Upper School students study one of two foreign languages, Japanese and Spanish, as part of the international orientation of our curriculum. In addition to learning these languages, students study different aspects of Japanese and Spanish-speaking cultures. The ability to communicate in a foreign language will prove crucial in an ever more diverse society. Studying foreign languages also gives students a deeper understanding of their native tongue through an appreciation of the differences between languages. All courses are conducted almost exclusively in the target language. In addition, classes are taught at different levels to accommodate individual experience, if any, with the language.

9th Grade
This course is taught entirely in Spanish with emphasis upon communication skills. A student’s proficiency with the language determines class placement. Students refine their narration skills using past, present and future while learning to express oneself using the subjunctive. Class discussion, oral presentations and cultural exploration form an integral part of the course. Students also read Spanish language literature. During 9th grade, students and their families host students from our sister school in Santiago, Chile for a two-week stay.

10th Grade
Taught entirely in Spanish, this course continues to build upon each student’s composition and conversation skills. Students have biweekly writing assignments and present a series of oral reports in Spanish. Grammatical accuracy and discussions of short literary works also form an important component of this course. Students read from a wide variety of genres and authors using Pasajes Literatura, Pasajes Lengua, Pasajes Cultura as a textbook. Authors studied may include Octavio Paz, Gustavo Perez-Firmat, Pablo Neruda and Carmen LaForet.

11th Grade
This course is also taught entirely in Spanish and is designed to increase students’ functional communicative abilities and to prepare for the AP Spanish Language Exam. This is a grammar-intensive course equivalent to a third-year college Spanish course in composition and conversation. Students revisit grammar concepts and study them in more depth. Students study current events in the Hispanic world by examining various media. Students will also read selections by various authors in Spanish such as Federico Garcia Lorca.

12th Grade
Grade Students who continue in the Spanish curriculum through 12th grade will complete this course and prepare for the AP Spanish Literature Exam. This course is the equivalent of a third-year college course in Spanish and Latin American literature. The course is taught entirely in Spanish and students enjoy and analyze literature by the following authors: Isabel Allende, Mario Benedetti, Jorge Luis Borges, Miguel de Cervantes, Federico Garcia Lorca, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Ana Maria Matute and Miguel de Unamuno.