World Languages

BB&N has a long tradition of offering its students a wide range of choices of world language courses—French, Latin, Spanish, Russian, Mandarin Chinese, and Arabic. These courses teach not only grammar and vocabulary, but they emphasize the significance of communication, literature and culture. AP language and literature courses are offered to our top-level students in French, Latin, & Spanish. And BB&N has long distinguished itself among its peer schools for offering three less commonly taught languages—Chinese, Arabic, and Russian. One beneficiary of the latter program is the current US Ambassador to Russia, Mr. Alexander Vershbow '70, who learned to speak Russian at BB&N.

World language study enables the student to appreciate other cultures and civilizations through the most fundamental means of communication—the written and spoken word. The department believes that the ability to comprehend a civilization not one's own, be it modern or classical, is invaluable for its humanizing and broadening effects. Knowledge of languages brings students into contact with new ideas and exposes them to a more expansive view of the world.

BB&N Language Scholar: BB&N offers students the opportunity to achieve proficiency in two languages simultaneously. To be recognized as a Language Scholar, a student must complete study in a primary language to the highest level offered (IV AP, V, or V AP depending on the language); complete study in a secondary language to the third level (III) or the fourth level (IV) for a student who begins in the second level (II) in Grade 9; and earn honors-level grades (a B or above for final grades in every year of study). Language Scholars are expected to continue in their AP classes through the end of senior year and take the AP examinations. Russian students are expected to participate in the Olympiada each year.

Double Language Student: A student who completes seven yearlong courses or more of language study during Grades 9 through 12 becomes a Double Language Student.

Exchange and Travel Programs: Travel opportunities for students to participate in foreign cultures, practice foreign languages, appreciate world history, and expand their horizons. This year's proposed trips are to: China, France, Greece, Russia, and Spain.  See the Exchange & Travel Programs page for more information.

Courses

French, Latin, Mandarin Chinese, Russian, Spanish (Grades 9-12):
Level I: In this one-year course, students learn the basics of speaking, reading, writing, and listening. Languages are taught within a cultural context; students build vocabulary and understand the grammar of the language while becoming familiar with the culture of the countries in which it is or was spoken.

Level II: Courses at this level build upon students’ learning in either the two-year Middle School sequence or the Level I course at the Upper School. Students strengthen and expand their understanding of grammatical structure, vocabulary, and listening comprehension skills, and they develop their ability to translate and read short stories and poems. Courses in Chinese, French, Latin, and Spanish are offered at the regular and honors levels; Russian is offered at the regular level.

Level III: Students gain further proficiency and strengthen their skills in each of the four areas (speaking, listening, reading, and writing). They continue to work with short stories and other materials to broaden their cultural knowledge (history, literature, arts, customs) of the countries where the language is or was spoken. Courses in Latin and Spanish are offered at the regular and honors levels; Russian and Chinese are offered at the regular level; French is offered at the regular, advanced, and Advanced Placement levels.

Arabic (Grade 12):
Arabic I: This is a course in Modern Standard Arabic (MSA), which is recognized as the contemporary official written language of the Arabs throughout the world. The objective of the course is to teach students the basics of writing, reading, speaking, and listening. More specifically, students will learn the phonology and script of MSA. Time will be devoted to simple, interactive communicative tasks. Texts, articles from the print media, Internet web sites, and audio-visual materials will introduce students to the rich cultural and historic aspects of the Arab and Islamic world. This senior elective course is open to those seniors who are completing or have completed the Upper School foreign language requirement. MSA may also be taken as a second foreign language.

Upper Level Language Courses:
French IV Advanced: This course clarifies grammatical forms essential to accurate oral and written expression in French. The readings comprise a survey of articles and texts of the most representative aspects of contemporary French culture and society. Students also do a “simulation globale” (experiential learning exercise), watch movies, and use technology over the course of the year.

French IV AP Literature: This course focuses mainly on literature study along with some review of the most advanced elements of grammar. The reading list is that of the AP Literature exam. It covers the literature of French-speaking countries from the 16th to the 20th century. Students will be asked to read, discuss, write analytical essays, give oral presentations, watch movies, and use technology to study the texts. This course leads to the AP French Literature exam and is taught exclusively in French. Students need departmental permission to enroll in this course.

French IV AP Language: Students in this course do an in-depth study of grammar and literature, including some of the required readings for the AP Literature exam. There is an emphasis on writing and speaking with a variety of activities, including the use of videos and technology. This course leads to the AP French Language exam and is taught exclusively in French. Students need departmental permission to enroll in this course.

French V Honors: French Theater Course: This is an elective French theater course leading to the production of a French play written by the students themselves. This course is open to students who have taken both the French Language AP and the French Literature AP courses. With departmental permission, exceptions may be made for students who are very fluent in French.

French V Advanced: Cinema for French Conversation: This is an elective French Cinema course. Teachers emphasize conversation through interactive activities drawn from the study of French films. These include group research and oral presentation of a film context, debate on the issues presented in a film, and dialogue creations for a soundtrack. The films are chosen according to their historical, literary, linguistic, or geographical interest. This course is open to students who have successfully completed a level-IV French class.

French V AP Literature: Students from either French IV AP Language or from French IV Advanced may take this course; departmental permission is required. The reading list is that of the AP Literature exam. It covers the literatures of French-speaking countries from the 16th to the 20th century. Students are asked to read, discuss, write analytical essays, give oral presentations, watch movies, and use technology to study the texts. This course leads to the AP French Literature exam and is taught exclusively in French. Students need departmental permission to enroll in this class.

Latin IV and V: Students will study Roman poetry, including authors such as Ovid, Vergil, Catullus, and Horace. They are encouraged to take the SAT II for Latin in their junior year or early in the senior year, and with this in mind, they are prepared with an advanced grammar review.

Latin IV AP Vergil: Students in this junior year course read Vergil’s epic, The Aeneid. Emphasis is given to literary analysis and essay writing in preparation for the AP exam, which students are required to take. The students are encouraged to take the SAT II for Latin in December of this year, and with this in mind, they are prepared with an advanced grammar review.

Latin V AP Literature: Students focus on the lyric poetry of Horace and Catullus. Seniors must continue the course through the spring, and taking the Advanced Placement exam is a course requirement.

Russian IV or Russian IV AP: These courses include several units of study that concern Russian literature, history, film, art, and geography. Examples are Pushkin’s historical novella, The Captain’s Daughter; a study of Russian revolutionaries from the Time of Troubles until the fall of communism; a study of 19th-century art; the classic Soviet film, Irony of Fate; and a virtual trip across Russia. During the year these units will serve as forums for enhancing reading, writing, conversational skills, and grammar review. Students will read classical literature as well as articles in textbooks, in art books, and on the internet, most notably in the online curriculum, Russnet, written to prepare students for the AP Russian Exam. Students will regularly write summaries, compositions, and biographies, and they will give oral presentations on artists, specific paintings, and Russian cities. The goal of Russian IV is for students to increase their vocabularies and fluency and understanding of grammar while learning about Russian culture. Enrollment in Russian IV AP is based on the teacher’s recommendation at the end of Russian III. AP students are required to complete several Russnet modules during the course of the year and take the Russian AP Exam in May.

Russian V Honors: Taught in Russian, this course is designed for students who have finished Russian IV. Students do an in-depth study of literature, history, and art, mainly from the time of Peter the Great through the Golden Age, the Revolution, the Soviet period, and up until the present. Emphasis is on reading, writing short papers and a research project, giving oral presentations, and using the Internet and Russian resources in the city. At the same time, the most advanced elements of grammar will be reviewed.

Chinese IV or Chinese IV AP: While oral proficiency continues as an emphasis, students give increasing attention to their reading and writing. Character-only materials replace character-pinyin texts. Students are expected to increase their character vocabulary to 2,000 words and learn to write with 300 characters. Students who enroll in the AP section will follow the regular Chinese IV AP program. The AP exam is a requirement of the course.

Spanish IV Culture & Conversation: This fourth-year non-AP course consists of carefully selected readings that respond to a variety of interests: current events and issues of the Hispanic world as well as short stories by some of the most renowned Spanish and Latin American writers. Students will also review grammar and do intensive oral and written work.

Spanish IV AP Language: This course includes an in-depth grammar review as well as an introduction to Hispanic literature. Students concentrate on reaching advanced levels in both their oral and written work. The course is offered in preparation for the AP Language exam.

Spanish V AP Literature: This honors course is open to students who have taken Spanish IV AP Language and/or who have been granted approval at the discretion of the instructor. The course provides an overview of Hispanic literature of the Medieval and Golden Age, the 19th and 20th centuries in preparation for the AP Spanish Literature exam in May. In addition to reading and discussing works in class, students write frequent analytical essays, give oral presentations, and make use of the internet and other sources to research authors and their historical contexts. Students also view films related to the works studied and do structured practice for the listening portion of the AP exam.

Spanish V: Contemporary Spanish and Latin American Cinema: In this advanced language and culture class, students examine recent major works of film in their social, political, and historic contexts. Countries studied include Mexico, Cuba, Spain, and Argentina. Emphasis is on class discussion, oral presentations, and written assignments. Students also read short stories and make extensive use of the internet to research and read Spanish language news sources online.