Introduction to Arabic
This course will focus on the basic elements of Modern Standard Arabic. The student in this course will be exposed to the Arabic alphabet, and will be able to read, write, and pronounce letters of the alphabet at a novice level . Students will also be able to read, write, and pronounce simple phrases and words. By the end of this course, students will be able to communicate with their classmates, and maintain basic conversation. Students will also be exposed to the Arab culture through the use of technology, media, music, and films. This course will be taught mainly in the target language.
Instructor: Ali Al-Maqtari
Professor Al-Maqtari is a native speaker of Arabic from Yemen. He holds a master's degree in education from the University of Franche-Comte in France. In addition to Arabic, he also speaks French and Ethiopian. He has taught Arabic at Yale University, and is currently teaching Arabic and French at Brunswick School and Southern Connecticut State University during the regular academic year; he also teaches in the summer program at Southern Connecticut State University. He is knowledgeable with many dialects of Arabic such as Yemeni, Egyptian, Syrian, Lebanese, Iraqi, and Gulf. He has been teaching Arabic as a foreign language for many years, both for English and French speakers and has been teaching at Brunswick since 2006. He is also a proud citizen of the United States of America, having just received his citizenship in late 2007.
Introduction to French
This beginner-level French course is an intensive class geared toward introducing the student to French through near-total immersion in the target language. The course will revolve around the language and culture of France and develop the students’ skills in the areas of reading, writing and most importantly, speaking French. Any enthusiastic language beginner or student who is thinking of switching their current second language choice to French, or even making it their third language, will find this class a must.
Instructor: Erin Withstandley
Erin Withstandley received both her BA in International Politics and Economics and her MA in French from Middlebury College. Her life-long love of language has taken her all over the world and allowed her to live abroad in several foreign countries. Currently, Erin is the Coordinator of Modern Languages and Latin in the Middle School division of Brunswick School. In her time at Brunswick, she has taught French and Spanish (and tutored in various other languages) from grades 5 through 12. This fall, Mrs. Withstandley will begin her 14th year at Brunswick.
Introduction to Spanish
This beginner-level Spanish course is an intensive class geared toward introducing the student to Spanish through near-total immersion in the target language. The course will revolve around the language and culture of Spain and other Spanish-speaking countries and develop the students’ skills in the areas of reading, writing and most importantly, speaking Spanish. Any enthusiastic language beginner or any student who is thinking of switching their current second language choice to Spanish, or even making it their third language, will find this class a must.
Instructor: Fanning Hearon
Fanning Hearon is entering his eleventh year at Brunswick and is currently the Chair of the Modern Language Department. He holds a BA from Middlebury College and an MA from NYU. He has had extensive experience in the teaching of Spanish at all levels and has been in the classroom for 17 years.
Lazarillo to Lorca: An Introduction to Classic Spanish Literature
Prerequisite: The completion of Level 3 in Spanish.
This class will provide Spanish students who are contemplating any type of advanced study of the language in high school or college a worthwhile introduction to some of the best and most engaging poetry and prose to come out of the Iberian peninsula in the last 400 years. Starting with Lazarillo de Tormes, the classic picaresque protagonist from 1556, and then introducing the major themes of Cervantes’ Don Quijote, the class will witness how the literary works of 16th and 17th century Spain served as the basis for the structure and popularity of the contemporary novel. Short stories by Miguel de Unamuno and the poetry of Federico Garcia Lorca will also demonstrate how the early works of the 20th
century still profoundly affect the literature of both modern Spain and Latin America. Suited for any student who has successfully completed Spanish III, but recommended for those students who are looking to participate in either Advanced Placement Spanish Language or Advanced Placement Spanish Literature. All reading, writing, and class discussion will be conducted in Spanish.
Instructor: Fanning Hearon
Fanning Hearon is entering his eleventh year at Brunswick and is currently the Chair of the Modern Language Department. He holds a BA from Middlebury College and an MA from NYU. He has had extensive experience in the teaching of Spanish at all levels and has been in the classroom for 17 years.
Panorama of South America
Prerequisite: The completion of Level 3 in Spanish.
A bird’s eye view of the nine Spanish-speaking countries of South America that will focus on the differences and similarities of our southern neighbors. Topics will range from the early development of the Spanish language in Spain, followed by a look at the indigenous people who already populated the continent when the European explorers arrived. A variety of topics will be discussed and researched ranging from geographical features and economics statistics, to well-known authors and artists of note in each of the nine countries. Students will be assigned readings in Spanish and frequent oral presentations are required that will form the basis for class discussions and comparisons in Spanish.
Instructor: Anne Arzeno
Ms. Arzeno has been teaching Spanish for 20 years. She has taught from Grade 3 through AP Spanish Language and has been teaching at Brunswick School for ten years. A native speaker who grew up in Argentina, Ms. Arzeno has her undergraduate degree from Skidmore College in Romance Languages (French and Spanish) and also has an MBA in International Business and Marketing from the NYU Stern School of Business Administration. Ms. Arzeno has traveled extensively in South America and Europe.