and recognition of some newly introduced characters.

5 periods/cycle

Full year course – 4 credits
Prerequisite(s): Chinese I or equivalent
Chinese III

Chinese III is a continuation of Chinese II. It is a course that is designed to broaden the student’s understanding of grammatical concepts in Chinese and integrate what he/she already knows into more coherent conversational skills utilizing a wide range of verbs and vocabulary. Additionally, the student will be exposed to the cultures of Chinese-speaking communities through the use of films, poetry, newspaper articles, etc. Some Chinese films appropriate to the age will be shown, which are an important part of the curriculum. Preparation for class and participation in class are absolutely essential.

5 periods/cycle
Full year course – 4 credits
Prerequisite(s): Chinese II or equivalent
Chinese IV

This course is a continuation of Chinese III. Emphasis is placed on oral and aural ability for daily communication situations, reading and writing skills for functional literacy, and foundational grammar for more complex sentence structures. Students will also continue the study of cheng yu, or idiomatic phrases, to gain cultural insights about Chinese speaking communities. Materials will include both a textbook and a collection of modern short stories (chapter books). In addition, students will use their Chinese to learn about a cultural practice of their choice, such as Chinese music, visual art, Chinese medicine, or Taichi. Students will also complete a variety of student driven projects where they will research on topics including, Best Chinese cities to live, Chinese communities overseas, Chinatowns around the world, but not limited to these topics. Students will also be exposed to the diversity of Chinese speaking communities through immigration stories, diversity in Chinese film, music and individual expression of self. As students approach intermediate mid/high proficiency, they read longer and more complex texts, and respond to them both orally and in writing. Class discussion is a major component of the course, and builds the basis for reflections ranging from traditional assignments such as response papers and oral presentations, to creative writing and artistic expression.

5 periods/cycle

Full year course – 4 credits
Prerequisite(s): Chinese III or equivalent
Chinese V

Contemporary China through Music and Film is a course designed for advanced students of Chinese who have completed the first four years of the upper school Chinese curriculum. The focus of the course is on popular culture and contemporary social issues in China. Students will experience these primarily through the study of films and music lyrics, but will also be exposed to current events through journalism and to popular literature through short stories and poetry. Students will continue to study vocabulary and grammar through these materials, and the curriculum will be supplemented by some content from textbooks. Work in the course will be assessed through presentations, compositions, group projects, and traditional tests.

5 periods/cycle

Full year course – 4 credits
Prerequisite(s): Chinese IV or equivalent
Chinese VI
Advanced Chinese

This course offers an opportunity to read, listen to, and discuss a wide range of texts, tailored to the interests of the students and teacher. While students continue to work toward acquiring advanced proficiency in all skill areas, they will practice accessing authentic materials intended for a native speaker audience, whether through Chinese film, short stories, novels, periodicals, or social media. Students will be expected to engage in these authentic materials through discussion, writing, and presentations. Students are expected to put in the time and effort to engage in the full range of activities and homework designed to achieve advanced proficiency across all four skills of the language. Through the course, students will gain as much exposure as possible to authentic materials, whether through extensive reading, intensive reading, WeChat socializing, conversation meetups, online TV shows and movies, flashcards on Pleco, and listening to an episode of Slow Chinese or iMandarin Pod. Students will be using the Chinese language to investigate, explain, and reflect on the concept of culture through comparisons of the cultures studied and their own.

Students will demonstrate their knowledge and point of view of current events, and literary works as well facets of intercultural communications by way of debate, interviews with native speakers of Chinese and creating their own literary and art works in Chinese.

Full year course – 4 credits

Prerequisite(s): A- in Chinese V or equivalent and/or Departmental Approval
Latin I

US Level I Latin is an accelerated course. Students read adapted excerpts from Ovid’s Metamorphoses while learning declension and conjugation. Sight translation is also a component of the course. Through mastery of the Present and Perfect Systems of verb conjugation, formation of participles, and infinitive usage, students are able to read intermediate level texts. Advanced syntax enforces the work students complete in English and Modern Language classes. Students write compositions, craft translations, and build an extensive vocabulary. Via creative projects, film, and literature in translation, students articulate connections between their world and Antiquity.

5 periods/cycle

Full year course – 4 credits

Prerequisite(s): Placement by Department
Latin II

In Latin II students continue reading adapted excerpts from Ovid’s Metamorphoses. Sight translation is also a component of the course. Through mastery of the Present and Perfect Systems of verb conjugation, formation of participles, and infinitive usage, students are able to read intermediate level texts. Advanced syntax enforces the work students complete in English and Modern Language classes. Students write compositions, craft translations, and build an extensive vocabulary. Via creative projects, film, and literature in translation, students articulate connections between their world and Antiquity.

5 periods/cycle

Full year course – 4 credits

Prerequisite(s): Latin I or equivalent
Latin III

In this course students solidify their mastery of declension, conjugation, case usage, and infinitive and participle usage. The subjunctive verb forms and their usage are thoroughly examined. Students craft compositions and translations, thus, increasing their vocabulary. Readings include the myths of Atalanta, Theseus, Perseus, and Medea. Themes discussed are: gender and power in myth, intersections between Roman ideals of community and the world around us, journey and exile.

5 periods/cycle

Full year course – 4 credits

Prerequisite(s): Latin II or equivalent
Latin IV

In this course students read unedited, original texts. Proper usage of commentary and rudimentary research methods are introduced. The literature read varies annually. Most recently students have read excerpts from Cicero, Pliny, Ovid, and Horace. In addition to rigorous readings, students complete creative projects such as storyboards, blogs, and skits. These projects encourage each student to examine one’s personal relationship to the modern world and ways the study of Classical languages influences our view of the world.

5 periods/cycle

Full year course – 4 credits

Prerequisite(s): Latin III or equivalent
Latin V

This is an advanced, college level course. The central texts are selections from the Roman Elegists: Catullus, Propertius, Tibullus, Sulpicia, and Ovid. Some of the most challenging texts of antiquity, these poems were the precursors of the Italian and English sonnet, and influenced the matrix of western literature. Mastery of research methods, and formal explication of texts culminates in the preparation of a final paper. Each student must present a fragment of the research paper to an audience of peers and teachers at the close of the final term. In preparation for the final course of study, students read Virgil’s Aeneid in translation.

4 periods/cycle

Full year course – 4 credits

Prerequisite(s): Latin IV or equivalent
Advanced Latin

Advanced Latin is an intensive course that deepens student understanding of the organization and content of advanced primary and secondary texts. Students will read a minimum of 50 lines of original text daily and will engage weekly with at least two secondary sources related to the primary texts. There will be no review of syntax. Students in this course must have exhibited superior control of all advanced skills prior to enrolling.

The course builds upon the prose and poetry read in previous classes but broadens the scope of inquiry as students draw connections between the ancient world and their own. The foundation of this analysis is rooted in the following topics: Language, Memory, Identity.

Language: How have these authors utilized language to either conform to or challenge codified systems of thought? How does genre contribute to the style and content of each text?

Memory: How does the retelling of stories contribute to personal and social memory? Who has the power to shift memory?

Identity: Who are these writers? How does reading and writing sculpt our own identities? How do changes in society overlap with personal identity and power?

Each student will create a portfolio. All students will engage with the same material, but each portfolio will reflect their individual thoughts and explorations of primary texts and support materials. All students will be required to read and summarize primary and secondary texts that are unique to their own readings’ intersections with the course themes. In addition to the portfolio, students will sit for formal translation and composition assessments. These assessments, in combination with the research methods required for the portfolio, will culminate in a capstone project that students will present to the community at the Annual Latin Colloquium.

5 periods/cycle

Full year course – 4 credits

Prerequisite(s): A- in Latin V or equivalent and/or Departmental Approval
French I

French I is an accelerated introductory course that emphasizes all four language skills (listening, reading, writing and speaking) through a variety of classroom activities. Students acquire vocabulary and grammatical structures, including idiomatic expressions, and language to be able to have conversations about themselves, their families, friends, school, pastimes, and the world around them. Instruction may include experiences such as trips to museums and restaurants.

5 periods/cycle

Full year course – 4 credits
French II

This course capitalizes on the vocabulary and syntax used in French I and expands them. Students learn to discuss topics that pertain to everyday life, including shopping, sports and health, dates, parties and cities. Grammar points include the passé composé as well as the correct usage of articles and pronouns. Assessments evaluate both writing and speaking abilities as the emphasis is on developing active skills in French. Journal writing helps students apply new structures and vocabulary regularly. Corresponding films, videos, and audio files that expand cultural and linguistic awareness reinforce textbook lessons.

5 periods/cycle
Full year course – 4 credits
Prerequisite(s): French I or equivalent
French III

In this intermediate course, students develop their language skills through topics such as school, shopping, work, the environment, travel, geography and the arts. The study of these topics is enhanced by authentic material from francophone websites and audiovisual sources. The students expand their vocabulary and learn new verb tenses and modes such as the future, the conditional and the subjunctive, as well as other grammatical features such as relative pronouns and comparative/superlative structures. They develop their reading skills with a variety of readings and improve their writing through short narratives. During the second semester, the students have an expanded unit in which they formally study a short story. They learn topical vocabulary and are introduced to painting, fashion and other cultural features of nineteenth-century Paris. Following the in-depth reading of the story, they watch a film based on it. The unit concludes with a formal essay. Throughout the year, the students also prepare class presentations and video projects to develop their oral and presentational skills, and they improve their listening skills through movies and songs. The class makes use of French-language resources found in New York City to support their classroom learning whenever possible.

5 periods/cycle
Full year course – 4 credits
Prerequisite(s): French II or equivalent
French IV

The work in this course is designed to pull together and refine the material studied in the previous years through intensive grammar review and an expansion of active vocabulary. In addition, students being study of works by various French or francophone authors. Assessments include grammar quizzes and tests, vocabulary quizzes, and take home and in-class essays. Corresponding films, videos, and audio files that expand cultural and linguistic awareness reinforce lessons.

5 periods/cycle
Full year course – 4 credits
Prerequisite(s): French III or equivalent
French V

In French V, students move into a topics class conducted completely in French. Students will have the opportunity to delve into the diverse parts of the French-speaking world through literature, film, and history, building a more specialized vocabulary while honing their linguistic skills through The Five C's (Communication, Culture, Connections, Comparisons, and Communities). Students will complete a capstone project incorporating some of the major topics covered in the course. The theme of the course can vary from year to year, but past topics have included: French theater, the aftermath of the Second World War, Holocaust survivors, the literature of French colonized regions.

5 periods/cycle
Full year course – 4 credits
Prerequisite(s): French IV or equivalent
French VI

In this language course, we explore contemporary issues through the francophone lens. The students use French-language media resources, both written and audiovisual, to research environmental concerns, diversity and migration, technological advances and the effects of social media, and food and health. They build topic-specific vocabulary, develop their reading and listening comprehension, and hone their expressive skills through written and presentational projects which can be shared with the community. The five Cs of language learning (Communication, Cultures, Connections, Comparisons and Communities) are applied to emphasize the interconnectedness of the issues facing our world today. Although the study of grammar is not a formal component of the curriculum, there is occasional review of advanced grammatical topics that may benefit the students’ oral and written expression. Whenever possible, we make use of French-language resources in New York City to support our classroom learning.
Advanced French

In this advanced language course, we explore contemporary issues through the francophone lens. The students use French-language media resources, both written and audiovisual, to research environmental concerns, diversity and migration, technological advances and the effects of social media, and food and health. They build topic-specific vocabulary, develop their reading and listening comprehension, and hone their expressive skills through written and presentational projects which can be shared with the community. The five Cs of language learning (Communication, Cultures, Connections, Comparisons and Communities) are applied to emphasize the interconnectedness of the issues facing our world today. Although the study of grammar is not a formal component of the curriculum, there is occasional review of advanced grammatical topics that may benefit the students’ oral and written expression. Whenever possible, we make use of French-language resources in New York City to support our classroom learning.

5 periods/cycle

Full year course – 4 credits
Prerequisite(s): French V minimum grade A-; Department approval
Greek I

Greek I is a fast paced course. Students read adapted excerpts from Demosthenes, Aeschylus, Plato, Herodotus, Euripides, and Xenophon. Topics include: Athens and the Sea, Moral Decay and Political Change, Athens Through the Eyes of Others, and Women in Athenian Society. Students learn declension charts and lexical forms. Students write compositions, craft translations, and build an extensive vocabulary. Sight translation is also a component of the course. By the end of the course,through mastery of the regular verb conjugation, formation of participles, and infinitive usage, students are able to read intermediate level texts. Via creative projects, film, and literature in translation, students articulate connections between their world and that of ancient peoples.

2 periods/cycle

Full year course – 2 credits

Prerequisite(s): Completion of Latin III or equivalent; completion of Modern Language Level IV or equivalent
Greek II

Greek II focuses on deepening grammar and vocabulary skills. Mastery of the following syntax is required: 1) all declension charts (nouns, adjectives, pronouns); 2) full conjugations (both -ω and -μι and irregular verbs, all voices and moods); 3) formation and usage of infinitives and participles; 4) all noun case usage, including the locative; 5) relative pronoun ,interrogative pronoun, and demonstrative pronoun usage; 6) dependent and independent uses of the subjunctive & optative forms; 7) indirect discourse.

This course will craft a solid foundation in intermediate conjugation, declension, and idiom uses. Rather than focus on a single text, this program will include adapted historical and literary texts. Students will also read excerpts of Greek texts in translation and they will engage with podcasts and vlogs. The focus of these primary and secondary materials will revolve around the following themes:

Conflict: How do these materials present conflict? Is conflict rooted in tradition? What might we learn about our own engagement with conflict and conflict resolution? How does conflict inform the works of contemporary writers and creators? Are we fixated on conflict--if so, how does this manifest?

Place: How do position, location, and one's understanding of place shape and influence societal norms and non-norms? Can a person or group shift their location--to what end?

Creativity: Where does creativity flourish? Are their limits to creative expression in antiquity? How have these works influenced others?

The student portfolio will consist of chart practice and vocabulary drills. Alongside this work, there will be reflections on readings of primary and secondary sources. The readings will increase in difficulty throughout the year. Students will maintain a composition journal relevant to the cycle topic. These compositions will mirror their translations of Greek texts.

2 periods/cycle

Full year course – 2 credits

Prerequisite(s): Completion of Greek I or equivalent.
Spanish I

The US Spanish I Intensive is an accelerated course designed to accommodate students with little to no prior experience with Spanish and those students for whom the skills of speaking, writing, reading, and listening need further development. The work is intensive and students are expected to participate vigorously, by utilizing digital materials, practicing speaking outside of class, completing practice drills, and preparing oral presentations. Some of the vocabulary covered includes greetings, talking about school, family, pastimes, and traveling. Some of the grammatical concepts include numbers, telling time, regular -ar/-er/-ir verbs, the two ways to say "to be" in Spanish, stem-changing verbs, the present progressive, and direct object pronouns. At the successful completion of this course, students will be eligible for Spanish II.

4 periods/cycle

Full year course – 4 credits
Spanish II

This course presents the more complex structures of basic Spanish and expands the themes of the first level. By the completion of this course, the students will have acquired a command of everyday vocabulary that will help them negotiate the ordinary activities of daily living and structures necessary for personal communication. It will also assist them in developing an appreciation of the breadth and variety of cultures found in the Spanish-speaking world. Students listen to audio materials and watch videos reinforcing the material presented in class.

5 periods/cycle
Full year course – 4 credits
Prerequisite(s): Spanish I or equivalent
Spanish III

Spanish III emphasizes all four language skills (listening, reading, writing and speaking) through a variety of classroom activities. Students learn vocabulary, grammatical structures, and expressions through various sources (textbook, short stories, digital resources, etc.) to be able to communicate effectively both in speaking and writing about such topics as modern life and the world around them. Some grammatical concepts include the preterite and imperfect tenses, por vs. para, familiar and formal commands, and the forms and uses of the subjunctive. Students also develop an appreciation for the breadth and diversity of cultures found in the Spanish-speaking world.

5 periods/cycle
Full year course – 4 credits
Prerequisite(s): Spanish II or equivalent
Spanish IV

Spanish IV students review, refine and expand the four skills of aural comprehension, speaking, reading and writing. The linguistic goals for this course include the learning of new tenses in both the indicative and the subjunctive and greater expansion of all the perfect tenses in Spanish. Students explore culture and grammar through the study of music, short readings and online games. Hands-on language learning and authentic, activity-based situations enhance their language skills.

5 periods/cycle
Full year course – 4 credits
Prerequisite(s): Spanish III or equivalent
Spanish V

Spanish V is a course in Spanish language and culture that emphasizes all four language skills (listening, reading, writing and speaking) through a variety of classroom activities and uses the Spanish language to explore aspects of different cultures in the Spanish-speaking world. Students will practice vocabulary, grammatical structures, and expressions through different sources (textbook, short stories, short films, digital resources.) Students are expected to communicate entirely in Spanish both in speaking and writing.

5 periods/cycle
Full year course – 4 credits
Prerequisite(s): Spanish IV or equivalent
Advanced Spanish

In this advanced language course, students will have the opportunity to hone their listening, reading, speaking, and writing skills. Through the exploration of a wide range of Spanish short stories, cinema, theater, music, and pop culture, students will build topic-specific vocabulary, develop their reading and listening comprehension, and hone their writing and speaking skills through essays and presentations. To further support the importance of experiential and student-based learning and inquiry, we will use New York City as our classroom whenever appropriate. Although the study of grammar is not the focus of the curriculum, there is occasional review of advanced grammatical topics that will help students articulate their ideas more effectively in oral and written communication. As a culminating project, students will choose one of the many themes discussed in the course to present a capstone project to their classmates.

5 periods/cycle

Full year course – 4 credits
Prerequisite(s): Spanish V minimum grade A-; Department approval

Curriculum Detail

Faculty

Select Department Below

World Languages: Ancient and Modern

Arabic I

Arabic II

Arabic III

Arabic IV

Arabic V

Advanced Arabic

Arabic VI

Chinese I

Chinese II

Chinese III

Chinese IV

Chinese V

Chinese VI

Advanced Chinese

Latin I

Latin II

Latin III

Latin IV

Latin V

Advanced Latin

French I

French II

French III

French IV

French V

French VI

Advanced French

Greek I

Greek II

Spanish I

Spanish II

Spanish III

Spanish IV

Spanish V

Advanced Spanish