Our Unique languages curriculum
The Classical and World Languages Department at Montrose School seeks to widen the perspective of our students’ on our global community by exposing them to different cultures and languages. Whether their learning be focused on the language, history and culture of the Ancient world, or on the modern Spanish-speaking or Francophone communities, all students are encouraged to become effective communicators and culturally sensitive women of faith, character, and vision, to participate constructively in the 21st century.
OUR CLASSICAL & WORLD LANGUAGE DEPARTMENT OFFERINGS
| GRADE 8: LATIN 1 |
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Latin I serves as a bridge between English Language Arts in 6th and 7th grades and the study of a modern foreign language in upper school. Students are introduced to the concept of an inflected language and through the study of Latin grammar and syntax acquire a deeper understanding and appreciation of the English language, as well as important analytical and vocabulary-building skills. In addition, students examine the legacy of the Roman Empire by exploring its customs, traditions, daily life, art and architecture, mythology and religion. The course provides a linguistic and cultural foundation that is self-contained or offers the option of continuing the study of Latin in high school. The class takes the National Latin Examination in early March with the option to take the National Mythology Examination in April. |
| grade 9: latin 2 |
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Latin II continues the curriculum begun in Latin I in grade 8 and encompasses more advanced grammatical constructions, the translation of adapted texts and an in-depth consideration of Roman mythology, history and culture. Students learn nouns/adjectives of the first three declensions, various subordinate clauses, personal and demonstrative pronouns, all with a strong emphasis on vocabulary acquisition and retention. By studying derivatives and the use of Latin in our daily lives, they increase their appreciation of the strong linguistic and cultural connections between ancient times and our own. All students at the Honors level take the National Latin Examination in March and have the option to take additional ACL exams. |
| grade 10: latin 3 |
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Latin III introduces advanced grammatical constructions and vocabulary that will enable students to progress from reading adapted texts to reading authentic Latin prose and poetry. Students learn about subordinate clauses that use infinitives and subjunctive verbs through reading. Students will continue exploring Roman history, culture, and mythology. All students at the Honors level take the National Latin Examination in March and have the option to take additional ACL exams in Semester II. |
| grade 11: latin 4 |
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Latin IV builds upon the linguistic foundation established in previous Latin courses. This course aims to strengthen students’ mastery of advanced grammar and vocabulary, eventually through the reading of authentic Latin prose and poetry. Students will continue exploring Roman history, culture, and mythology. All students take the National Latin Examination in March and have the option to take additional ACL exams in Semester II. |
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Grade 12: latin 5 |
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Latin V aims to strengthen students’ mastery of advanced grammar and vocabulary primarily through the reading of authentic Latin prose and poetry. Students translate the readings, consider major themes and essential questions, and read critical literature to help place these texts in a meaningful historical, political, and literary context. Students will continue exploring Roman history, culture, and mythology. All students take the National Latin Examination in March and have the option to take additional ACL exams in Semester II. |
| grade 12: ap latin |
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The AP Latin course focuses on the required syllabus selections from two works of Latin literature: Vergil's Aeneid and Pliny’s Letters. Students translate the readings, consider major themes and essential questions, and read critical literature to help place these texts in a meaningful historical, political, and literary context. This course aims to strengthen students’ mastery of advanced grammar and vocabulary primarily through the reading of authentic Latin prose and poetry. Students will continue exploring Roman history, culture, and mythology. All students take the National Latin Examination in March and have the option to take additional ACL exams in Semester II. |
| grade 9: french 1 |
| In this class students will not only begin to learn to speak, write, read, and understand the French language, but also be exposed to the customs, culture, history, geography, and traditions of the Francophone world. Students will grow in their knowledge of French vocabulary and grammar while hearing, speaking, reading, and writing in the target language through an immersion setting. Their experience in an immersion environment will challenge them while accelerating their language acquisition. In the spring, students will take the National French Exam. |
| grade 10: french 2 |
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In this class students continue to build their skills to speak, write, read, and understand the French language, with continued exposure to the customs, culture, history, geography, and traditions of the Francophone world through a variety of authentic sources. In French II, students will learn more complex sentence structures and build their vocabulary base in order to express themselves more articulately. They will grow in their knowledge of French vocabulary and grammar while actively practicing and using the target language in an immersion setting. In the spring, they will take the National French Exam. |
| grade 11: french 3 |
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In this class students continue to build their skills to speak, write, read, and understand the French language, with continued exposure to the customs, culture, history, geography, and traditions of the Francophone world through a variety of authentic sources. In French II, students will learn more complex sentence structures and build their vocabulary base in order to express themselves more articulately. They will grow in their knowledge of French vocabulary and grammar while actively practicing and using the target language in an immersion setting. In the spring, they will take the National French Exam. |
| grade 12: french 4 |
| This advanced course is a survey of contemporary French and Francophone cultures, history, and literature. Students will have many opportunities to improve their proficiency and fluency in the French language. They will be challenged to produce the language both orally and in writing, and will constantly be exposed to written and spoken French so that their receptive skills are exercised and developed. Students will explore history, literature, and current events through primary sources in the target language. As students are expected to already possess the grammar skills needed for effective study, their work will aim primarily at sophisticated oral and written presentation of ideas. In the spring, students will take the National French Exam. The two main objectives of their French studies at Montrose are to help them become proficient communicators in the language, while providing them with a rich exposure to Francophone culture. |
| grade 12: AP french LANGUAGE & CULTURE |
| This course follows the guidelines of the College Board AP French Language and Culture course and provides opportunities for students to demonstrate their proficiency in the modes of communication from the Intermediate to the Pre-Advanced range. This course is a language acquisition course designed to provide students with the necessary skills and intercultural understanding to enable them to communicate successfully in an environment where French is spoken. The AP French Language and Culture course emphasizes communication (understanding and being understood by others) by applying interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational skills in real-life situations. In this class we strive not to overemphasize grammatical accuracy at the expense of communication. To best facilitate the study of language and culture, the course is taught almost exclusively in French and follows a thematic rather than a linguistic curricular structure. Additionally, 90% of the texts students will read will be authentic sources (written by native French speakers, for native French speakers). In addition, in the spring, students will take the Level V National French Exam. The two main objectives of French studies at Montrose are to help students become a proficient communicator in the language, while providing them with a rich exposure to Francophone culture. |
| GRADE 9: SPANISH 1 |
| This course aims to develop students' foundational oral and written Spanish skills while introducing them to the culture, history, geography, and traditions of the Spanish-speaking world. We focus on communicative competence, emphasizing both productive (speaking and writing) and receptive (listening and reading) skills. The goal is to create an engaging and rewarding environment as students acquire core vocabulary on themes like family, home, clothing and food. After an introductory phase in English, our classroom will transition to primarily using Spanish for communication and instruction. The course uses a textbook and its workbook, complemented by online resources that include tutorials and interactive activities. Additionally, students will read a short story to enhance their cultural knowledge and reinforce vocabulary within a compelling context. Students take the National Spanish Examination in the spring. |
| GRADE 10: SPANISH 2 |
| This course begins with a review of Spanish I material before diving into a more comprehensive study of the language and Hispanic culture. Students will broaden their vocabulary to include idiomatic and colloquial expressions and strengthen their grammatical foundation through various verb tenses and complex structures. The course uses a textbook and its accompanying workbook to provide a robust learning framework. The classroom environment is designed as a gradual immersion experience, with Spanish spoken as the primary language, creating an ideal setting for language acquisition. In addition to the textbook, students will read a short novel to reinforce vocabulary and enhance cultural knowledge while illustrating grammatical concepts in an authentic context. Throughout the course, students will work toward achieving proficiency and fluency by developing all four core communication skills: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Engaging with these skills together ensures a well-rounded approach to language learning and fosters a deeper cultural understanding. Additionally, students take the National Spanish Examination in the spring. |
| grade 11: spanish 3 |
| This fast-paced intermediate Spanish course starts with a review of Spanish 2 material before diving into a more comprehensive study of the language and Hispanic culture. Spanish 3 marks the initiation into the study of Spanish literature, and more advanced grammar instruction with the help of a textbook. The thematic vocabulary in this course aims at real life tasks—critiquing artwork, resolving conflicts, talking about healthy living, discussing freedom and responsibility. Pérez Lugin’s La casa de la Troya is read in this course, as well as some short stories, poems and other excerpts from major Hispanic literary works. This book and works enable students to see language in context, and all the learned grammar in use. Class discussions about current day topics, dramatic representations of readings, games, songs, and projects, provide opportunities for a wide variety of language practice and cultural exposure in this course. By the end of this course, students will acquire greater fluency and precision in producing the language (speaking, writing), as well as improved reception of the nuances of the language and culture (reading and listening). Additionally, students take the National Spanish Examination in the spring. |
| GRADE 12: SPANISH 4 |
| This fast-paced intermediate Spanish course starts with a review of Spanish 3 material before diving into a more comprehensive study of the language and Hispanic culture. Spanish 4 continues what was initiated in Spanish 3 with the introduction of literature, and more advanced grammar instruction with the help of a textbook. The thematic vocabulary in this course aims at real life tasks—critiquing artwork; talking about healthy living, leisure and travel, work and professions; discussing freedom and responsibility when talking about nature, society, history and politics. Class discussions about current day topics, dramatic representations of readings, games, songs, and projects, provide opportunities for a wide variety of language practice and cultural exposure in this course. By the end of this course, students will acquire greater fluency and precision in producing the language (speaking, writing), as well as improved reception of the nuances of the language and culture (reading and listening). Additionally, students take the National Spanish Examination in the Spring. |
| GRADE 12: AP SPANISH LANGUAGE & CULTURE |
| The AP Spanish Language and Culture course provides students with opportunities to develop language proficiency across the three modes of communication: interpretive, interpersonal and presentational. Students learn about culture through the use of authentic materials that are representative of the Spanish-speaking world. Materials include a textbook, an AP Spanish workbook, and a variety of different media, e.g., journalistic and literary works, podcasts, interviews, movies, charts and graphs. AP Spanish Language and Culture is a college-level language acquisition course designed to provide students with the necessary skills and intercultural understanding to enable them to communicate successfully in an environment where Spanish is spoken and as such, is an immersion experience requiring exclusive use of Spanish. Additionally, students take the National Spanish Examination in the Spring. |
Imagine yourself here . . .
Walking into your Classical & World Language classroom pulls you into another world. Your brain gradually adjusts to new language forms, new grammar structures and new vocabulary, and your tongue and voice form new sounds.
In language classes, you will:
- Engage your ear and voice to participate fully so you develop confidence and fluidity in another language over time.
- Strengthen your reading, writing, and English grammar skills as you develop mastery through a paced curriculum with Advanced Placement options.
- Develop the capacity to draw inferences from contextual clues.
- Experience cultures, traditions, experiences, and history that expand your mind and heart.
- Enhance your confidence to engage with diverse citizens and travel the world, including through travel abroad opportunities and cultural exchanges.
- Earn distinction through annual national exams for the National Spanish, French and Latin exams as well as the Medusa, Latin Vocabulary, Roman Civilization and Classical Mythology exams.
You will graduate from your Classical & World Language classes with a deeper understanding of Western Civilization and Romance language traditions, equipped to engage other cultures with sensitivity and understanding.
English Faculty
DAEFLE, Alliance Française
M.A., Classics, Tufts University
M.A., Character Education, University of Birmingham (in process)
M.A., Education, Catholic University of Sacred Heart (Milan, Italy)
Ph.D., Education, University of Navarra