Upper School World Languages
The World Language Department of the Ellis School is committed to following the national standards for world language learning as applied to the teaching of French, Latin, and Spanish. Students learn to communicate by understanding and interpreting written and spoken language and by expressing themselves in a variety of ways. Students further their knowledge of other disciplines and develop insight into the nature of language in general. They demonstrate understanding of the concept of culture through comparisons of the culture studied and their own.
By gaining knowledge and understanding of other cultures, students are able to participate in multilingual communities at home and around the world.
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This course is open to seniors who have successfully completed AP Latin. This course traces developments in philosophical and scientific thought from the first century BCE to the second century CE. The texts read in this course will include both prose and poetry, and Latin readings will be supplemented with contextual readings in English. The curriculum will be organized chronologically at first, as we learn how the Presocratics, Plato, and Aristotle influenced Roman thought. We will then focus on thematic topics and schools of thought, such as Stoicism and Epicureanism. Students will also be given opportunities to do readings and projects of their own choosing.
*Prerequisite: Latin III
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The AP French Language and Culture course emphasizes communication (understanding and being understood by others) by applying the interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational modes of communication in real-life situations. This includes vocabulary usage, language control, communication strategies, and cultural awareness. The AP French Language and Culture course strives not to overemphasize grammatical accuracy at the expense of communication. To best facilitate the study of language and culture, the course is taught almost exclusively in French. It engages students in an exploration of culture in both contemporary and historical contexts. The course develops students’ awareness and appreciation of cultural products (e.g., tools, books, music, laws, conventions, institutions); practices (patterns of social interactions within a culture); and perspectives (values, attitudes, and assumptions). Students are required to take the French Language and Culture examination in May.
*Prerequisite: French IV
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The curriculum of this course, which is determined by the College Board, covers the required readings in Vergil’s
Aeneid and Caesar’s
De Bello Gallico. The first term will be devoted to Caesar. Students learn about pre-Roman Gaul (now modern France) and study Caesar’s descriptions of the Celtic peoples living in the area. The second term is allocated to Vergil’s
Aeneid. Students learn about the cultural and historical context of this poem and investigate the characteristics of Latin poetry of the first century BCE. Students complete this course by taking the AP Latin examination, administered in May.
*Prerequisite: Latin III
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This course is a study of modern Hispanic culture through the exploration of the six thematic units put forth by the College Board. Essential questions––and the important vocabulary to discuss them––are explored as students read a variety of essays and articles that explore specifics within these themes. A variety of short stories, as well as a film, are also presented to students as tools to help them perfect their speaking, listening, and writing skills. This course prepares students for the level of language proficiency required of the AP examination in Spanish language.
*Prerequisite: Spanish IV
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This course will focus on Greek and Latin roots in English. Since 70% of English is derived from Latin and much of Latin comes from Greek, students will learn the basic building blocks of English vocabulary. Students will also learn how English lexical groups are indebted to both Latin and German. By the end of this course, students will have gained a deeper understanding of the process of language transmission across linguistic boundaries.
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Students in French II continue their study of French by further expanding their knowledge of key vocabulary topics and grammar concepts. Students not only begin to comprehend listening and reading passages more fully, but they are also able to express themselves more meaningfully in both speaking and writing. Each unit consists of a new vocabulary theme and grammar concept, reading and listening comprehension activities, speaking and writing activities, and cultural presentations which reinforce vocabulary and grammar. Further development of the four basic language skills is carried out with continued emphasis on listening comprehension and oral communication in a student-centered learning environment.
Prerequisite: French I
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Students in French III further deepen their understanding of French by focusing on the three modes of communication: interpretive, interpersonal, and presentational. Each unit consists of a variety of activities which teach students how to understand more difficult written and spoken passages, to communicate with others through informal speaking and writing interactions, and to express their thoughts and opinions in more formal spoken and written contexts. Students should expect to be actively engaged in their own language learning, use correct vocabulary terms and phrases naturally, incorporate a wide range of grammar concepts consistently and correctly while speaking and writing, participate in conversations covering a wide range of topics, respond appropriately to conversational prompts, and analyze and compare cultural practices, products, and perspectives of various French-speaking countries.
*Prerequisite: French II
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Students in French IV continue to expand their understanding of French by focusing on the three modes of communication: interpretive, interpersonal, and presentational. This course is designed to provide students with opportunities to use language in a highly functional way through the use of contextualized activities that are related to real-life situations. Students review and solidify various grammar concepts while increasing the complexity of their oral communications. Students should expect to be actively engaged in their own language learning and participate fully in conversations and class activities. Readings are selected to develop cultural insights and provide information on the practical, everyday culture of the French-speaking world.
*Prerequisite: French III
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This in-person course will introduce the fundamentals of the Latin language with an emphasis on communication and student interests. Students will focus on acquiring essential vocabulary and mastering core grammatical structures to express themselves and their interests in Latin. Students will develop their ability to read, write, listen, and speak in Latin through conversation, reading novels, and telling stories. The focus of the class will be to use the Latin language to learn about each other and the world, and to explore the daily life, mythology, and history of ancient Rome. By the end of the course, students will have the tools to write and speak about their lives in Latin, read authentic Latin texts, and appreciate the linguistic and cultural legacy of the ancient Romans.
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In this course, students continue to acquire vocabulary and study grammatical forms and syntax. Latin readings in prose and poetry taken from a variety of sources are an integral part of the curriculum. Roman history and daily life are studied in more detail. The study of the derivation of English words is an ongoing practice. Aural and oral skills in Latin remain an important part of the curriculum, as are collaborative projects that allow students to vividly grasp various aspects of Roman culture.
*Prerequisite: Latin I
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In this course, students acquire increasing competence in Latin grammar, vocabulary, and reading. The course includes a thorough grammar review conducted in conjunction with readings selected from notable events in Roman history. The ability to analyze prose and poetry in a context of literary criticism is a major focus. By the end of the course, students will have learned all but the most subtle aspects of Latin grammar.
*Prerequisite: Latin II
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The curriculum of this course, which is determined by the College Board, covers the required readings in Vergil’s Aeneid and Caesar’s De Bello Gallico. The first term will be devoted to Caesar. Students learn about pre-Roman Gaul (now modern France), and study Caesar’s descriptions of the Celtic peoples living in the area. The second term is allocated to Vergil’s Aeneid. Students learn about the cultural and historical context of this poem and investigate the characteristics of Latin poetry of the first century BCE. Students complete this course by taking the AP Latin examination, administered in May.
*Prerequisite: Latin III
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French I will be offered as an online course through One Schoolhouse, which will be scheduled and finalized once enrollment has been confirmed. In this course, students begin their introduction to French by focusing on the four key areas of foreign language study: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Each unit consists of a new vocabulary theme and grammar concept, reading and listening comprehension activities, speaking and writing activities, multimedia cultural presentations, and interactive activities and practices which reinforce vocabulary and grammar. Students should expect to block time in their schedule for this course and be actively engaged in their language learning.
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Latin I is intended for students who have not previously studied Latin. This course develops competencies in reading and interpreting, oral expression, and aural comprehension. Students learn the full declension of nouns and adjectives, the conjugations of verbs in various indicative tenses, and some uses of the infinitive, as well as demonstratives, pronouns, and numerals. Upon completion of this course, students will have acquired proper pronunciation, essential grammar, and the vocabulary to be able to understand and read short passages. Students also learn to recognize the legacy of the Roman Civilization and begin to understand the intellectual and cultural heritage. As students collaborate in learning Latin, they learn about Roman family life, the legendary heroes, myths and gods, and Roman perspectives on life.
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This course introduces students to a basic core of vocabulary, grammar, and communication strategies. The four basic language skills––listening, speaking, reading, and writing––are developed with emphasis on listening comprehension and oral communication. The language is studied within a cultural context in a student-centered learning environment, using current technology and authentic materials where appropriate.
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Spanish II is a continuation of the development of the four basic language skills as well as a deeper understanding of the Hispanic world that speaks it. Students are presented with more complex grammatical structures, and active vocabulary is broadened to include more abstract terminology. This course focuses on the development of all four skills with the support of current technology which allows the student to see, hear, and use the language in a context that is current. There is also an increased emphasis on the three modes of communication: interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational.
*Prerequisite: Spanish I
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Spanish III develops an active knowledge of advanced vocabulary and grammatical structures which are interwoven with cultural information from a variety of Hispanic countries. There is a continuing emphasis placed on oral skills as well as on students’ ability to express themselves in more extensive writing passages such as emails and in oral presentations given throughout the year. The language is studied in a student-centered learning environment using current technology and an increased focus on authentic resources as a center for speaking and listening activities. There continues to be an increased emphasis on the three modes of communication: interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational.
*Prerequisite: Spanish II
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This course provides students with opportunities to use the language in a highly functional way in all four skill areas. A theme-based approach with contemporary readings and topics allows students to develop insights into the Spanish-speaking world while expanding their working vocabulary. Advanced structures are reviewed and used in context in an attempt to build proficiency, and nearly all course materials are authentic by nature. All three modes of communication are emphasized in the course including interpersonal, presentation, and interpretive. This course is a logical step but not limited to students who plan to take the AP Spanish Language.
*Prerequisite: Spanish III
Jack GaddessWorld Languages Department Chair, Upper School Spanish Teacher
Erin Boyd
