Latin, Chinese, French, or Spanish
In seventh grade, students may choose to continue their study of Latin or begin another language (French, Spanish, or Chinese). The language choice made in seventh grade is a two-year commitment.
In Latin 7 and 8, students continue to develop and strengthen their translation skills and to expand their knowledge and understanding of the cultural diversity found throughout the history of ancient Rome. Students use the text Learn to Read Latin. Supplementary materials and primary texts in Latin are introduced as appropriate. Students completing Latin 8 may move into Latin III when they enter ninth grade.
In Chinese 7 and 8 students begin a two-year course of study that develops competence in the four linguistic areas: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Students learn simplified Chinese characters but are also introduced to traditional characters as a means of becoming familiar with the roots of the written system and the rich, elegant history of the language. An emphasis is placed on the most basic elements of the Chinese (Mandarin) language as students begin to build a vocabulary and learn simple grammatical structures. The pronunciation of words (pinyin), the four tones, proper stroke order, and character composition are all taught and reinforced throughout the Middle School curriculum. Cultural elements are integrated into the curriculum to supplement the language work with historical and modern context. Students completing Chinese 8 may move into Level II when they enter Grade 9.
In French and Spanish 7 and 8, students begin a two-year course of study that develops competence in the four linguistic areas: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Through the medium of language, students explore the cultural richness of French- and Spanish-speaking regions of the world. Grammar and vocabulary are developed through role-playing, skits, and written short-answer and narrative assignments. Each class uses a basal grammatical text with various supplementary selections of short narrative and journalistic-style readings. While the target language is used to conduct most classes, new grammatical concepts are taught in English. Students completing French 8 or Spanish 8 may move into Level II of their respective language when they enter ninth grade in the Upper School.
Courses in French, Latin, Chinese (Mandarin), and Spanish are offered at the Middle School level. As part of a curriculum based on the ancient world, all sixth grade students take Latin. Seventh graders may choose to continue their study of Latin or begin the study of French, Spanish, or Chinese.