Arabic
Arabic I is the first year of a four-year program to develop speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills to communicate in the world’s fifth most spoken language, spoken by close to 400 million people, covering over 20 countries. From the onset, students will acquire the Arabic alphabet, vocabulary, and grammar necessary for engaging in basic conversation in the Levantine Arabic dialect, and they will develop their basic reading skills in Modern Standard Arabic through exploring the daily life of diverse families across the Arabic speaking world. Students will study the rich diversity of Arab and Islamic culture, and learn about contributions Arabs have made in the fields of architecture, astrology, navigation, mathematics and the arts. As they weave their way across the Arab world, students will explore a range of lifestyles that are connected by a common language and a shared heritage. Students will discuss, compare and contrast features of Arab life and customs in relation to their own lives. After completing this course, students will have acquired strong foundations in speaking and understanding the Levantine Arabic dialect and they will be comfortable reading and writing in Modern Standard Arabic, as well as having gained a deep understanding of the culture and diglossic nature of life in the Arab world.
French
Spoken in 29 countries by 300 million people around the world, the French language represents a culture that has had a palpable influence through its food, music, literature, and visual arts. The four-year French program at the Heschel School strives to expose students to all those components through linguistic immersion and the command of reading, writing, speaking and listening skills.
Through a series of everyday situations, French I students learn to communicate about themselves and their immediate surroundings. While concrete situations remain very much present in levels II and III, students start developing skills to express abstract ideas that go beyond the here and now. Through the study of classic literature, including Jacques Prévert’s poems (French I), Maupassant’s The Necklace, St-Exupéry’s The Little Prince (French III) and the plays of Molière (French IV), students learn to express, discuss, and debate abstract ideas. Senior year offers students the unique opportunity to combine the study of culture with their written and speaking skills. Students explore 19th century Paris through the lens of painting, debate current events in contemporary France, and finally explore other French-speaking countries around the world, with an emphasis on the history of French colonialism and what it means to be French in the 21st century.
Latin
Latin is not merely a language of the past; it is a gateway to understanding the foundations of numerous modern languages, including English, French, Spanish, and Italian. By studying Latin, students gain a deeper comprehension of the etymology and structure of these languages. Words with Latin roots form the backbone of scientific, legal, and medical terminology, giving Latin students a distinct advantage in various academic disciplines and professions. Moreover, delving into Latin literature provides a unique window into ancient civilizations, fostering both critical thinking and a better understanding of fundamental concepts in European culture and history.
Latin I is the first year of a four-year program that emphasizes the development of Latin reading skills while learning about Roman culture. Students will read Latin from the very first—learning about the Romans in general through the daily life of a family in Pompeii. In Latin I, students dig into the past and explore the world of gladiators, political intrigue, and the ghosts of Pompeii as they master the foundations of Latin grammar. Then, through the lens of Roman conquest in Egypt and Britain, students will explore the bigger concepts of religion, imperialism, and race alongside the more amusing everyday aspects of Roman life in a province.
Spanish
In ninth grade, students begin to develop language proficiency through class discussions, presentations, and writing assignments.They learn important grammatical structures to become conversant in a variety of topics relevant to their daily lives and needs, allowing them to communicate with Spanish speakers both at home and abroad. The Spanish program is immersive, anchored in songs, poetry, skits, and pair work. As students progress to intermediate and advanced levels, they are exposed to a wide variety of Hispanic literature. From discovering the philosophical labyrinth of Borges, to finding the transcendent in everyday life through magical realism, reading transports students across continents and cultures to enrich their lives. During their final year at Heschel, students use the target language to study the historical legacy of the Hispanic presence in North America, the enduring importance of Latino contributions to the culture of the United States, and the contours of Hispanic migration in North America through a humanitarian lens. Students are led to develop both an appreciation of and a capacity for critical analysis of poetry, theater, and modern media in Spanish.
Please note that taking a World Language is strongly encouraged, but not a graduation requirement. Students who are not enrolled in World Language receive academic support in our Learning Lab during this time. If you are interested in this option for your child, please reach out to Dr. Bonnie Altman, School Psychologist and Director of Student Services (bonnie.altman@heschel.org)