Curriculum Detail

Discover Our Curriculum

Modern Languages

   With the knowledge that language and communication are at the heart of the human experience, teachers of the Trinity Modern Languages Department are deeply committed to helping students develop the skills they need for engagement in a diverse global community. Linguistic, cultural, and literary tools aid students in building bridges to other peoples and cultures.

     We instill enthusiasm for language study by designing joyful and meaningful learning experiences. Language acquisition is both challenging and rewarding; we ask our students to lean into their discomfort, be vulnerable, take risks, and embrace mistakes, all while reflecting on their growth and understanding of others along the way.

     Pivotal to our work are safe and inclusive learning spaces for all students in our Modern Language classes. Teachers and students bring multiple aspects of their identities to the classroom, and we acknowledge and celebrate these intersectionalities openly. We strive to establish a community where all voices are equally valued and worthy of representation and respect. At all levels of study, students engage in comparative analysis of themes common across humanity, such as self, family, education, and housing. Students learn to deconstruct and challenge stereotypes and biases and explore individual and unique identities. Our core courses and electives delve into ethnicity, gender, class, and other social identifiers. Authentic materials such as pictures, music, literature, films, plays, and articles are designed and chosen to offer diverse imagery and representation and promote engaging discussions, research, and a celebration of the diversity of the cultures studied in our classrooms.

     Working closely with the Global Engagement Department and Public Service Office at Trinity, we provide our students with opportunities to use their modern language skills to actively “engage with the larger communities of the city, nation, and world we are a part of.” We also encourage our students to reflect on their roles locally, nationally, and globally. Through the study of language, we aim to prepare students to become global citizens who are knowledgeable, responsible, empathetic, curious, confident, and internationally-minded.



Graduation requirement: three years of Latin or a Modern Language (three credits) or two years completing level IV; typical sequence in Modern Language is level II, III, and IV; typical sequence in Classics is Prose, Vergil, and Poetry.

  • FRENCH 1

    This is a rigorous introductory level course in which students study basic grammatical concepts and key vocabulary for everyday interactions. Topics studied relate to personal information; for example, self and family, school, personal preferences, shopping, pastimes and travel. Emphasis is placed on accurate pronunciation and on communication in the target language. Students learn to express themselves orally and in writing through skits, paragraph compositions and in-class presentations. As students are introduced to Francophone cultures through film or documentary clips, stories, poems, and songs, they develop their listening and reading comprehension skills.

    5 periods per cycle

  • FRENCH II/REVIEW

    This course builds on the knowledge and skills acquired in the introductory level. Students increase their oral and written proficiency while developing reading skills, studying French grammar, and learning all tenses of the indicative. Students learn to express themselves creatively through presentations and skits. They are exposed to Francophone cultures through authentic documents such as video clips, articles and films. Students who excel in the course are allowed to move to French III Honors with the permission of the Department Head.

    Prerequisite: French I/Review and the permission of the Department Head
     
    5 periods per cycle

  • FRENCH II HONS

    This course emphasizes the precise acquisition of grammar and the development of vocabulary. In addition to being a language course, this class introduces a systematic examination of Francophone countries and regions through authentic materials such as film and documentary clips, articles, short stories, poems, and songs. Students learn to express themselves creatively through presentations and skits, and also engage in discussions based on readings, video clips and films. Students further develop their writing skills through various types of creative and analytical compositions and essays. With Le Petit Prince, they discover a complete literary text in French and use the vocabulary and grammar they have studied to engage in depth with the story. Students who excel in the course are allowed to move to French III Honors with the permission of the Department Head.
     
    5 periods per cycle

  • FRENCH III

    The goal of this intermediate course is for students to further develop their oral, reading and written proficiency so that they may be able to communicate their ideas clearly and with confidence. Major grammar concepts are reinforced through extensive conversational work and practice. Students practice their speaking skills through skits, presentations, and discussions on authentic documents, video clips and films. Aspects of French history and Francophone cultures provide the focus for our class discussions. Students who excel in the course may move to an advanced class with the permission of the Department Head.
     
    Prerequisite: French II or French II Honors and the permission of Department Head

  • FRENCH III HONS

    French III Honors transitions students from an intermediate to an advanced level of French. The course is designed to help students attain a virtually error-free command of French grammar, and to simultaneously broaden students’ knowledge of the language and culture of French speaking countries. Students review prior grammar and then go on to deepen and reinforce their use of all modes and tenses. French III Honors greatly increases vocabulary, both thematic and reading-based. 
    Through presentations and discussions of news videos, music clips and films, students further develop their reading and speaking skills in preparation for advanced French language courses. Readings include short stories, poems, and one major literary work. Students who excel in this course may continue in Advanced French IV with the permission of the Department Head.
     
    Prerequisite: French II or French II Honors and the permission of the Department Head
     
    5 periods per cycle

  • FRENCH IV

    The goal of French IV is for students to improve their language skills and increase their proficiency   as they learn to use a wide variety of materials and media to explore themes of particular interest to them. Students review prior grammar topics and then go on to deepen and reinforce their understanding and use of more complex language concepts. Readings include poems, plays, short stories, magazines and newspaper articles, as well as a short novel by Eric Emmanuel Schmitt’s Mr Ibrahim et les Fleurs du Coran. Students who excel in this course may continue in Advanced French Conversation with the permission of the Department Head. 
     
    Prerequisite: French III or French III Honors and the permission of the Department Head
     
    5 periods per cycle

  • ADV. FRENCH IV LANGUAGE

    This advanced course is built around four main units: the environment and health issues, science and technology, the family, community and the building of individual identity, and finally, the arts and aesthetics. These topics are examined through two different lenses: the French-speaking world, and the students' individual experiences.  The class includes individual and collective examination of newspaper articles and literary texts, as well as general discussions of videos and other media. The examination of many issues discussed over the year, such as the family, community, and identity culminates in the reading of Eric Emmanuel Schmitt’s Mr Ibrahim et les Fleurs du Coran. The course further develops students’ advanced reading, listening, speaking and expository writing skills while reviewing major points of French grammar. The assessment focus is on participation in daily class discussions as well as original work, produced in groups - such as projects and presentations - and individually - in the case of essays and creative writing. When possible, students also have the opportunity to practice their language skills in real life communication settings, by participating in projects involving the French-speaking communities of New York. They also present and lead the class in mini discussions on topics of personal interest. Students who excel in this course may continue in Advanced French Conversation or Advanced Francophone Literature. 
     
    Prerequisite: French III or French III Honors and the permission of the Department Head
     
    5 periods per cycle

  • ADV. FRENCH CONVERSATION

    The objective of this advanced year-long course  is to increase and improve students’ conversational and presentational techniques in French, through the exploration of France and the French-speaking world. While the development of oral skills is the main focus of the course, students are given plenty of opportunities to hone all their language skills. Fall semester topics include a historical, political and cultural exploration of the regions of France and of the French-speaking world; an exploration of the French cinema from 1934 to today, and discussions around current events. In the second semester, we explore Surrealism and its expression through visual arts, cinema, and literature, as well as topics of identity, immigration and integration, with a focus on the lives of African American artists in France in the 20th century. Throughout the year, students choose additional topics of discussions that focus on personal, moral, societal and social issues. Students’ oral presentations be based on authentic texts and documents, as well as artistic works (movies, etc.). 
     
    Prerequisite: French III Honors (Seniors only), French IV or Adv. French IV Language, and the permission of the Department Head
     
    Seniors may elect to take only the first or second semester of this course and receive 1/2 credit.

  • ADV. FRANCOPHONE LITERATURE: WORDS, SOUNDS & PICTURES

    This advanced year-long course uses conventional and non-conventional means to study the works of various Francophone authors. 
    In the first semester, Molière at 400, Timeless and True, we explore Molière’s place in French theater and French culture as a whole as he writes about the foibles of his time. Recognized as a spectacular playwright during his lifetime, Molière is still relevant today. Whether it is describing avarice in L’Avare, bigotry in Le Tartuffe ou l’imposteur, or the eternal seducer in Dom Juan (play and opera), Molière’s keen observations remain just as pertinent today as they were when he created these archetypes. We will study his plays within the historical and social context of the 17th century and focus on the universal and timeless aspects of his plays as we look at the social and religious criticism in his works. We will also discuss his descriptions of the treatment of women in a changing French society. We will include the interplay of music and dance in his works as we look at the interludes woven into some of the plays and at how his works can be adapted to the societal changes occuring in the 21st century.
    In the second semester, we explore how texts become the inspiration for films and B.D.’s (comic strips), two major forms of artistic expressions in French culture. Camus’s L'Étranger is re-examined through an alternative literary text, based on L'Étranger’s character “l’Arabe”, in Kamel Daoud’s Meursault, contre-enquête. We explore Marjane Satrapi's autobiographical graphic novel Persepolis and its later animated version familiarize students with the creation of new literary and artistic forms. Finally, in Petit Pays, Gaël Faye’s semi autobiographical novel and its cinematographic adaptation, we explore a child’s perception of ethnic strife and how it affects family and country. Students have the opportunity to learn about the contemporary world and discuss postcolonialism and the consequences of decolonisation. The chosen works foster conversations on issues of gender, the relationships between socio-economic classes, racial and religious identity, as well as tolerance.  As a culminating project, students may have the opportunity to produce their own creative work, be it a short B.D., a scene from a play, a chapter from a novel or a movie trailer. Interested students may also participate in the French Theater Festival held every year at the LFNY. Students who excel in this course may continue in Advanced French Conversation. 
    Seniors may elect to take only the first or second semester of this course and receive 1/2 credit.
     
    Prerequisites: Adv. French IV Language and the permission of the Department Head
     
    5 periods per cycle

  • SPANISH I

    This is a rigorous beginners course in which students study basic grammatical concepts and learn to comprehend and express themselves in the present, past, and near future tenses. Emphasis is placed on communication for everyday situations and on correct pronunciation/phonetics. Students work on writing through the composition of short personal essays and stories and are introduced to Hispanic cultures through films, stories, and songs.

    5 periods per cycle

  • SPANISH II

    This course reinforces and builds on the knowledge and skills acquired at the introductory level. Students increase their oral and written proficiency while studying Spanish grammar and culture. More tenses of the indicative are studied, and students are introduced to the subjunctive. Students learn to express themselves creatively through  conversation in class, presentations and skits. They learn about Spain, Latin America, and the Latinx population in the U.S. through original audio, video, and textual sources. Students who excel in the course are allowed to move to Spanish III Honors with the permission of the Department Head.
     
    Prerequisite: Spanish I/Review and the permission of the Department Head
     
    5 periods per cycle

  • SPANISH II HONS

    This course is similar in content and methodology to Spanish II, but it treats the study of grammar and vocabulary with more depth and has greater expectations for complex usage. Texts include more authentic short stories and fewer edited materials; these materials serve as a basis for class discussion and writing on cultural topics. Emphasis is placed on oral participation, mastery of basic grammatical concepts, and accurate written work. Students who excel in the course are allowed to move to Spanish III Honors with the permission of the Department Head.
     
    Prerequisite: Spanish I/Review and the permission of the Department Head
     
    5 periods per cycle

  • SPANISH III

    The goal of this intermediate course is for students to further develop their oral, reading and written proficiency so that they may be able to communicate their ideas clearly and with confidence. Major topics of grammar (including the past subjunctive) are reinforced through extensive conversational work and practice. Students experience aspects of Hispanic culture and current events through films, music, podcasts and articles. With Lazarillo de Tormes, they discover a complete literary text in Spanish and use the vocabulary and grammar they have studied to engage in depth with the story. Students who excel in the course may move to an advanced class with the permission of the Department Head.
     
    Prerequisite: Spanish II or Spanish II Honors and the permission of the Department Head
     
    5 periods per cycle

  • SPANISH III HONS

    Spanish III Honors transitions students from an intermediate to an advanced level of Spanish. The course is designed to help students attain a virtually error-free command of Spanish grammar, and to simultaneously broaden students’ knowledge of the language and culture of Spanish-speaking countries. Students review prior grammar and then go on to deepen and reinforce their use of all modes and tenses. Spanish III Honors greatly increases vocabulary, both thematic and reading-based, for use in students’ Spanish base. Authentic texts of Spain and Latin America are studied (such as stories by Rosario Castellanos, Octavio Paz, Elena Poniatowska, and José Milla), and students are expected to be able to recognize and describe works by artists such as Diego Velázquez, Frida Kahlo, Fernando Botero, etc. Articles on cultural topics and current events are also read and discussed. Students who excel in this course may continue in Advanced Spanish IV with the permission of the Department Head.
     
    Prerequisite: Spanish II or Spanish II Honors and the permission of the Department Head
     
    5 periods per cycle

  • SPANISH IV

    The goal of this course is for students to improve their language skills and increase their proficiency  as they learn to use a wide variety of materials and media to explore themes of particular interest to them. Readings include poems, plays, short stories, magazines, and newspaper articles. Students who excel in this course may continue in Advanced  Spanish Culture and Cinema of the Spanish Speaking World, or Advanced Spanish: Women Write the Americas, with the permission of the Department Head.
     
    Prerequisite: Spanish III or Spanish III Honors and the permission of the Department Head
     
    5 periods per cycle

  • ADV. SPANISH IV LANGUAGE

    This advanced course is built around four main units: family and communities, science and technology, arts and beauty, and finally, individual and community identities. These topics are studied through three different lenses: the world, the Spanish-speaking world, and the student’s individual experience. Through literary texts, newspaper articles, videos and other media, students are introduced to these topics. Students develop advanced listening, speaking, and expository writing skills while thoroughly reviewing Spanish grammar. The assessment focus is less on quizzes and tests, and more on original, creative work - produced individually or in groups - such as projects and presentations. Students present Noticiero projects on topics of personal interest and lead the class in mini discussions of their chosen topics. Students who excel in this course may continue in Advanced  Spanish Culture and Cinema of the Spanish Speaking World,  Advanced Spanish: Women Write the Americas or  Advanced Spanish Literature. 
    Prerequisite: Spanish III or Spanish III Honors and the permission of the Department Head
     
    5 periods per cycle.

  • ADV. SPANISH LITERATURE

    This advanced year-long course introduces students to major works of different genres in Peninsular and Latino American Literature. Students are expected to read, analyze, discuss, and write essays about contemporary and earlier texts. They study the work of literary writers of all ages, women writers, as well as writers from diverse ethnic backgrounds such as: Pablo Neruda, Gabriel Garcia Marquez,Julio Cortazar, Carlos Fuentes, Juan Rulfo, Isabel Allende, Emilia Pardo y Bazan, Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz and Federico García Lorca. Through readings and discussions, students gain a better understanding of literary genres and techniques, as well as of the interaction of literature with political, social and cultural context relevant to each historical period. Students who excel in this course may continue in Advanced  Spanish Culture and Cinema of the Spanish Speaking World,  or Advanced Spanish: Women Write the Americas.

    Prerequisite: Adv. Spanish IV Language and the permission of the Department Head
     
    Seniors may elect to take only the first or second semester of this course and receive 1/2 credit.
     
    5 periods per cycle. 

  • ADV. SPANISH CULTURE & CINEMA OF THE SPANISH SPEAKING WORLD

    The objective of this advanced year-long course is to increase and improve students’ conversational and presentational techniques in Spanish, through the exploration of culture in the Spanish speaking world. While the development of oral skills is the main focus of the course, students are given plenty of opportunities to hone other language skills: we read, write and present. We discuss social justice topics such as immigration and dictatorships in Latin America and Spain in the 20th century. We also examine notions of identity and stereotypes. Other topics include the exploration and comparison of social media and art, music, food, relationships and lifestyles in Spanish-speaking countries and the students’ own cultures. Each unit concludes with the viewing of a film, which is followed by a class discussion. Students also read Spanish newspapers online and prepare presentations and debates on current news. Whenever possible, they practice the language in real life communication settings, either in the form of field trips around the city or through interactions with native speakers of Spanish both within and outside our own community. Students who excel in this course may continue in Advanced Spanish: Women Write the Americas or  Advanced Spanish Literature. 

    Prerequisite: Spanish IV or Adv. Spanish IV Language and the permission of the Department Head

    Seniors may elect to take only the first or second semester of this course and receive 1/2 credit.

    5 periods per cycle

  • MANDARIN I

    The goal of this course is for students to learn basic conversational Mandarin and learn how to read and write Chinese characters. Since Mandarin is a tonal language, tones and pronunciation are emphasized. The building blocks for written Chinese are introduced. Students are introduced to basic aspects of the history and culture of China.
    5 periods per cycle

  • MANDARIN II

    This course reinforces and builds on the knowledge and skills acquired at the introductory level. Conversational skills are emphasized as students acquire more vocabulary and are taught more complex grammatical structures in Chinese. The study of written characters continues in tandem with increased vocabulary and expanded grammatical skills. As their proficiency increases, students move towards more academic and robust analytical and creative writing.
     
    Prerequisite: Mandarin I and the permission of the Department Head
     
    5 periods per cycle

  • MANDARIN III

    This course is taught in Chinese to support the development of students’ listening and speaking skills. Popular Chinese idioms (Cheng yu) and Chinese songs are also introduced to improve students’ fluency, increase their exposure to the Chinese language and culture, and reinforce their learning.
    Prerequisite: Mandarin II and the permission of the Department Head
    5 periods per cycle

  • MANDARIN IV

    This course is taught in Chinese to provide students with increased opportunities to develop fluency in spoken and written Chinese. Previously learned grammar concepts and vocabulary are reinforced through conversational work and practice before more advanced vocabulary and grammatical structures are introduced. To provide students with a better understanding and a deeper appreciation for the Chinese language and culture, proverbs, idioms, songs and poems are introduced in this class  
     
    Prerequisite: Mandarin III and the permission of the Department Head
     
    5 periods per cycle

  • ADV. MANDARIN

    The main objective of this year-long advanced course is to develop students’ fluency in both spoken and written Chinese, through the continued exploration of Chinese traditional culture and modern society. More vocabulary and complex grammatical constructions are studied in this course. Students   examine Chinese poetry, idioms and festivals to enrich their understanding of traditional Chinese culture. Various topics on modern China (the last emperor, reform and open up policy, one-child policy, different life habits in China, minority ethnic groups, modern Chinese history, etc) are also included in this course. Emphasis is placed on advanced communication through the further development of interpersonal, interpretive and presentational skills in real-life situations. The course also aims to develop students’ awareness and appreciation of Chinese culture, ancient philosophy and values, social practices, as well as modern day global perspectives.  
    Prerequisite: Mandarin IV and the permission of the Department Head
     
    Seniors may elect to take only the first semester of this course and receive 1/2 credit.
     
    5 periods per cycle.
139 West 91st Street | New York, NY 10024-1326 | (212) 873-1650
Located on the Upper West Side of New York City, Trinity School is a college preparatory, coeducational independent school for grades K-12. Since 1709, Trinity has provided a world-class education to its students with rigorous academics and outstanding programs in athletics, the arts, peer leadership, and global travel.