Modern Languages
Learning a modern language and gaining insight into its culture(s) are important routes both to increased self- awareness, and to increased international understanding. Learning a modern language is therefore an integral part of a Putney education. Putney currently offers two modern languages, French and Spanish. The department’s primary goal is for students to become active and proficient at communicating in the new language. From the start, students are immersed in speaking, listening, reading, and writing; they learn by doing. In the process, everyone is expected to make mistakes, take risks, and gradually build skills for using a new language. Students learn about Hispanic and Francophone culture through readings, discussions, movies, visiting speakers, songs, and occasional trips. In both French and Spanish, classes are offered at five levels, with more advanced classes offered, as needed, either as tutorial courses or as additional classes. To graduate, students who are native speakers of English must successfully complete either through level 3 of a foreign language, or 3 years of foreign language study at Putney. A student who arrives with only two years of a language that Putney does not offer (Chinese, Latin or German, for example) will be required to study either French or Spanish for two to three years at Putney. Allowance may be made on a case-by-case basis for any exceptions to this rule, at the discretion of the Language Department and the Academic Dean, in discussion with the student and family.
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