5

In 5^th grade, a student chooses to take Spanish or French, a two-year commitment.

5^th grade Spanish and French each stresses aural comprehension and conversational skills, continually expanding the vocabulary base.  Students learn basic grammatical structures, such as agreement, regular verbs and selected irregular verbs in present tense.  This course provides the tools necessary to study a foreign language and cultural awareness.

6

6^th grade Spanish and French each provides an opportunity to further develop vocabulary, to strengthen speaking and listening skills, to enhance reading comprehension, and to increase cultural awareness.  Students study basic grammatical structures with an emphasis on regular and irregular verbs in the present tense and the formation of questions.

7

In 7^th grade, a student may continue in French or Spanish, or the student may enter Beginning Latin or Beginning Chinese.

7^th grade Spanish and French each helps students master several basic grammatical structures, expand reading and writing skills, and acquire an appreciation of civilization and culture. Students learn past tense and everyday vocabulary.

7^th grade Chinese has four main components: speaking and listening comprehension, reading and writing, research skills, and history and culture.  This course ensures developmentally appropriate engagement with the many aspects of the language, literature, and culture. 

7^th grade Latin course introduces students to the basic morphology, grammar, and syntax.  The course develops students’ ability to read Latin through the use of graded text and to understand English etymologies.  This course introduces the culture, history and ideals of the classical world and its influence upon our modern world.

8

8^th grade Spanish and French each concentrates on developing conversational skills by advancing student skills to cover a broader range of topics.  Students move from questions directly linked to their texts to more abstract ones.  Instruction is in the target language, and students converse mainly in the language. The class increases cultural awareness by studying heroes, immigrants, arts, foods, family life, student life, and history.

8^th grade Chinese builds upon the foundation laid in the 7^th grade course in the four main components: speaking and listening comprehension, reading and writing, research skills, and history and culture.

8^th grade Latin builds upon the foundation laid in the 7^th grade course as students continue to work on basic morphology, grammar, and syntax.  The course develops students’ ability to read Latin through the use of graded text and to understand English etymologies.  This course introduces the culture, history and ideals of the classical world and its influence upon our modern world.