1. Modern Languages

The King's School offers three modern languages: French, German and Chinese.
All boys in Year 7 select a language either one of the modern languages or Latin. The study of a language is compulsory in Year 7 to fulfil the Government's requirement for every student to learn a language for a minimum of 100 hours.
French, German and Chinese become elective subjects in Years 8 to 10. Boys who continue with languages in Years 11 and 12 to HSC level are usually those who have shown a marked ability and interest in languages in the junior years. Both the 2 Unit Continuers and Extension courses are offered.

The major emphasis in junior years is on communication. Language classes in the senior years are generally small, making possible intensive practice of the foreign language in the classroom situation.

In the past 16 years the Languages Department has organised 9 tours to Noumea and to Europe. There has also been a school tour to Germany every 2 years.

2. Classical language: Latin

The aim of the Latin course is to give boys the linguistic skills not only to read and understand original Latin of Roman writers of the Republican and Imperial periods but also to provide a basis for the study of any other language. Through its study it provides understanding and knowledge of the culture and traditions of western civilisation.

All students in Year 07 must complete a 100 hour course in a language other than English. Latin is only offered to students in the A stream classes. Boys who have chosen to study Latin in Year 07 may continue their studies into Years 08, 09, 10, 11 and 12. Each year's study is a prerequisite for the next year. Students, who wish to commence a study of Latin in Year 08, must complete a bridging course in Term 4 of Year 07. In Year 12 for the Higher School Certificate both the Continuers and Extension courses are offered.

The text used in Years 07-11 is the Cambridge Latin Course, which  provides a wealth of both hard copy material and electronic resources. There is additional electronic material (interactive exercises, flash cards, grammar notes et al) on the school's intranet. Boys in Years 10, 11 and 12 are encouraged to submit all their work electronically as this allows for more detailed and explanatory marking.

In mid-March each year boys in all years (except Year 07) sit for the American Classical League examinations at their appropriate level.