Languages

Other than the teacher being one of the coolest people I’ve ever met, there have been so many great things that came out of taking UPrep's Chinese language courses. We learned not only how to speak and sound authentic, but also how to understand the Chinese culture. Being able to put a smile on my grandparents’ faces as I converse with them in their native language is one of the greatest gifts UPrep has given me." –Joseph Yeung '21

UPrep's Middle School language program offers a broad introduction to language learning and culture. The courses develop students’ speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills, introduce basic grammar concepts, and begin to lay the foundation toward proficiency in the target language.

As preparation for communication in real-life situations is stressed, teachers design tasks and activities to give students opportunities to use the language in a variety of meaningful ways. The program also includes activities related to the process of studying a second language. A system of formative assessment guides students in meeting learning and performance goals.

Middle School students typically complete a three-part series (Levels A, B, and C) in grades 6-8.* The pace of the Middle School sequence allows for greater exploration of topics and cultural themes, as well as development of general study skills and good practices for language learning. Upon completion of the Level C course in Middle School, students will be placed into an Upper School course appropriate for their level of preparation.

*Students entering with an advanced background in a particular language may seek placement beyond the beginning level.

A group of Chinese A students explore Seattle's International District/Chinatown on a field trip.

Middle School French students learn about the culture of Cote D'Ivoire

French A students listen to a guest speaker share about the culture of Côte d'Ivoire.

Language Ignition (6th grade)

All sixth grade students begin their language study with an immersive experience during the first intensive term, whether they are placed in level A or beyond, or are enrolled in Learning Pathways.

Language Ignition introduces students to the language fundamentals and culture of Mandarin Chinese, French, or Spanish. Students select the language they will study during course registration the prior spring and do not take a language class during the first semester of sixth grade.

CHINESE I/A

6th grade
Intensive

This introductory course provides students with a firm foundation for further study. The course begins by exploring the language, culture, people, and land of the greater Chinese communities. Students learn the basics of spoken and written Chinese. Students are taught to read both traditional and simplified characters, but may choose to write only the traditional or the simplified ones. Course content focuses on communicating on topics relating to the individual: greetings, and asking and obtaining personal information such as names, ages, and favorite food items. Chinese I is offered every year. However, the course only runs when sufficient enrollment interest exists.

French A—LE PETIT ATELIER

6th grade
Intensive

Le Petit Atelier Français offers students an immersive cultural experience in which they develop communication skills in the target language. During the class, students speak French, sing songs, and do communicative activities. In addition to building vocabulary and practicing foundational grammar skills, students complete various projects, including a final “vision map” depicting their experience in the French Petit Atelier. Students visit local Francophone businesses and experiences. Guest speakers also bring their expertise and enthusiasm to share with students and create artifacts that allow exploration of the global Francophone world.

SPANISH IGNITION

6th grade
Intensive

This course focuses on creative and immersive experiences both in our vibrant city of Seattle and throughout Washington state. Field trips may include a Spanish-language radio station, sports stadiums, nonprofit organizations, art centers, and more. Students may attend the Latin American Film Festival, explore storytelling at Casa Latina, visit Spanish immersion schools, and learn about traditional Latin American music and dances. Students see how Spanish is used and experienced in the world outside the classroom.

Courses

CHINESE II/B

Middle & Upper School
Yearlong

This course builds upon the foundation established in Chinese I. Course content moves from topics relating to the individual to topics involving everyday life. Students learn to communicate about living functions, negotiate their way around places, interact with people, and express feelings. Print and video resources, as well as material available online, are used in this course. Chinese II is offered every year. However, the course only runs when sufficient enrollment interest exists.

CHINESE III/C

Middle & Upper School
Yearlong

This beginner-intermediate course contains an integrated suite of learning materials focused on communication and authentic language used in real-life contexts. Central among these materials is a 20-episode video series, filmed entirely on location throughout China, that includes a dramatic storyline, authentic model dialogues, and segments devoted to special aspects of Chinese culture and history. The course presents a carefully structured and cumulative approach to learning Mandarin Chinese. Students progress step-by-step from listening and speaking to the more challenging skills of reading and writing Chinese characters. The emphasis is on communicative skills; the primary goal of the program is to foster proficiency in everyday Chinese. Abundant exercises and learning activities are linked to the video episodes, while expanded learning opportunities are provided through self-paced interactive web activities, language games, an online learning community, and much more.

FRENCH A—MON EXPLORATION (MY EXPLORATION)

Middle School
Yearlong

In Français A, students learn basic conversational skills, fundamental grammar, and vocabulary, and undertake level-appropriate reading and writing activities. In addition to incorporating general study skills, supplemental materials introduce students to how the language varies in different parts of the world. Students learn songs, write and perform short skits, play games, cook traditional dishes, complete a variety of cultural and linguistic projects, and celebrate holidays and customs of the Francophone world. Students study a variety of terms, such as greetings, numbers, weather, telling time, school supplies, and colors.

FRENCH B—MA DÉCOUVERTE (MY DISCOVERY)

Middle School
Yearlong

French B deepens the practice begun in French A, further preparing students to use the target language in class and participate in interpersonal activities and projects. Students improve conversational skills, master more complex grammar, and broaden their vocabulary to discuss an array of everyday objects and situations. Students study a variety of themes, such as foods, restaurants, clothing, getting around town, describing one’s home, and chores. Throughout the course, students will practice all major skills: oral and written expression (speaking and writing), as well as oral and written comprehension (listening and reading), in French. In addition, they will develop cultural awareness of various regions of France.

FRENCH C—MON BIEN-ÊTRE (MY WELL-BEING)

Middle School
Yearlong

In this course, students are introduced to the past tense while reincorporating use of the present tense in speaking, listening, reading, and writing. This will include regular, irregular, and reflexive verb formations. The class is highly interactive and will incorporate a variety of digital tools and hands-on learning experiences. Students will collaborate on projects in the target language and begin to move beyond simple structures in oral and written communication. Vocabulary studies will include talking about your daily routine, favorite activities, travel, and family and pets. Culturally, students delve into Francophone North America, examining Québec, Louisiana, and other places with French heritage, and may incorporate regional recipes and stories into projects for class.

FRENCH I—MON EXPLORATION (MY EXPLORATION)

Middle & Upper School
Yearlong

In French I, students learn vocabulary and grammar points throughout their course of study. Students practice conversations, allowing them to describe their daily routine and their preferences on a variety of subjects. Additionally, students get the opportunity to work on their interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational skills. They study vocabulary related to numbers, expressions of time, food, hobbies, and sports. Students learn songs, write and perform short skits, play games, cook traditional dishes, and complete a variety of cultural and linguistic projects.

FRENCH II—MA COMMUNAUTÉ (MY COMMUNITY)

Middle & Upper School
Yearlong

In French II, students learn more complex grammatical structures in the present and past tenses, while also maintaining an immersion-style classroom speaking environment. The class is highly interactive and will incorporate a variety of digital tools and hands-on learning experiences. Under the umbrella theme “my community,” students use their French vocabulary for games, sports, travel, and more to communicate in written and oral situations. Students will explore the iconic sites of the Paris region in depth and use this vibrant city as a backdrop for transactional conversations with peers to express their plans, likes, and dislikes. Cultural studies will include Francophone music and artists, foods, and films.

Spanish B

Middle School
Yearlong

In Spanish B, students continue discovering the basic components of sentence structure, focusing on regular verb conjugations in the present tense, and are also introduced to more stem-changing verbs. Students go into depth with the grammar covered in level A. They produce more writing and gain more confidence in their speaking skills. Finally, they are introduced to the preterit tense. They deepen their abilities in the three modes of communication (interpretive, interpersonal, and presentational) in the target language.

Spanish C

Middle School
Yearlong

Students continue to widen their vocabulary and create more complex constructions. They are expected to be able to conjugate verbs in the present and preterit tense and dive into the many regular and irregular conjugations, with a focus on using them for a communicative purpose. They deepen their knowledge of stem-changing verbs and are introduced to the imperfect tense. Students are expected to communicate mostly in Spanish at this level. Their writing, reading, and speaking skills continue to improve. Through multimodal and cultural activities, students develop even further their abilities in the three modes of communication (interpretive, interpersonal, and presentational) in the target language.

Spanish I

Middle & Upper School
Yearlong

This course introduces students to language learning in general, focusing on various verb structures and other grammar points and idiomatic structures while making natural comparisons to their own language. Spanish I students develop study skills and memorization techniques that will enable them to learn vocabulary and grammar points throughout their course of study. Students practice conversations related to making acquaintances, talking about personal preferences, getting around town, and family relations. Additionally, students get the opportunity to improve their interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational skills through reading two short novels. They study vocabulary related to numbers, expressions of time, food, hobbies, and sports. Students learn songs, write and perform short skits, play games, cook traditional dishes, complete a variety of cultural and linguistic projects, and celebrate holidays and customs of the Hispanic world.

Spanish II

Middle & Upper School
Yearlong

Spanish II builds on the writing, speaking, listening, and reading skills established in Spanish I. This course focuses on the use of the preterit and imperfect tenses, as well as on object and reflexive pronouns. Students practice conversation skills by talking about such topics as travel, daily routines, professions, making plans for the future, comparing past and present events, and narrating past actions. Furthermore, students get the opportunity to improve their interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational skills through reading two short novels. The course provides a broad overview of the variety of cultures and linguistic differences across the Spanish-speaking world, with numerous short readings. In addition, the students work with a variety of media (stories, commercials, music videos, telenovelas, shorts, etc.) to help provide additional opportunities to hear native speakers use vocabulary and grammar in context and to infer meaning from context.