• English 11^th

This course offers an introductory chronological overview of British literature that seeks to familiarize students with the most prominent authors and thereby explore the roots of the language they study, together with the cultural, historical and philosophical context in which the English language emerges and develops through literature. This AP level course is designed to train students intensively in the Close Reading method and engage in college level written and oral literary analysis.

• Latin 11^th

Between the first and the second marking periods we finish studying grammar. The rest of the year is dedicated to the translation of classical authors in prose and in verse. Therefore we study first: the impersonal verbs, the gerund, the gerundive (the so called periphrastic conjugation), and supine. The review of the grammar is ensured by the completion of the book exercises. They demand a good comprehension of the previous knowledge. Finally the Oxford Latin Reader puts the student in contact with the culture of the Latin classics. After a brief introduction on the lives and works of essential authors comes the assessment of the original texts. The rest of this third course is dedicated to translating passages of Caesar (Bellum Gallicum), Cicero (De Legibus, Brutus, Pro Plancio, Ad Atticum, and Coniuratio Catilinae), Sallust (Bellum Iugurthinum y Bellum Catilinae), and Ovid (Tristia, Pontica, Metamorphoseon). Since Ovid is the first poet translated, the first elements on the Latin Meters are introduced (the dactylic hexameter and pentameter).

• Spanish Language 11^th

The language part of this course centers on the various languages used in Spain; the analysis and modality of texts; as well as the linguistic system in its phonetic, morphological, syntactical and semantical levels. The student will also study the history of Spanish literature to acquire a general overview and will read the most important literary works, elaborating written essays and analyzing selected texts, to instill in the students a critical sense of analysis.

• Philosophy 11^th

The student is confronted for the first time with the world of philosophy and the basic philosophical problems that have been proposed throughout history. Topics such as God, liberty, being, truth and goodness are analyzed, to teach the student to think in depth. There is a special emphasis on the philosophy of St. Thomas of Aquinas.

• History of Spain II - 11^th

This course requires the student to both review the concepts learned in History of Spain I and get acquainted with the more profound explanations given in advanced textbooks. Emphasis will be given to the reading of texts that will permit the student to acquire an in-depth knowledge of the basic problems in the history of Spain. The student will also elaborate an investigation of a specific historical topic with the use of the appropriate bibliography.

• Mathematics 11^th

Students study mathematics in a progressive, incremental manner. This approach recognises that for most students understanding mathematical concepts comes gradually over a period of time. Students study from the textbook “Calculus with Trigonometry and Analytical Geometry” which is part of the series of mathematical publications produced by Saxon Publishers Inc. This series of publications has an excellent, modern and well-respected “incremental” approach to the study of mathematics that is particularly suitable for students at SLS.

The teaching method used for each class involves (i) a student doing some pre-reading in preparation for the class, (ii) a teacher presentation of the topic being studied, (iii) a student receiving 1-1 tuition for topics they find difficult, (iv) a student working through a Problem Set of questions. Students are required to complete the Problem Set questions, as homework, before the next class. Students can also study on-line remedial tutorials for consolidation and revision purposes. An approved Graphing Calculator is required for this course.

Students’ academic performance is assessed internally using teacher-generated “class tests” and externally using the “SAT Mathematics Examination – Level 2”. Throughout this course, students produce answers to a structured set of SAT – type questions in preparation for this examination.

Topics include:

Limits, continuity, rates of change, differentiation, higher order differentiation. Antiderivatives, methods of integration, areas and volumes, average value.

• Physics 11^th

This is a preparatory course of Physics that introduces basic concepts to be further developed in 12^th grade. In this course we study procedures, techniques and ways of analysis in problem solving. Mechanics is studied with either constant forces or forces proportional to the position (Hooke’s Law). The Math required is algebra (especially solving systems of equations) and trigonometry, but not calculus. The subject has a close connection with other areas like biology, pre-medicine, architecture, technology or environmental sciences to make students understand the importance of Physics.

• Chemistry 11^th

This course includes topics such as the atom, chemical formulas, Stoichiometry, Phases of matter, the gas laws, electron configurations, chemical bonding, solutions, thermodynamics, acids, bases, salts, oxidation and reduction, electrochemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, and nuclear chemistry.

• Technical Drawing 11^th

This course introduces 2-dimension geometry: proportionality, scales, parallelism, perpendicularity, locus, circumference, polygons, symmetries, translation, rotations, homology, tangency and conic sections. Exercises are completed for all topics, focusing especially on tangency.