The following are major expectations of the Xavier Department of Modern and Classical Languages:

• basic conversational ability on familiar topics
  
  
• reading everyday materials such as magazines, newspapers and brochures,
  
  
• writing guided original compositions such as letters and short reports.
  
  
• audial recognition of social communications
  
  
• appreciation of the differences between own and foreign culture.

The teachers of the department are committed to these expectations through their regular class work and by making themselves available to their students who come for help. The faculty attempts to maintain an atmosphere of mutual learning by respecting student contributions.

Oral and written quizzes and tests measure the students' achievements in the four language skills. Teachers also take homework and class participation into account in the overall grade. Teachers may also assign various projects (individual and group) that will figure in the course grade. The members of the department use computers as part of the daily instructional program.

The Xavier Department of Modern and Classical Languages expects its students to continue the study of their respective languages on the College level. With this in mind, the form and content of the Xavier program aims to provide a solid foundation for a successful continuation of the study of a foreign language beyond the four years of High School.