Greenhills School Course Guide
Upper School Modern and Classical Languages
To view the class track for a particular language, select the language from the list below:
Department Philosophy
Our philosophy is derived from three basic beliefs: (1) that learning a foreign language is a life-long process, (2) that the knowledge of more than one language contributes to being a truly educated person, and (3) that language and communication are at the heart of the human experience.
Throughout the program, we provide our students with an encouraging, nurturing, inclusive and supportive classroom atmosphere in which risk-taking is welcome. We encourage all of our students to experiment creatively with their foreign language so they can truly progress and reach their potential. Placed in a communicative framework, our students are active learners every day as they strive for excellence and develop strategies for life-long language learning. Our program is designed to address satisfactorily the many different ways in which our students might use foreign languages in the future, be it for academic or personal goals. Therefore, our classes combine a rigorous, scholarly approach with a broad understanding of and appreciation for the ways in which language is used on a daily basis. Finally, by studying classical and modern languages and interacting with ancient and modern civilizations, our students gain valuable insights into language development and the human experience. The traditional linguistic skills—reading, writing, speaking, and listening—are embedded in a creative, motivating and cultural context that maintains an awareness of the goals outlined as National Standards (communication, cultures, connections, comparisons, and communities) and accordingly always connects the students with the larger aspects of the language they are learning. Through their direct interactions with traditions, history, literature, politics, music and art, our students experience the richness of the world's diversity.
The department believes that it is difficult to imagine any future profession, career, or leisure activity that will not be enhanced by the ability to communicate efficiently and sensitively with others, both in English and other languages. Though we cannot foresee exactly which world language will be the most useful later in life for each of our students, those who have gone through the entire process of learning a second or third language will have gained skills and an openness that will make the learning of any future languages easier. Therefore, we encourage our students to stay with their languages for as long as they can.
Points of Importance
- Students may study French, Latin, Spanish or Chinese (or more than one) in grades 9–12.
- To meet graduation requirements a student must complete successfully two consecutive years of the same language (French, Latin, Spanish or Chinese) within grades 9–12. A third year is strongly recommended for college or university entrance and, in fact, most of our students complete the entire sequence of language study available to them in the upper school.
- In terms of level of difficulty for English speakers, French, Spanish, and Latin are rated by the American Council for the Teaching of Foreign Languages as Category I languages. Mandarin Chinese is rated as a Category IV language. More work on a daily basis will be required from students studying Chinese and students should have well-developed study and organizational skills.
- Students are encouraged to consider the possibility of adding a second foreign language. Interested students should approach any teacher in the department for help in arranging this.
- Level V classes bring students to an exciting level of sophistication and mastery. Colleges often require four terms of a foreign language (four high school years). By fulfilling this requirement in the upper school, students may have the opportunity to place out of the requirement and to enter upper-level classes in college or to begin a new language.
- Students may take Advanced Placement exams in French IV/V AP or Spanish IV/V AP or Latin IV/V AP.
- Students at all levels have the opportunity to participate in national language competitions.
- Students new to Greenhills with previous significant language study will be interviewed and tested for placement in the appropriate course.
- Exciting travel opportunities are available for upper school students in each of the four language programs.
- The department organizes a special Foreign Language Week every year which celebrates languages and language learning and offers many special activities.
- There are special opportunities within the program for advanced students to work with teachers independently.
- We encourage and facilitate the building of tutoring relationships between older and younger students. Advanced students receive community service hours for their participation.
- Students in foreign language courses must receive a grade of C or higher on their June final exam in order to advance to the next level.
