Curriculum Detail

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Department

World Languages

Study a language—or two—at Chatham Hall and gain a highly coveted professional, social, and cultural asset in the global economy. If you choose to learn Spanish, French, or Chinese, you’ll be offered a solid foundation of grammar and vocabulary in both oral and written communication and will also study culture and history as part of our foreign language boarding school curriculum. If you opt for Latin, you’ll learn about language roots, cultural influences, and classical allusions as well as syntax, pronunciation, vocabulary, history, and literature.

Graduation requirements

3 credits of one language or 2 credits each of 2 languages

Chinese I

This course provides an introduction to Chinese in the four integrated skills, with an emphasis on pinyin, tones, and writing characters. Students will gain conversational skills on many survival topics, and a basic understanding of the Chinese people, culture, and society. Materials used in this course include the textbook Integrated Chinese 1, as well as character learning websites, and video clips, among others. Assessments will consist of class participation, in class assignments, quizzes and tests, individual and group projects, speaking assessments, and midterm and final projects.

Year-Long Course – 1 Credit

Prerequisite: None
Chinese II

This course builds upon the integrated skills developed in Chinese I. There is an increased focus on expanding vocabulary and grammar, reading and typing Chinese texts, communicating on various daily life topics, and an understanding of the most important Chinese traditions and festivals. Materials used in this course include the textbook Integrated Chinese 2, as well as character learning websites, and video clips, among others. Assessments will consist of class participation, in class assignments, quizzes and tests, individual and group projects, speaking assessments, and midterm and final projects.

Year-Long Course – 1 Credit

Prerequisite: Chinese I or equivalent
Chinese III

This course allows students to practice increased accuracy and fluency in Chinese in the four integrated skills. The course focuses on improving reading and listening comprehension, writing and presenting on daily life topics with more complex structures, and a deeper understanding of the Chinese speaking and cultural world. Materials used in this course include the textbook Integrated Chinese 3, as well as character learning websites, and video clips, among others. Assessments will consist of class participation, in class assignments, quizzes and tests, individual and group projects, speaking assessments, and midterm and final projects.

Year-Long Course – 1 Credit

Prerequisite: Chinese II or equivalent
Chinese IV

This course is taught entirely in Mandarin Chinese, and students continue gaining increased accuracy and fluency in Chinese in the four integrated skills. The course has an emphasis on learning more advanced vocabulary and complex structures, communicating on some topics beyond daily life, writing stories and letters in a formal way, and a deeper understanding of the traditional and modern Chinese society. Materials used in this course include the textbook Integrated Chinese 4, as well as character learning websites, and video clips, among others. Assessments will consist of class participation, in class assignments, quizzes and tests, individual and group projects, speaking assessments, and midterm and final projects.

Year-Long Course – 1 Credit

Prerequisite: Chinese III or equivalent
French I
French II
French III
Latin I
Latin II
Latin III
Latin IV
Latin V
Spanish I
Spanish II
Spanish III
Spanish IV/V: Spanish Short Story
Advanced Spanish: Hispanic Heritage in the United States
Advanced French

Department Faculty

Shep Morrison P'10

World Language Department Chair; Latin Teacher; Keeper of Traditions; Dorm Advisor

434-432-5546

smorrison@chathamhall.org
Bio
Sheppard "Shep" Morrison came to Chatham Hall in 2002 and has an A.B. in classics with a concentration in theatre from Randolph-Macon College. She has taught in many settings including a Montessori Stepping Stones program, private day schools, and adult education in theatre. Shep also has taught middle and high school history, English, computer skills, journalism, and Latin classes and has worked in residential life and as a paraprofessional reference librarian. She is passionate about quilting and preserving the School's traditions.
Lydia Emory

Spanish Teacher; Coach; Dorm Advisor

lemory@chathamhall.org
Bio
Lydia Emory joined the School's World Languages Department in 2023. As an undergraduate, Lydia studied Spanish and global studies at Hood College before receiving a Fulbright Grant to teach abroad in Spain. Continuing her journey abroad, she then participated in the Japan Exchange & Teaching (JET) Program before earning an M.A. from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies. Outside of work, Lydia enjoys the outdoors, music, reading, photography, and a good game of badminton.
Martha Griswold

Dean of Academics; French Teacher

434-432-5617

mgriswold@chathamhall.org
Bio

Martha Griswold was born and raised in Massachusetts where she worked for most of her career before coming to Chatham Hall in 2008. She received both bachelor's and master's degrees in French from the University of Massachusetts. After studying and teaching for two years in France, she began her career in independent schools where she has taught many different disciplines and age groups, served as department head, academic dean, and dean of students. Martha's favorite campus traditions are Senior Chapel Talks and the frequent singing of our beautiful Alma Mater.
Odette Kugler

French Teacher; Dorm Advisor

okugler@chathamhall.org
Bio
Odette Kugler joined the Chatham Hall World Languages Department in 2024. A graduate of Middlebury College and James Madison University, she previously taught French at the collegiate level at both the University of Denver and the University of Delaware. As an undergraduate, Odette participated in the Martinique study abroad program. Outside of teaching, she enjoys hiking, biking, cooking, and learning new skills.