Classics English History & Social Science Mathematics & Computer Science Music Religious Studies & Philosophy Science Theater & Dance Visual Arts World Language & Culture

World Language and Culture

The study of world language is an integral part of the Groton curriculum. By learning to speak a new tongue, Groton students open windows to other peoples and to other cultures. It is imperative in the present day that citizens of the world be able to communicate with each other; learning a language may offer one of the best paths to understanding another culture. Our curriculum offers students the skills needed to speak, read, write, and understand other languages, and enables students to be well-prepared for college courses or for opportunities to study abroad.

Students must take one language through level 3 or continue through the Fifth
Form, whichever comes later. Students taking a second World Language must continue through level 2 of that language unless given special permission by the department.

AP French Language

This course is an advanced course focusing on developing fluency in all areas of the language, including reading, writing, listening, and speaking. It follows the AP Language curriculum and discusses various themes through current events, movies, literature, and other sources. Students present their work in creative skits, debates, and essays. Classes are conducted in French for an immersion experience. Students signing up for this class as a year-long commitment will be expected to take the AP Language and Culture examination. Any Sixth Former who chooses this course as a term elective will have it listed as French 5 and may take it for one, two, or three terms.

Sixth Formers may use the following course sequence: 3551 French 5 (F), 3552 French 5 (W), 3553 French 5 (S).

AP Spanish Language

This course is an advanced-paced course focusing on developing fluency in all areas of the language, including reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Students present their work in creative skits, debates, and essays. In class, students continue to acquire vocabulary, review grammatical rules and read representative literature. Students are immersed in Spanish-speaking cultures through literature, television programs, music, and presentations. Students will be expected to take the AP Language and Culture in May. Any Sixth Former who chooses this course as a term elective will have it listed as Spanish 5 and may take it for one, two, or three terms.

Sixth Formers may use the following course sequence: 3511 Spanish 5 (F), 3512 Spanish 5 (W), 3513 Spanish 5 (S).

Chinese 1-5

Chinese 1
This beginning course lays the foundation for the Modern Mandarin Chinese language study. Speaking, listening, reading and writing are all components of this course. Students learn tones, radicals (the building blocks of Chinese characters), practical vocabulary and basic grammatical structures through storytelling. Stories will be in the context of family, school and social life. Classes are conducted in Chinese; students are encouraged to speak as much Chinese as possible from the very beginning. Throughout the year, cultural elements will be introduced via videos, movies and hands-on activities.

Chinese 2
This course continues to develop listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in daily situations, emphasizing grammar, and vocabulary expansion. Classes are conducted entirely in Chinese to encourage students' oral and aural skills. Contents are organized around natural conversational topics, such as weather, hobbies, doctor’s visits, sports, and travel. Students practice speaking and writing via cultural activities, songs, poetry, and small skits.

Chinese 3
This course focuses on deepening cultural competence and understanding through authentic texts, articles, and video material. Oral skills are stressed; students learn to apply grammar and vocabulary in conversations, skits, oral presentations, and debates. Students also read an exciting series of short stories and practice more lengthy writing in different genres and topics.

Chinese 4
This course reviews more advanced grammatical structures with an emphasis on fluency and accuracy in writing Chinese across a variety of genres. Students are exposed to current events and social issues in China through newspaper articles, movies, television broadcasts, and literature. Topics include education, social reforms, and economic development. Students will improve their listening, speaking, reading, writing, and analytical skills through class discussions, oral presentations, debates, and essay writing.

Sixth Formers may use the following course sequence: 3441 Chinese 4 (F), 3442 Chinese 4 (W), 3443 Chinese 4 (S).

Chinese 5 (Y)
This course prepares students for the AP Chinese and Culture Examination in May. Students continue to explore China's social issues from the previous year; topics include gender, environment, investment, etc. Besides, cultural topics—festivals, music, culinary culture, ancient philosophies, and so on— will be studied both in breadth and in-depth. Students will be familiar with the AP Exam format and improve their language and analytical skills through class discussions, oral presentations, debates, and essay writing. Any Sixth Former who chooses this course as a term elective will have it listed as Chinese 5 and may take it for one, two, or three terms.

Sixth Formers may use the following course sequence: 3541 Chinese 5 (F), 3542 Chinese 5 (W), 3543 Chinese 5 (S).

Chinese 6: Advanced Readings

The course is open to students who have completed the Chinese 5 course or heritage students who want to strengthen their Chinese reading and writing skills. In this course, students will explore Chinese literature through the reading of both contemporary and classic works. The course's purpose is for students to further develop comprehensive language skills with a focus on analytical and writing skills. The course material will encompass a wide range of cultural, political and economic topics. Students will acquire more sophisticated vocabulary through reading and discussion and will reflect and share their thinking via research papers and presentations. Each year the topics and course materials will be different. Therefore, students are able to take this course consecutively.

French 1-4

French 1
This class lays the foundation for language study. Classes are conducted entirely in French to develop strong oral and aural skills. Students study the present, the passé composé, the imperfect, and other grammatical structures. Vocabulary is introduced in the text, in class, through short stories, and visual aids.

French 2
There is an increased focus on grammar, verb form and usage, and vocabulary in the second year of French. Every verb tense is introduced for both regular and irregular verbs. Vocabulary expansion is a priority. Classes are conducted entirely in French to encourage students' oral and aural skills. Cultural conversations, small skits, and oral drills are designed to encourage students to speak French as much as possible. Vocabulary is introduced in the text, in class, through short stories, simple poems, and visual aids.

French 3
This course offers a total review of grammatical structures, including the subjunctive mood. It emphasizes speaking and writing, as well as vocabulary development. Oral skills are stressed, including pronunciation, conversation, and oral presentations. Students prepare for the Barrier Examination, which is the June final examination. The current textbook is Breaking the French Barrier, Level III. Students also read and discuss a collection of short stories.

French 4 (Y)
This course includes reading short stories, plays, and novels, as well as reviewing current events through newspaper articles and television broadcasts. Teachers will use situational vocabulary, oral presentations, essay writing, reading comprehension practice, and a thorough review of complex grammatical structure when needed, emphasizing making vocabulary and grammar practical both orally and in writing. Sixth Formers may use the following course sequence: 3451 French 4 (F), 3452 French 4 (W), 3453 French 4 (S).

French 6: Advanced Readings

Prerequisite: French AP Language. In this course students will continue their study of French literature. They will also read and study poetry, plays, short stories, or novels from the Francophone world. A unit might be devoted to the history and evolution of French cinema. Students will continue to be immersed in a French-speaking environment. They will work on developing their oral and analytical skills through discussion of literature, using a more sophisticated vocabulary. This course can be taken multiple times, as each term is an independent unit.

Spanish 1-4

Spanish 1
This course lays the foundation for language study. Students learn three tenses: present, preterite, and imperfect. They learn many practical vocabulary words related to families, houses, school, food, and transportation. Writing, speaking, listening, and reading are all components of this course. Classes are conducted in Spanish, and students have numerous opportunities to speak. The current text is Breaking the Spanish Barrier, Level I. Throughout the year, students read short chapter books and periodically watch video programs.

Spanish 2
In the second year, students expand their grammatical foundation. The present perfect, pluperfect, future, conditional, future perfect, and conditional perfect are considered. In addition, the subjunctive mood is presented, including the present perfect subjunctive, as well as formal and familiar commands. Vocabulary expansion is a priority. Students give oral presentations, participate in skits, listen to dialogues and songs, and speak and write extensively. They also read an exciting series of short fiction. The current text is Breaking the Spanish Barrier, Level II.

Spanish 3
This year is the final intense year of grammatical study. The subjunctive mood is studied in great depth, including the imperfect subjunctive. Intensive review and amplification of grammar, vocabulary, and sentence structure occur throughout the year. The current text is: Breaking the Spanish Barrier, Level III. Students also read collections of short stories and poetry, which they discuss in class. Short videos and movies are viewed periodically for cultural articles.

Spanish 4
The focus of this course is on improving language skills, written and oral—vocabulary, grammar review, reading, and conversation. A student will do periodic reviews of important grammar and will make frequent presentations in class. Speaking and listening skills are especially emphasized. Thematic units include travel, high-tech, food, animals, music, and sports. Films and television documentaries are viewed periodically. Sixth Formers may use the following course sequence: 3411 Spanish 4 (F), 3412 Spanish 4 (W), 3413 Spanish 4 (S).

Spanish 6: Advanced Readings

The course is open to students who have completed AP Spanish Language. In this course, students will delve into Spanish and Latin American literature through the reading of different authors as well as viewing films by different cinematographers. The purpose of the course is for the students to develop their conversational and analytical skills while acquiring more sophisticated vocabulary through the discussion of the course material. All courses will be conducted in Spanish. Term courses might come from the following: Borges, Historical Fiction, Matute, Allede, 20th Century poetry, García Márquez; Historias sobre la historia; a survey of Spanish literature from Spain to the Americas; La ciudad y los perros; Mexico and its Ghosts; Cien Años de Soledad; Periodismo Narrativo.