Modern & Classical Languages

Overview

Our language classes provide an atmosphere where learning a second language is a positive and rewarding experience. Beyond the goal of mastery of the material, our classes afford students the opportunity to develop critical thinking skills and effective learning strategies that facilitate second-language acquisition and use of the language outside of the school setting. MCL courses foster an appreciation for the benefits and joys of the study of a second language. Students develop skills in reading, writing, listening, and speaking as they gain an understanding of, appreciation for, and sensitivity to the culture of the target language. In the modern languages there is an additional emphasis on communicative proficiency so that students achieve reasonable fluency by the end of level III. At every level we incorporate geography, history, literature, the arts, scientific contributions and current events as they relate to the language and culture taught. Technology, including the digital language lab and Smartboard, enhances language acquisition both in and out of the classroom.

Recent Student Projects

AP Spanish trip to Mexico	Day of the Dead	French students enjoy crêpes in class as part of a lesson on La Chandeleur
	Chinese New Year Celebration

Graduation Requirements and Suggested Courses for College Matriculation:

Castilleja Graduation Requirements		UC System Minimum Course Requirements		Non-UC System Suggested Course Requirements
3 years or through Level III		2 years required, 3 years recommended		3-4 years of the same language, taken in grades 9-12

Course of Study

CHINESE Chinese 1A Chinese 1B Chinese I Chinese II Chinese III Chinese IV	FRENCH French IA French IB French I French II French III French IV French V AP Language Advanced French Seminar	LATIN* Latin IA Latin IB Latin I Latin II Latin III Latin IV Latin V AP Vergil
SPANISH Spanish IA Spanish IB Spanish I Spanish II Spanish III Spanish IV Spanish V AP Language Spanish VI AP Literature Advanced Spanish Seminar	ITALIAN Italian Culture and Language (elective)

* Latin IA-V will be offered through June 2012 in separate or combined classes, depending on enrollment.

Electives, Advanced and AP Courses

French V AP Language
Advanced French Seminar
Latin V AP Vergil
Spanish V AP Language
Spanish VI AP Literature
Advanced Spanish Seminar
Italian Culture and Language (elective)

Language Program Placement

Students are placed in language classes according to their ability, maturity, experience, and performance, and are continually monitored for correct placement. As such, before moving up to the next level, a student may be asked to strengthen her foundation in accordance with the recommendation of her instructor. Level IV and Advanced Placement courses require B or better and teacher recommendation. Beginning Middle School students follow a two-year sequence in the sixth and seventh grades. Upon successful completion of Levels IA and IB, students are typically placed in Level II.

Faculty

Constance Richardson (Dept. Head), Spanish, Italian profile
Flaurie S. Imberman, Spanish profile
John Klopacz, Latin profile
Alice Lung, Chinese profile
Carolina Moroder, Spanish profile
Evelyne Nicolaou, French profile
Shana Nistler, Spanish profile
Christiane Repellin, French profile
Lauren Schryver, French profile
Shuyuan Wang, Chinese profile

 

Helpful links

Course Catalog
Overview of Curricular Requirements
Four-Year Course Planner (pdf)