World Languages
Cristina Perez, Department Chair
The benefit of knowing another language contributes to Friends’ Central’s commitment to developing globally minded, culturally aware graduates. Students are required to take two consecutive years of a language, and most take a language for four years. The majority of students enter the Upper School having already completed the first level of French, Spanish, or Latin and further their studies for two more years and beyond to the advanced level. Other students start their language studies or begin a new language in grade 9. In French and Spanish, the curriculum is rich with opportunities for speaking, listening, reading, and writing. In Latin, the focus is on developing translation skills through the mastery of grammatical concepts and the acquisition of vocabulary. Courses in each language range from introductory to advanced literature and analysis.
The process of teaching a modern language begins with the belief that each student can attain advanced proficiency. Our approach is multidisciplinary and contemporary, taking advantage of technology to expose our students to a variety of na tive speakers and cultures and to stress that language is a communication tool. Students are encouraged to speak and write in the target language, gaining confidence in their abilities with practice. Latin is not spoken in class and prose composition is not emphasized. Understanding the cultures of antiquity and the medieval world is essential in placing literary works in context and an important component in instruction.
Each language’s classroom experience is supplemented by opportunities for travel abroad. Latin students may travel to Italy to see the monuments of the Romans – ancient and modern – and read their Latin inscriptions. French and Spanish students may take part in exchange opportunities with schools in Lyon, France and Seville, Spain. Summer service programs in Costa Rica and Peru may also be available to students to further their study of the Spanish language.
Finally, interested students may take part in national language competitions and join clubs such as Le Club Francophone, Latin Club, or the Latino Culture Club.
Spanish
- Spanish I: Intro to Spanish Language & Culture
- Spanish II
- Spanish II Advanced
- Spanish III
- Spanish III Advanced
- Spanish IV
- The Contemporary Latino Experience
- Spanish: History & Culture of Latin America & Spain Advanced
- Spanish Travel Abroad Opportunity: Spanish Exchange in Sevilla
- Spanish Travel Abroad Opportunity: Peru Trip to Cuzco
Spanish I: Intro to Spanish Language & Culture
Spanish II
Spanish II Advanced
Spanish III
Spanish III Advanced
Spanish IV
The Contemporary Latino Experience
Spanish: History & Culture of Latin America & Spain Advanced
Spanish Travel Abroad Opportunity: Spanish Exchange in Sevilla
Spanish Travel Abroad Opportunity: Peru Trip to Cuzco
The following two Advanced Spanish Literature courses will alternate each year:
- Spanish Literature Advanced: Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Isabel Allende and Miguel de Unamuno
- Spanish Literature Advanced: Jorge Luis Borges, Julio Cortázar and Ana Maria Matute (not offered in 2022-2023)
Spanish Literature Advanced: Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Isabel Allende and Miguel de Unamuno
Spanish Literature Advanced: Jorge Luis Borges, Julio Cortázar and Ana Maria Matute (not offered in 2022-2023)
German
French
- French I: Intro to French Language and Culture
- French II/II Advanced
- French III/III Advanced
- The Contemporary French Experience
- French Literature Advanced
- Paris: Yesterday and Today (not offered in 2022-2023)
- Francophone Identities, Cultures and Societies Through Time and Space (not offered in 2022-2023)
- French Travel Abroad Opportunity: French Exchange in Lyon
French I: Intro to French Language and Culture
French II/II Advanced
French III/III Advanced
The Contemporary French Experience
French Literature Advanced
Paris: Yesterday and Today (not offered in 2022-2023)
Francophone Identities, Cultures and Societies Through Time and Space (not offered in 2022-2023)
French Travel Abroad Opportunity: French Exchange in Lyon
Latin
- Latin I
- Latin II
- Latin II Advanced
- Latin III
- Latin III Advanced
- Latin Literature Advanced: Catullus and Ovid
- Latin Literature Advanced: Vergil (not offered in 2022-2023)
- Latin Travel Abroad Opportunity