The Spartanburg Day School Foreign Language Department wants to inspire a life-long desire to study world languages and cultures. We believe that language study fosters a broader world view and prepares students to enter an increasingly diverse world. Intimate classroom environments are conducive to language acquisition and communication. We feel that language study is essential to the complete student and reinforces and compliments lessons in History, English, Art, and other disciplines. As part of our curriculum we strive to take language instruction beyond the classroom through local and national foreign language competitions, international travel, and foreign films.

2012-2013 Course Offerings

French 1 – In French 1, students begin to speak, read, write and understand basic French. They will learn to tell about themselves, introduce people, order food and drinks in a café, give directions, tell time, make plans, and read a subway map. Present and future tenses will be covered as well as an ongoing building of vocabulary. Instructor: Howie.

French 2 – French 2 reviews the present and future tenses, but places its emphasis on learning the past tense. Students will work on their reading comprehension skills while studying Paris. Other topics of study include the weather, the calendar, hotel reservations, apartment rental, foreign study, and the daily routine. The study of adjectives will enhance a growing vocabulary. Instructor: Howie.

French 3 – French 3 is an upper level French course in which the students speak almost entirely in French. As students begin to refine their ability to speak, read, write and understand French, they will study fitness and health, cooking, clothing, and the regions of France. Grammatical topics covered include all tenses related to the indicative mood, pronouns, and the comparative and the superlative. Instructor: Howie.

French 4 – French 4 is an advanced language course. Students should expect to speak and be spoken to exclusively in French and will learn to discuss the problems of the world, movies, plays, short stories and fables. All verb tenses of the indicative mood as well as the subjunctive will be covered. This course serves as preparation for the AP French Language course. Instructor: Howie.

AP French Language – This advanced course is designed specifically to prepare students for the Advanced Placement French Language exam. Students will speak and be spoken to exclusively in French. They will be asked to communicate clearly—both orally and in writing—about a variety of topics, with the aim of sharpening their use of French grammar and vocabulary. Much of March and April will be spent on practice exams. Instructor: Howie.

Spanish 1 – This Spanish course introduces students to the Spanish language and culture. Students will learn to communicate in basic Spanish about themselves, their families, activities they enjoy, and a variety of other simple subjects. By the end of the year, they will be able to read and write at a basic level and will have learned about some of the Hispanic cultures around the world. Instructor: Flores.

Spanish 2 – Spanish 2 reviews the present and future tenses, but also adds the past tense. Students will be expected to read and write at an elevated basic level as they study Hispanic culture and learn to give directions, discuss the weather, and elaborate on their favorite activities. Instructor: Wesneski.

Spanish 3 – Students in Spanish 3 study the more complex aspects of Spanish grammar and by the end of the year are expected to communicate—both in writing and orally—at an intermediate level. Instructor: Wesneski.

Spanish 4 – Spanish 4 is an advanced level language course in which students should expect to speak and be spoken to almost exclusively in Spanish. All verb tenses as well as complex grammatical structures will be covered. Students will be asked to read and discuss Spanish poetry, short fiction, newspapers, magazines, and movies. This course serves as preparation for the AP Spanish Language course. Instructor: Flores.

AP Spanish Language – This course is specifically designed to prepare students for the Advanced Placement Spanish Language Exam. Students will study in depth Spanish grammar rules and usage. They will practice speaking, reading, and listening on a daily basis and will be expected to communicate in Spanish about almost any topic. Spanish articles, poetry, and even drama will be part of the syllabus, and students should expect to speak and be spoken to exclusively in the language. Instructor: Wesneski.

Latin 2 – The primary goal of this course is to supplement a student’s standing knowledge of Latin vocabulary, structures and forms so that students may reach the ultimate goal of translating works handed down from classical Rome. Students will gain an awareness of the historical, social, political and religious settings in which the Romans lived as well as an understanding of the significant influence that Latin has had on the English language. Instructor: Wolter.

Latin 3 – Students in Latin 3 employ a standing knowledge of Latin vocabulary, forms and structures while translating original works handed down from classical Rome. The study of Roman culture is ongoing, as well as the study of the relationship between Latin and English. Instructor: Wolter.