An introductory level course, French I uses the “direct” or “immersion method” (i.e. students use only French in the classroom from day one) to introduce students to the French language and francophone cultures with a view to building both oral and written proficiency in the target language. The course covers fundamental vocabulary and grammatical structures essential for rudimentary communication in the target language. At the end of the course, students will be able to communicate comfortably in French in hypothetical everyday situations, asking questions and responding in declarative sentences (both orally and in writing), accurately using both the present and past tenses.

French II resumes where French I leaves off, building on the foundations laid in the lessons covered in the first year. In addition to the present and past tenses, students study the future, present and past conditional, and present subjunctive tenses. In the second semester, students read selected works by Francophone authors. In order to enter the second year, students must have a firm grasp of both the formation and usage of le passé composé and l’imparfait.

In French III, students continue to develop the oral and grammatical skills emphasized in French I and II and begin to focus more carefully on improving their proficiency in reading and writing. Students in French III complete an intensive grammar review throughout the fall semester, which provides them with the tools to take on increasingly challenging reading and writing assignments as the year progresses. The reading list is varied and extensive, ranging from magazine and newspaper articles to poetry and full-length novels. Students regularly prepare essays on a variety of topics, including social issues, literature, and personal experiences, to help them to refine their writing skills and aid them in developing the analytical and interpretive skills needed to form sound opinions about literature, culture and society. Required oral presentations enable students to gain confidence in their ability to express themselves clearly and correctly in French.

Building on the fundamentals introduced in the earlier French courses, this year-long course reinforces the four basic language skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. Students are encouraged to apply their critical thinking skills to the use of their second language. Students will deepen their understanding of French culture and society using French films that illustrate multiculturalism in society.  Literary texts, classroom discussion, authentic media materials, and other written and visual sources will complement the class.  Both oral and written assignments require students to express themselves formally in the target language and provide the opportunity for students to perfect their skills.

Following a traditional college-level course of study using Wheelock’s Latin textbook, students will learn the fundamentals of grammar while engaging actively in the reading of text and acquisition of vocabulary. They will become proficient in the art of deciphering the meaning of a Latin sentence through word endings and gain a thorough understanding of the grammatical elements of Latin nouns, verbs, adjectives, and pronouns. Though this is not an immersion class where students will “speak” Latin, students will learn how to correctly pronounce Latin words and read Latin sentences out loud. They will also concurrently engage in the study of Roman art, culture, and history, producing presentations to showcase original research related to different aspects of Roman life.

For much of the year, students will continue their work with the Wheelock’s Latin course textbook, reading passages of increasing difficulty, learning more complicated grammatical structures, and expanding their vocabulary. Midway through the year, the class will shift its focus away from the explicit study of grammar and begin devoting more time solely to translation, learning about Roman history by reading select passages from authentic Roman historians (Livy, Seutonius, and Plutarch), and focusing specifically on the Punic Wars and the rise and fall of Julius Caesar. They will also concurrently engage deeper in the study of Roman art, culture, and history, producing presentations to showcase original research related to different aspects of Roman life.

With accelerated introduction of vocabulary, grammar, and sentence patterns, the course enables students to converse, read, and write in modern Mandarin about various real-life situations. Written exercises, dictations, oral- and listening-comprehension drills, and short-story reading accompany assignments. Chinese culture is an integral part of this course. At this level, Mandarin is used exclusively in the classroom. By the end of the second year, students should be able to use approximately 500 characters linguistically and pragmatically correctly.

This course is a continuation of Mandarin II and emphasizes the development of skills in listening comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing modern Chinese while enhancing cultural awareness. At this level, Mandarin is used exclusively in the classroom. The traditional Chinese writing system is introduced from the beginning of the third year and students are expected to be able to convert the simplified characters to the traditional and vice-versa. By year-end, students will have covered the major grammar rules and structures of modern Chinese and should be able to read and write approximately 1000 characters linguistically and pragmatically correctly.

The first-year program emphasizes the development of a strong foundation in Spanish in a language-immersion classroom and the mastery of the study skills required for language learning. Students are introduced to pronunciation as well as basic grammatical structures, vocabulary, and language-study techniques. This course develops basic communicative oral and written skills in order to enable students to interact in simple situations at home or when traveling. To be placed above the first level, new students must demonstrate solid mastery of fundamental language skills including speaking, listening, and basic grammar, as well as mastery of the present indicative and el pretérito.

Building upon the base established in Spanish I, this course focuses on the improvement of the students' communicative skills with the goal of bolstering their confidence and comfort level in a language-immersion classroom. While continuing the same skills-oriented approach as the first-year program, teachers place increasing emphasis on vocabulary-building, mastery of complex points of grammar, and on free conversation, discussion, writing, and reading. The year begins with a brief review of the present indicative and el pretérito and then moves quickly into new tenses. By the year's end, students will have mastered all of the tenses in both the indicative and subjunctive moods.

This class is divided into three discrete trimesters, each taught by a different teacher and dedicated to the study of a single Spanish-speaking country. Topics covered include general history, culture, literature, film, country-specific dialects, and current events. Our goal is for students to emerge, at the end of each trimester, with a good understanding of the cultural norms for each country and, at the end of the year, an appreciation for the rich cultural diversity of the Hispanic world.

This class is designed for those students who wish to continue their study of Latin American and Hispanic culture but are not ready to go on to the Advanced Spanish courses (A-B). Spanish IV is a transitional course that provides a platform for the students to dig deeper into current events and topics relevant to the Spanish-speaking world. Unlike the foundational courses (Spanish I, II, and III), this course focuses on discussing social, cultural, and environmental themes that shape Latin American countries and Spain. Students will engage with authentic material that allows them to reflect upon their role in the world. There is heavy emphasis on informal discussion, and projects (written and oral) are assigned each trimester. The students study films that address the sociopolitical issues of Spanish-speaking countries and read short stories and articles to stimulate class discussions. In the spring trimester, the course incorporates study of advanced topics, like emocional intelligence or reading a novel, to provide the students with the opportunity to employ their skills at a more advanced level.