Modern Language
The modern language department prepares students to communicate successfully in Chinese, French, or Spanish in both local and global contexts. Students completing the program understand culturally diverse perspectives and demonstrate competency in interpretive, interpersonal, and presentational communication skills.
In order to achieve these goals, students are required to complete up to level 3 in one language, or follow one of the alternatives outlined below. Note: all students are encouraged to study language all four years in order to take full advantage of our program, including exchange and travel opportunities.
Students study Chinese, French, or Spanish in the 9th Grade and may add a second language in the 10th, 11th, or 12th Grade, space permitting. Current and new Park students with previous language experience will take an assessment in the spring to ensure placement where the department feels students will be most successful.
Students typically have the opportunity every other year to participate in exchange programs in China, France, and a Spanish-speaking country. While abroad, they live with host families, attend classes at our sister schools, and engage in cultural activities. Back in Baltimore, exchange participants act as hosts when their partners visit Park. Participation is dependent on approval by the faculty and the student’s commitment to continue enrollment in the target language in the following year.
Accelerated courses in French and Spanish provide qualified students with a greater challenge and expect students to work at an advanced level in all skills. When offered, and with the approval of the department to enroll, the Intensive course in French or Spanish prepares students for the AP exam. Regardless of level, all of our courses are conducted in the target language and emphasize cultural themes and oral proficiency. In addition, language and intercultural competency skills are reinforced through grammar review and opportunities to use the language in a variety of contexts.
Requirements and Placement
There are several options to fulfill graduation requirements in languages based on where students are placed when they enter Park’s Upper School.
Students who are placed in Levels 1 or 2, and students beginning the study of a new language, must choose between:
- Successfully completing through Level 3 in their tested language or in a new language
- Successfully completing through Level 2 in two different languages that are new to them
All 9th Grade students who are placed in Level 3 must choose between:
- Successfully completing Level 3 in their placed language and an additional year of study in this language (two years in Upper School language program)
- Successfully completing up to Level 2 in a new language
All 9th Grade students who are placed beyond Level 3 (native speakers) must begin a new language and complete through level 3 or complete two years of two new languages.
Special Circumstances
LANGUAGE WAIVER:
Students with a language waiver are exempt from completing the Park’s language requirement, but are encouraged to try a language class at Park.
NEW 10TH, 11TH, AND 12TH GRADERS:
Students who test above Level 3 are encouraged to continue the language of their study or try a new language class at Park.
STUDENTS WHO ATTEND PARK AS PART OF AN EXCHANGE OR STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM:
Exchange and study abroad students are not required to enroll in language during their stay. Students may enroll in a language course, at the appropriate level, different from their native language, or may apply to become a Teaching Assistant to share their experience and expertise in one of our Chinese, French, or Spanish courses.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS FOR WHOM ENGLISH IS NOT THEIR FIRST LANGUAGE:
International students entering Park as 9th, 10th, or 11th Graders are required to complete Level 1 of a language different from their native language during their first or second year at Park. International students entering Park in 12th Grade are not required to study a new language, but are invited to do so.
Chinese
Chinese 1
Grades: 9-12
Chinese 1 is the introductory course of Chinese language and culture. Students are expected to become proficient at Pinyin (the phonetic system), learn to communicate with people on simple, everyday topics, and recognize approximately 400 characters by the end of the year. Although writing is not a major emphasis, students are expected to be able to write around 100 characters after the first year. Equally important is the study of culture. Students learn about Chinese traditions, history, geography, and popular culture. Class activities include presentations, songs, movies, and role-playing.
Chinese 2
Grades: 9-12 • Prerequisite: Chinese 1
This course is a continuation of Chinese 1. Students continue to focus on various aspects of Chinese culture, and as they practice hearing and producing the four tones and expand their vocabulary, they learn to talk about additional topics, including hobbies, school life, and trips. In reading, they learn 400 new characters, giving them a total of 800 characters by the end of the year. Students are able to copy accurately, with the proper stroke, and sequence characters that are new to them. By the end of the year, they are able to write 200 characters without a model.
Chinese 3
Grades: 10-12 • Prerequisite: Chinese 2
Chinese 3 is a continuation of Chinese 2. It is taught mainly in Chinese, while English is only used to explain grammar and introduce aspects of culture. Students are expected to be proficient and accurate in the four tones and Pinyin. They continue to expand their vocabulary and learn another 400 characters during the year. By the end of the year, they are expected to be able to communicate with native speakers on many topics, especially those related to everyday life. Included in the goals for the year is expanded listening comprehension with an emphasis on understanding more rapid speech. Some of the goals for students in the class are: to expand their listening comprehension, to be more comfortable understanding rapid speech, and to have a deeper understanding of China and its people.
French
(Re) Introduction to French (French 1)
Grades: 9–12
This course is geared towards true beginners, as well as students who took French in Middle School and need more time and exposure to build a strong foundation to be ready for level 2. In this course, students will acquire communicative skills and cultural knowledge in order to engage in a variety of everyday situations while discovering the diversity of the Francophone world. In addition, this course will develop the tools and habits of mind for students to become independent language learners. Students will work on all four communication skills with an emphasis on oral proficiency. Students learn to only speak French in the classroom.
French 2 and French 2 (Accelerated)
Grade: 9 • Required
In this language and culture course, students build on their French 1 or Middle School French foundation. The course takes a thematic approach to language learning and recognizes the relationships between cultural awareness, communication, vocabulary acquisition, and grammar. An emphasis is placed on cultural competency and oral proficiency, with assessments incorporated into the program. Class content is based on the topics of everyday life. Activities include listening to songs, engaging in conversations, writing short compositions, and reading personal narratives. Students are expected to use French in the classroom. The accelerated course moves at a quicker pace, and students tackle more complex texts and material. Students in the accelerated class are expected to work more independently and with less support.
French 3
Grade: 10 • Required • Prerequisite: French 2
This class follows the same integrated approach used in French 2. Students build upon their knowledge of French language and their understanding of French-speaking cultures around the world. They are expected, with support, to read and write more independently and to make connections based on previous knowledge. Class content is based on cultural themes (e.g., secularism, folklore, music, the environment) and may vary depending on the year. Cultural competency and oral proficiency are still emphasized. In the accelerated section, students are expected to communicate with greater accuracy and to develop their ideas more fully.
Spanish
Spanish 1
In this introductory course, students will acquire the communicative skills and cultural knowledge to be able to engage in a variety of practical situations while discovering the diversity of the Spanish-speaking world. In addition, this course will develop the tools and mindset to become independent language learners. Students will work on all four communication skills with an emphasis on oral proficiency. Culture is integrated into all aspects of the program, and students are encouraged to speak Spanish in the classroom.
Spanish 2 and Spanish 2 (Accelerated)
Grade: 9 • Required
In this course, students build on their Middle School or Spanish 1 foundation and continue to develop their interpersonal communicative skills and to deepen their cultural knowledge. Through authentic materials, students continue to explore the depth and diversity of the Spanish-speaking world. This course will review strategies for language learning so that students will continue to build their tools and mindset to be independent language learners. Grammar and vocabulary are integrated into thematic units. Students are expected to use Spanish in the classroom. The accelerated course moves at a quicker pace, and students tackle more complex texts and material. Students in the accelerated class are expected to work more independently and with less support.
Spanish 3 or Spanish 3 (Accelerated)
Grade: 10 • Required • Prerequisite: Spanish 2
In Spanish 3, the curriculum shifts towards a thematic and integrated approach. Students are expected, with support, to read and write more independently, and engage in dialogue. Through the use of authentic texts and films, students learn new vocabulary and grammar, and, as they consider the themes presented, apply and expand their knowledge. In the accelerated section, students will be expected to communicate with greater accuracy and develop their ideas more fully.
Intensive Spanish Language and Culture (Accelerated)
Grade 11 • Prerequisite: Spanish 3 Accelerated and permission of the department.
The focus of this course is the acquisition of a high degree of communicative and cultural competency in Spanish. The approach is a thematic one in which students consider, through the vehicle of films, literary texts, newspaper articles, podcasts, etc., topics related to global challenges, science and technology, and personal and public identities. Students will strengthen their interpretive, interpersonal, and presentation skills while reinforcing their knowledge of grammar and expanding their vocabulary. This course prepares students for the Advanced Placement (AP) Spanish Language and Culture examination in the spring. Prerequisite: Spanish 3 Accelerated and permission from the department.
Chinese
Chinese 4: Ancient Chinese History
Grades: 11-12 • Prerequisite: Chinese 3 or the equivalent. This class is offered in alternate years and will not be offered this year, but will be offered in 2026-2027.
In this course, students focus on ancient Chinese history, which to some degree has shaped who the Chinese people are today. Topics include most famous dynasties such as Han and Tang, influential thinkers including Confucius, a taste of ancient poetry, and some interesting events that took place over thousands of years. An emphasis is placed on discussion, research, and independent work. Through this content-based course, students gain a deeper understanding of China and its people while they continue to improve their language skills.
Modern Chinese History
Grades: 11-12 • Prerequisite: Chinese 3 or the equivalent. This class is offered in alternate years and will be offered this year, but will not be offered in 2026-2027.
In this course, students will focus on modern Chinese history. Topics will include the late phase of Qing Dynasty, the “Century of Humiliation,” the Civil War, in addition to the rise of China in recent decades, etc. Emphasis will be placed on discussion, research, and independent work. Through this content-based course, students will gain a deeper understanding of China and its people while they continue to improve their language skills.
French
L’immigration vue à traversle cinéma français (Accelerated)
Grades: 11-12 • Prerequisite: French 3 or French 3 (Accelerated)
This course will focus on the portrayal of immigration through French Cinema. Students will study the major contributions of French cinema through the themes of immigration, marginalization, and discrimination. They will explore contemporary French cinema using a range of different aspects such as racial, cultural, religious, socio-economic, national, and linguistic elements. This will occur with particular attention to the ways that immigration through cinematic lenses includes patterns of ethnicity, gender, class, race, otherness, and structures of identity. Students will be able to write about films, and respond to weekly films and readings.
La Conversation (Accéléré)
Grades: 11-12 • Prerequisite: French 3 or French 3 (Accelerated)
In this class, students will learn to feel very comfortable speaking French. Through role playing and improvisational activities, they will learn how to communicate in real-life situations. The class will study dialogues, which students will then be able to apply to talk with friends, meet new people, and engage with the world in all the ways they do in their native language. Each class will include a pronunciation lecture and practice. Students will also learn about enunciation vs articulation and will explore strategies to help express themselves orally even when they do not have the necessary vocabulary to do so. Two major assignments include a passion project, and an eloquence speech modeled after the yearly “Concours d’éloquence” contest from the Sorbonne University in Paris.
Spanish
Advanced Topics in Spanish: Podcast (Accelerated)
Grade 12 • Prerequisite: Intensive Spanish Language and Culture or permission of the department.
In this hands-on Spanish class, students will learn how to create their own podcasts in Spanish while improving their speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills. Students will work with real-life topics, write simple scripts, research cultural themes, conduct interviews, and use vocabulary and topics relevant to them. They will explore Hispanic culture, practice pronunciation, and apply different grammar structures in meaningful contexts. The class will emphasize collaboration, creativity, and good communication in Spanish. By the end of the course, each student will have produced an original podcast, gaining confidence and fluency in target language through a dynamic project.
Art, música, y cultura hispana
Grades: 11-12 • Prerequisite: Spanish 3, Spanish 3 (Accelerated), or permission of the department.
This course provides an overview of the rich cultural heritage of hispanic countries, focusing on art, music, and cultural traditions. Through a combination of readings, discussions, and multimedia presentations, students will gain an understanding of the historical, social, and political contexts that have shaped Hispanic culture. By the end of the course, students will have a broad understanding of the unique cultural traditions of different hispanic countries, as well as an appreciation for the ways in which these traditions continue to evolve nowadays. Students will improve their speaking and collaborative skills through hands-on and oral communicative activities.
From Silent to Talkie
Grades: 11-12 • Prerequisite: Spanish 3, Spanish 3 (Accelerated), or permission of the department.
In this course, students will immerse themselves in the exciting world of film analysis and production. They will begin by exploring the origins of the moving image, from silent films to modern talkies in Latin America and Spain. At the same time, students will deepen their cultural knowledge of the Hispanic world and enhance their Spanish communication skills. They will learn how early films were made and how to understand stories through gestures, body language, and intertitles while exploring cultural themes. As the course progresses, students will create their own short films, starting with basic visual storytelling and gradually incorporating spoken Spanish. This hands-on approach helps build confidence, overcome language challenges, and develop fluency in a creative way.
Jardinería para la vida (Acelerada)
Grades: 11-12 • Prerequisite: Spanish 3 (Accelerated) or permission of the department.
In this fall course, conducted entirely in Spanish, students will explore how gardening can improve health and help us make connections across cultures and boundaries. They will take a look at gardening of all kinds in Spanish-speaking communities, including pollinator gardens, migratory bird gardens, and herb gardens. Students should expect to get their hands dirty as they plan and help plant gardens. This accelerated course requires students to put their advanced language skills into practice by using Spanish for all interactions in the class, and by analyzing readings and audiovisual materials in Spanish.
Los depor tes y la sociedad
Grades 11-12 • Prerequisite: Spanish 3 (Accelerated) or permission of the department.
The accelerated elective course “Los deportes y la sociedad” offers an exciting opportunity for students to delve into the vibrant world of sports with a heavy focus on soccer and survey of other sports. It aims to enhance students’ language proficiency, with a focus on the subjunctive, while exploring the historical, cultural, and sociopolitical dimensions of sports in these nations. Students will be expected to conduct independent research, analyze primary sources for their cultural elements, and explore the connections between organized sports, politics, and culture. The course will culminate with a written essay.
Chinese
Chinese 4: Chinese Culture Past and Present
Grades: 11-12 • Prerequisite: Chinese 3 or the equivalent. This class is offered in alternate years and will not be offered this year, but will be offered in 2026-2027.
In the spring semester, students continue to learn Chinese language through the study of Chinese culture covering topics ranging from Chinese medicine to music, education, and other topics of contemporary society. An emphasis is placed on discussion, research, hands-on projects, and independent work. Through this content-based course, students gain a deeper understanding of China and its people while they continue to improve their language skills.
Chinese Society Through Film
Grades: 11-12 • Prerequisite: Chinese 3 or the equivalent. This class is offered in alternate years and will be offered this year, but will not be offered in 2026-2027.
In the spring semester, students will learn about Chinese society through the study of Chinese films that cover topics ranging from ancient and modern history to the educational system to growing up in China, etc. Emphasis will be placed on discussion, research, and independent work (e.g., film reviews). Through this content-based course, students will gain a deeper understanding of China and its people while continuing to improve their language skills.
French
L’identité française c’est quoi? (Accelerated)
Grades: 11-12 • Prerequisite: French 3 or French 3 (Accelerated)
This course will examine identity development from the perspective of people from different backgrounds while comparing them to our own cultural and personal identity development. Students will explore the concept of “French national identity” through engagement in the discussion and interpretation of various contemporary media resources including, but not limited to, films, documentaries, blogs, podcasts, radio, television, music, and print media. What determines the meaning of French identity in reality and how did French identity evolve over time? The students will discuss and debate a multitude of relevant, real-world topics relating to national identity. This course will facilitate students to gain insight into contemporary issues surrounding the topics of French National Identity in France.
Le français à travers la musique et les films (Accelerated)
Grades: 11-12 • Prerequisite: French 3 (Accelerated) or permission of the department.
In this class, students will watch movies and listen to songs from the French-speaking world. By analyzing their scripts and lyrics, students will learn new cultural and linguistic aspects of French-speaking regions. They will also look at film critiques and song reviews to establish the attitudes of experts vs. audiences. In the class, students will gain the necessary vocabulary related to music and film to be able to discuss them. The culminating project of the course is a two-part assignment where students will choose between music or film. Students choosing film will first have to write the script of a short film in French and then direct and shoot it. Students choosing music will write the lyrics of a song in French and will then compose and perform (or record) the song.
Spanish
Advanced Topics in Spanish 2: Descolonizando la comid a (Accelerated)
Grades: 11-12 • Prerequisite: Intensive Spanish.
This class centers on the historical and cultural background of the foods from Latin America, the Caribbean, and Spain. Students will learn about the origins of foods from those regions, the cultural influences and different traditions, as well as why food is so important in Hispanic culture. Students will discover this information through the examination of historical, literary, digital, and visual materials and will ideally have the chance to develop their culinary expertise!
Childhood Representation in Spanish Cinema (Accelerated)
Grades: 11-12 • Prerequisite: Spanish 3 (Accelerated) or permission of instructor.
This course focuses on the representation of children in Spanish film and how movies reflect history events, culture, gender, and politics. By watching and analyzing films from the 1950s to today in different genres, students will gain a deeper understanding of Spanish culture and its diversity. They will also improve their Spanish skills by interpreting scenes, learning idiomatic expressions, practicing grammar, and enhancing their writing and listening abilities. This class is conducted entirely in Spanish.
Los deportes y la sociedad
Grades: 11-12 • Prerequisite: Spanish 3, Spanish 3 (Accelerated), or permission of the department.
The elective course “Los deportes y la sociedad” offers an exciting opportunity for students to delve into the vibrant world of sports with a heavy focus on soccer and survey of other sports. This elective aims to continue students’ language proficiency growth through a focus on contextual fluency. Students will spend time familiarizing themselves with vocabulary surrounding sports and later begin to explore the historical, cultural, and sociopolitical dimensions of sports in the Spanish speaking world. The course will cover relevant grammatical concepts and it will mainly focus on the connections between organized sports, politics, and cultural significance.
¡Organiza! Movimientos sociales en comunidades hispanohablantes (Acelerada)
Grades: 11-12 • Prerequisite: Spanish 3 (Accelerated) or permission of the department.
How does change happen? How do communities and individuals respond in the face of overwhelming odds? They organize! This course will look at the many unique and powerful ways Spanish-speaking communities have historically responded to, and are currently addressing, dire situations to recover and expand rights and seek justice. As a culminating activity, students will lend their own voices and creativity to a social movement in solidarity with a Spanish-speaking community.
Podcasting
Grades 11-12 • Prerequisite: Spanish 3, Spanish 3 (Accelerated), or permission of the department.
In this hands-on Spanish class, students will learn how to create their own podcasts in Spanish while improving their grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, listening, reading, and writing skills. Students will write simple scripts, research cultural topics, conduct interviews, and express ideas with creativity and clarity. The class emphasizes collaboration, creativity, and communication in Spanish. By the end of the course, each student will have produced an original podcast, gaining confidence and fluency in the target language. This class follows the regular-level pace for Spanish.
