Middle School Course Catalogue - 2025-2026
World Languages
World Languages
Click on a course name below to view more information.
Episcopal offers four world languages, Chinese, French, Latin, and Spanish, at the Middle School level. In 6th grade, a nine-week course introduces the study of language, its value, and helps students choose a language to start studying at Episcopal. In 7th and 8th grades, students complete Level 1 of a language, either through a two-year sequence in 7th and 8th grades or through a one-year course. These courses allow students to develop a foundational understanding of the language and an appreciation for the culture. Students will continue with the second level of language study in Upper School.
MS061S Introduction to the Study of Language (.25 credit)
Level: 6th grade
Length: Nine weeks
Description: This course will introduce students to the study of language. To help students see the value of learning a world language, they will be exposed to the connections between Chinese, French, Latin, Spanish, and English. Teachers of the four traditional world languages will teach the students more about their respective languages to help them make an informed decision about the language they wish to study in-depth in the middle and upper school divisions.
CHINESE
WC0710 Chinese 1A (1 credit)
Level: 7th grade
Length: Year
Description: Chinese 1A introduces the basics of the Chinese language and culture. Students begin to learn the Chinese characters from the word pictures to the modern characters. The tones and the pronunciation of the Chinese language are practiced daily. Students learn greetings, family vocabulary, hobbies, days, and times. They carry on basic conversations and learn the pinyin (phonetic symbols) and writing of the characters.
WC0810 Chinese 1B (1 credit)
Level: 8th grade
Length: Year
Prerequisite: Completion of Chinese 1A with a C- or above.
Description: After a thorough review of the Romanized pinyin, students continue to build upon the basic vocabulary and sentence structures previously learned in Chinese 1A. They engage in various classroom learning activities that strengthen what they acquired and increase their confidence in using the language. Chinese culture is integrated into the lessons.
WC0820 Chinese 1 (1 credit)
Level: 8th Grade
Length: Year
Description: This introductory Chinese language course is for students with little or no prior experience in the language. Pinyin (phonetic symbols) is used as a supplementary tool to learn the spoken language. Emphasis is placed on developing the student’s ability to use the language in everyday conversations. The goal of this class is to build a solid foundation for the student’s understanding of the Chinese language, as well as gain an understanding of and appreciation for Chinese culture.
FRENCH
WF0710 French 1A (1 credit)
Level: 7th grade
Length: Year
Description: Through in-class activities, discussions, and homework assignments, students begin to learn the basic foundations of French. Students develop listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in this class. Frequent speaking activities encourage students to experiment with new sounds and concepts, each one building students’ confidence. Developing second language learning skills for a variety of learning styles is emphasized. The study of French culture through music, art, food, and geography are all fun and important elements of learning the language. Through in-class discussions, watching videos, and playing games, French 1A students should be able to understand and engage in simple conversations and read and write at a novice level.
WF0810 French 1B (1 credit)
Level: 8th grade
Length: Year
Prerequisite: Completion of French 1A with a C- or above.
Description: Through in-class activities, discussions, and daily homework assignments, this course continues to build upon the vocabulary and grammatical structures previously learned in French 1A. Frequent speaking activities continue to build their fluency in the language. The study of French culture continues to be an integral part of learning the language. Through in-class discussions and the use of authentic materials, students should be able to understand and communicate basic thoughts and descriptions addressing a multitude of subjects by the end of the year.
WF0820 French 1 (1 credit)
Level: 8th grade
Length Year
Description: This course is an introductory French language course for students with little or no prior experience in the language. Students learn basic vocabulary and basic grammatical structures at a novice level. The goal of this course is to build a solid foundation for the student’s understanding of the French language, as well as gain an understanding of the cultures of the French-speaking world.
LATIN
WL0710 Latin 1A (1 credit)
Level: 7th grade
Length: Year
Description: The students learn basic Latin grammar, word forms, and vocabulary. They begin to apply this material to the translation of sentences and adapted Latin passages into English. In addition, they start exploring Roman mythology and begin studying the daily life of Romans. Students discuss English derivatives and how they relate to Latin roots.
WL0810 Latin 1B (1 credit)
Level: 8th grade
Length: Year
Prerequisite: Completion of Latin 1A with a C- or above.
Description: After a thorough review of the grammar learned in Latin 1A, emphasis is placed on more advanced grammar constructions. Students continue to use Latin vocabulary and word forms to translate Latin sentences and adapted passages into English. There is also further study of the history and culture of the Romans, mythology, and Latin and English vocabulary.
WL0820 Latin 1 (1 credit)
Level: 8th grade
Length: Year
Description: In Latin 1, students learn basic Latin grammar, word forms, and vocabulary. They begin to apply this material to the translation of sentences and adapted Latin passages into English. In addition, students examine Latin roots and their relationship to English vocabulary. While the focus is on the Latin language, Roman culture, history, and mythology are also studied.
SPANISH
WS0710 Spanish 1A (1 credit)
Level: 7th grade
Length: Year
Description: In this course, students begin to learn the foundations of Spanish. Through in-class activities, class discussions, and written assignments, students begin to develop the four language acquisition skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Additionally, students are exposed to Hispanic cultures through music, art, food, and geography. By the end of this course, students should be able to understand and engage in simple conversations and read and write at a novice level.
WS0810 Spanish 1B (1 credit)
Level: 8th grade
Length: Year
Prerequisite: Completion of Spanish 1A with a C- or above.
Description: Through in-class activities, discussions, and daily homework assignments, this course continues to build upon the vocabulary and grammatical structures previously learned in Spanish 1A. Frequent speaking activities continue to build their fluency in the language. The study of Hispanic culture continues to be an integral part of learning the language. Through in-class discussions and the use of authentic materials, students should be able to understand and communicate basic thoughts and descriptions addressing a multitude of subjects by the end of the year.
WS0820 Spanish 1 (1 credit)
Level: 8th grade
Length: Year
Description: This course is an introductory Spanish language course for students with little or no prior experience in the language. Emphasis is placed on developing the student’s students’ ability to use the language in everyday conversations, learning basic vocabulary and grammatical structures at a novice level. The goal of this class is to build a solid foundation for the student’s understanding of the Spanish language, as well as gaining an understanding of peninsular and Latin American cultures.