All Duchesne students are required to study a modern foreign language through the third level.  Students are expected to be able to communicate in their language of choice when they complete the third level.  Classes are all conducted primarily in the target language, and the language lab is an integral component of  classroom activities designed to enhance oral skills.

The French Program

The Upper School French department offers Levels I through V.  Courses provide students with a good overall knowledge of all aspects of French language and culture.  There is a great emphasis on speaking French and understanding the spoken word.  Reading comprehension is systematically developed and written assignments become steadily more demanding as the student progresses.  Various aspects of French life and culture play an important role at each level. 

411 - French I	1 year
	1 credit

French I is an introductory course emphasizing a balance of four skills: reading, writing, speaking and listening.  The course consists of the study of vocabulary, pronunciation, syntax, grammar (including present and past tenses), and French culture, through conversation based on short stories and dialogues.

421 - French II	1 year
422 - Advanced French II	1 credit

French II continues the study of grammar (including five verb tenses) and French culture with a new focus on reading and writing.  Students develop more sophisticated listening and speaking skills.

431 - French III	1 year
432 - Advanced French III	1 credit

French III begins the final phase of grammatical studies, including all verb tenses.  During class, French is spoken almost exclusively.  Students become more acquainted with classical French literature and are required to read an adaptation of The Count of Monte Cristo.  The study of French history, culture, and geography is also an important component of the course, and students are expected to research and report on a variety of topics.

441 - French IV	1 year
440 - Advanced French IV	1 credit

French IV students begin a far more detailed study of French culture, society and history through classical and contemporary literature, newspaper articles and articles on the history of the French-speaking world.  Classes are conducted entirely in French, and students are expected to present their oral and written work in French.  Students write numerous essays.  Students in Advanced French IV begin an intensive preparation for the Advanced Placement Exam that they will take at the end of their French V AP class.

442 - AP French Language	1 year
(Prerequisite: teacher recommendation)	1 credit

This course prepares students for the AP French Language exam which they are expected to take in May.  Topics relevant to France and to the modern world are studied in depth to enhance the student's ability to read, discuss and write about contemporary subjects.  Students continue to improve their oral skills with listening comprehension exercises and class discussions.  Students are expected to write correctly and idiomatically on the topics discussed in class.  During the second semester, they are required to keep a weekly journal.  Students sit for the AP exam in May.  This course has been audited and approved by the College Board.

443 - French Literature	1 year
(Prerequisite: teacher recommendation)	1 credit

This course allows the advanced student who has an extensive background in French to further her study of French language, culture, and literature.  The student needs to be an avid reader in order to do well in this course.  The student andteacher will design a program to be followed based on the required and suggested reading list of the AP French Literature program.  Not offered every year.

446 - French V	1 year
(Prerequisite: teacher recommendation)	1 credit

In this course, students will be asked to read and discuss a variety of texts such as classical literary excerpts, newspaper articles and contemporary texts.  Topics relevant to France and the modern world will be used to enhance the students' oral skills as well as their reading and writing skills.  The content of the course varies; grammar review units, vocabulary building and oral activities are selected according to the needs of the class.  At the end of the course, students will be encouraged to take a college placement test.

The Spanish Program

The Spanish department has designed courses for  Levels I through V to assure that students attain their full potential in the Spanish language.  All courses are planned to develop the four necessary skills of a foreign language: reading, writing, speaking and listening.

412 - Spanish I	1 year
	1 credit

Spanish I introduce students to a varied, topic-related vocabulary, grammatical patterns, and the conjugation of regular and irregular verbs in the present and the past tenses.  The study of the culture of Spanish speaking countries is another component of this class.

423 - Spanish II	1 year
424 - Advanced Spanish II	1 credit

Spanish II/Advanced Spanish II continues the study of grammar, reading, writing and conversational skills.  The study of Spanish culture in Spanish speaking countries is another component of in this course.  Students begin to read excerpts by contemporary Spanish writers, and to study the rich and diverse contributions of Spanish artists to the fine arts.

433 - Spanish III	1 year
435 - Advanced Spanish III	1 credit

All tenses, including the subjunctive, are studied in this course, with an emphasis on mastery in the advanced course.  A general grammar review is given, and students apply their knowledge of the language in speaking and writing.  Students read short stories in Spanish literature. 

436 - Spanish IV/449 - Adv.Spanish IV	1 year
Grade 11-12	1 credit

Spanish IV has been developed to engage students actively in oral and written presentations.  A combination of short stories written by well-known Hispanic writers and representative examples of art provide students with a greater understanding and appreciation of the culture of the Hispanic world.  The more rigorous advanced section is designed to prepare students for the AP course.

437 - Spanish V	1 year
Grade 12	1 credit

Students read, analyze, and discuss twentieth century Latin American Literature.  Composition assignments enable students to strengthen writing skills and improve style.

444 - AP Spanish Language	1 year
(Prerequisite: B in Advanced Spanish and teacher recommendation)	1 credit

The objectives of this course are to improve grammatical structures in both oral and written assignments as well as to foster interest in Spanish culture and civilization through reading the works of Spanish and Spanish-American authors.  Emphasis is on reading, composition and aural comprehension.   Students  take  the Advanced Placement Spanish Language Exam in May.  This course has been audited and approved by the College Board.