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.

  • French 5

    The goal of 5th grade French is to allow students to build upon their growing vocabulary and increase their fluency. Students study vocabulary and grammatical structures that enable them to talk and write about daily life in the present tense, as well as interact with their peers, using mainly the target language. They learn to identify and use common sentence components, such as articles, adjectives, verbs and nouns, and practice combining these elements to create accurate sentences. They learn to talk about themselves and their family, including physical description, their likes and dislikes, months, numbers, body parts, sports and music. Students study the present tense of -er verbs, avoir, être and faire, as well as interrogative and negative sentences. They are introduced to the diversity of the Francophone world and cultures, to develop an appreciation for their similarities and differences. In accordance with the Modern Language Department's mission, our teachers are committed to provide a safe and inclusive learning space for all students, where all students feel represented, valued and heard. 

    Students use the textbook and workbook from Adomania 1 (Etapes 0 to 4). Videos, songs, games, and interactive websites are used to further the students' understanding and foster their interest in the language and culture.

    5 periods per cycle

  • French 6

    In 6th grade French, students continue to work on building their vocabulary and improving their listening and speaking skills. They are encouraged to communicate even more frequently in French during class by engaging in conversations, dialogues, skits, group activities and presentations. There is growing emphasis placed on writing at this stage, and students learn to write in more detail and with greater accuracy. They also learn to use online dictionaries to support their writing and reading. New 6th grade topics include school life, sport, clothes, daily routine and the house. One of the highlights of 6th grade French is the celebration of the feast of Mardi Gras which gives students the opportunity to explore a cultural tradition and compare how this particular event is celebrated around the world. It culminates in a “goûter” where students prepare and eat “crêpes”. Throughout the year, students are exposed to different customs and traditions that permeate the French-speaking world. In accordance with the Modern Language Department's mission, our teachers are committed to provide a safe and inclusive learning space for all students, where all students feel represented, valued and heard. 
     
    Students use the Adomania 1 (Etapes 5 to 8) textbook and accompanying workbook. Toward the end of the year, they read a short story set in Giverny. Videos, songs, poems, games, and interactive websites are also used to further the students' understanding and foster their interest in the language and culture.

    5 periods per cycle

  • French 7 Foundations

    7th grade French foundations is an introductory level course in which students study basic grammatical concepts and learn to express themselves using the present. Emphasis is placed on accurate pronunciation and communication for everyday situations. We learn how to ask and answer questions, and describe things and people in detail. We study and compare various aspects of life in the French speaking world, such as families, professions, pastimes and daily activities, school life, the city, food and health. We study the present tense of -ER verbs including reflexives as well as common irregular verbs such as être, aller, venir, and faire. Students are exposed to different customs and traditions that permeate the French-speaking world, thus developing their understanding of Francophone countries and their cultures. In accordance with the Modern Language Department's mission, our teachers are committed to provide a safe and inclusive learning space for all students, where all students feel represented, valued and heard. 

    Students use the workbooks and textbook from #LaClasse A1. Toward the end of the year, they read a short story set in Giverny. Video clips, songs, poems, games, and interactive websites are also used to further students' understanding and interest in the language and culture. 
     
    5 periods per cycle

  • French 7

    In 7th grade French, oral communication remains important, and speaking and listening skills are practiced daily. However, more time is spent on reading and writing than in Grades 5 and 6. Students build on their existing vocabulary and are encouraged to use previously learned and newly acquired grammatical structures to produce more detailed and complex writing. Topics of discussion include travel, the city, transportation and how to ask for directions, food, grocery shopping and cooking, feelings, friendship and health, and the press.  We review the present tense, including regular -ir verbs as well as common irregular verbs like prendre, devoir and partir, and in the second semester, we learn the passé composé. Students practice their writing skills through a pen pal exchange with students from Lyon, France. Continued emphasis is placed on the understanding and celebration of the French-speaking world and its many cultures. In accordance with the Modern Language Department's mission, our teachers are committed to provide a safe and inclusive learning space for all students, where all students feel represented, valued and heard. 

    Video clips, songs, poems, games, and interactive websites are used to further students' understanding and interest in the language and culture. Students use the workbook and textbook from Adomania 2, as well as the reader Une Étrange Disparition.
    5 periods per cycle

  • French 8

    8th grade French builds on the skills and competences developed in French 5, 6 and 7. While speaking and listening remain paramount, wider vocabulary and more advanced grammatical concepts allow students to engage in more challenging readings and more elaborate writing assignments. Topics of discussion include aspects of identity (family, place of living, likes and dislikes), travel, food, pastimes, plans and projects, media, and professions. Students review the present tense of irregular and regular verbs, and study the perfect and  imperfect tenses, as well as the imperative. Great emphasis continues to be placed on the exploration and understanding of the socio-cultural makeup of France (mainland and overseas), and of the French speaking world. In accordance with the Modern Language Department's mission, our teachers are committed to provide a safe and inclusive learning space for all students, where all students feel represented, valued and heard. 

    Students use the workbook and textbook from #LaClasse A2 as well as the reader (short story) Des Voisins Mystérieux . Video clips, songs, poems, games, and interactive websites are used to further students' understanding and interest in the language and culture.

    5 periods per cycle

  • French 8 Foundations

    8th grade French Foundations builds on the skills and competences developed in 7th grade French Foundations. While speaking and listening remain paramount, students learn to develop further their reading skills and by the end of the year are expected to be able to read and understand texts covering topics that they are familiar with. Greater focus is also placed on writing; students learn to write more complex sentences that integrate more advanced grammatical concepts. Students review the present and future tense of regular and irregular verbs, and learn to talk about past events using the passé composé. Topics of discussion include aspects of identity (family, place of living, likes and dislikes), travel, food, pastimes, plans and projects, media, and professions. Great emphasis continues to be placed on the exploration and understanding of the socio-cultural makeup of France (mainland and overseas) and of the French speaking world. In accordance with the Modern Language Department's mission, our teachers are committed to provide a safe and inclusive learning space for all students, where all students feel represented, valued and heard. 

    Students mostly use the workbook and textbook from #LaClasse A1 as well as the reader (short story) Top Secret. Video clips, songs, poems, games, and interactive websites are used to further students' understanding and interest in the language and culture.

    5 periods per cycle

  • Spanish 5

    The goal of 5th grade Spanish is to allow students to build upon their growing vocabulary and increase their fluency. They improve their listening and speaking skills,while approaching readings and creating conversations that gradually increase in length and complexity. Students are encouraged to communicate as much as possible in the target language; they study vocabulary and grammar that allow them to interact with each other and talk about their life at home and at school. They learn to describe friends, the house, and clothes. Some of the new grammatical themes include: the present tense of regular and some irregular verbs and adjectives in Spanish. They are exposed to the numerous cultures of the Spanish-speaking world, and develop a better understanding of their diversity and uniqueness. In accordance with the Modern Language Department's mission, our teachers are committed to provide a safe and inclusive learning space for all students, where all students feel represented, valued and heard. 

    Video clips, songs, poems, games, magazines and interactive websites are used to further students' understanding and interest in the language and culture. The required books for this course are: Encuentros II, Vista Higher Learning, edit. 

    5 periods per cycle

  • Spanish 6

    In  6th grade Spanish, students continue to work on building their vocabulary and improving their listening and speaking skills. They are encouraged to communicate even more frequently in Spanish during class by engaging in conversations, dialogues, skits, group activities and presentations. There is more emphasis placed on writing at this stage, as students learn to write paragraphs, letters, journal entries, etc. New 6th grade topics include hobbies, daily routine, healthy habits and travel. In addition, students learn to conjugate some irregular verbs in the present tense, reflexive verbs, present continuous and are introduced to the past tense. They are exposed to various customs and traditions that permeate the Spanish-speaking world, and learn to appreciate their differences and similarities. In accordance with the Modern Language Department's mission, our teachers are committed to provide a safe and inclusive learning space for all students, where all students feel represented, valued and heard. 

    Video clips, songs, poems, games, magazines and interactive websites are used to further students' understanding and interest in the language and culture. The required books for this course are: Encuentros II, Vista Higher Learning, edit; as well as the reader Haciendo Camino.

    5 periods per cycle

  • Spanish 7 Foundations

    7th grade Spanish foundations is an introductory level course in which students learn to express themselves using basic grammatical concepts . Significant focus is placed on accurate pronunciation and communication for everyday situations. Students explore topics such as family, personal description, school and daily activities, food, health and celebrations. We study the present tense of verbs including common irregular verbs, impersonal verbs like gustar as well as the preterite of regular verbs. Students are exposed to various customs and traditions of the Spanish-speaking world, and learn to appreciate their differences and similarities. In accordance with the Modern Language Department's mission, our teachers are committed to provide a safe and inclusive learning space for all students, where all students feel represented, valued and heard. 
     
    Video clips, songs, games, and interactive websites are also used to further students' understanding and interest in the language and culture.  The required books for this course are: Encuentros I, Vista Higher Learning, as well as the reader, Haciendo Camino. 

    5 periods per cycle

  • Spanish 7

    In 7th grade Spanish, oral communication remains important, and speaking and listening skills are practiced daily. However, more time is spent on reading and writing than in Grades 5 and 6. Students build on their existing vocabulary and are encouraged to use previously learned and newly acquired grammatical structures to produce more detailed and complex writing. We  focus on family relationships, shopping and carnavales; grammar topics include the present tense in its irregular forms, the preterit and object pronouns. Continued emphasis is placed on the understanding and celebration of Hispanic countries and their respective cultures. In accordance with the Modern Language Department's mission, our teachers are committed to provide a safe and inclusive learning space for all students, where all students feel represented, valued and heard. 

    Video clips, songs, poems, games, magazines, and interactive websites are used to further students' understanding and interest in the language and culture. The required books for this course are: Encuentros II, Vista Higher Learning edit; as well as the reader "Un día en Ciudad de México," Edit Difusión.

    5 periods per cycle

  • Spanish 8

    In 8th grade Spanish, students learn to express themselves in greater detail as they acquire a more sophisticated vocabulary and have a greater understanding of advanced grammatical concepts. While speaking and listening remain paramount, students engage in more elaborate writing assignments and more demanding readings. We  focus on traditions, cooking, health, and current events. Students learn to express themselves using the preterit, imperfect,  present perfect,future, conditional; and imperative. Great emphasis is placed on the understanding and celebration of Hispanic countries and their cultures. In accordance with the Modern Language Department's mission, our teachers are committed to provide a safe and inclusive learning space for all students, where all students feel represented, valued and heard. 
     
    Video clips, songs, poems, games, magazines, and interactive websites are used to further students' understanding and interest in the language and culture. Students exercise several skills such as research, oral presentations, essay writing, listening and reading comprehension. The required books for this course are:  Encuentros II, Vista Higher Learning, edit; as well as the reader Un día en Buenos Aires, Difusión, edit.

    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.