From Cervantes to contemporary cinema, Spanish at GEO is a journey through language and culture alike. Students strengthen their conversational fluency, delve into literature from across the Spanish-speaking world, and explore topics like colonial history, modern politics, and regional identity. Advanced coursework introduces argumentative essays, film analysis, and literary interpretation, preparing students for college-level discourse in both Spanish and English.

Our French program blends classical instruction with cultural exploration — from the chansons of medieval troubadours to the philosophies of the Enlightenment. Students build grammar and vocabulary through immersive exercises, and read excerpts from authors like Molière, Voltaire, and Camus. Through deep engagement, students are equipped not only to speak and write fluently, but to reflect thoughtfully on the enduring legacy of French art, history, and political thought.

Students of Portuguese at GEO develop not only a grasp of the language, but a rich awareness of the Lusophone world — from Lisbon’s literary salons to the rhythms of Rio. The curriculum includes conversation practice, formal writing, and an introduction to music, literature, and cinema from Brazil, Portugal, and beyond. This is an ideal undertaking for students curious about global cultures and the intersections of language and identity.

Mandarin instruction at GEO is as rigorous as it is rewarding. Students study the logic and beauty of Chinese characters, the precision of tonal pronunciation, and the structure of formal grammar. Alongside linguistic instruction, students explore Chinese history, philosophy, and art, gaining insight into one of the world’s oldest continuous civilizations. Advanced students engage with contemporary issues and literature, bridging tradition and modernity.

Latin is the language of empire, rhetoric, and reason. GEO’s Latin curriculum emphasizes the linguistic precision and intellectual discipline of classical study. Students translate passages from Caesar, Cicero, and Virgil, and consider how the values and ideas of Rome continue to echo in law, government, and literature. In parsing a dead language, students breathe new life into the etymological roots of modern speech and the architecture of great thought.