World languages and cultures

Use this chart in conjunction with the specific course descriptions and prerequisites, and note that the chart shows typical pathways, but not every possible scenario for student progression through the curriculum.

Core languages meet ASL's graduation requirement and are offered in Arabic, Chinese, French and Spanish. A minimum of three sequential years* of one core language is required for graduation for all students, regardless of previous language exposure and proficiency.

Placement is made by evaluating a student’s previous language experience and is confirmed by the achievement on the Avant placement test (an online proficiency test). The purpose of testing is diagnostic: it assesses students’ language skills in order to match them to the most suitable course. It is the department’s intent to place students correctly; ASL's courses may not correspond exactly to what an entering student may have studied already. Placement is reviewed on a yearly basis and takes into account proficiency and commitment to language study. The department aims to equip students with skills that enable them to communicate effectively, both linguistically and culturally, in a non-native language. We encourage students to become lifelong learners of the languages they study. By emphasizing study of culture at all levels and employing a variety of materials and strategies, we aim to bring language learners to increasingly greater levels of proficiency in spoken and written language. A sequential program of instruction, at beginning, intermediate and advanced levels, meets the varied learning styles of students and prepares them for further language acquisition in college or in real-life situations.

Regardless of the target language, students in our language program walk away with these Enduring Understandings.

Human experience in all cultures and within each culture is multidimensional and multifaceted.
Culture and language are inseparable.
Language skill sets connect with other disciplines.
Learning a language enhances human solidarity, invites participation and instills a sense of responsibility.

Throughout students’ experiences in world languages and cultures, they are invited to reflect on the following Essential Questions as they relate to thematic units at level-appropriate contexts.

How does connecting with diverse human experiences enhance my life?
What skills and knowledge do I need to communicate effectively in the target culture and language?
How can I access and apply language skills and knowledge to other disciplines and vice versa?
What does it mean to belong to a language community, and how do we know when we are included in the group?

Classes are conducted in the target language to the greatest degree possible and aim to develop proficiency and build skills in the three modes of communication: interpretive, interpersonal and presentational. Use of English is kept to a minimum. Teachers encourage students to participate actively in class and to take advantage of every possible opportunity to use their developing language skills. At every stage of the program, students are guided towards mastery of the mechanics of the language and appreciation of culture as they increase their ability to express themselves and communicate effectively. At higher levels, students develop their ability to read, analyze and discuss literary works, contemporary texts, and films.

Teachers draw on a variety of sources and integrate appropriate interactive material. The internet, television and a wide variety of multimedia software provide resources to enhance the learning experience at all levels. The department also sponsors a range of activities to provide students with the opportunity to build on skills acquired in the classroom: excursions to appropriate venues in and around London and short language trips to target language countries. All students, particularly as they approach level III, are strongly encouraged to take part in language immersion and/or language study and service programs of longer duration during the summer vacation. ASL is an affiliate member of School Year Abroad (SYA). Each year, Grade 11 and 12 students have the opportunity to apply to live with families and attend schools in Rennes (France), Zaragoza (Spain), Beijing (China), Hanoi (Vietnam) or Ichinomiya (Japan). Students who participate in supplemental programs can request replacement depending on their experiences. Final placement is determined by the Avant placement test.

*Students joining ASL after Grade 9 may apply their previous years of high school-level language study to the ASL graduation requirement, provided they continue in the same language of study. Students who complete the AP course in a language, but have not yet fulfilled the three-year requirement, may opt to complete the requirement by either 1) continuing in the language of their AP, or 2) beginning study in another language offered to a total of three years. When a student joins ASL in Grade 11 or 12, having studied a language that ASL does not offer, students need to select a new language in order to complete three years of a language. Exceptions may be made for extenuating circumstances.

Arabic

Arabic I

1 credit; full year

This course focuses on communication in Arabic through a variety of formal and informal registers appropriate for exchanging information about basic topics relating to everyday life. Students learn the phonology and script of Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) for written communication, and build aural-oral proficiency with a variety of colloquial and formal vocabulary/structures. Texts are supplemented with print, audio and multimedia material representative of contemporary Arabic culture. The class emphasizes a communicative approach, and students learn to express themselves based on real-life situations. This course is taught in English and Arabic with an emphasis on developing Arabic for classroom communication.

Arabic II

1 credit; full year
Prerequisite: Arabic I or departmental recommendation

This course builds on the skills and knowledge acquired in Arabic I and continues to introduce students to the range of Arabic registers appropriate for the various modes of communication. Students in this course continue to develop their writing and reading strategies, while building increasingly complex structures. At this level, students speak about themselves with a high level of accuracy and begin expressing ideas and opinions that extend beyond their immediate surroundings and daily experience. Texts are supplemented with print, audio and multimedia material representative of contemporary Arabic culture. The class emphasizes a communicative approach, and students learn to express themselves based on real-life situations. This course is taught primarily in Arabic, and in English only when necessary.

Arabic III

1 credit; full year
Prerequisite: Arabic II or departmental recommendation

This course builds on the skills and knowledge acquired in Arabic II and continues to expose students to the phonology, script and syntax of situationally appropriate registers of Arabic. Through a variety of communicative activities, students continue to develop the three modes of communication, while also building their cultural awareness and ability to interact appropriately in Arab cultural contexts. The course focuses on building awareness around patterns in both informal and formal language registers for a range of expression across language skills and everyday situations. This course is conducted primarily in Arabic.

Arabic IV

1 credit; full year
Prerequisite: Arabic III or departmental recommendation

This course is designed for students who have successfully completed Arabic III and would like to further their knowledge of Arabic and the Arabic-speaking world. The goals of this course are to further develop proficiency across the three modes of communication, advance critical thinking ability, and enhance cultural and global awareness. Students are expected to communicate in Arabic and to begin differentiating between formal and informal registers. In this course, language proficiency is interwoven with level-appropriate cultural studies. A variety of adapted and authentic materials support the linguistic and cultural goals of the course. The use of a variety of authentic materials acquaints students with a range of syntax, lexis and style in Arabic, and helps them to develop an authentic feel for the language. This class is conducted primarily in Arabic.

Arabic V

1 credit; full year
Prerequisite: Arabic IV or departmental recommendation

The goals of this course are to continue the development of proficiency across the three modes of communication, advance critical thinking ability, and enhance cultural and global awareness. In Arabic V, language proficiency is interwoven with level-appropriate cultural studies. Instructional materials and activities are adapted carefully and strategically from authentic sources, including poetry and other literature, to support the linguistic and cultural goals of the course. Throughout the course, students develop language and understandings to support in-depth exploration of identities, and how they play into patterns of unity and diversity across the Arabic-speaking world. This class is conducted in Arabic.

Advanced Arabic

1 credit; full-year
Prerequisites: Arabic V or departmental recommendation
This course is a student-led, project-based learning journey for students with intermediate-high to advanced Arabic language skills. It guides students to examine the relationship between identity, culture and power by selecting a research focus drawn from their interests and experiences. To achieve this end, students a) engage with the impact of global and local cultural dynamics on the people of the Arab World; b) reflect on the identities of the Arab-speaking people in relation to their own and to the communities in which they are culturally competent. Through Arabic source interpretation, classroom discussions and project design, students develop cultural competency, language proficiency and interdisciplinary research skills. The course culminates with a creative project that demonstrates student engagement with and reflections about the cultural products they choose to explore. This course is conducted in Arabic.

Chinese

Chinese I

1 credit; full year

This course introduces students to the Chinese language and immerses them in the culture of the Chinese-speaking world. The emphasis of the course is placed on mastering the pinyin Romanization system, developing skills for character writing, and acquiring basic sentence structures for daily communication. Units of study are developed around practical topics in daily lives, allowing the grammar to be learned in a meaningful, contextual environment. Through a variety of student-centered activities, lectures, videos, songs, the internet, and language-focused games, students learn the vocabulary, culture and grammar of Mandarin Chinese and begin to obtain initial communicative competence in the language.

Chinese II

1 credit; full year
Prerequisite: Chinese I or departmental recommendation

Building on the skills acquired in Chinese I, this course introduces students to more complex sentence structures and idiomatic expressions. In addition to the pinyin Romanization system, students work extensively on the four-tone Mandarin phonetic system. Approximately 500 additional simplified characters are introduced for reading and writing. Cultural awareness continues with various supplemental materials, including cultural credits from the text. Short compositions are an integral part of the course in preparation for the next level of study. The class is conducted in Mandarin to the greatest degree possible to develop aural-oral competency.

Chinese III

1 credit; full year
Prerequisite: Chinese II or departmental recommendation

This course introduces students to more advanced grammatical structures and idiomatic expressions, while systematically reviewing previously studied materials. Oral proficiency continues to be stressed through situational dialogues and oral presentations. Cultural awareness is further developed through reading and discussing Chinese proverbs, adapted stories, and newspaper articles. Written compositions, such as pen pal letters, picture descriptions and short essays, are an integral part of this course. The class is conducted primarily in Mandarin except when complex grammar and idioms require clarification in English.

Chinese IV

1 credit; full year
Prerequisite: Chinese III or departmental recommendation

This course is designed for students who have successfully completed Chinese III or beyond and would like to further their knowledge of Chinese and the Chinese-speaking world. The goals of this course are to further develop proficiency across the full range of language skills, advance critical thinking ability, and enhance cultural and global awareness. In this course, language proficiency is interwoven with level-appropriate cultural studies. Instructional materials and activities are carefully and strategically adapted from authentic sources to support the linguistic and cultural goals of the course. This class is conducted primarily in Mandarin.

Chinese V

1 credit; full year
Prerequisite: Chinese IV or departmental recommendation

Chinese V provides a continuing language course for students not ready to enroll in AP Chinese Language and Culture. The goals of this course are to continue the development of proficiency across the three modes of communication, advance critical thinking ability, and enhance cultural and global awareness. In Chinese V, language proficiency is interwoven with level-appropriate cultural studies. Instructional materials and activities are carefully and strategically adapted from authentic sources, including poetry and other literature, to support the linguistic and cultural goals of the course. This class is conducted in Chinese.

AP Chinese Language and Culture

1 credit; full year
Prerequisite: Chinese IV or departmental recommendation

This course prepares students for the AP Chinese Language and Culture exam. The goal is to further develop overall language proficiency within a cultural framework, reflective of the richness of the Chinese language and culture. Through task-based communicative activities, students develop and refine their ability to speak and write in various settings, styles and registers. They are also expected to listen to a wide variety of adapted or authentic audio selections, and read a wide range of texts representing different genres. This class is conducted in Chinese.

Chinese Language and Culture Seminar

1 credit; full-year
Prerequisites: AP Chinese, Chinese V or departmental recommendation
This is an advanced Chinese language and culture course designed for students who have successfully completed AP Chinese or equivalent and who would like to continue developing their language skills and deepen their understanding of the diverse Chinese-speaking world. The goal of this course is to provide students with ongoing and varied opportunities to further advance their language proficiency and cultural competence. To this end, students explore the topics that are essential to understanding the cultural and linguistic diversity of contemporary Chinese-speaking societies. A combination of teacher-directed learning and student-driven independent projects is key to the success of this course. Students must demonstrate their language skills through individual on-demand tasks and collaborative projects. The final evaluation is aligned with ACTFL Advanced-Mid benchmark.

French

French I

1 credit; full year

This course introduces students to the French language and immerses them in the culture of the French-speaking world. It aims to develop students’ ability to communicate about themselves and their immediate environment using simple sentences containing basic language structures. Through a variety of communicative activities, and the use of adapted and authentic materials, students develop novice-level proficiency across the three modes of communication: interpretive, interpersonal and presentational, and identify cultural products and practices to gain understanding of varying perspectives. The class is conducted in French to the greatest degree possible to develop aural-oral competency.

French II

1 credit; full year
Prerequisite: French I or departmental recommendation

Building on the content and skills acquired in French I, this course aims to deepen the learner’s understanding of Francophone cultures and to develop their proficiency across the three modes of communication: interpretive, interpersonal and presentational. Novice-level vocabulary and idiomatic structures are reviewed and expanded upon, aiming to consolidate students’ ability to conduct basic daily communication in real-life situations as they begin to progress to the intermediate level. Through various communicative activities, students are exposed to a variety of adapted and authentic materials on familiar topics, rooted in cultural contexts, in order to write and speak about products and practices they have encountered. This course is conducted primarily in French.

French III

1 credit; full year
Prerequisite: French II or departmental recommendation

Building on the content and skills acquired in French I and II, this course aims to deepen the learner’s understanding of Francophone cultures and viewpoints, as well as to develop proficiency across the three modes of communication: interpretive, interpersonal and presentational. Intermediate-level vocabulary and idiomatic structures are reviewed and expanded upon, aiming to consolidate students’ ability to explain, narrate, express opinions and give advice in real-life situations as they progress in the intermediate level. Students explore cultural perspectives as they read and listen to authentic and adapted audiovisual materials rooted in the thematic and cultural contexts of each unit in order to speak and write as in the real-world. This course is conducted primarily in French.

French IV

1 credit; full year
Prerequisite: French III or departmental recommendation

This course is designed for students who would like to further their knowledge of French and the French-speaking world. The goals are to further develop proficiency across all three modes of communication, advance critical thinking ability, and enhance cultural and global awareness. Students are expected to communicate in French using more complex language structures and express abstract ideas with reasonable fluency. In this course, language proficiency is interwoven with level-appropriate cultural studies. A variety of adapted and authentic materials support the linguistic and cultural goals of the course, and acquaints students with a range of syntax, lexis and style in French, and helps them to develop an authentic feel for the language. This class is conducted primarily in French.

French Culture and Language through Film and Media

½ credit per semester; semesters I & II
Prerequisite: French IV, AP French Language or departmental recommendation

This course may be taken as a semester or yearlong course. Students who take the course during semester I must take it again in semester II to fulfill the language requirement for a full credit.

This course is designed for students who have successfully completed French IV or AP French Language and would like to further their knowledge of French and the French-speaking world. The goals of this course are to further develop proficiency across the three modes of communication, advance critical thinking ability, and enhance cultural and global awareness, and their understanding of contemporary French-speaking cultures. During this course, student-driven interest will help guide the exploration of themes related to culture, global issues and contemporary life in the French-speaking world, using various forms of media and film. Each semester approaches specific themes, such as the colonial experience, the Second World War, the search for the self, cultural diversity, exile, and others. Online newspapers, social media, and television are a few of the tools students use to explore these themes. Film, music, art and literature give voice to complex issues, help students connect with themes and events, and provide another avenue for analyzing and exploring cultural viewpoints. Students are expected to consolidate their language skills through discussion, debate and project-based assessment. This class is taught primarily in French.

AP French Language and Culture

1 credit; full year
Prerequisite: French IV and departmental recommendation

The aim of this course is to further develop overall language proficiency within a cultural framework, reflective of the richness and diversity of Francophone language and culture. Through task-based communicative activities, students develop and refine their ability to speak and write in various settings, styles and registers. Students listen and read extensively and are exposed to a variety of literary and journalistic styles through traditional and contemporary media. The study of topics of literary and contemporary interest, such as global challenges, contemporary life, personal identity, provides the basis for in- and outside class activities and assessments. Grammatical structures, new vocabulary and idiomatic expressions are embedded within the units. This course is conducted in French and prepares students for the AP French Language and Culture exam.

Advanced French: Literature

1 credit; full year
Prerequisite: AP French Language and Culture and/or departmental recommendation

This course takes the form of an exploration of identity through literary texts taken from the French-speaking world. It is designed to introduce students, who have advanced language skills, to the formal study of a representative body of literary texts (the essay, the novel, the play and poems) and to enable students to formulate and express critical opinions derived from close textual analysis. Class discussion, essay writing and the presentation of a final project, all in French, are crucial components of the course and are weighted accurately. Students enter this course with a high level of proficiency in French, and continue to develop their command of the language through reading, discussing and writing about literature. This course is conducted in French.

*reading intensive course

Spanish

Spanish I

1 credit; full year

This course introduces students to the Spanish language and immerses them in the culture of the Spanish-speaking world. Novice-level vocabulary and grammatical structures are introduced in a situational and cultural context with the aim of building proficiency across the three modes of communication: interpretive, interpersonal and presentational. Through the exploration of authentic and adapted materials, students develop their basic real-world communication skills and their understanding of perspectives based on the products and practices encountered throughout the course. The class is conducted in Spanish to the greatest degree possible to develop aural-oral competency.

Spanish II

1 credit; full year
Prerequisite: Spanish I or departmental recommendation

Building on the content and skills acquired in Spanish I, this course aims to deepen the learner’s understanding of Spanish-speaking cultures and to develop their proficiency across the three modes of communication: interpretive, interpersonal and presentational. Novice-level vocabulary and idiomatic structures are reviewed and expanded upon, aiming to consolidate students’ ability to conduct basic daily communication in real-life situations. Students are also expected to read and listen to authentic audiovisual materials rooted in the cultural contexts of each unit and to speak and write about them. This course is conducted primarily in Spanish.

Spanish III

1 credit; full year
Prerequisite: Spanish II or departmental recommendation

Building on the content and skills acquired in Spanish I and II, this course aims to deepen the learner’s understanding of Spanish-speaking cultures and to develop their proficiency across the three modes of communication: interpretive, interpersonal and presentational. Intermediate-level vocabulary and idiomatic structures are reviewed and expanded upon, aiming to consolidate students’ ability to explain, narrate, express opinions and give advice in real-life situations as they progress in the intermediate level. Students explore cultural perspectives as they read and listen to authentic and adapted audiovisual materials rooted in the thematic and cultural contexts of each unit in order to speak and write as in the real-world. This course is conducted primarily in Spanish.

Spanish IV

1 credit; full year
Prerequisite: Spanish III or departmental recommendation

This course is designed for students who would like to further their knowledge of Spanish and the Spanish-speaking world. The goals of this course are to further develop proficiency across the three modes of communication, advance critical thinking ability, and enhance cultural and global awareness. Students are expected to communicate in Spanish using more complex language structures and express abstract ideas with reasonable fluency. In this course, language proficiency is interwoven with level-appropriate cultural studies. A variety of adapted and authentic materials support the linguistic and cultural goals of the course, and acquaint students with a range of syntax, lexis and style in Spanish, enabling students to develop an authentic feel for the language. This class is conducted primarily in Spanish.

Spanish Culture and Language through Film and Media

½ credit per semester; semesters I & II
Prerequisite: Spanish IV, Spanish AP Language or departmental recommendation

This course may be taken as a semester or yearlong course. Students who take the course during semester I must take it again in semester II to fulfill the language requirements for a full credit.

This course is designed for students who have successfully completed Spanish IV or Spanish AP Language and would like to further their knowledge of Spanish and the Spanish-speaking world. The goals of this course are to further develop proficiency across the three modes of communication, advance critical thinking ability, and enhance cultural and global awareness, and their understanding of contemporary Spanish-speaking cultures. Student-driven interests help guide the exploration of themes related to culture, global issues and contemporary life in the Spanish-speaking world, using various forms of media and film. Online newspapers, social media and television are a few of the tools students use to explore these themes. Film, music, art and literature give voice to complex issues, help students connect with themes and events, and provide another avenue for analyzing and exploring cultural viewpoints. Students are expected to consolidate their language skills through discussion, debate and project-based assessment. This class is taught primarily in Spanish.

AP Spanish Language and Culture

1 credit; full year
Prerequisite: Spanish IV and departmental recommendation

This demanding course aims to enable students to understand spoken and written Spanish in a variety of contexts and to develop a high level of proficiency in oral and written expression in three modes of communication: interpretive, interpersonal and presentational. As this is a second-year university course, students listen and read extensively and are exposed to a variety of literary and journalistic styles through traditional and contemporary media. Advanced grammar topics and idiomatic structures are embedded in a thematic context, but not reviewed. Therefore, students are expected to have a thorough command of Spanish grammar and adequate vocabulary resources to communicate at an advanced level. The study of topics of literary and contemporary interest provides the basis for regular essay writing and participating in class discussions. All enrolled students are expected to take the AP Spanish Language and Culture exam, and thus should expect regular testing to practice and hone the six essential skills found on the exam. This course is conducted in Spanish and students are expected to not only speak in Spanish during class, but also to present in front of their peers in Spanish.

*reading intensive course

AP Spanish Literature and Culture

1 credit; full year
Prerequisite: AP Spanish Language and Culture and/or departmental recommendation

This course uses a thematic approach to introduce students to representative texts (short stories, novels, poetry, plays and essays) from Peninsular Spanish, Latin American, and US Hispanic literature. Students develop proficiencies across the three modes of communication (interpretive, interpersonal and presentational) in the range of ‘intermediate high’ to ‘advanced mid’ of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages’ (ACTFL) proficiency guidelines. Through careful examination of the required readings and other texts, students work to hone their critical reading, listening and analytical writing skills. Literature is explored within the contexts of its time and place, and students gain insights on the many voices, historical periods and cultures represented in the required readings and other texts. The course also includes a strong focus on cultural, artistic and linguistic connections and comparisons, which is supported by the exploration of various media (art, music, film, articles and literary criticism). This course is conducted in Spanish.

*reading intensive course