Curriculum Detail

Upper School World Languages

The World Languages Department prepares students, both linguistically and culturally, to communicate in a pluralistic global society. We develop command of the language using a communicative approach with emphasis on reading, writing, speaking, and listening (interpersonal, presentational and interpretive). Teaching culture is an important and integral part of our curriculum because it promotes an increased sensitivity and respect for people from diverse backgrounds whose language and customs differ from one’s own. We expect students to become proficient in at least one of the classical or modern languages offered by the end of high school.

The World Languages Department seeks to impart to its students through its curriculum an enduring understanding of specific knowledge, principles, and learning dispositions such as:
  • Be active communicators appropriately proficient in reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
  • Be culturally sensitive and globally aware.
  • Become lifelong learners of language and culture.
  • Know when and where to say what to whom.
In the Classical Language Department, at each level we want our students to:
  • Be proficient in listening, reading comprehension and pronunciation.
  • Be aware of the Hellenistic and Roman influences on Western civilization, culture and languages.
  • Develop a lifelong appreciation of other cultures and languages both modern and ancient.
Graduation Requirement: Three years, completion through Level III of the same world language. At least two years must be completed in grades 9-12. 
 
Students must receive a grade of at least C- for the second semester in order to continue on to the next level of language study. 
 
To ensure the proper placement of all students, it is important that a student take a placement exam.
 
Click here to view the department overview.

  • Advanced Latin Literature

    (yearlong course)

    In Advanced Latin Literature, students are introduced to the reading and interpretation of authentic Latin literature in preparation for the AP Latin course. The focus of this course is on both precise translation and literary analysis of texts – two components critical for success in the AP Latin. The emphasis of this course is on developing the student’s ability to translate complex passages of Latin while understanding how a text works on multiple levels. The readings for this course vary, but the course will always include an in-depth treatment of poetry. Throughout the year, students will read and translate several Roman authors and synthesize material in the form of summative assessments which include exams, essays, and presentations to demonstrate their ability to comprehend and analyze the texts.

    Prerequisites: Latin III or III Honors, placement test and departmental approval.

  • Chinese I

    (yearlong course)

    Chinese I is an introductory course for the high school student of any level with no prior knowledge of the language. This course emphasizes listening, speaking, reading and writing competencies equally. Students learn pinyin, tones, character components, high-frequency characters, and useful expressions. They develop an understanding of basic grammatical structures and acquire communicative skills to comprehend and convey information on a variety of familiar topics. The curriculum leads the student through the first book of the Integrated Chinese series. The course integrates the Chinese culture and technology into the language learning. It is a student-centered and communication-based course. The instructions and learning activities are primarily conducted in Mandarin Chinese.

    Prerequisite: none.

  • Chinese II

    (yearlong course)

    Chinese II continues to build on the communication skills learned in Chinese 1. The student learns new vocabulary, expressions, grammatical structures and conjunction words to further develop their speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills. There is a continued exploration of the cultures of Chinese-speaking countries. Cultural activities are arranged to provide students with opportunities to enhance language and cultural learning.

    Prerequisite: Chinese IA/B, Chinese I, or to have passed the Chinese II Placement Test.

  • Chinese III

    (yearlong course)

    Chinese III students will continue to grow in language proficiency, fluency, and cultural understanding. They will review fundamental structures mastered in previous years and study essential grammar in depth. They will improve their speaking proficiency by expressing themselves in a variety of situations including improvised conversations, and oral presentations. They will develop writing skills allowing them to express their own ideas in Chinese. Students will also continue the exploration of the cultures and history of Chinese-speaking countries through a variety of literature and media.

    Prerequisite: Chinese II or to have passed the Chinese III Placement Test.

  • Chinese III Honors

    (yearlong course)

    Chinese III Honors is offered to students who seek a more challenging academic program. The course reinforces and refines the skills learned during previous two years of Chinese study and in addition to the textbook, uses authentic resources and other supplementary materials to further develop students’ speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills. It is a student-centered and communication-based course. The instructions and learning activities are primarily conducted in Mandarin Chinese. Students will also continue the exploration of the cultures and history of Chinese-speaking countries through a variety of literature and media.

    Prerequisites: Chinese II, teacher recommendation, placement test and department approval.

  • Chinese IV Honors

    (yearlong course)

    In Chinese IV Honors, students undertake the first half of the AP Chinese course. The rigor of this course mirrors that of AP Chinese. Each unit covers topics of diversity, current events, and cultural perspectives in the areas of daily life, education, and geography. Students synthesize material in the form of essays and oral presentations in the target language. By the end of the course, students will have completed half of the AP Chinese curriculum and thus be better prepared for taking the AP Chinese exam the following year.

    Prerequisites: Chinese III or III Honors, placement test and department approval.

  • AP Chinese Language and Culture

    (yearlong course)
     
    The AP Chinese Language and Culture course provides students with ongoing and varied opportunities to further develop the proficiencies of listening, speaking, reading and writing skills in the intermediate range across the three communicative modes (interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational) as well as the five Cs (communication, culture, connections, comparisons and communities) as outlined in the Standards for World Language Learning in the 21st Century. 
     
    AP Chinese Language and Culture focuses on language proficiency while interweaving level and age appropriate cultural content throughout the course. The course provides the students an opportunity to totally immerse in the richness of Chinese Language and Culture by introducing varied aspects of both contemporary and historical Chinese culture. The course also views Chinese culture in an international context, including the use of authentic resources, which helps students broaden their world view by comparing Chinese cultural products, practices, and perspectives with those of their own society. The AP course also prepares students for the National Advanced Placement Exam to be taken at the end of the academic year. The exam encompasses grammar, reading, speaking and cultural topics and is the culmination of the students’ Chinese study experience in the Upper School. 
     
    Prerequisites: Chinese IV Honors and department approval.

  • Latin I

    (yearlong course)
    Latin I is an introduction to the Latin language. No prior knowledge of the language is needed. The curriculum leads the student through the first two books of the Cambridge Latin Course (CLC), designed to engage the student in the literary, artistic, and linguistic heritage of Roman civilization. Students explore a cultural progression from Pompeii to Roman Britain and then to the East (Alexandria). The grammar and syntax of the language is examined and students build their English vocabularies through words that have derived from Latin.
     
    Latin I serves as a bridge to original Latin in prose and verse and is intended for new 9th grade students to St. Margaret’s.

    Prerequisite: none.

  • Latin II

    (yearlong course)

    Latin II builds upon the grammar and vocabulary base that students established in Latin I. The course continues forward on to Unit III of the Cambridge Latin Course, which introduces students to the more detailed elements of Latin grammar. While emphasis is placed on the influx of new grammar concepts, the ability to read and understand Latin is still at the forefront. In reading these stories, we continue to learn about various aspects of Roman daily life and culture as well as dive deeper into Roman politics and military structure as we journey from Britannia to the heart of the Roman Empire – the city of Rome.

    Prerequisite: Latin IA/B or Latin I and department approval.

  • Latin III

    (yearlong course)

    While Latin III continues to stress the more advanced aspects of Latin grammar and syntax, this course concentrates on the goal of developing vocabulary and reading with increased comprehension. The course continues on to Unit IV of the Cambridge Latin Course, which presents advanced items of grammar and introduces the students to authentic Latin literature written by various Roman authors. We complete Stages 35-40 of adapted Latin before moving on to reading selected stages that introduce unadapted Latin literature. Not only do these stages finish up the finer points of Latin grammar, but they also briefly expose students to Latin poetry. In these stages, students will learn about the times in which these authors wrote by studying the cultural, historical, and social aspects described or deduced from their writings. Possible authors include Vergil, Catullus, Ovid, Pliny, Livy, and Cicero.

    Prerequisites: Latin II and department approval.

  • Latin III Honors

    (yearlong course)

    Latin III Honors is an accelerated course that presumes an excellent mastery of Latin I and Latin II. The course continues to stress the more advanced aspect of Latin grammar and syntax and concentrate on the goal of developing vocabulary and reading with increased comprehension. In the first semester, the class completes Stages 35-40 of the Cambridge Latin Course, which finishes up the finer points of Latin grammar. In the second semester, we begin with a comprehensive grammar review unit before continuing on with Stages 41-48 in Unit IV of the Cambridge Latin Course. In these stages, students will not only be exposed to Latin poetry, but also learn about the times in which these authors wrote by studying the cultural, historical, and social aspects described or deduced from their writings. Possible authors include Vergil, Catullus, Ovid, Pliny, Livy, and Cicero.

    Prerequisites: Latin II, placement test and department approval.

  • AP Latin

    (yearlong course*)

    Advanced Placement Latin is a college-level course designed to prepare the student for the Advanced Placement examination. Basic objectives include reading, understanding, and interpreting the Aeneid and De Bello Gallico in their original forms. The AP Latin Exam requires and reflects the equivalent of two semesters of college-level study. As such, it demands an untiring devotion. It requires at least 45-60 minutes of intense study each day. The AP curriculum is challenging not only because of the great number of lines read, but also because on any given day students will be working on several skills. Students build up and refine their ability to accurately translate, while discussing the relevance of specific lines and words to the major themes of each work, examining character development, analyzing the use of imagery and figures of speech, studying meter and metrical devices, and demonstrating a grasp of specific grammatical constructions.

    Prerequisites: Latin III Honors or Latin IV or IV Honors and department approval.

    *Not offered for the 2022-2023 school year.

  • Spanish I

    (yearlong course)

    In this first level course, students achieve facility in the skills of listening, reading, comprehension, speaking and writing of the foundational material. Vocabulary, idiomatic expressions, and verb conjugations are emphasized, in addition to other grammatical concepts. The indicative present tense of regular and irregular verbs is introduced, along with the present progressive, object pronouns, the two “to be” verbs, ser and estar, and the preterite (past) tense. Films, audio exercises, and authentic resources are integrated into the curriculum. Language and grammar concepts are developed using games, songs, skits, and paired dialogues, as well as traditional reading and writing activities. Hispanic history and civilization are introduced in conjunction with customs as a supplement to the text. Upon completion of the course, students will be able to comprehend and convey information on a variety of familiar topics such as school schedules, friends and family, places in the city and transportation, weather, taking vacations, shopping, and hobbies and sports.

    Prerequisite: None.

  • Spanish II

    (yearlong course)

    The course reinforces the structure, vocabulary and grammar from level I then moves on to more complex forms including the subjunctive mood. Videos, audio CDs, and software enhance the curriculum. Composition writing is introduced, and the student 27 begins to read short excerpts pertaining to civilization, art, famous novelists, and literary movements. There also is emphasis on oral presentations. Conducted primarily in Spanish.

    Prerequisites: Spanish I and department approval.

  • Spanish III

    (yearlong course)

    Spanish III is devoted to a complete and thorough review and mastery of Spanish grammar, syntax, and communication strategies. The student explores the Spanish-speaking world through assigned reading and research on specific topics related to Hispanic culture and civilization. Selected works of Spanish literature are read to increase vocabulary and ease of expression. Conducted in Spanish.

    Prerequisites: Spanish II and department approval.

  • Spanish III Honors

    (yearlong course)

    This course offers an accelerated intensive study of Spanish grammar, syntax, and communication strategies. The student explores the Spanish-speaking world through assigned reading and research on specific topics related to Hispanic culture and civilization. Extensive reading in Spanish literature is designed to increase vocabulary and ease of expression. Admission to the course is limited to those students whose grades, recommendations, and writing samples meet the standards of the department. Conducted in Spanish.

    Prerequisites: Spanish II, teacher approval, placement test and department approval.

  • Spanish IV

    (yearlong course)

    Spanish IV is conducted entirely in Spanish and is structured as a college-level language-in-context course. Conversation is prompted by reading selected works of literature and watching contemporary film shorts. Speaking skills are developed through class discussion, reading aloud, and by student presentations. Outside readings and presentations in theater, art, music, and varied cultural interests provide for the enhancement of competency in listening, speaking, writing, and reading.

    Prerequisites: Spanish III or III Honors and department approval.

  • Spanish IV Honors

    (yearlong course)

    This course seeks to further develop language proficiency while deepening the student's insight into Hispanic culture. This is an intensive class designed for the advanced student. The course covers the work of the regular Spanish IV in more depth. Since students work at an accelerated pace, more time is available to develop strategies used to sustain conversation, broaden vocabulary and increase grammatical accuracy. Using a thematic approach, equal emphasis is given to aural/oral skills, composition, reading and writing.

    Prerequisites: Spanish III or III Honors, teacher approval, placement test and department approval.

  • AP Spanish Language and Culture

    (yearlong course)

    Advanced Placement Spanish Language is an advanced, third year college-level course that emphasizes advanced proficiency in the four main language skill areas: Reading Comprehension, Speaking Ability, Listening Comprehension, and Writing Ability. AP Spanish reinforces and refines the skills you have learned during previous years and uses film, art analysis, debate, music, and internet to enrich the course beyond the scope of the main textbook. We also study current events, politics, literature, and our evolving role in today’s digital community. We make many comparisons between our communities and those of the Spanish-speaking world. The course is fast-paced and you should expect nightly homework and occasional weekend assignments. Expect to have a quiz once a week. Class participation is necessary, as open discussions are an integral part of the class. A summer assignment must be completed by the first day of class.This class is conducted exclusively in Spanish and you are expected to speak in the target language at all times.

    Prerequisites: Spanish III Honors and teacher recommendation, Spanish IV Honors and department approval.
    This is an elective course and requires teacher recommendation and departmental approval. 

  • Advanced Study: Spanish Culture and Conversation (Post AP)

    (yearlong course)

    This is a course for the student who has successfully completed a minimum of four years of the Spanish curriculum including AP Spanish Language and Culture. This course will compare important historical and current events of the Spanish speaking world to their representations in film. Additionally, there will be lectures and research to learn more of the political, social, economic and cultural circumstances of the times as they pertain to the films. Students will have writing assignments to include essays in addition to round-table discussions, and discussion forums. Additionally, a semester-long project will be given in lieu of a final.

    Prerequisites: Four years of Spanish including AP Spanish Language.
    An elective course for students in grades eleven and twelve.

  • Chinese IV

    (yearlong course)

    Chinese IV is a continuation of Chinese III. This course will give students an opportunity to further develop their four language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing in the intermediate range across the three communicative modes (interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational) and the five Cs (communication, culture, connections, comparisons, and communities) as defined in the Standards for Foreign Language Learning in the 21st Century.
     
    This course is student-centered and communication-based. The instructions and learning activities are primarily conducted in Mandarin Chinese. Students will be exposed to authentic material such as podcasts, movies, and short films. Cultural activities are arranged to provide students with opportunities to enhance language and cultural learning.
     
    Prerequisites: Chinese III or III Honors and department approval.
  • Mr. Bryan Sullivan
    US World Languages; Department Chair
    University of California, Santa Barbara - M.A.
    St. Mary's College of California - B.A.
    Chapman University - Single Subject - Spanish Teaching Credential
  • Mrs. Geovanna Besikof
    US World Languages
    University of Denver - M.A.
    University of Ricardo Palma - B.A.
  • Mrs. Lisa Botts
    MS World Languages
    California State University, Long Beach - B.A.
    Credentialed
  • Mrs. Dan Cheng
    MS World Languages
    Harbin Institute of Technology - M.A.
    Harbin Institute of Technology - B.A.
  • Mrs. Esther Hsu
    US World Languages
    California State University, Fullerton - B.S.
    Credentialed
  • Mrs. Alexandra Jennings
    US World Languages
    University of Minnesota - B.A.
    University of Minnesota - M.Ed.
  • Mrs. Emma Johnson
    MS World Languages
    California State University, Long Beach - B.A.
    California State University, Long Beach - B.A.
    Credentialed
  • Ms. Patricia Mejia
    US World Languages
    Loyola Marymount University - B.A.
    Loyola Marymount University - B.A.
  • Ms. Meredith Vazquez
    Middle School Spanish Teacher
    Christian Brothers University - M.A.
    Westmont College - B.A.
    Credentialed

St. Margaret’s Episcopal School

31641 La Novia Avenue
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
(949) 661-0108
 
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An Independent Preschool Through Grade 12 College-Preparatory Day School in Orange County California

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St. Margaret's Episcopal School does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, religion, sexual orientation or national and ethnic origin in the administration of its educational, admission, financial aid, hiring and athletic policies or in other school-administered programs.