Students in French 8 develop their vocabulary and communication skills in a 100% French environment. Storytelling, Role Play, and French-language media play important roles in class activities. Students practice their oral skills on a daily basis and by the end of the year are able to express their views and converse about a number of familiar topics. In addition, students read longer, more complex selections, and they compose more sophisticated sentences and paragraphs with an increasing amount of detail and accuracy. Progress is assessed through formative and summative activities in the areas of speaking, listening, writing and reading as well as through projects and regular self-assessments. Successful completion of French 8 prepares a student to enter French II the following year.

Designed for students who are new to St. Christopher’s Middle School and to Spanish, this course is the first half of a two-year sequence intended to prepare students to join the regular Spanish track in eighth grade. Students build vocabulary related to familiar, concrete themes, such as family, school, clothing, food, weather, and favorite hobbies. Visual and contextual prompts take the place of the students’ native language to encourage them to think in the target language as opposed to translating. Over the course of the year, students will learn to analyze a variety of authentic media to find visual clues and to seek out cognates to help with comprehension; they will explore multiple ways to apply vocabulary and sentence structure to create and express original thoughts. Student progress is assessed through vocabulary quizzes, listening and speaking tests, and periodic self-assessments so that students are aware of their gains in proficiency over the course of the year.

Eighth grade students who are new to Spanish or who would benefit from a year of additional preparation before taking Spanish I in ninth grade take this course to develop basic vocabulary and communication skills. This class focuses on speaking, listening, and writing. Storytelling, Total Physical Response, and other engaging methods are used to help students develop confidence as well as proficiency in the language. Over the course of the year, students learn to analyze a variety of authentic media to find visual clues and to seek out cognates to help with comprehension; they explore multiple ways to apply vocabulary and sentence structure to create and express original thoughts. Student progress is assessed through vocabulary quizzes, listening and speaking tests, projects, and periodic self-assessments so that students are aware of their gains in proficiency.

Seventh grade students who complete Intro Spanish A continue their study of the language in this second half of a two-year course to prepare students to join the regular Spanish track in eighth grade. Via new visual and contextual prompts, students expand their vocabulary and communication skills within both familiar and new contexts. Topics include discussing weekend and weekday activities and times, planning events such as parties and trips, and talking about sports and foods that they like and dislike. Students learn to analyze authentic media to find visual clues and to seek out cognates to help with comprehension; they explore multiple ways to apply vocabulary and sentence structure to create and express original thoughts. Student progress is assessed through vocabulary quizzes, listening and speaking tests, and periodic self-assessments so that students can track their gains in proficiency over the course of the year.

The Language Arts program in grade 6 is designed to help students develop and strengthen critical reading comprehension and writing skills. Particular focus is placed on teaching active reading strategies, vocabulary, spelling, and composition skills. Language Arts is offered in lieu of modern foreign language in the Middle School as an opportunity for students to enhance and extend their skills in English in preparation for formal language study required in the Upper School. The Resource Director, in conjunction with teacher recommendations and a formal educational assessment, will consider students for placement in this program.

This program will emphasize vocabulary through the study of Greek and Latin roots. The ultimate goal of vocabulary study is to have the students better understand word etymologies and how to dissect a language; thus, the pace of the curriculum is determined by the students’ overall understanding of the material. Students will continue to expand analytical reading and writing skills to develop critical thinking. The boys will practice writing a well-structured thesis with supporting textual evidence to compliment the English curriculum. The class will also review the rules of grammar and punctuation to communicate their ideas in writing more effectively.

The Latin program seeks to impart to the student a broad knowledge and appreciation of the Latin language, culture, and civilization. Further, it tries to develop a clear understanding of his native English by comparison with a non-English communication system and by showing the influences that Latin has had on the English language. Also, the program seeks to impart etymological skills to help the student gain a better understanding of English word use and to increase the student's English vocabulary. The main focus of the curriculum is grammar and etymology. Students learn and apply skills through exercises and translations from the text. In addition, students explore word etymologies and research Roman history and culture through readings, lectures, and projects.

The Language Arts program is a three-year sequence designed to help students develop and strengthen verbal skills. Particular focus is placed on reading comprehension, vocabulary, spelling, grammar, and composition. The Language Arts sequence is offered in lieu of modern foreign language in the Middle School as an opportunity for students to enhance and extend their skills in English in preparation for formal language study required in the Upper School. The Resource Director in conjunction with teacher recommendations and a formal educational assessment will consider students for placement in this program.
    The program will emphasize process-based learning and will incorporate review and practice procedures within the classroom setting. Activities and assignments will be planned to have direct application to the Middle School curriculum. Students will work individually and in small groups with the grouping to vary according to the topic at hand.
    The Latin Studies curriculum introduces students to the skills involved in learning a foreign language. Emphasis is placed on regular review of vocabulary, grammar, and the formulation of verbs. Classwork involves cooperative problem solving and application of knowledge through translation. Translations frequently involve Roman history and geography themes, and lesson themes include lingual, cultural, and political ties from Ancient Rome to modern day America.

In this course students expand the vocabulary and communication skills that they developed in Lower School, often in the context of the culture of the Spanish-speaking world. The course focuses on developing speaking and listening skills in a 100% Spanish environment. Via visual and contextual prompts, students are encouraged to think in the target language as opposed to translating from their native tongue. Students learn to analyze a variety of authentic media to find visual clues and to seek out cognates to help with comprehension; they explore multiple ways to apply vocabulary and sentence structure to create and express original thoughts. Student progress is assessed through vocabulary quizzes, listening and speaking tests, and regular self-assessments so that students are aware of their gains in proficiency over the course of the year.

This Spanish 6 course is one of the three language courses that 6th-grade students will be exposed to before selecting a language to study in 7th grade.

Students in Spanish 7 continue to develop their speaking and listening skills in a 100% Spanish environment. Via new symbols and pictures, they expand their vocabulary and ability to communicate within both familiar and new contexts. Students learn to comprehend and create longer, more complex sentences and to speak in greater detail about familiar, concrete topics such as discussing weekend and weekday activities and times, planning events such as parties and trips, and talking about clothing, sports, and foods that they like and dislike. Students learn to analyze authentic media to find visual clues and to seek out cognates to help with comprehension; they explore multiple ways to apply vocabulary and sentence structure to create and express original thoughts. Student progress is assessed through vocabulary quizzes, listening and speaking tests, and periodic self-assessments so that students can track their gains in proficiency over the course of the year.

Students in Spanish 8 continue to develop their vocabulary and communication skills in a 100% Spanish environment. Storytelling, Total Physical Response, and Spanish-language media play important roles in class activities. Students practice their oral skills on a daily basis and by the end of the year are able to express their views and converse about a number of familiar topics. In addition, students read longer, more complex selections, including a novella. When writing, they compose more sophisticated sentences and paragraphs with an increasing amount of detail and accuracy. Student progress is assessed through vocabulary quizzes, listening and speaking tests, projects, and regular self-assessments so that students can track their gains in proficiency over the course of the year. Successful completion of Spanish 8 prepares a student to enter Spanish II the following year.