Modern Languages
Our Modern Language curriculum focuses on listening, speaking, reading, and writing; after 4 years students reach proficiency to understand films in the target language, read books and report on their content, and carry on conversations on most topics.
Department Overview
Our program begins with an introductory level course in Middle School and proceed to more advanced levels of proficiency in Upper School.
Modern Language Association standards for cultural enrichment are emphasized so that students not only learn the language but can understand cultural nuances inherent in the countries that share the language. At each level, students are tested to assure that national achievement criteria are met and in most cases exceeded. Students in Forms V or VI can take the AP Language Exam and obtain either college credit, have the language requirement waved or can proceed to an advanced level course in college.
In Forms II, III, and V and VI we offer Arabic language classes. The focus is on teaching the alphabet and introductory level grammar and vocabulary. In the two year program, students learn to read, write, speak and understand basic Arabic. The level of proficiency attained has been such that students have won State Department Fellowships to study abroad.
Curriculum Sequence
|
Form A |
None; Focus on English Grammar and Composition |
|
Form I |
None; Focus on first year of Latin |
|
Form II |
Spanish I; French I; or Arabic I |
|
Form III |
Spanish II or Transfer Spanish I; French I or II; or Arabic II |
|
Form IV |
Spanish III or Transfer Spanish II; French II or III; or Arabic III |
|
Forms V & VI |
Transfer Spanish III; Spanish IV or AP Spanish; French III, French IV or
AP French; or Arabic IV |
Course Descriptions
- Spanish I
- Spanish II
- Spanish III
- Transfer Spanish I
- Transfer Spanish II
- Spanish IV
- AP Spanish
- French I
- French II
- French III
- French IV
- AP French
- Arabic I
- Arabic II
- Arabic III
- Arabic IV
Spanish I
This the introductory-level course in our multi-level Spanish curriculum, in which students have the same instructor to establish continuity for the first three years. Students are taught standard Spanish grammar and vocabulary with particular emphasis on integrating the four basic language skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. We cover one lesson approximately every two weeks, using the textbook series Aventura 1.
Course Length: All Year
Registration Policy: Fulfills Modern Language requirement for Form II
Spanish II
Spanish II is the second half of an introductory course that builds on the skills acquired in Spanish I. More complex grammatical structures and vocabulary are presented. Students are expected to be able to express themselves on a range of everyday topics. Students are presented with a more in-depth knowledge of Spanish-speaking culture. We cover one lesson approximately every two weeks, using the textbook series Aventura 2.
Course Length: All Year
Registration Policy: Fulfills Modern Language requirement for Form III
Spanish III
Spanish III is an intermediate-level course designed to review and refine the four basic skills emphasized in the introductory courses. More advanced grammatical structures and abstract vocabulary relating to basic political, social, and ecological themes are presented. Students are exposed to extracts of Spanish literature and short authentic articles from periodical literature. We cover one lesson approximately every three weeks, using the textbook series Aventura 3.
Course Length: All Year
Registration Policy: Fulfills Modern Language requirement for Form IV
Transfer Spanish I
Beginning Spanish will prepare students for an effective use of the Spanish language, written and spoken, corresponding to approximately half the material that might be covered in an introductory university-level program. The two years of Transfer Spanish are designed to cover the same content covered in three years of the track that begins in Middle School, using the textbook series Puntos de Partida. In addition, it should give students a certain familiarity with the Spanish-speaking world, its geography, culture, and history.
Course Length: All Year
Registration Policy: Fulfills Modern Language requirement for students entering St. Anselm's in Form III
Transfer Spanish II
The second year of Spanish in the "transfer" sequence covers rather more material than does Spanish II for those who began in Middle School, using the textbook series Puntos de Partida. The remaining elements in fundamental grammar (all verb tenses, for example), are to be mastered. Considerable emphasis is placed on distinguishing occasions where subjunctive vs. indicative modes are employed. Sufficient vocabulary will be acquired to cover basic communication needs in most major areas, and students will (allowing for vocabulary limitations) be able to make sense of written materials in the language generally.
Course Length: All Year
Registration Policy: Fulfills Modern Language requirement for Form IV students who entered St. Anselm’s in Form III
Spanish IV
This is the second part of the intermediate course focusing on grammar, reading and composition skills with an important speaking and listening component. The principal objective of the course is to integrate the communication skills of students in activities that deepen students’ knowledge of Hispanic culture and history. By the end of the course, students should achieve competence in some advanced skills and structures.
Course Length: All Year
Registration Policy: Fulfills Modern Language requirement for Form V or VI
AP Spanish
This course will prepare the student for the AP Spanish Language examination. Students will be expected to integrate and synthesize their language skills to a level of general competency and fluency in the areas of speaking, listening, reading and writing. The course will include a general review of grammar, readings from newspapers, short stories, literary selections plus movies and audio-recordings in the target language.
Course Length: All Year
Registration Policy: Fulfills Modern Language requirement for Form V or VI
French I
French I is the introductory-level course in a multi-level curriculum. Students are taught standard French grammar and vocabulary with particular emphasis on integrating the four basic language skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. We cover one lesson approximately every three weeks, using the textbook T'es branché I
Course Length: All Year
Registration Policy: Fulfills Modern Language requirement for Form I or II
French II
French II is the second half of an introductory course that builds on the skills acquired in French I. More complex grammatical structures and vocabulary are presented. Students are expected to be able to express themselves on a range of everyday topics. Students are presented with a more in-depth knowledge of French-speaking culture. We cover one lesson approximately every two weeks, using the textbook T'es branché II.
Course Length: All Year
Registration Policy: Fulfills Modern Language requirement for Form I or II
French III
French III is an intermediate-level course designed to review and refine the four basic skills emphasized in the introductory courses. More advanced grammatical structures and abstract vocabulary relating to basic political, social, and ecological themes are presented. Students are exposed to extracts of French literature and short authentic articles from periodical literature.
Course Length: All Year
Registration Policy: Fulfills Modern Language requirement for Form I or II
French IV
This is the second part of the intermediate course focusing on grammar, reading and composition skills with an important speaking and listening component. The principal objective of the course is to integrate the communication skills of students in activities that deepen students’ knowledge of French culture and history. By the end of the course, students should achieve competence in some advanced skills and structures.
Course Length: All Year
Registration Policy: Fulfills Modern Language requirement for Form V or VI
AP French
This course is designed to prepare students for the AP French Language examination. Students will be expected to raise their language skills to a superior level of proficiency and fluency in the four major skills of reading, writing, speaking, and listening through a variety of authentic readings, videos and audio-recordings. The class will be conducted in French.
Course Length: All Year
Registration Policy: Fulfills Modern Language requirement for Form V or VI
Arabic I
This class is an introduction to reading, writing, and speaking contemporary, communicative Arabic based on the ACTFL proficiency standards. This class meets daily and focuses on Egyptian colloquial as a window to understanding authentic language use. By the end of the year, students at this level are able to read and write the characters of the Arabic alphabet, recognize Indo-Arabic numerals, understand isolated words in context, communicate with common phrases, read learned words and phrases in context, transcribe familiar words into Arabic, understand and participate in basic conversations, recognize the main features of the Arabic language, setup a computer to type in Arabic and type sentences, recognize common forms of transliterating Arabic into English, and discuss historical and cultural items of interest. Possible projects include: Typing challenges, map of the Arab world, exploring culture snapshots: literature, artistic expression, famous individuals, recitation of Arabic poetry, sequencing of important historical events, math in Arabic, cooking in Arabic, Arabic in DC - getting to know how Arabic fits into our own community.
Course Length: All Year
Registration Policy: Fulfills Modern Language requirement for Form II students
Arabic II
This course is a continuation of the foundation built in Arabic I. Students will progress from basic skills with Arabic alphabet and isolated words to develop an understanding of full phrases and the ability to articulate thoughts in both speech and writing. Studies of the geography, history, and culture surrounding the Arabic language and its dialects will continue.
Course Length: All Year
Registration Policy: Fulfills Modern Language requirement for Form III students
Arabic III
Arabic IV
Arabic IV is an intermediate level course which builds on the foundations of Arabic II and III, and expands on what they have learned. This course focuses on topic-specific composition and strengthening their listening and conversational skills in both Modern Standard Arabic and Egyptian dialects. By the end of the course, the students reach a high- intermediate level in both comprehension and conversational ability. The content is mostly derived from Al-Asas and Al-Kitab.
Course Length: All Year
Registration Policy: Prerequisite: Arabic I; Elective for Form VI
| Modern Languages Faculty |
|---|
|
Dr. Larry Joseph, Department Chair
French I, II, and III; AP French Ph.D., Slavic Languages and Literature, Stanford University M.A., Slavic Languages and Literature, Stanford University B.A., Slavic Languages and Literature, University of California, Berkeley ljoseph@saintanselms.org |
|
Mr. Kyle Bellows Arabic II and III; French III M.A., University of Chicago B.A., Vassar College kbellows@saintanselms.org |
|
Dr. Charles Downey French IV Ph.D., Music History, Catholic University of America M.A., Music History, Catholic University of America B.Mus., Piano, Michigan State University cdowney@saintanselms.org |
Mr. Abdel Gubartalla |
| Ms. Dana Helfenbein Spanish I, II, IV B.A., Spanish, Arabic, Middle Eastern/North African Studies, University of Arizona dhelfenbein@saintanselms.org |
Mrs. Melissa Montoya |
|
Br. Matthew Nylund, OSB |