Languages

Recognizing the Bay School’s commitment to the global community, we believe that the study of another
language, and its associated culture, is essential. The overall objectives of the program include the development
of language skills, both oral and written, and a cultural objective, i.e., an acquaintance with and appreciation
of a different people, their history, civilization, and customs.

Spanish and Mandarin Chinese are the two core foreign languages taught at the Bay School. Students who have
previously studied French are given entrance placement tests to confirm their readiness to continue their study
of French on a second year, high school level. Latin will be offered in future years based upon the level of
student interest.

• Spanish 1
• Spanish 2
• Spanish 3
• Spanish 4
• Spanish 5
• Mandarin Chinese 1
• Mandarin Chinese 2
• Mandarin Chinese 3
• Mandarin Chinese 4
• Mandarin Chinese 5
• French 2
• French 3
• French 4
• French 5

Elective Courses—2007-2008
France et la Provence
Taught entirely in French, this twelve week course examines and explores the French PACA region, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, and compares and contrasts its various landscapes, lifestyles, arts,and industries to the other regions of the country.

The course introduces students to the history, geography, and culture of La Provence through the study of literature, film, music, art, and cuisine. Students will read a variety of novels and view films by: Marcel Pagnol, (Le Chateau de Ma Mere, La Gloire de Mon Père, Jean de Florette, Manon des Sources), Alphonse Daudet, (Lettres de Mon Moulin), and Peter Mayle, (Une Année en Provence and France Toujours) as the basis of their study. The literary readings and films focus on the five regions of La Provence with an emphasis on the cities of Nice, Marseille, Aix-en-Provence, Avignon, Nîmes, Orange and Arles. The novels will be accompanied by a historical outline and review of Ancient and Gallo-Roman Provence, Medieval and the Golden Age Provence, Classical Provence and the Belle Époque, and Pre and Post-War Provence. Students will learn about the culture and the traditional ways of Provençal life through the study of film and art work by Cezanne, Chagall, Picasso, Matisse, Renoir and van Gogh. Hands-on activities such as playing a game of boules, preparing regional dishes, planting flowers and herbs, making perfumes and soaps, and building a traditional Provençal village will give students an opportunity to experience samples of the Provençal life.

Occupational Spanish
Occupational Spanish is an advanced level language class, taught entirely in Spanish, which teaches students the necessary skills and tools that they will need to communicate and work effectively and elegantly in a professional setting with Spanish-speaking supervisors, clients, customers, and co-workers.

The course focuses on spoken and written Spanish as used in four different professional fields: medicine, the
law, business and finance, and the hotel and tourism industry. Students will be exposed to a variety of authentic materials and situations through completing online interactive activities, listening and responding to dialogs
and narratives simulating genuine work experiences, improvising through role play, reading and analyzing professional journals and periodicals, interpreting legal documents, writing formal letters, and by creating and
directing their own business. These activities will enable students to expand and enrich their verbal skills as well
as their knowledge and understanding of how the Spanish language is used commercially, professionally, and
in industry throughout the world.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of three years of French/Spanish at the Bay School. In addition, the advanced
level language electives are offered to native French/Spanish speakers who have completed their three year foreign
language requirement in another language.