Course Offerings
Chinese
Chinese I
This course combines the study of the Chinese language with an introduction to Chinese civilization. Chinese sounds and pinyin system are drilled for students to acquire basic conversational skills. one hundred characters and their combinations are studied with occasional practice in writing with a Chinese brush.
Chinese II
This course reinforces materials learned in the first year to comprehend basic Chinese grammar. Emphasis will be placed on improvement of oral and aural skills. An additional 150 characters and their combinations are studied. Games, contests and songs are used to keep up interest and practice of the language.
Chinese III
Great effort is made to speak only Chinese in class, with the exception of complex grammar explanations. The goal is to help students develop proficiency to understand and speak Chinese. Short essays are written on topics from the readings and daily life.
Chinese IV
The course is designed to prepare students for a college-level Chinese course. There will be a complete review of grammar to help students perfect their knowledge and abilities in speaking, comprehension and writing skills. Emphasis is placed on doing independent studies with the help of a dictionary. Chinese movies are used for group discussion not only in language context, but also related to cultural differences and current issues.
French
French I
The main goal of this first year is to enable the student to speak French and to understand spoken French at a level where he could function in a French-speaking environment for a time. The reading and writing skills are also developed, but the emphasis is on speaking and listening. The text provides a series of “culture capsules" that center on real-life situations appropriate to the teenager. A major component of the course is regular and consistent use of the language laboratory so as to provide the student with native-speaking exposure. Making students aware of the value of acquiring an appreciation of another culture is also an important goal of the course.
French II
The second-year course has two main goals: to reinforce and develop previously-learned grammar and vocabulary, and to use them in speaking, reading, listening, and writing. The text is supplemented by realia from France, including news broadcasts, magazines, and newspapers as well as video and audio series which accompany the text. Homework and testing are frequent.
French III
At this point the foreign language course is an elective. It is assumed, therefore, that the student taking the course will have a demonstrated record of success in the first two years and will have the motivation to begin to master the language in its oral and written complexities as well as have a desire to assimilate as much of the French culture as can be assimilated through the normal classroom outlets. Correct speaking of French is a high priority. The basis for the acquisition of the speaking and listening skills is the text: a series of “culture capsules" that are age-appropriate and topic-appropriate. Exposure to more complicated and more sophisticated oral French is provided though the regular and consistent use of the language laboratory. Since practice is essential to progress, much of the class time is student-centered, i.e., the students are doing the speaking of French rather than the teacher.
French IV
The more complex structures of the French language are mastered in this course. The main thrust of the course however is a genuine understanding and appreciation of the culture and civilization of France. Several areas studied are: the history and government of France, French literature, French entertainment (theater, film, and music), French art (painting, sculpture, architecture) and French customs and traditions. In French IV students complete the text used in French III.
Greek
Greek I
Greek I is an elective that is open to seniors who are currently studying another foreign language. This course is designed to give students a foundation in ancient Greek -- the grammar, syntax and structure of the language. The course will also introduce students to Greek history and culture with emphasis on the ideals and values of 5th century Athens. Readings from Herodotus and Thucydides, in translation and in the original, will enhance the students' appreciation of the forces at work in Greece between the time of the Persian Wars and the Peloponnesian War. In addition to developing the students' skills in translation, there is a unit devoted to the study of English derivatives from Greek roots.
Latin
Latin I
The course work in Latin I is designed to give the student a mastery of the basic grammar and vocabulary of the language. The study of Latin grammar should aid the students' understanding of English grammar while a knowledge of Latin words will build English vocabulary skills. In addition to working in the language itself, the student is introduced to material dealing with the daily life of the Romans from the first century B.C. through the first century A.D.
Latin II
This course is designed to continue the students' development of their skills in second-year Latin. Students will be introduced to readings of original texts. Increased emphasis will be given to the study and discussion of the history and culture of the Roman people from the first century B.C. through the first century A.D.
Latin III
The course work in Latin III is designed to increase the students' mastery of the Latin language through translation of texts of ancient authors. At this level there is also daily review of Latin grammar and vocabulary as well as a unit devoted to the study of English derivatives from Latin roots. By the end of the year the students should be able to translate increasingly difficult material. In addition to working with texts of Roman classical authors, students will read a novel of historical fiction to supplement their knowledge of the events and personalities that shaped Roman history from the death of Julius Caesar in 44 B.C. through the reign of Nero that lasted until 68 A.D. Diagnostic tests in these areas will be given to prepare students to take the College Board Achievement Test in Latin.
Latin IV
The course work in Latin IV is designed to give the students a better understanding of the language and people of ancient Rome through an intensive study of Vergil's Aeneid. This work describes the Romans' image of their race as descended from the gods through the Trojan leader Aeneas. Thus, it embodies the ideals, legends and beliefs that characterized the Romans of the first century A.D. In addition to exercising their translation skills through the readings of ancient texts, students will continue their review of grammar, syntax and vocabulary.
Russian
Russian I
The beginner's course in Russian introduces students to the history and culture of Russia and teaches them the Cyrillic alphabet. Once they have learned the alphabet, they learn many everyday expressions and vocabulary items. They learn to talk and write about the world around them and to understand when others speak about their family, school, and their country. During the year the structures they use become progressively more complicated and expressive.
Russian II
The second-level course in Russian reviews much of the work of the first year, but continuously adds more complex structures and vocabulary to allow students to more completely express their thoughts. By the end of the second year students have covered the basic grammar of Russian and can carry on a simple conversation on many topics.
Russian III
The third-level course in Russian continues to build upon the work of previous years. Increased attention to vocabulary and expressive structures makes it possible for students to interact with native speakers with understanding. Our exchange with St. Petersburg Physical Technical School primarily involves third-year students.
Russian IV
Fourth-year Russian continues the work of the third year, but at an increasingly complex level. Students do a great deal more reading and discussing of materials in Russian. Many of these students will have participated in the previous year's exchange and have developed excellent speaking skills. The main effort is to refine what has been learned through interaction with native speakers into literate language.
Spanish
Spanish I
This course is designed to help the student master the phonology of the Spanish language and to teach him how to converse in Spanish, comprehend normal conversation of native speakers and to be able to manipulate the language he has learned in an original, creative and spontaneous manner. An introduction to Hispanic culture is presented as an integral part of the program. Special emphasis is placed on the Hispanic teenager and his relationship to the world around him. This is done through videotapes, slides and supplementary materials provided by the teacher.
Spanish II
This course is a continuation of Spanish I. The student continues his study of grammar while increasing his active vocabulary. Passive vocabulary is presented in various reading selections on Hispanic culture. Through listening and speaking activities (tapes and videos which accompany text, the Spanish Oral Drills Program and selected videos) the student sharpens his understanding of the spoken word and furthers his ability to speak Spanish in limited situations. Written activities are presented through workbook exercises and teacher-prepared exercises. Insights into the culture of Spanish-speaking countries are presented through a video program which accompanies the student text, cultural notes presented in each lesson and additional activities on selected topics prepared and presented by the instructor.
Spanish III
This course reinforces, intensifies and further develops the skills acquired in Spanish I and II. Advanced grammatical points are presented to help the student refine his language usage. Active vocabulary acquisition continues on a wider scale. Practice in understanding and speaking Spanish is continued through the use of tapes which accompany the student text and selected videos on Spain, Mexico, Central and South America. Reading and writing are given more emphasis on this level through the presentation of literary selections, newspaper and magazine articles in Spanish, text and workbook exercises and teacher-prepared exercises. Completion of this course gives the student all of the basic grammatical structures and a wide vocabulary to enable him to express himself in all basic situations.
Spanish IV
This course is designed to round out the student's knowledge and abilities in speaking, comprehension, and writing. It is a continuation of the Spanish III course, with active vocabulary acquisition on an even wider scale. The use of the Oral Drills Program, tapes to accompany the student text, and selected videos assist the student in these areas. Reading and writing are given more emphasis through the literary presentations in the text and selected articles from newspapers and magazine articles in Spanish. Successful completion of the course enables the student to use Spanish as a real means of daily communications.
Spanish AP
This course is designed for those students interested in taking the AP Spanish exam. The course emphasizes listening and speaking skills in addition to essay writing and short story reading. Due to the nature of the class the number of students admitted will be very limited. All students need departmental permission with at least a high A or A+ average in Spanish 300 or, for advanced students, a B+ or better in Spanish 400.
N.B. Third and fourth year French, Latin, Russian, and Spanish can be taken for college credit through the 1-8-1-8 Program of St. Louis University.
