Language students at Harvard‑Westlake may study either modern languages (Chinese, French, Japanese, and Spanish) or Latin. Through language study, students not only acquire skills, but also study the target language within the context of its respective culture. For example, students of Latin learn to read Latin literature and also to understand and value Roman contributions to civilization. The program creates opportunities for students to experience and acknowledge different patterns of thought and other value systems. Through the department’s interdisciplinary approach, students better understand their own language and culture and develop a sense of responsibility and commitment as world citizens. Modern language courses emphasize the development of communicative competence; classes are conducted as much as possible in the target language. Instructors in both modern and ancient languages use a variety of approaches, making frequent use of up-to-date technology in the classroom through recording and films, in the language laboratory and technology center, and, in some cases, at home through the use of language-learning software installed on home computers.

CHINESE

This course in Mandarin (Chinese common speech) begins at the intermediate–low level and further develops the four skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Traditional and simplified versions of 350–400 new characters are taught, and students may choose to write in either the traditional or simplified version. The course summarizes and builds on basic grammatical points learned in Chinese I. Both conversational and compositional presentation styles are equally emphasized, and topics cover a broad range of practical activities. Chinese poems, stories, and cultural events may be included as additional material. This course employs an innovative multimedia approach in which students watch films, learn songs and dialogues, act in short plays, and work in the technology center.
Prerequisite: Chinese I (MS) or placement test.

Expanding upon the techniques used in Chinese II, this course begins at the intermediate–high level and further develops the four language skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing up to the advanced level. Course materials include selected writings from original Chinese literature and journalism, including current Chinese language publications. Students watch selected TV news reports, documentaries, and fragments of Chinese films, adding a strong cultural component to the course. By the end of this year, students should be able to use 1,200 high-frequency Chinese characters to access general information from listening and reading and should be able to present their own ideas accurately, both orally and in writing.
Prerequisite: Chinese II or placement test.

Chinese III Honors is an accelerated course of intermediate–advanced studies in the Chinese language. The course prepares students for Advanced Placement Chinese Language and Culture in the fourth year. In Chinese III Honors, students learn approximately 450 new characters and continue to develop all four language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Authentic Chinese printed and audiovisual materials from e–mail, Internet, and television news sources supplement the textbook in order to provide a realistic depiction of current Chinese society. Cultural studies of Chinese history, traditions, folk customs, the education system, contemporary economic issues, and politics frame the course content. Daily life and school topics covered in Chinese II are reviewed. By the end of the year, students will be able, in considerable detail, to understand written and oral messages, develop dialogues, and write short messages and essays.
Prerequisite: A in Chinese II and permission of the instructor.

Chinese IV is a course of advanced-level studies in the Chinese language. The course further strengthens students’ four skills in language study with advanced grammar and conversation on topics related to both Chinese and American cultures and international relations. Reading and writing assignments are frequent. Students learn to recognize up to 1,600 Chinese characters.
Prerequisite: Chinese III or permission of the instructor.

Chinese IV Honors is an accelerated course of advanced-level studies in the Chinese language. The course further strengthens students’ four skills in language study with advanced grammar and conversation on topics related to both Chinese and American cultures and international relations. Students are frequently assigned to read and write about Chinese texts selected from current media and literature. Students learn to recognize about 2,000 Chinese characters. In addition to developing their language skills, students gain a deeper understanding of China and Chinese culture.
Prerequisite: Chinese III or permission of the instructor.

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FRENCH

This intensive course is designed to give a solid introduction to French to the new student with no previous foreign language experience, as well as to the experienced student who wants to start a new language. The book used in the course, Débuts, is a college text that integrates the basic course of study with episodes of a feature film, Le Chemin du Retour, providing an interesting cultural and historical subtext to the material. The course places a strong emphasis on acquisition of oral communication skills, but substantial attention is given as well to developing reading and writing skills.

These two courses complete the basic three-year program of study in French and are geared to provide students with solid, practical skills in the language and to give them a perspective on francophone cultures throughout the world by addressing cultural differences and their roots. A student completing French III should be able to express coherent ideas, verbally and in writing, on a variety of topics essential to traveling or living in a francophone society and to understand spoken and written French of intermediate difficulty. From the beginning, the course emphasizes communicative competence; French is the language of the classroom and students engage in a variety of activities to improve their communication skills. The course also focuses on establishing a solid grounding in reading and writing skills that prepare the student for more advanced study. The basic text is Discovering French, Nouveau! Rouge, supplemented by selected readings, films, and projects. Quizzes and tests count for somewhat more than half of the grade. In addition to written tests, students are evaluated on class participation and on oral tests and presentations. Regular homework preparation is essential and is counted as part of the overall grade.

This course is specifically designed for students with an interest in and a demonstrated talent for French language study. Students selected for this course need to show convincing proof of superior verbal and writing ability. The program utilizes the textbook Bon Voyage and proceeds at a faster pace than the regular French III section. This course naturally leads into the Advanced Placement French Language class. Learning to write compositions, give oral presentations, and master the finer details of grammar are major areas of focus of the class. Students read an abridged version of Notre Dame de Paris, but authentic documents are used in the class, including films and selected literary works, such as Le Petit Prince.
Prerequisite: A- or higher in French II and permission of the instructor.

This course allows the motivated intermediate student to continue the study of French at a more sophisticated level. The goal of this course is proficiency in spoken and written French. French is the language of the classroom, and emphasis is placed on refining conversational and writing skills by building both active and passive vocabulary. Students study a variety of authentic documents, including movies, songs, contemporary magazine articles, Internet sources, and literary excerpts, as the basis for class discussions and compositions. The course provides a systematic review and refinement of grammar and syntax for those planning to take the SAT II test in French or to continue into the Advanced Placement language class.

The goal of this course is to help students develop and refine conversational skills while acquiring a stronger awareness and understanding of French and francophone cultures. Through in-depth study of world current events, cinema, slang, and modern and contemporary literature, students learn to compare francophone and American cultures from a more objective viewpoint. Through extensive exposure to cultural variations, students widen their intellectual horizons and develop respect and appreciation for differences. Even though examinations and compositions are given throughout the year, writing is not the main objective of this course. Class discussion on all material presented, which allows students to improve their level of fluency, is the predominant activity and serves as the primary means of judging students’ performance. The homework load is limited and mainly consists of reading in preparation for class activities. The course is conducted entirely in French.
Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor.

This course covers the equivalent of a college program in advanced French language, stressing oral comprehension and expression, reading, and writing. The course seeks to prepare students to reach a degree of proficiency in the French language, enabling them: to understand spoken French in a variety of situations; to read with comprehension, at sight, unsimplified newspaper and magazine articles, as well as prose and verse passages of moderate difficulty and mature content; and to express ideas, critical opinions, and judgments accurately and resourcefully with reasonable fluency, both orally and in writing. The course also provides an introduction to the basic vocabulary of literary criticism and analysis in order to facilitate the transition to Advanced Placement French Literature. Students read several literary works of different genres. Extensive tape and written-composition work is required. The majority of class time is spent in discussion, emphasizing vocabulary building and grammatical practice. Evaluation is done through tests, frequent compositions and recorded cassettes, class participation, and homework. Students should have a strong background in written and oral French and enjoy the challenge of bringing their language skills to a much higher level. All students are required to take the Advanced Placement French Language examination. This course may be taken in the fourth or fifth year of study. A final examination is given at the end of the first semester.
Prerequisite: A in French III (US), A- in French III (MS) or French IV, or B+ in French III Honors and placement test.

This course covers the equivalent of a college course in French literature. It has the following objectives: to develop students’ reading comprehension in order to study all the works specified on the required list; to improve their understanding of lectures delivered in French on literary topics; to provide them with the basic vocabulary of literary criticism and analysis as well as sufficient knowledge to read critically and to discuss perceptively representative works of French literature; and to train students in the art of writing well-structured papers in proper French on literary topics. The majority of class time is spent in discussion; there are occasional lectures on literary movements and the historical contexts of the readings. Evaluation is done through class discussion, examinations, essays, and oral and written explications de texte, a structured form of French literary analysis applied to the different genres of literature. Prospective students should enjoy reading substantial numbers of challenging literary texts—poetry, novels, and plays—and have a strong background in oral and written French. All students are required to take the Advanced Placement French Literature examination. This course may be taken in the fifth or sixth year of study. A final examination is given at the end of the first semester.
Prerequisite: B in Advanced Placement French Language and permission of the instructor.

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JAPANESE

This course introduces the fundamentals of modern Japanese. The objective is to enable students to develop the four basic language skills—listening, speaking, reading, and writing—with special attention given to the acquisition of conversational skills. Correct structure, pronunciation and intonation, and gestures and mannerisms are emphasized from the beginning. The development of communication skills that allow students to understand Japanese spoken at natural speed and to communicate their thoughts and ideas in a natural way are also emphasized. The focus is on student interaction through class, group, and individual activities. Students learn to develop sentence patterns and to read and write two sets of syllabary, Katakana and Hiragana (forty-six letters in each set). At the conclusion of the course, students are fully prepared for entry into Japanese II.

This course builds on the foundation acquired in Japanese I. The course emphasizes the development of communication skills that allow students to understand Japanese spoken at natural speed and to communicate their thoughts and ideas in a natural way. The focus is on class, group, and individual activities. Students further their reading and writing knowledge by learning new Kanji. Japanese cultural studies are part of the daily classroom activities, which periodically include watching and discussing short video clips. Students keep up on cultural/current events in Japan through news articles and are encouraged to explore aspects of Japanese culture more deeply through independent projects each semester.
Prerequisite: Japanese I or placement test.

This course provides further study of modern Japanese. The emphasis is on spoken Japanese, and the objective is for students to be able to communicate in a natural way and to comprehend Japanese at natural speed. Correct structure, pronunciation, and intonation as well as gestures and mannerisms are continually emphasized. Students also further their reading and writing knowledge by learning more new Kanji. Japanese cultural studies are part of the daily classroom activities, which include watching and discussing episodes of the drama Yan and the Japanese People. Students keep up on cultural/current events in Japan through news articles and are encouraged to explore aspects of Japanese culture more deeply through independent projects each semester.
Prerequisite: Japanese II or placement test.

This course provides an extensive study of modern Japanese. Building on the foundation acquired in Japanese III, the course emphasizes the development of communication skills that allow students to understand Japanese spoken at natural speed and to communicate their thoughts and ideas in a natural way. The focus is on student interaction through class, group, and individual activities. Students also further their reading and writing knowledge by learning more new Kanji. Cultural topics are covered in depth through the assignment of oral Powerpoint presentation projects.
Prerequisite: Japanese III or placement test.

This course provides further advanced studies of modern Japanese. Equal emphasis is placed on the four performance skills—listening, speaking, reading, and writing—through natural examples of the language incorporated into conversations and reading materials. The main objective is for students to communicate in a natural way and to comprehend Japanese spoken at a normal speed. Students develop communicative skills through free-style conversation and oral presentations. Students also continue to expand their knowledge of Kanji and of Japanese culture. Periodically, students watch and discuss episodes of Japanese television dramas and movies. Students keep up on cultural/current events in Japan through news articles and are encouraged to explore aspects of Japanese culture more deeply through team culture projects each semester.
Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor.

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LATIN

These courses offer a comprehensive foundation in the Latin language from the introduction of basic vocabulary and grammar in level I through an advanced grammatical review and extensive practice in reading Latin in level III. Emphasis is placed on reading comprehension and translation into natural English. The thorough background in Latin morphology, grammar, syntax, and vocabulary, which is essential for success in advanced Latin courses, is provided in the I–III sequence. Selected passages from major Roman authors such as Cicero, Ovid, Vergil, Catullus, and Horace offer a perspective on Roman culture, history, and classical mythology and prepare the student for the demands of literature courses to come. During the first three years of Latin study, activities in class include reading, comprehension of text without direct translation, translation, drills and games designed to help students learn the complex grammar and syntax of the language, and class discussion of cultural, historical, and mythological topics. Methods of evaluation include the following: oral translation (both prepared and at sight), weekly quizzes, various types of homework assignments, class discussions, and comprehensive examinations at the end of each semester.

During the first semester, this course reviews all grammar and syntax presented in Latin I and II and covers the remaining uses of the subjunctive, further uses of participles, and the gerund and gerundive. The second semester is devoted to reading Latin prose and poetry in the original. Selected passages from Ovid and Vergil are used in order to familiarize students with poetic constructions, poetic diction, and meter. The Latin III Honors course proceeds at a faster rate, covers increasingly complex topics, and demands more reading of Latin texts than does the Latin III course. Students must expect to do more work on their own with less help from the instructor. Written quizzes and tests comprise somewhat more of the grade in Latin III Honors than in Latin III. The course is offered only when there is sufficient enrollment.
Prerequisite: A- in Latin II and permission of the instructor.

These courses offer students the opportunity to improve their reading comprehension and translation skills. Readings are chosen from a variety of authors such as Catullus, Livy, Martial, Ovid, Cicero, Pliny the Younger, Horace, Tacitus, and Suetonius. Attention is given to the historical background and the literary merits of each text. Rhetorical figures are reviewed and metrics introduced. In-class activities include reading, comprehension of texts without translation, translation into natural or poetic English, discussion of the background of the texts, and various drills and games designed to help students with the complexities of Latin. Methods of assessment include the following: reading, translation, and discussion of the texts under consideration; one research assignment on a Roman author; comprehensive written assignments on the texts; weekly quizzes; and comprehensive examinations in January and June. These courses are offered only when there is sufficient enrollment.

This is a course in Vergil’s Aeneid for students who can read and understand Latin with some facility. The epic is read and studied in its entirety in English, and selected passages are read and analyzed in Latin. Attention is given to major themes and to the historical, cultural, and social background of the work. Parallels in the Aeneid to the epics of Homer are discussed. The dynamics of the dactylic hexameter are studied. Students are required to take the Advanced Placement Latin: Vergil examination in the spring. Students may elect to take the course in the fourth, fifth, or sixth year of Latin study. The majority of a student’s time is spent working on the text of Vergil’s Aeneid. Most class time is spent reading, translating, and discussing that text. Methods of assessment include oral translation and discussion, essays in literary criticism, weekly translation and comprehension quizzes, two longer and more comprehensive tests per quarter, and a final examination at the end of the first semester.
Prerequisite: A in Latin III, A- in Latin III Honors, or B+ in Latin IV or V and permission of the instructor.

This is a course in Latin lyric poetry. Selected poems of Catullus and Horace are read with emphasis on comprehension, translation, and critical analysis. The historical, cultural, social, and political backgrounds of the poems are discussed. Extensive work in various Latin lyric meters is given. Students are required to take the Advanced Placement Latin Literature examination in the spring. This course may be taken in the fifth or sixth year of study. Most of a student’s homework time is spent working to translate and understand the lyric poems of the two poets. The majority of class time is spent working on and discussing the texts of the various poems. Methods of assessment include oral translation and discussion, essays in literary criticism, weekly translation and comprehension quizzes, two longer and more comprehensive tests per quarter, and a final examination at the end of the first semester.
Prerequisite: Advanced Placement Latin: Vergil and permission of the department.

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SPANISH

This sequence offers a comprehensive foundation in Spanish language studies from an introduction of basic vocabulary and grammar in Spanish I through review and intensification of advanced grammar in level III. Within a strong cultural framework, the four skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing are equally stressed. The goals are to develop the students’ abilities to communicate in all aspects of the language, to develop strategies that enable students to use only Spanish to communicate, to encourage creativity, and to develop their cultural competence.
Learning activities include frequent oral practice in small groups, listening comprehension exercises, and written activities to practice vocabulary, grammar, and reading comprehension. Resources include the Realidades I-III series (student text and text on CD-ROM with companion website), many interactive exercises to practice vocabulary and grammar online, and authentic materials (print, audio, video, and multimedia) intended for native speakers of Spanish. Classes frequently meet to practice in the language laboratory and technology center. Methods of evaluation include written quizzes and tests, in-class compositions, individual oral presentations, oral interviews done in pairs, recorded oral quizzes, listening comprehension quizzes, homework, class participation, a comprehensive semester examination, and a final examination.

This course is specifically designed for students who have an interest in and a demonstrated talent for language study. It prepares students to take the Advanced Placement Spanish Language class in the following year, and students selected for this course need to possess superior verbal and writing skills for their level. The honors course continues to develop all four language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Units are organized around important, intriguing questions for which there are no simple or quick answers. Thus, students go beyond talking about themselves to talking about important ideas that affect them, their society, and their world. They perfect strategies for communicating meaning with a purpose in Spanish and extend their knowledge about the Spanish-speaking world and its cultures. Methods of evaluation include quizzes and tests, in-class compositions, class presentations, oral assessments, homework, class participation, a comprehensive semester examination, and a final examination. Active and meaningful class participation is particularly important in this class.
Prerequisite: A- in Spanish II and permission of the instructor.

This course reviews and expands grammatical and vocabulary concepts acquired in previous years. The course also fosters creative and authentic communication and awareness of cultural issues through the use of art, literature, music, and Spanish-language media. Chapter topics in the textbook, Conexiones, reflect issues that interest and concern today’s high-school students, providing them with many opportunities to make connections with what they discuss in other courses. Activities are designed to foster involvement, participation, and exchange in conversations and class discussions. Course Compass, an online resource designed to simplify access to the various components of the Conexiones program, is used. Guided Web activities help students explore authentic Spanish-language websites and help them further explore the cultural materials presented in each chapter. Methods of evaluation include weekly quizzes, in-class compositions, homework, class participation, listening comprehension exercises (both in class and at home), oral recordings, a comprehensive semester examination, and a final examination.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of either Spanish III or Spanish III Honors and permission of the instructor.

This course is dedicated to students who have shown reasonable success at prior levels of study and who want to continue to progress in listening and reading comprehension, writing mechanics, and spoken language, as well as to broaden their grasp of the cultural and literary realities of the Hispanic world. Through poetry, essays, short stories, films, slide lectures, and music, this course addresses the fundamentals of both New World and Peninsular cultures. It takes a historical approach based on the belief that no culture can be understood without a firm grasp of its roots. The course covers key periods of the Hispanic past in the New World and in Spain in particular depth. Students are also expected to keep abreast of current events each week and to pursue advancement through personal research. A final examination is given at the end of the first semester and an out-of-class project at the end of the second semester. The course is conducted predominantly in Spanish.
Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor.

This course is the equivalent of a third-year college program in advanced Spanish language, stressing oral skills, composition, grammar, and listening and reading comprehension. The course prepares students to comprehend formal and informal spoken Spanish, accurately read newspaper and magazine articles as well as modern Hispanic literature, compose expository passages, and express ideas orally with accuracy and fluency. In order to prepare students for college-level literature courses, basic vocabulary of literary criticism and analysis is introduced, and students read some of the works from the Advanced Placement Spanish Literature curriculum. This course may be taken in the fourth or fifth year of study and prepares students to take the Advanced Placement Spanish Language examination in May. A final examination is given at the end of the first semester in this course.
Prerequisite: A in Spanish III (US), A- in Spanish III (MS), Spanish IV, or Spanish V, or B+ in Spanish III Honors and placement test.

This program provides the equivalent of a college course in literature that treats selected works of Spanish and Latin-American authors from the Middle Ages to the present. The course prepares students to understand lectures and discussions of a literary nature, to read literature closely, and to analyze critically (themes, style, tone, language, structure, etc.). Students are expected to participate actively in class discussions, read extensively, and express themselves in correct and idiomatic Spanish. Class activities include lecture, discussion, oral presentations, and small-group work. Methods of evaluation include essays written in class and at home, reading quizzes, homework, class participation, and a semester examination. Classes are conducted entirely in Spanish. This course prepares students to take the Advanced Placement Spanish Literature examination in May.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Advanced Placement Spanish Language and permission of the instructor.

This course provides an option for students who have successfully completed Advanced Placement Spanish Literature in the junior year to continue their study of Spanish. The emphasis is on critical literary analysis of readings from Spanish and Spanish-American literature, the selection of which may vary from year to year depending on the interests of the students and teacher. Students also analyze three or four films in Spanish that complement themes studied in the literary works. Students read periodicals, read the news via Internet sources, and do webquests on cultural topics. Students are encouraged to also do creative writing projects for submission to the Harvard‑Westlake student publication, Foreign Outlook. Some years, students participate in field trips to see plays performed in Spanish and/or to see museum exhibitions. The course is offered only when there is sufficient enrollment.
Prerequisite: Advanced Placement Spanish Literature, Advanced Placement Spanish Language, and permission of the instructor.

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(from the 2008-2009 Curriculum Guide)