In this course, students learn the fundamentals of the Mandarin language developing basic listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. The class is conducted mainly in Mandarin, allowing the students ample exposure to the language. Oral communication is strongly emphasized as well as Chinese culture. Classroom activities are designed to promote the practical use of Chinese in daily life.

Building on the foundation acquired in Chinese I, this course emphasizes the development of speaking and reading comprehension, as well as listening and writing skills. Through class, group, and individual activities, students work together to expand their communication skills. The study of Chinese culture and heritage provides context for students’ language acquisition.

Chinese III begins to develop more advanced communication skills as it builds on the reading, writing, listening and speaking skills introduced in the first two levels of study. Through class, group, and individual activities, students learn to express themselves and to inquire into the experience of others. The study of Chinese culture and heritage continues to provide context for students’ language acquisition.

In this course, students learn the fundamentals of the French language developing basic listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. The class is conducted mainly in French, allowing the students ample exposure to the language. It is essential that the students become comfortable and confident using the French language from the beginning stages. Oral communication is strongly emphasized as well as the cultural background of the French-speaking world. Classroom activities are designed to promote the practical use of French in daily life.

This course is the natural continuation of French I; students continue to expand their knowledge of the French language and culture and to learn basic past, present, and future tenses as well as the most common grammatical structures. The class is mainly conducted in French, allowing the students ample exposure to the language in order to enhance their listening, speaking, writing, and reading abilities in French. The main objective is for the students to develop confidence and fluency in their ability to communicate in French.

Students strengthen their control of previous linguistic acquisitions while learning more complex structures. The course increases the students’ vocabulary and knowledge of more complex grammar concepts, which are taught in context through the four linguistic skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Students are exposed to authentic resources. In addition, the course further acquaints students with the culture and history of French-speaking peoples.

This accelerated course taught in French strengthens students’ command of spoken and written French developing skills in narrating past, present, and future events, with emphasis on the ability to use the passé composé and imparfait tenses. Students use authentic resources in order to strengthen their reading and comprehension skills. The course brings the students from the novice level of oral proficiency to the intermediate level, where they can create with language and participate in complex conversations.

In this course, students learn the fundamentals of the Japanese language developing basic listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. The class is predominantly taught in Japanese and emphasizes traditional classroom rituals because it is essential that the students become comfortable and confident using the Japanese language from the beginning stages. Oral communication is strongly emphasized as well as the cultural background of Japan. Classroom activities are designed to promote the practical use of Japanese in daily life. Students learn Japanese syllabaries hiragana and katakana.

This course continues the study of modern Japanese. Building on the foundation acquired in Japanese I, the course emphasizes the development of communication skills that allow students to understand Japanese spoken at natural speed, and to communicate their thoughts and ideas naturally. Students continue their study of Japanese culture to ensure that they can use the language in culturally appropriate ways. The focus is on student interaction, with class, group, and individual activities. Students begin learning Kanji (Chinese characters) in addition to the previously learned syllabaries.

This course covers further study of modern Japanese, emphasizing spoken Japanese. The objective is for students to be able to communicate in a natural way and to comprehend Japanese at a natural speed. Correct structure, punctuation, and intonation, as well as gestures and mannerisms are emphasized at all times. Students further their reading and writing knowledge by learning new Kanji (Chinese characters). Japanese culture continues to be a prominent feature of the course as language and culture are intimately linked.

In this accelerated course, the students will demonstrate more planned language by producing longer discourse, paragraphs, and compositions. The class will study approximately an additional 100 Kanji characters. The students will begin to use the language in formal and informal settings, and they will be able to initiate and sustain longer conversations appropriately.

In this beginner's course students learn the fundamentals of the Spanish language by developing the basic skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing. In order for the students to become comfortable with using the Spanish language for communication, the class emphasizes oral practice from the beginning stages of study. The course promotes the practical use of the language so that the students can use the language in their daily lives. In addition, the students learn about the cultural background of the Spanish-speaking world.

This second year course continues the development of the four basic skills learned in Spanish I. Basic grammar concepts are expanded, and there is an increased emphasis on vocabulary and idiom acquisition. Knowledge of vocabulary is applied to role-playing situations, with conversation based on actual daily experience. Essay writing in Spanish is introduced, and students are exposed to reading selections in Spanish for study and discussion.

Using a variety of topics of personal interest to the students, this course focuses on the development of more advanced skills in speaking, while continuing to reinforce and increase proficiency in the skills of reading, writing, and comprehension. The course increases the students’ vocabulary and knowledge of more complex grammar concepts through use of the textbooks, outside reading, and class discussion. In addition, the course further acquaints the students with the culture and history of the Spanish-speaking people.

The main objective of this accelerated course is to become more fluent and confident using the Spanish language in a practical manner. Students expand their knowledge of vocabulary and grammar, with emphasis on building a strong foundation for the accurate use of present, past, preterit and imperfect, future, and compound tenses. The class is primarily conducted in Spanish, allowing the students ample exposure to the language in order to enhance their listening, speaking, writing and reading abilities in Spanish. Students naturally evolve from the novice level of oral proficiency to a more advanced level where they can communicate authentically, create with language and participate in interesting conversations.

Students continue to build on the foundation established in previous courses. In addition to expanding students' flexibility and confidence in oral and written production, students delve deeply into authentic documents, both written and aural. Through extensive contact with these documents, students refine their cultural understanding and linguistic skills.

This course in Mandarin Chinese focuses on communication skills needed in real-life situations. Students develop communicative strategies and cultural awareness, building on the solid foundation of their preceding studies. While grammatical accuracy is emphasized, it is the ability to understand and express ideas about a variety of topics and in varied settings that is of utmost importance. The exploration of both contemporary and historical Chinese culture through authentic documents and inquiry complements students’ understanding of language in context.

This course introduces students to the study of French literature and cinema. Speaking practice is part of the daily class routine through open conversations and oral presentations on current event topics or special interests; written summaries and compositions refine writing skills. The course includes a thorough review of grammar and vocabulary as needed, as well as deeper exploration of culture and identity. Class is conducted entirely in French.

This accelerated course stresses French language study using a wide range of works of literature and short films. Speaking practice is part of the daily class routine through open conversations and oral presentations on current event topics or special interests. An in-depth study of French grammar, as well as exposure to complex vocabulary, refines comprehension aptitudes. The course includes a thorough review of basic grammar and vocabulary as needed and the study of the conditional and subjunctive modes. Class is conducted entirely in French.

This class is open to students who want to pursue the study of French language and literature at a higher level in a less rigorous setting than the AP French Language and Culture class. This course stresses a high level of proficiency in using French for communication. It summarizes and integrates the learning of the preceding years by refining student comprehension and expression skills in oral and written fields. Study is focused around thematic units while also pursuing a comprehensive review of the structure of language.

With this course, students build on their previous learning experience while expanding their knowledge of French language and culture and developing their communication skills in preparation for the AP examination. Grammar, idiomatic expressions, and lexicon are taught in context so that students use them to convey meaning in the three modes of communication: interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational. The learning objectives of the curriculum are structured around the six themes presented in the AP French Language and Culture Curriculum Framework: Global Challenges, Beauty and Aesthetics, Science and Technology, Families and Contemporary Life, Communities, and Personal and Public Identities.

This course builds on the previous three levels, continuing to develop and integrate the four basic language skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) all within the context of Japanese culture. Students continue their study of Kanji (Chinese characters). While grammar is an important underlying foundation, proficiency in Japanese continues to be the goal.

This pre-Advanced Placement accelerated course stresses more complex vocabulary and grammatical concepts acquired through reading and class discussion of a variety of topics. Taught in Japanese, the course enhances students' ability to engage in authentic oral and written communication through current topics of interest. Students will develop higher thinking using compare and contrast often and be able to state their opinion clearly. By the end of the course students will be able to recognize, read, and use about 300 Kanji and their combinations. In addition, students will demonstrate cultural appropriateness.

This course further develops the oral and written communication skills acquired in previous Japanese courses. Students write essays and letters based on cultural topics covered in the course. A greater emphasis is placed on kanji in order to increase students’ proficiency in reading Japanese. In addition, an informal conversational approach is used to emphasize listening comprehension and oral expression. Students are given the opportunity to use spoken Japanese in role-play and real life situations. The class is conducted entirely in Japanese.

This course builds and integrates the development of the oral and written communication skills acquired in previous Japanese courses within the context of Japanese culture. Emphasis is placed on higher-level thinking skills and comprehension of authentic materials. Students will write essays and letters based on cultural topics covered in the course, alternated by thematic unit tests. By the end of the course, students will be able to recognize, read, and use over 400 Kanji and their combinations. In addition, students will demonstrate proper use of both the informal and the extremely polite levels of language.

This course aims to acquaint the student with the varied cultural perspectives and traditions of the Spanish-speaking world through authentic reading selections, videos, and news of current events. Conversational skills are stressed through class discussion and student presentational activities. Vocabulary skills are broadened through the study of Spanish language idioms. Grammar concepts are reviewed and practiced using contextual activities.

This pre-Advanced Placement accelerated course stresses more complex vocabulary and grammatical concepts, acquired through reading and class discussion of a variety of sophisticated topics. Taught in Spanish, the course enhances students’ ability to engage in authentic oral and written communication through daily discussions of current topics of interest and literature. The readings in this course include a variety of genres from Spanish-speaking authors.

This course is designed to provide students with a learning experience equivalent to that of a third-year college course in advanced conversation and composition. This course typically enrolls students who have successfully completed their fourth or fifth year of language study or have had equivalent experience with the language. This course is conducted exclusively in Spanish. This AP course prepares the students for the Advanced Placement Spanish Language Examination in May. The course focuses on the mastery of listening, speaking, reading and writing skills.

This advanced course provides the opportunity to read a variety of Hispanic literature that will be studied in depth. The course further develops the communicative skills of the students as they discuss relevant and stimulating themes taken from the literature. All genres are studied, and the form and content of literary works are analyzed orally and in writing using appropriate terminology. In addition, the course improves oral and written proficiency through discussion of current events suggested by the literature and review of the more intricate grammatical constructions. (Note: students may take this class after AP Spanish Language.)

This advanced course provides the opportunity to read a variety of Hispanic literature that will be studied in depth. The course further develops the communicative skills of the students as they discuss relevant and stimulating themes taken from the literature. All genres are studied, and the form and content of literary works are analyzed orally and in writing using appropriate terminology. In addition, the course improves oral and written proficiency through discussion of current events suggested by the literature and review of the more intricate grammatical constructions. (Note: students may take this class after AP Spanish Language.)