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Students are encouraged to undertake the study of a foreign language while at Buxton. Aside from the sheer pleasure of mastering listening, reading, speaking and writing skills in a second (or third) language, foreign language study enables students to hone their understanding of the subtle and complex relations among the world’s peoples. In the course of this effort, there are excellent opportunities for an appreciation of cultural and literary traditions and increasing an awareness of the history and current issues facing other countries and societies where the target language is spoken.
In the beginning courses, topics are divided into short segments and the focus is on basic skills and vocabulary acquisition. At the higher levels, students are expected to concentrate on understanding and expressing complex ideas while continuing to study grammar and to increase their use of idiomatic expressions. (Foreign language study can also increase understanding of the grammar and usage in one’s primary language.) The frequent use of cooperative projects encourages students to learn from each other and to understand that they have a personal responsibility for contributing to the class effort. Extracurricular arts activities such as performing songs in a second language, the creation and production of foreign language videos and plays, and the presentation of creative writing are strongly encouraged.
(full year)
This course, a study in the basics of Indonesian (Malay) language, will focus on grammar, vocabulary and conversation. The course is open to students who have completed the third year of another foreign language.
(full year)
Levels I and II introduce beginning students to basic reading, writing, and listening skills using an immersion approach. Students are exposed to the richness and diversity of Hispanic culture. These courses are designed to provide the students with basic and intermediate grammar so that they can engage in conversation about daily life in different speaking styles, to develop a general knowledge about Spanish culture, and to introduce students to Hispanic literary texts from both sides of the Atlantic. The first term is dedicated to reviewing grammar and to introducing more complex grammatical patterns that will enable the student to gain a better proficiency of the Spanish language. During the second term, oral skills will be improved through class conversations. Finally, students will take on more advanced readings in Spanish. The selections will be diverse, ranging from comics to serious literary texts. More activities, like cooking, plays, typical games, and celebrations of Hispanic National Holidays will be scheduled during the year. The language used in class will be mainly Castilian, with special emphasis on Hispanic-American forms to provide the students with a real practical language they will be able to use in their future interactions.
Level III emphasizes an intensive grammar review. Written skills are stressed through composition, creative writing, and poetry. Coursework and class discussion will focus on Spanish and Latin American history and culture. Language immersion is a constant at this level.
Level IV is mainly a literature course in which short stories, novels, plays, and poetry are studied in depth. A general review of grammar is included as well. Works by Calderón de la Barca, Miguel de Unamuno, Federico García Lorca, Rubén Darío, Gabriela Mistral, Gabriel García Márquez, Claribel Alegría, and Pablo Neruda are studied, in addition to Latin American myths and legends. Students will be capable not only of expository reading and writing, but of more critical literary analysis, engaging with literary movements, authors, styles, works, genres and literary terms. By the end of the year, students will be able to produce college-level academic essays.
Level V is an advanced conversation and literature course.
(full year)
Levels I and II stress basic language skills with emphasis on reading, writing, and conversation and offer glimpses into the cultural life of the French-speaking world.
Level III presents an intensive grammar review along with an introduction to modern French prose. Written expression is stressed through frequent compositions. A full-length novel or play is read during the last term.
Level IV, while including a review of grammar, is primarily a literature course in which complete novels, plays, and poetry are studied in depth. Works studied in recent years include medieval poetry and tales; novels by Guy de Maupassant, André Gide, Jean-Paul Sartre, Albert Camus, Marguerite Duras, and Jean-Marie-Gustave Le Clézio; plays of Jean Baptiste Molière; and works of major poets such as Charles Baudelaire, Stéphane Mallarmé, Paul Verlaine, and Arthur Rimbaud.
Level V is an advanced literature course and is individually arranged.
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