Grades 5 & 6 | Full Year
This course aims to help students cultivate an appreciation for Chinese culture, while also developing basic communicative skills in Mandarin Chinese. In addition to listening and speaking practice, a limited number of basic characters are also introduced. Songs, games, and other age-appropriate activities are integral parts of the class. Students who complete this course will be qualified for Chinese B.

Grades 6 & 7 | Full Year
Chinese B builds on the basics of the Mandarin Chinese language acquired in Chinese A. Students delve more deeply into Chinese culture and continue to expand their communicative skills in Chinese through age-appropriate activities. Emphasis will be placed on speaking and listening, but the students will also develop basic reading and writing skills. Through the study of significant Chinese customs and traditions, as well as topics related to daily life, the students gain a greater appreciation of one of the world’s oldest cultures. Students who complete this course will be qualified for Chinese C. Prerequisite: Chinese A or the equivalent.

Grades 7 & 8 | Full Year
Chinese C builds on the language skills acquired in Chinese A and B. Much emphasis is given to oral work, but written skills are stressed, as well. Students also continue to expand their understanding of Chinese culture. Activities include games, skits, oral interviews, and songs, which aim to build the skills the student will need to communicate in Chinese. Students who complete this course will be qualified for Chinese II. Prerequisite: Chinese B or the equivalent.

Grades 7-10 | Full Year
This course is for new students in seventh and eighth grades who have had little or no previous experience in Mandarin Chinese, as well as those students who require a stronger foundation before proceeding to the next level. It focuses on the development of basic communicative skills and an introduction to Chinese culture. Much emphasis is given to oral work, but students will also develop their reading and writing skills. Activities include games, skits, oral interviews, and songs, which aim to build the skills the student will need to communicate in Chinese. Students completing this course will be qualified for Chinese II.

Grades 8-10 | Full Year
A continuation of Chinese C, Chinese I-MS, or Chinese I-US, this course emphasizes the acquisition of vocabulary through situational conversations. Students continue to develop their communicative skills for listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The study of grammar is incorporated into the learning and practice of communication. The use of the computer to input Chinese characters is also introduced. Prerequisite: Chinese C or Chinese I.

Grades 9-12 | Full Year
This course emphasizes listening, speaking, and reading. Students also learn to write short passages. Units cover topics related to the students' lives, such as sports, dating, travel, and social issues. Vocabulary expansion and increased command of grammatical structures will give students a stronger understanding of Chinese language and culture. Prerequisite: Mandarin Chinese II.

Grades 10-12 | Full Year
Students in Chinese IV continue to develop their proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Course themes include Chinese history, geography, and education. Vocabulary expansion and increased command of grammatical structures will enable students to communicate more effectively in Chinese and to gain a deeper appreciation of Chinese culture. Prerequisite: Chinese III.

Grades 11-12 | Full Year
Chinese V aims to enable students to communicate in authentic Chinese while systematically exploring Chinese politics, culture, society, and history. The course has two primary goals: to accelerate building vocabulary and to help students master important but difficult grammar, words, and phrases. During the introduction of new material, students will have opportunities to review and strengthen skills gained in previous classes. Increased emphasis is placed on the use of linking words and phrases that will give students the tools to express their opinions coherently in extended discourse. Prerequisite: Chinese IV.

Grade 12 | Full Year
This course continues to develop students' conversational abilities through daily use of the target language. Students will further develop their listening and speaking skills, but particular emphasis will be given to reading and writing Chinese characters and expanding vocabulary. Different aspects of Chinese culture and society will be explored through movies, research projects, class discussions, and multimedia programs. This course promotes cultural awareness and communicative proficiency. Prerequisite: Chinese V.

Grade 12 | Full Year
Senior Chinese-Honors is designed for students who have completed the AP Chinese Language and Culture course. The class aims to increase students' preparedness for daily use of the language and to provide insights into Chinese culture. It covers a wide range of material in terms of vocabulary, grammar, listening, and writing skills. An increased focus on handwriting also prepares students for college placement examinations. Prerequisite: AP Chinese Language and Culture or Chinese V (with teacher recommendation). Limitation: Department Chair approval required.

Grades 5 & 6 | Full Year
Latin A will introduce students to the basic vocabulary, grammar, and syntax of the Latin language. While the emphasis will be on the written value of the language, students will learn correct pronunciation and the elements of conversational Latin. Beyond studying the principles of the language, students will also channel their inner Roman, even assuming a Roman identity. They will learn about Roman names and their social significance, the geographical extent of the empire and its general history, Rome's influence on the modern European map, and the designs of Roman homes and their impact on modern residential living.

Grades 6 & 7 | Full Year
In Latin B, students will continue to broaden and deepen their study of the Latin language, both expanding their knowledge of Latin vocabulary and learning in greater depth the declensions and conjugations of this inflected language. Students will also continue to practice conversational Latin. Complementing their study of the language, the students will study Rome itself, with a special focus on urban design, public works, and public entertainment. Prerequisite: Latin A.

Grades 7 & 8 | Full Year
In Latin C, students will complete their study of the five Latin declensions and the four verb conjugations. The study of the passive voice will cap off our examination of the indicative mood. The class will read various stories about the characters in the Trojan War, including the Trojan refugee Aeneas, the legendary founder of the Roman race. In both the legends and the language of the Romans, students will see patterns of belief and ethical values that continue to inform our daily life in the modern world. All students take the National Latin Exam. Students who complete this course will be qualified for Latin II. Prerequisite: Latin B.

Grades 7 & 8 | Full Year
Latin I-MS is designed for students who are new to St. Mark’s in the seventh and eighth grades or for those who require a stronger foundation before moving to the next level. The course is a systematic introduction to the language, culture, and history of the ancient Romans. In terms of the language, students will concentrate on building a fundamental Latin vocabulary while learning and applying the concepts of case, number, gender, tense, declension, and conjugation. The course instills in its students sound habits of mind and cultivates organizational, analytical, and mnemonic skills. The class reads various mythological stories focusing on the characters in the Trojan War, including the Trojan refugee Aeneas, the legendary founder of the Roman race. In both the legends and the language of the Romans, students will begin to see patterns of belief and modes of expression that continue to inform our daily life in the modern world. All students will take the National Latin Exam. Students who complete this course will be qualified for Latin II.

Grades 8-10 | Full Year
This course is the continuation of Latin C, and it retains the emphasis on building and strengthening students’ knowledge of the fundamentals of Latin grammar and vocabulary. In the latter part of the year, students begin to encounter more sophisticated forms of expression that involve the passive voice, participles, and infinitives. Students learn by reading passages authored by real Romans. Our study of Latin greatly enhances students’ understanding of the English language, exposes them to the world of ideas that is the origin of the humanistic tradition, and provides a valuable foundation for understanding the Romance languages. Time also is devoted to the study of various topics in Roman civilization, including architecture, mythology, and daily life. All students will take the National Latin Exam in the spring and will be encouraged to participate in Junior Classical League competitions. Prerequisite: Latin C, Latin I, or the equivalent.

Grades 9-12 | Full Year
Latin III builds upon the foundation formed in the earlier levels and usually completes the study of Latin grammar. Our study of advanced grammar and syntax focuses largely upon the complex verbal system, especially upon the subjunctive mood and its various applications. To supplement and exemplify advanced grammatical concepts, students read the myth of Perseus, the biographies of Roman heroes, and take a quasi-tour of ancient Rome. The Latin texts will become gradually but incrementally more complex, culminating in a reading of an authentic biography of Hannibal. The close relationship between Latin and English continues to serve as a regular topic of instruction. Roman history and culture of the republic will be the focus of additional study. Over the course of the year, students continue to gain an appreciation of the pervasive influence of Latin and the ancient Romans on their own world. All students will take the National Latin Exam in March and will be encouraged to participate in Junior Classical League competitions. Prerequisite: Latin II or the equivalent.

Grades 10-12 | Full Year
An advanced intermediate Latin level reading course, Latin IV aims to refine students' mastery of grammar and vocabulary and to develop their ability to read prose and verse genres of Latin literature. The first half of the year is devoted to reading prose, as students study selections from Cicero's legal, philosophical, and epistolary works. The poetry of Ovid takes center stage in the latter half of the year when the class reads tales from his mythological epic, the Metamorphoses. Students become acquainted with literary and rhetorical devices that distinguish the authors and works we read and deepen our understanding of their intentions. Learning to discuss and write about Latin literature becomes an important focus during the spring. The examination of individual authors will be supplemented by the study of contemporary political, historical, and cultural topics. Throughout the year, students will practice Latin composition, an exercise that enhances appreciation of Latin grammar, syntax, and idiom. As always, the students will be asked to make relevant connections between the language, history, and culture of the Romans and our own age. All students will take the National Latin Exam in the spring and will be encouraged to participate in Junior Classical League competitions. Prerequisite: Latin III or the equivalent.

Grades 11-12 | Full Year
What is a hero? This question will be the central question of our studies in Latin V. Epic poetry, both in Latin and in English translation, will comprise the arena of our investigation. In the fall, students will study, in Fagles’ translation, Homer's Iliad, the first poem to question the meaning of military heroism. At the same time, students will translate Latina Mythica II: Troia Capta, stories from the downfall of Troy. This adaptation of the Homeric epic then sets the stage for the study of Rome's great masterpiece, The Aeneid, a poem that offers a healthy alternative to the Homeric hero. Reading the original Latin and an English translation, students will study the first two books of Vergil's poem. As always, they will be encouraged to take the National Latin Exam and to participate in the Texas State Junior Classical League. Students will be encouraged to enroll in AP Latin as a culmination to their study of Classics. Prerequisite: Latin IV or the equivalent.

Grade 12 | Full Year
As its title implies, this course is designed for students who have completed eleventh-grade Latin or the Advanced Placement syllabus. In this course, students will spend the first half of the year studying, through primary and secondary Latin sources, the rise and fall of the Roman Republic. The second half of the year offers students the option of studying specific Latin authors in greater depth or of learning the basics of ancient Greek. As always, the class will consider the modern relevance of the themes and ideas presented in our studies. The course, finally, will bring into focus a fascinating age in Roman history, and it will serve as a fitting capstone to students’ careers in classics at St. Marks. Students will be expected to take the National Latin Exam in the spring and will be encouraged to participate in Junior Classical League competitions. Prerequisite: AP Latin or Latin V. Limitation: Department Chair approval required.

Grades 11 & 12 | Full Year
AP Latin is designed to provide advanced students with a rich and rigorous course, approximately equivalent to an upper-intermediate college or university course. Students who successfully complete the course are able to read, understand, translate, and analyze Latin poetry and prose. The syllabus concentrates on translating selections of two important literary works: The Aeneid, Vergil’s great epic poem about the Trojan prince Aeneas’ mission to fulfill his destiny and establish a new home in Italy; and Julius Caesar’s Gallic War, a historical, first-hand account of Caesar’s subjugation of ancient France. Classes will revolve around the close analysis of the Latin text for content, stylistic features, and historical context. This course will prepare students to take the AP Latin Exam in the spring. All students will take the National Latin Exam in the spring and will be encouraged to participate in Junior Classical League competitions. Prerequisite: Latin IV (with teacher recommendation), or Latin V. Limitation: Department Chair approval required.

Grades 5 & 6 | Full Year
Spanish A-Beginning is for those students who have had little or no previous exposure to Spanish and for students who receive a recommendation after fourth-grade Spanish. This course develops basic communication skills in Spanish, with a focus on listening and speaking. Songs, games, and other age-appropriate activities are integral parts of the class. The course aims to develop the boys' confidence in Spanish, as well as an appreciation of Hispanic cultures. Students who complete this course will be qualified for Spanish B.

Grade 5 | Full Year
Boys in Spanish A-Continuing further develop basic communication skills in Spanish and an appreciation of Hispanic cultures. In addition to expanding their vocabulary, the students increase their understanding of the structure of the language and become more comfortable speaking Spanish. Writing skills are also introduced. Songs, games, and other age-appropriate activities are integral parts of the course. Students who complete this course will be qualified for Spanish B. Prerequisite: Fourth-grade Spanish at St. Mark’s or the equivalent.

Grades 6 | Full Year
Spanish B is for students who have completed Spanish A-Beginner or Spanish A-Continuing at St. Mark’s (formerly called Beginning Spanish and Basic Spanish) or who qualify via placement testing. Spanish B is designed to continue to develop students’ proficiency with the Spanish language while increasing their understanding of Hispanic cultures. Activities encourage students to expand their vocabulary by focusing on topics they can use to describe the world in which they live (the school day, meals, hobbies and activities, and locations). The course also focuses on developing a basic understanding of the structure of the language, with an emphasis on the correct usage of present-tense verbs. While ample attention is given to listening and speaking, students develop reading and writing skills by practicing the written language in a variety of contexts—first in simple sentences and eventually in short paragraphs. Throughout the year, the acquisition of these language skills is supported through the use of games, puzzles, and other age-appropriate activities. Prerequisite: Spanish A-Beginner, Spanish A-Continuing, or the equivalent.

Grades 7 & 8 | Full Year
This course is for students who have completed Spanish B (formerly called Elementary Spanish A) at St. Mark’s or who qualify via placement testing. The students will further their understanding of the structure of the language while building their communicative skills. Students learn to talk about hobbies, celebrations, the home, shopping, vacations, community involvement, television, and technology. Much emphasis is given to oral work, but written skills are stressed, as well. Students also continue to expand their understanding of the cultures of the Hispanic world. Activities include games, skits, oral interviews, and songs, which aim to build the skills the student will need to communicate in Spanish. Students completing this course will be qualified for Spanish II. Prerequisite: Spanish B or the equivalent.

Grades 7 & 8 | Full Year
Spanish I-MS is a beginning course for students in seventh and eighth grade with little or no previous experience in the language, for those students who qualify by placement testing, or for those students who require a stronger foundation before moving to the next level. All four basic foreign language skills are taught through a multimedia approach utilizing audio, video, print, and online resources. Class is conducted almost entirely in Spanish, and priority is given to developing communicative skills in the target language. In addition, a strong emphasis is placed on learning about the cultures of the Spanish-speaking world. Activities include games, skits, oral interviews, and songs, which aim to build the skills the student will need to communicate in Spanish. Students completing this course will be qualified for Spanish II.

Grades 9-12 | Full Year
Spanish I-US is a beginning course for Upper School students with little or no previous experience in the language, for those students who qualify by placement testing, or for those students who require a stronger foundation before moving to the next level. All four basic foreign language skills are taught through a multimedia approach utilizing audio, video, print, and online resources. Class is conducted almost entirely in Spanish, and priority is given to developing communicative skills in the target language. In addition, a strong emphasis is placed on learning about the cultures of the Spanish speaking world. Students completing this course will be qualified for Spanish II.

Grades 8-10 | Full Year
This course aims to lead students toward intermediate proficiency in all communicative areas: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. A special focus of the class involves introducing students to the tools necessary for recounting past experiences. A wide variety of topics is considered along the way, including the school day, shopping, running errands, competitions, the news, cuisine, and trips. Cultural and historical perspectives are considered from many parts of the Spanish-speaking world, including but not limited to Mexico, Spain, Costa Rica, and Puerto Rico. Class activities include games, communicative work in pairs or small groups, videos, and audio exercises—all of which serve to facilitate the development of strong communicative skills. Prerequisite: Spanish C, Spanish I, or the equivalent.

Grades 9-12 | Full Year
This course is designed to further develop students’ communicative skills by providing them with a strong grammatical base and an expanded vocabulary. The narrative thread of the film Sol y viento is woven throughout the course, while music, art, legends, folk tales, and poetry offer additional insights into the cultures of the Spanish-speaking world. Oral communication is a continued focus, but students at this level also read and write more extensively. Prerequisite: Spanish II or the equivalent.

Grades 10-12 | Full Year
This advanced-level Spanish course focuses on continued vocabulary acquisition and a thorough review and expansion of grammatical structures, with an emphasis on refining listening, speaking, and writing skills. Unique to this course is a study of Spanish civilization, beginning with the geography and history of Spain. Major Spanish artists and their works will also be studied, and the art unit will culminate in a field trip to the Meadows Museum on the SMU campus. In addition, short films, selected short stories, and music in Spanish will be used throughout the course as additional resources. This class is conducted almost exclusively in Spanish, and students are expected to use the target language in class whenever possible. Prerequisite: Spanish III or equivalent.

Grades 10-12 | Full Year
Students who have demonstrated a high level of ability and competence in Spanish are nominated for Spanish IV-Honors. This course moves at a faster pace than the non-honors course, requiring a greater degree of self-direction on the part of the student. Grammatical studies delve more deeply into the intricacies of the language, with limited review of previously taught structures. A high level of proficiency in Spanish is developed through readings about Spanish history and Hispanic culture, listening comprehension exercises, compositions, and class discussions. Various resources such as music, Internet articles, and movies in the target language provide insight into the cultures of the Hispanic world. The course is taught entirely in Spanish, and students are expected to use the target language at all times. Prerequisite: Spanish III or equivalent. Limitation: Department Chair approval required.

Grades 11-12 | Full Year
This course is designed to enhance proficiency in Spanish through the study of Latin American history and culture. Students gain insight into Latin America through cultural and historical readings, Latin American short stories, films, music, and student presentations. Particular emphasis is given to the development of skills needed for effective oral communication and creative and expository writing. The course seeks to solidify previously-learned grammatical structures while introducing more advanced grammatical concepts. Vocabulary acquisition is another important component of the course. Prerequisite: Spanish IV.

Grade 12 | Full Year
Senior Spanish is designed for students in the twelfth grade who elect not to enroll in AP Spanish Language and Culture or AP Spanish Literature and Culture but wish to maintain and enhance their use of Spanish. It seeks to develop those skills necessary for communication in real life activities, such as the expression of ideas and feelings, and those needed to function satisfactorily while traveling or residing abroad. Significant emphasis will be given to speaking skills, as well as to cultural understanding. Other components of the course include movies and selected readings. Prerequisite: Spanish V or AP Spanish Language & Culture.