The Department of Modern and Classical Languages at Xavier offers a four-year sequence in Latin, French, Italian, and Spanish. (Greek is offered if there is a sufficient number of students requesting this language). The fourth year is taken as an elective. Parents and students are informed about the Xavier Department of Modern and Classical Languages Program at the two Open Houses (Fall and Winter). The students themselves choose the language. A placement exam is offered each year in April for those incoming freshmen who seek advanced standing in their target language. Xavier High School requires its students to take three years of one language with the possibility to add a second one in Junior year. In Senior year, students may take a language course as an elective. The linguistic and cultural components of the Xavier language program will help students better understand and learn their own language(s) as well as those of other people. Additionally, the study of a modern or classical language enhances critical thinking skills; it fosters a sense of global community; it prepares for career opportunities; it provides an avenue for international education, and it assists students in adapting to the multicultural environment and value orientation of others within their own society. Since a global community needs citizens competent in languages, students should have the opportunity to learn language skills and to appreciate the cultures where the languages are spoken. Classroom activities reflect language usage in everyday situations according to the objectives, content and instructional techniques of the Department of Modern and Classical Languages. The Department uses English for comparison, aiming for competence through the underlying knowledge of grammar and sequential/cumulative achievement.