Foreign Language

First-Year Language

One course required of all Freshmen (unless placed into higher level) and all Juniors

French I
A beginning course in which the speaking, listening, writing and reading skills are introduced and practiced, with the goal of attaining level-one proficiency in a second language as defined by the New York State Department of Education. Students are familiarized with basic grammatical structure, vocabulary, and verbs in the present, immediate future, and recent past tenses. Discussion of the French-speaking world and major cultural differences between France and America, and folkloric songs provide cultural enrichment.

French I Honors
An accelerated course similar in content to French I. Communication skills are emphasized and students will practice extensively in class with greater emphasis on conversation, reading, grammatical structures, and civilization.

Spanish I
This class provides the basic foundation (level-one proficiency in a second language as defined by the New York State Department of Education) to develop Spanish language skills. Vocabulary, basic grammar, writing, reading, listening and speaking skills are learned and practiced. The class also provides an introduction to Spanish and Hispanic cultures.

Spanish I Honors
This is an accelerated course designed to teach students to develop a faster rate in reading, writing, listening and communication skills in Spanish. Communication skills are emphasized and students will practice extensively in class.

Latin I
This course covers basic Latin grammar and syntax: declension, all indicative forms of the verb, and participial constructions (level-one proficiency in a second language as defined by the New York State Department of Education). Students are introduced almost immediately to the reading of extended passages of Latin prose, and by the end of the course read brief, edited passages of standard authors. Students also receive some basic instruction in history, mythology, archaeology, and art history.

Latin I Honors
Covers the same material as Latin I, with extra emphasis on fluent reading, reading at sight, and comparison of the vocabulary and grammar of Latin with that of English and the other Romance Languages.

Second-Year Language

One course required of all Sophomores (unless placed into higher level) and all Seniors

French II
This is an intermediate course with greater emphasis on oral communication. After a review of material covered in French I, more advanced grammatical structures (level-two proficiency in a second language as defined by the New York State Department of Education) are presented and practiced. The students learn past tenses and read longer texts, such as fairy tales. They continue to explore the French-speaking world through research projects.

French II Honors
Similar in content to French II, at an accelerated level in all areas: conversation, reading, grammatical structures, and civilization.

Spanish II
This class continues the study of Spanish language begun in Spanish I to level-two proficiency in a second language as defined by the New York State Department of Education. Oral communication, writing and reading skills are further developed. Intermediate-level grammatical structures are learned and practiced.

Spanish II Honors
Students will develop an intermediate proficiency in Spanish at an accelerated level in all areas: reading, writing, listening with an emphasis on communication. Class will be conducted largely in Spanish, requiring students to have a strong and articulated knowledge and foundation in Spanish.

Latin II
This course continues instruction in Latin syntax (indirect discourse and subjunctive constructions) up to level-two proficiency in a second language as defined by the New York State Department of Education. Historical and cultural topics continue to be studied, and in more detail. Upon completion of the course (roughly equivalent to two semesters of intensive, college-level Latin instruction), students are able, with the aid of a dictionary, to read any standard prose author.

Latin II Honors
Covers the same material as Latin II, with greater emphasis on fluent reading and more sophisticated understanding of ancient history and culture.

Third-Year Language

One course required of all Juniors (unless placed into higher level)

French III
This class develops the content introduced in French II to level-three proficiency in a second language as defined by the New York State Department of Education. Conversational fluency is emphasized. Students learn and practice more complex grammatical structures with greater emphasis on composition and reading comprehension. Completion of this course fulfills the requirements for the New York State Regents’ Diploma with Advanced Designation.

French III Honors
Similar in content to French III, with greater emphasis on conversation, reading, advanced grammatical structures, fluent conversation, and civilization. Completion of this course fulfills the requirements for the New York State Regents’ Diploma with Advanced Designation.

Spanish III
This class develops the content introduced in Spanish II. Conversational fluency is emphasized. Students learn and practice more complex grammatical structures with greater emphasis on composition and reading comprehension. Completion of this course fulfills the requirements for the New York State Regents’ Diploma with Advanced Designation.

Spanish III Honors
Departmental permission required
This class develops the content introduced in Spanish II. Intense Spanish conversation is emphasized and practiced in class. Students learn and practice more complex grammatical structures with greater emphasis on composition and reading comprehension. Completion of this course fulfills the requirements for the New York State Regents’ Diploma with Advanced Designation.

Latin III: Survey of Latin Prose and Poetry
This course samples a broad range of Latin literature. The first semester concentrates on prose, the second on poetry. Considerable attention is paid to the historical and literary context of the texts read, to conventions of various genres, and rhetorical techniques. Completion of this course fulfills the requirements for the New York State Regents’ Diploma with Advanced Designation. Students who successfully complete this course are also eligible to receive 6 college credits through the St. John’s University Bridge Program.

French IV
Elective; Departmental permission required
This course employs the Yale University video method “French in Action” to lay a very strong foundation to facilitate further advanced studies in French. Concentration is on conversational fluency, and study of the language is approached through civilization, film, and current events. Students who successfully complete this course are eligible to receive 6 college credits through the St. John’s University Bridge Program.

French V
Elective; Departmental permission required
A very advanced course for students who wish to deepen their fluency and knowledge of the French language through the study of advanced grammar, literature and civilization. Through the study of literary texts, films, current events and the exploration and practice of complex grammatical structures, students will gain understanding of the universality of human behavior.

Spanish IV
Elective; Departmental permission required
This class is designed for the appreciation of the culture of the Spanish speaking peoples and to increase proficiency in the Spanish language. Students will concentrate on the study of the language through civilization, literature, films and current events of Spain and Latin America. Students who successfully complete this course are eligible to receive 6 college credits through the St. John’s University Bridge Program.

AP Latin
Elective; Departmental permission required
This course offers in-depth study of the great national epic of the Romans, Virgil’s Aeneid, and Caesar’s Commentaries on the Gallic War, preparing students for the College Board’s Advanced Placement examination in Latin. Careful attention is devoted to the rhetorical devices employed by Virgil and Caesar, and to the cultural and historical context of their writings. Above all, students are encouraged to appreciate these texts as enjoyable and accessible work of literature.

Mythology
Elective
This course surveys the mythology of ancient Greece and Rome. Through readings and visual presentations, mythological and legendary stories are examined in the context of the art and literature of antiquity later periods. Considerable attention is also devoted to the various theoretical approaches which advance universal explanations of mythology.

Linguistics
Elective
This senior elective course teaches the fundamentals of the science of language. Often but mistakenly thought of as a study of many foreign languages, this introductory course explores the acquisition, development and disorders of human language. It mediates between cognitive science and social science. The course is taught for students interested in pursuing varied fields or careers. Students are usually interested in speech pathology/therapy (currently one of the fastest growing fields in which there is a high demand), neurology, special education, teaching and linguistic research but also foreign languages and international business.