Learning a modern language and gaining insight into its culture(s) are important routes both to increased selfawareness, and to increased international understanding. Learning a modern language is therefore an integral part of a Putney education. Putney currently offers two modern languages, French and Spanish. The department’s primary goal is for students to become active and proficient at communicating in the new language. From the start, students are immersed in speaking, listening, reading, and writing; they learn by doing. In the process, everyone is expected to make mistakes, take risks, and gradually build skills for using a new language. Students learn about Hispanic and Francophone culture through readings, discussions, movies, visiting speakers, songs, and occasional trips. In both French and Spanish, classes are offered at six levels, with more advanced classes offered, as needed, either as tutorial courses or as additional classes. To graduate, students who are native speakers of English must successfully complete either through level 3 of a foreign language, or 3 years of foreign language study at Putney. A student who arrives with only two years of a language that Putney does not offer (Chinese, Latin or German, for example) will be required to study either French or Spanish for two to three years at Putney. Allowance may be made on a case-by-case basis for any exceptions to this rule, at the discretion of the Language Department and the Academic Dean, in discussion with the student and family.

Modern Language Courses

Spanish 1 (full credit)

In the beginning course of study in Spanish, students’ goals are two fold: to be able to use basic Spanish in speaking, listening, writing and reading, and to acquire study skills necessary to learn a new language. Spanish 1 students work to become proficient at discussing family, school, errands, travel, and hobbies, both orally and in writing, and to read and write short paragraphs and letters—using dictionaries and textbooks—to enhance their study. Students are expected by the end of the course, to understand Spanish spoken at a measured pace, to gain basic comprehension from Spanish spoken at a normal pace, and to learn strategies to cope with the gaps in their comprehension.

Spanish 2 (full credit)

This course builds on students’ skills in speaking, listening, writing and reading basic Spanish. Continuing with the commitment to speak as much Spanish as possible, students study the vocabulary, grammar, and idiomatic expressions used in talking about oneself, past events and situations, daily routines and habits, and the future. Feature films/documentaries, readings, and songs provide topics for conversation and writing, review of basic grammar, and a source of new structures and vocabulary. Small group and pair work both allow opportunities to practice speaking. Student progress is evaluated through written and oral work, including tests, homework, and class participation.

Spanish 3 (full credit)

The goal of this course is for students to sharpen their skills in speaking, listening, reading and writing, as well as to increase their knowledge of Spanish-speaking cultures. Students entering Spanish 3 should have a solid background in basic Spanish grammar, and feel more or less at ease using past, present, and future tenses to talk about basic topics such as family, school, daily routine, and interests. Students read and respond to a range of material written for native and nonnative speakers (folk tale, poetry, interview, novella), and watch movies and welcome nativespeaking visitors to class, to augment cultural exposure and to practice listening comprehension. Students keep dialogue journals in Spanish. Assessment of student progress is based on class participation, written exams, and oral presentations. The class is conducted in Spanish.

Spanish 4 (full credit)

The focus of this course is on understanding the language as spoken and written by and for native speakers, and on making oneself understood in daily interaction with them. Students entering Spanish 4 should have a basic grasp of all indicative tenses plus the imperative mode. Students read, write about, and discuss short stories, poetry, and a play, by Latin American and Spanish writers such as Rulfo, Matute, García Márquez, and Neruda. They watch films and documentaries from Spain and Latin America as a basis for discussions of Spanish-speaking cultures and their historical and contemporary reality. Assessment is based on class participation, written work, and oral presentations. Class is conducted entirely in Spanish.

Advanced Spanish and Latin American Literature 1 and 2 (full credit; half credit by advance permission only)

This course is an advanced reading, writing, and discussion class. It does not seek to be an overview of all Spanish-speaking literature, but allows students to focus on a few pieces of great literature, in their historical and cultural contexts. Texts are selected based on instructor and student interest, and on individual and group levels of fluency. In the past, students have read such works as El amor en los tiempos del cólera, by Gabriel García Marquez, La casa de Bernarda Alba, by Federico García Lorca, and short stories by Matute, Borges, Rulfo, Allende and others. Grammar is reviewed or explained as needed. Increased oral proficiency, improved listening comprehension, and improved fluency in reading and writing are all considered critical. Presentations, for which students conduct research and produce a written report, are an important component of the class, along with essays and translations. Class is conducted entirely in Spanish.

French 1 (full credit)

In the beginning course of study in French, students’ goals are two-fold: to be able to use basic French in speaking, listening, writing and reading, and to acquire study skills necessary to learn a new language. French 1 students work to become proficient at discussing family, school, errands, travel, and hobbies, both orally and in writing, and to read and write short paragraphs and letters to enhance their study. Students are expected, by the end of the course, to understand French spoken at a measured pace, to gain basic comprehension from French spoken at a normal pace, and to learn strategies to cope with the gaps in their comprehension.

French 2 (full credit)

This course builds on students’ skills in speaking, listening, writing and reading basic French. Continuing with the commitment to speak as much French as possible, students study the vocabulary, grammar and idiomatic expressions used in talking about oneself, past events and situations, daily routines and habits, and the future. Small group or pair work provides opportunities to practice dialogues and add personal content. We also watch French movies such as Amélie and La Vie en Rose. Student progress is evaluated through written and oral work, including tests, homework and class participation.

French 3 (full credit)

The goal of this course is for students to sharpen their skills in speaking, reading, writing, and listening as well as to increase their knowledge of French culture and literature. Students entering French 3 should have a solid background in basic French grammar and reading, and feel somewhat at ease using the past, present and future tenses when speaking about basic topics such as family, hobbies, likes and dislikes. Students cover a complete study of the indicative tenses and a solid introduction to the present and past subjunctive at this level. Evaluation of student progress includes grammar tests, essays, oral interviews, presentations, class participation and comprehension of various reading selections. Students are expected to communicate in French at all times.

French 4 (full credit)

This course is a reading, writing and discussion class. The grammar focus is on perfecting the use of the indicative and subjunctive tenses as well as the small details of good usage. Students improve their reading, essay writing, and speaking skills to prepare them for advanced classes in Francophone literature and for world travel. Students read from a wide variety of news sources and literature selections, listen to French news, and speak about current topics in French and world culture. Students are expected to function entirely in French throughout the class. Evaluations are based on class participation, written and oral exams, oral presentations and interviews.

Advanced Francophone Literature 1 and 2 (full credit; half credit by advance permission only)

This course is an advanced reading, writing, and discussion class with a changing curriculum so students can take it more than once. Each century unit begins with students working on short biographies of the most important authors, the listing of their major pieces and their themes. Students then pick a piece to study and begin in-depth research of the historical and cultural context of the chosen work. Students present their work to the class to inform our reading. As we read, grammar and vocabulary are reviewed (or introduced) as needed for comprehension and furthering of everybody’s language skills. Discussion is a key component of the group work. As well as the short and long presentations mentioned above, students translate, write essays (in response to the text, or in the style of the text) and prepare grammar lessons for their own use.