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Department

Foreign Language

The Foreign Language Department seeks not only to develop in students the ability to communicate in other languages, but to convey a fuller understanding and appreciation of other cultures as well. Demonstrating a broader knowledge of language and culture will prove invaluable for those who look to take positions of leadership in the current social, political, and economic climate.

Woodberry Forest offers instruction in Mandarin Chinese, French, Latin, and Spanish. Courses in modern foreign languages stress oral and written communication while exploring the cultural heritage of the countries where those languages are spoken, while courses in Latin acquaint students with Greek and Roman customs, laws, morals, and religion as they help build vocabulary and translation skills. In addition to classroom offerings, summer study and language immersion programs in Spain, Nicaragua, China and France are offered.

Students must successfully complete the third level of one language to fulfill the school’s graduation requirement. Initial placement is determined by means of a summer placement exam, which students complete at home prior to arrival on campus. Promotion to the next level of study is earned through a final grade of C-or higher.

Foreign Language_Spanish 1

This course is an introduction to the study of the target language and its culture. Students perform the most basic functions of the language and become familiar with some elements of its culture. The emphasis is placed on the development of all four skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing within an authentic context, extending outside of the classroom setting when possible. The content focuses on the students' lives and experiences and includes an exposure to everyday customs and lifestyles. Grammar is integrated throughout the course and is selected according to the language conventions (functions).

A general introduction to the culture, products (e.g., literature, laws, foods, games), perspectives (e.g., attitudes, values, beliefs), and practices (patterns of social interaction) is integrated throughout the course. Students acquire some insight into how languages and cultures work by comparing the target language and culture(s) to their own. Integration of other disciplines is ongoing throughout the course.
Honors French 4
Foreign Language_Spanish 2

Students enrolled in this course have either successfully completed a Spanish 1 course at Woodberry or have placed out of Spanish 1 due to previous language study and/or established proficiency. This course provides students with opportunities to continue to develop their listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Students participate in short authentic situations by combining and recombining learned elements of the language orally and in writing. They are able to satisfy basic survival needs and interact on issues of everyday life in the present, past, and simple future, inside and outside of the classroom setting. They compose related sentences which narrate, describe, compare, and summarize familiar topics from the target culture. Focus is placed on understanding main ideas in simple texts and spoken Spanish. Students develop a better understanding of the similarities and differences between cultures and languages and they examine the influence of the beliefs and values of the target culture(s). Integration of other disciplines, such as history, art, music, and gastronomy are incorporated throughout the course.
Honors French 5
Foreign Language_Spanish 3-3H

Students enrolled in this course have either successfully completed Spanish 2 at Woodberry or have placed out of Spanish 2 due to previous language study and/or established proficiency. This course provides students with opportunities to continue the development of their listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Students participate in authentic situations by creating, combining, and recombining learned elements of the language orally and in writing.

The emphasis in Spanish 3 is on exploring language functions rather than simple memorized structures. They are able to argue and express opinions with supporting details. Focus is placed on exploring subtexts and symbolism in texts and spoken Spanish.

Students develop a deeper understanding of the similarities and differences between cultures and languages and they examine the influence of the beliefs and values of the target culture(s). Integration of other disciplines, such as history, art, music, gastronomy are integrated throughout the course.
Honors Latin 3
Foreign Language_Spanish 4 -4H

Students enrolled in this course have successfully completed Spanish 3 at Woodberry or have placed out of Spanish 1-3II due to previous language study and/or established proficiency. A major focus of this course is to enable students to communicate in writing and in extended conversations on a variety of familiar and some unfamiliar topics. Students begin to narrate, discuss, and support fairly complex ideas and concepts using concrete facts and topics with details in a variety of times. They satisfy routine social demands and meet most social requirements. The emphasis of this course can vary. Many different types of text (short stories, poetry, excerpts from various periods of literature, current events, technical manuals, and other authentic materials) are included, depending on the emphasis and providing for independent reading. Finer points of grammar and vocabulary are studied to aid oral and written communication.

There is more in-depth study of the target culture(s) and their influence throughout the world. Students are able to connect the target language to other disciplines and can compare it to their own. Finally, they are able to use the language inside and outside of the classroom setting.

Note: The objectives and proficiency expectations for Spanish 4 are written at the honors level; therefore, this course is always assigned to category H.

The course code may also include AP designation, based on the AP Central compatibility scale with ACTFL.
Honors Latin 4
Foreign Language_Spanish 5 Honors

This course is designed for advanced students who have successfully completed Spanish 4H, and students in Spanish 4 that attended the summer program in Spain, and are interested in continuing their study of the Spanish language and Spanish-speaking cultures. This course will be taught entirely in Spanish and will help students become successful at listening to, describing, narrating, analyzing, and presenting complex information. Students will be exposed to a variety of Spanish and Latin American works in narrative fiction, poetry, drama, and essay. Students will also engage with a variety of topics and debates common to contemporary issues in the Spanish-speaking world such as race and ethnicity, gender, interpersonal relationships, and globalization.
Honors Latin 5
Chinese 4
Foreign Language_French 1

Students enrolled in this course are either beginning their study of French having had no previous instruction, or cannot function consistently at a novice, mid-level of proficiency. This course is an introduction to the study of the target language and its culture. Students perform the most basic functions of the language and become familiar with some elements of its culture. The emphasis is placed on the development of all four skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing within an authentic context, extending outside of the classroom setting when possible. The content focuses on the students' lives and experiences, and includes an exposure to everyday customs and lifestyles. Grammar is integrated throughout the course and is selected according to the language conventions (functions), but the emphasis of the course is not on learning grammar but in learning to begin to interpret what they read and hear, use writing and speaking to communicate their thoughts, and to actively interact with others to share or discover information through language, gesture, and expression.

A general introduction to the culture, its products (e.g., literature, laws, foods, games), perspectives (e.g., attitudes, values, beliefs), and practices (patterns of social interaction) is integrated throughout the course. Students acquire some insight into how languages and cultures work by comparing the target language and culture(s) to their own. Integration of other disciplines is ongoing throughout the course.
Honors Spanish 3
Foreign Language_French 2

Students enrolled in this course have either successfully completed a French 1 course at Woodberry or have placed out of French 1 due to previous language study and/or established proficiency. This course provides students with opportunities to continue the development of their listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Students participate in short authentic situations by combining and recombining learned elements of the language orally and in writing. They are able to satisfy basic survival needs and interact on issues of everyday life in the present, past, and simple future, inside and outside of the classroom setting. They compose related sentences which narrate, describe, compare, and summarize familiar topics from the target culture. Focus is placed on understanding main ideas in simple texts and spoken French. Students develop a better understanding of the similarities and differences between cultures and languages and they examine the influence of the beliefs and values of the target culture(s). There is an integration of other disciplines such as history, art, music, literature, and gastronomy throughout the course.
French 1
Honors Spanish 4
Foreign Language_French 3

Students enrolled in this course have either successfully completed a French 2 course at Woodberry or have placed out of French 2 due to previous language study and/or established proficiency. The emphasis in French 3 is on exploring language functions rather than simple memorized structures. This course provides students with opportunities to continue the development of their listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Students participate in authentic situations by creating, combining, and recombining learned elements of the language orally and in writing as well as arguing meaning and expressing opinions using supporting details through the study of written texts. Focus is placed on exploring subtexts and symbolism in both texts and spoken French.

Students develop a deeper understanding of the similarities and differences between cultures and languages and they examine the influence of the beliefs and values of the target culture(s). Disciplines such as history, art, music, literature and gastronomy are integrated throughout the course.
French 2
Honors Spanish 5
French 3
Foreign Language_French 4 Honors

Students enrolled in this course have successfully completed French 3 at Woodberry or have placed out of French 1-3 due to previous language study and/or established proficiency.

A major focus of this course is to enable students to communicate in writing and in extended conversations on a variety of familiar and some unfamiliar topics. Students begin to narrate, discuss, and support fairly complex ideas and concepts using concrete facts and topics with details in a variety of times.

They satisfy routine social demands and meet most social requirements. The emphasis of this course can vary. Many different types of text (short stories, poetry, songs, movies and tv shows, excerpts from various periods of literature, current events, technical manuals, and other authentic materials) are included, depending on the emphasis and providing for independent reading. Finer points of grammar and vocabulary are studied to aid oral and written communication.

There is more in-depth study of the target culture(s) and their influence throughout the world. Students are able to connect the target language to other disciplines and can compare it to their own. Finally, they are able to use the language inside and outside of the classroom setting.
Honors Chinese 3
Latin 1
Foreign Language_French 5 Honors

This course is designed for advanced students who have successfully completed French 4 Honors. The course is taught in French and will help students become successful at listening to, describing, narrating, analyzing, and presenting complex information. Students are exposed to a variety of works in narrative fiction, poetry, and drama, as well as ideas presented in essays or editorials. They engage and debate common contemporary world issues concerning race and ethnicity, gender, interpersonal relationships, government and politics, the effect of technology and globalization.
Latin 2
Foreign Language_Chinese 1

Chinese 1 introduces modern Chinese, stressing oral-aural proficiency and the recognition of both original Chinese characters and simplified characters. Students also study Chinese writing and Chinese culture. The goal is to bring the students to a novice mid/to novice high level in speaking, listening, reading and writing. The ACTFL guidelines are given in an appendix here to better explain what is expected at each level.
Latin 3
Foreign Language_Chinese 2

Chinese 2 builds upon the foundation given in the first year of the language and prepares students for the diversity of spoken language in order to prepare the students in a way that they would be able to live and study in China in a native environment. Woodberry uses the ACTFL guidelines for proficiency. The goal is for the boys to minimally reach the levels of Intermediate-Low with aspirations of attaining Intermediately-Mid for the higher-achieving boys. The ACTFL guidelines are given in an appendix to this document.
Latin 4
Foreign Language_Chinese 3 - Chinese 3 Honors

Chinese 3 builds upon the foundation given in the first two years of the language and prepares the students for the diversity of spoken language that they will encounter in normal day-to-day interactions with native Chinese speakers. Woodberry uses the ACTFL guidelines for proficiency. The goal is for the boys to minimally reach the levels of Intermediate-Mid with aspirations of attaining Intermediately-High for the higher-achieving boys. The ACTFL guidelines are given in an appendix to this document as overall guidelines.
Spanish 1
Foreign Language_Chinese 4/5 & Chinese Honors 4/5

The goal in this upper-level Chinese class is to have the boys continue to use Chinese to learn about the difference between Chinese culture and American culture as well as beginning to understand how China itself is in many ways a melting pot. The course will also look at the forces that drive the changes in modern China.

Woodberry use the ACTFL guidelines for proficiency. The goal is for the boys to minimally reach the levels of Intermediate-High with aspirations of attaining Advanced-Low for the higher achieving boys in Chinese 4 and 4 Honors. For the level 5 and 5 Honors students the hope is that the level 5 students will be solidly in Intermediate-High and 5 Honors students will attain Advanced-Low with the occasional student being able to reach Advanced-Mid. The ACTFL guidelines are given in an appendix to this document as overall guidelines.
Spanish 2
Foreign Language_Latin 1

Latin 1 introduces the students to Latin grammar and vocabulary while exposing them to Roman history, culture, and mythology. Grammar is learned mainly through translation from Latin to English, although the students also practice translating from English to Latin, particularly in the fall term. Stories chronicling the time from the Trojan War to the founding of Rome by Romulus are read in Latin. The course covers the first thirty lessons in Jenney's First Year Latin. The students learn all five noun declensions and all four verb conjugations in both active and passive voices. A daily quizzing method ensures that no student falls behind. Through their study of Latin, students improve their understanding of English grammar and increase their English vocabulary as they make connections between Latin vocabulary and English cognates.
Spanish 3
Foreign Language_Latin 2

Latin 2 expands students’ study of Latin morphology, enriches their vocabulary, and further develops their knowledge of syntax. The balance of Jenney’s First Year Latin as well as Second Year Latin are completed. Readings cover the story of Rome from its founding by Romulus through the birth of the Republic and the early heroes of Roman history. With each unit a new chapter of Greco-Roman mythology is introduced, and common Latin idioms found in current English usage are covered. In the spring book one of Caesar’s commentaries on the Gallic War is read, initiating the process of familiarizing students with primary source Latin that will be the main focus of Latin 3.
Spanish 4
Foreign Language_Latin 3 & Latin 3 Honors

Latin 3 students begin the year with a thorough review of Latin grammar and syntax by reading book four of Caesar’s commentaries on the Gallic War. In the winter term students in both Latin 3 and Latin 3 Honors sections are exposed to more complex Latin prose through Cicero’s speeches against Catiline and Pliny’s letters to Tacitus. In the spring Latin 3 and Latin 3 Honors students read the poetry of Catullus, Ovid, and Martial. Meters, forms and techniques of Roman poetry are introduced. Each author’s poetry is discussed within its historical and cultural context. Throughout the year students in honors Latin 3 translate and analyze additional literature from the same authors and their contemporaries.
Foreign Language_Advanced Latin Literature: Vergil

Offered every other year, both honors & regular sections

This course is designed to resemble a college-level Latin literature course. It does not follow the AP curriculum but rather parallels it. Any student, but especially one in the honors section, has the opportunity to prepare for the AP exam. Students read a broad selection from Vergil’s Aeneid in the original Latin and gain insight into the historical context that serves as a background to the Aeneid, the collapse of the Roman Republic, and the establishment of the Augustan Principate. At the conclusion of the winter trimester, students indicating a desire to take the AP exam are given additional assignments to fill any gaps between the course syllabus and the AP syllabus.
Honors Chinese 4
Foreign Language_Latin Literature_Advanced: Ovid

Offered every other year, both honors and regular sections

The Ovid class is offered every other year, alternating with the Advanced Latin Literature: Vergil course. It is a college level reading class. Students read a large and varied selection of poems by Ovid. Students read the Vulgate Bible, as well as works by Catullus and Vergil and analyze plots lines, themes, and style for their influence on Ovid’s poetry. Students engage in comparative mythology, examining parallels between the myths of various cultures and time periods and Ovid’s poems. Students also research the history and culture of Rome in the time of Ovid and the influence the author has had on modern literature. Students in the regular section and the honors section will meet at the same time, but the honors students will be expected to translate and deeply analyze more literature.
Honors Chinese 5

Our Faculty

Mr. Jairo Rivera

Foreign Language

Chair

(540) 672-3900 Ext 8629

National University, Managua - BEd
Indiana University - MA

jairo.rivera@woodberry.org

2006
Bio
Jairo Rivera serves as chair of the foreign language department, teaches Spanish, coaches Model UN, and co-directs the Central American Study Abroad (CASA) summer program. A native of Nicaragua with a BEd from National University in Managua and an MA from Indiana University, he taught at Peddie School, Taft School, and Ransom Everglades School before coming to Woodberry in 2006. Mr. Rivera lives in the Smith House with his wife, Ileana, and their two sons.
Mr. Donald Brewster

Foreign Language

(540) 672-3900 Ext 8622

Hamilton College - BA
University of Georgia - MA

donald_brewster@woodberry.org

1987
Bio
Donald Brewster, holder of the John T. Thompson, Jr. '95 Memorial Mastership, teaches Latin and operates the digital timing system for track and swimming meets. He has taught Latin at Woodberry since 1987. Mr. Brewster's passion for classical languages and civilizations was kindled by a year of study in Athens when he was a junior at Hamilton College, where he earned his BA; he subsequently earned his MA at the University of Georgia. He and his family live in the Shackleford House.
Mr. Andrew M. Collier '03

Foreign Language

(540) 672-3900 Ext 8625

Wofford College - BA
University of Virginia - MA

drew_collier@woodberry.org

2008
Bio
Drew Collier '03 teaches Spanish, coaches varsity tennis, and co-directs the Woodberry in Spain summer program. He has a BA from Wofford College and an MA from the University of Virginia. Mr. Collier worked in Spain before coming to Woodberry in 2008. He holds the Class of 2010 Mastership and lives in the Lineberger House.
Andrew Handelsman

Foreign Language

Spanish, Director of Woodberry In Spain

(540) 672-3900

Dartmouth College - BA
University of Southern Mississippi - MA

andrew_handelsman@woodberry.org

2003
Bio
Andrew Handelsman teaches Spanish, coaches varsity baseball and indoor track, and directs the Woodberry in Spain summer program. He holds a BA from Dartmouth College and an MA from the University of Southern Mississippi. Before coming to Woodberry in 2003, he taught at Westridge School for Girls in Pasadena, California, The Webb Schools in Claremont, California, and Marvelwood School in Cornwall, Connecticut. Mr. Handelsman and his wife, Melanie, a teacher at Grymes Memorial School, live in the Dick Gym apartment with their two sons Thomas '21 and Robert '23.
Mrs. Bailey Hervillard

Foreign Language

(540) 672-3900 ext. 8632

Virginia Tech - BA
Virginia Tech - MA

bailey_hervillard@woodberry.org

2023
Bio
Bailey joins Woodberry after spending the last three years as the sole French teacher at Westmoreland High School in Montross, Virginia, where she spearheaded the creation of dual-enrollment French courses and also served as a discipline dean. She earned a B.A. in French from Virginia Tech in 2015 and, after teaching French for two years in Tappahannock and Roanoke, returned to Blacksburg for an M.A. in French, which she completed in 2019. At Woodberry, she will serve as lead French teacher and will live in the Walker Family Apartment with her husband, Romain.
Ms. Anna Hoyt

Foreign Language

Kenan-Lewis Fellow, Spanish

(540) 672-3900 ext. 8604

anna_hoyt@woodberry.org

2023
Bio
Anna comes to Woodberry Forest having recently graduated from the University of the South, where she majored in Spanish and was a member of the Order of the Gown, the university’s academic honor society. She spent the spring of 2022 studying in Madrid, Spain, and has spent several summers coaching and teaching swimming, which she will coach at WFS. At Woodberry she teaches Spanish and lives on Lower Turner.
Scott Navitsky

Foreign Language

(540) 672-3900 Ext. 8628

Harvard College - AB

scott_navitsky@woodberry.org

2001
Bio
Scott Navitsky teaches Chinese and coaches the throwers in indoor and outdoor track and field. He came to Woodberry in 2001 after earning an AB in East Asian languages and civilizations from Harvard University. He completed a year-long, intensive Chinese language program at Nankai University in Tianjin, China, and a year of Japanese instruction at Yamasa Language Institute in Okazaki, Japan. Mr. Navitsky lives with his wife, Ping Guan, and their two children in Woodberry Forest Drive #2.
Joe Nero

Foreign Language

(540) 672-3900 Ext. 8649

Davidson College - BA

joe_nero@woodberry.org

2022
Bio
Joe Nero is a Kenan-Lewis Fellow in the Spanish department. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Spanish from Davidson College, where he was the co-head student manager of the varsity basketball team and co-president of Davidson’s club basketball team. Mr. Nero lives in the Walker B dorm apartment.
Mr. Raphael Sydnor '97

Foreign Language

(540) 672-3900 Ext 8630

Hampden Sydney College - BA
Brown University - MAT
Middlebury College - MA

raphael_sydnor@woodberry.org

2006
Bio
Raphael Sydnor '97 teaches Spanish and co-directs the Central American Study Abroad (CASA) summer program. He works with the WFS Outdoors and spring skeet teams. A member of the faculty since 2006, he earned a BA from Hampden-Sydney College, an MAT from Brown University, and an MA from Middlebury College. Mr. Sydnor and his wife, Sarah, Woodberry’s special events manager, live in the Duplex West with their three children.

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Foreign Language

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