Curriculum Detail
SPL: Picker
Modern and Classical Languages
The Upper School language program inspires students to make connections among languages and between disciplines. All of the modern language classes stress communication and problem-solving through the practice of listening, speaking, reading and writing. At the beginning and intermediate levels, our Chinese, French and Spanish classes focus on developing oral proficiency, listening comprehension and knowledge of grammar. In advanced classes, students read and discuss longer passages and full-length works, as well as participate in discussions of contemporary issues. In Latin, students continue learning significant grammar and will start reading and translating works of Roman authors in both prose and poetry. Students will understand readings within each writer’s historical context as well as the reception and presentation of the “classical tradition” by subsequent generations. All modern and classical levels aim to nurture global citizenship by raising students’ awareness of diverse perspectives in local and global communities.
Students who wish to begin a new language may sign up for introductory Chinese, French, Latin and Spanish. Classes run contingent on enrollment.
Chinese Yearlong Courses
Chinese I: Introductory Chinese, level 1, 9–12
Chinese II: Introductory Chinese, level 2, 9–12
Chinese III: Intermediate Chinese, level 1, 9–12
Chinese IV: Intermediate Chinese, level 2, 10–12
Chinese V: Communications in Modern China, level 1, 11–12
Chinese VI: Advanced Chinese: Contemporary China in the Global Community and Its Relations with the US, 11–12
French Yearlong Courses
French I: Introductory French, part 1, 9–11
French II: Introductory French, part 2, 9–12
French III: Intermediate French, 9–12
French IV: Topics in French Literature and Culture, 10–12
French V: Studies in French and Francophonie, 11–12
French VI: Advanced French Literature: Literature and History of Ideas, 12
French II: Introductory French, part 2, 9–12
French III: Intermediate French, 9–12
French IV: Topics in French Literature and Culture, 10–12
French V: Studies in French and Francophonie, 11–12
French VI: Advanced French Literature: Literature and History of Ideas, 12
Latin Yearlong Courses
Latin I: Introduction to Latin, part 1, 9–11
Latin II: Introduction to Latin, part 2, 9–12
Latin III: Selected readings from Roman Authors, 9–12
Latin IV: Latin Literature: Gender and Power in Catullus and Cicero, 11–12
Latin V: Latin Literature: Virgil’s Aeneid, 11–12
Latin II: Introduction to Latin, part 2, 9–12
Latin III: Selected readings from Roman Authors, 9–12
Latin IV: Latin Literature: Gender and Power in Catullus and Cicero, 11–12
Latin V: Latin Literature: Virgil’s Aeneid, 11–12
Spanish Yearlong Courses
Spanish I: Introductory Spanish, part 1, 9–11
Spanish II: Introductory Spanish, part 2, 9–12
Spanish III: Intermediate Spanish, part 1, 9–12
Spanish IV: Intermediate Spanish, part 2, 10–12
Spanish V: Composition and Conversation, 11–12
Spanish VI: Language and Literature of the Spanish-Speaking World, 11–12
Spanish I: Introductory Spanish, part 1, 9–11
Spanish II: Introductory Spanish, part 2, 9–12
Spanish III: Intermediate Spanish, part 1, 9–12
Spanish IV: Intermediate Spanish, part 2, 10–12
Spanish V: Composition and Conversation, 11–12
Spanish VI: Language and Literature of the Spanish-Speaking World, 11–12
Middle & Upper School
Lower School
Athletic & Educational Facility
A K-12 independent school in New York City, The Spence School prepares a diverse community of girls and young women for the demands of academic excellence and responsible citizenship.
212-289-5940
© 2025 Spence School
212-289-5940
© 2025 Spence School
