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Foreign Languages
Students at Montgomery Bell Academy have the opportunity to take five years of Latin, a college-paced year of Classical Greek, four years of French, four years of German, and four years of Spanish, all culminating in at least one Advanced Placement Examination. In language competitions, our students consistently score among the top foreign language students in the nation. Program Descriptions Classical Languages: The Latin program comprises five levels: Latin I and II (required of all students entering before grade 10), Latin III, AP Latin: Vergil, AP Latin: Lyric. Students entering Montgomery Bell Academy at the 10th grade are encouraged to take a three-year Latin sequence, unless they have already studied Latin or have already begun the study of a modern language; if, however, they prefer to substitute one of the modern languages in fulfillment of the language requirement, they may do so, although they will normally be expected to continue their foreign language study through the twelfth grade. The two Advanced Placement courses are offered each year; students enrolled in Latin IV or Latin V are combined in the same course and may choose to study either Vergil's Aeneid or the poems of Catullus and Horace, depending on the students' individual interests. At the discretion of Latin II instructors, students may be recommended for one of the Advanced Placement courses instead of Latin III. The Greek course is a college-paced introduction to classical Greek (i.e., the course covers the same material as two college semesters of Classical Greek). Open to juniors, but designed for seniors, this course carries Honors-level designation. Modern Languages: The modern language program comprises four years each of French, German, and Spanish. Credit in the first-year course for graduation requirements is contingent upon completion of a two-year sequence in the modern language, except in the case of seniors enrolled in a first-year course. In courses above the beginning level, separation of students in regular- and honors-level classes may be done at the discretion of the instructor, provided that prior scheduling approval has been obtained and that the work expected of the honors-level students is substantially greater than that expected of students in the regular class(es). Currently Honors-level classes are available in French II, French III, Spanish II, and German III (no regular section). Advanced Placement courses are available in French IV (language or literature), German IV (language), and Spanish III (language) and IV (literature). Common matters pertaining to both Classical and Modern Languages: Summer school attendance: Eighth-grade students who fail Latin I are not required to attend summer school; they may repeat the course as ninth-graders, but they must be aware that they will lose an elective choice in their high school curriculum. The instructor will make a clear recommendation, in writing, at the conclusion of the year, stating whether or not it would be preferable for the student to attend summer school or to repeat, but the decision will rest with the student and his family, understanding the loss of a high school elective possibility. High school students who fail any foreign language course are required to attend summer school (provided that the average for the year is 60 or above; for second semester or year's failure below 60, the department will determine whether summer school is a feasible option). In all foreign language courses, the second semester may balance out a first-semester failure. Continuing courses: Any course which is followed by a required course at the next level is considered a continuing course. In continuing courses, the second semester must be passed in order for the student to be promoted to the next level. This applies to all first-year foreign language courses and to Latin II for students taking Latin III in fulfillment of their language requirement. In principle, any student continuing his study of a foreign language to the next level above II is expected to pass the second semester; enrollment in the next level for students who do not pass the second semester will be contingent upon summer school work. Semester weights: The year's grade for students in all first-year foreign language courses is figured by counting the first semester average once and the second semester average twice, on the premise that much of the first semester is spent in learning very basic elements and how to study the language. Useful Links
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Montgomery
Bell Academy's Foreign Language Department offers courses in Latin, Greek, French,
German, and Spanish. The graduation requirement involves at least two years
of Latin, followed by either a third year of Latin or at least
two years of a modern language sequence. For students entering at the tenth
grade or later, the Latin component of the requirement is strongly encouraged
but not mandatory, for the reason that students at grade ten or later are already
expected to be involved in a foreign language sequence.