World Languages

Prerequisites: None. Open to students in grades 9 through 12.

French I emphasizes an integrated approach and a balanced development of the four language skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. Instruction at the first level stresses the fundamentals of French through contextual presentation of theme-based vocabulary, grammar and verb conjugations. The textbook we use exposes students to life in contemporary France and Francophone countries. Various Internet sites, music, magazines, movies, cookbooks, comic strips and children’s stories are used to facilitate the development of elementary skills by which students can listen and read in the target language. French I is designed to highlight proficiency in communication by giving students meaningful, everyday expressions they can use immediately in real-life situations.

Prerequisites: French I or approval by the Department Chair

The second level of French builds upon the fundamental skills learned in French I. Students study advanced grammar and idiomatic structures as well as read and write passages of increased length and difficulty. The textbook and supplementary web-based materials used in this class enhance students’ cultural knowledge of real-life situations in contemporary France and Francophone countries. French II is designed to expand proficiency in communication, give students meaningful expressions they can use immediately in everyday situations and prepare them to communicate in both the spoken and written form at an intermediate level.

Prerequisites: French II or approval by the Department Chair

The third level of instruction is designed to teach further advanced aspects of grammar as well as to polish skills in reading, writing, listening and speaking. Through the use of a college-level textbook and corresponding web-based materials, students explore the French language through the lens of a native speaker as they are exposed to a wide variety of authentic resources and are challenged to interpret and synthesize ideas in multiple ways. Overall, the lessons learned in French III add sophistication and reallife context to students’ knowledge of modern French culture, and teach them to write well-organized and substantive essays, to communicate effectively in a conversation, and to become proficient readers of French.

Prerequisites: French III or approval by the Department Chair

French IV is offered to students who have demonstrated continued excellence and interest in the study of French. French is used almost exclusively as a means of communication to help students transition into a college-level environment with greater ease and to prepare them for progression into the AP French Language & Culture course the following year. Students complete a thorough review of complex grammatical structures, idiomatic expressions and vocabulary as well as explore a variety of historical, political, literary and cultural movements in Francophone countries around the world. A college-level text is used, supplemented by a variety of web-based materials and authentic resources to support and guide progress. Formal and informal writing, literary analysis, organized debates, projects and conversational exchange (both prepared and spontaneous) are many of the activities used to engage students and help them to develop a greater proficiency in listening, speaking, reading and writing.

Prerequisites: (summer work required)
Completion of French IV with an average grade of 90 or better, the support of the department and the recommendation of the current teacher are required.

Course Description:
Centered around six overarching themes established by the College Board, the AP French Language & Culture course is designed to challenge the advanced French student to reach beyond traditional grammar and vocabulary acquisition to apply presentational, interpretive and interpersonal skills to a real-world context. Through the exclusive use of authentic resources, students broaden their understanding of the French-speaking world through the lens of native-born speakers. Through exposure to the many products, practices and perspectives that make each culture unique, students are challenged to think critically as they work to compare and contrast their own native cultures to those corresponding to Francophone countries worldwide.

The course is designed in such a way to use various literary and cinematic works to allow students to develop the three types of communication while exploring the six cultural themes. The academic year is divided into units based upon major works of literature or collections of more modern excerpts. Within each unit, students work to improve their competency through formal and informal reading, writing and listening activities.

Underclassmen are required to take the AP exam. Seniors are required to take the exam but may apply for an exemption in consultation with the teacher and the College Counseling Office.

Prerequisites: None. Open to students in grades 9 through 12.

Spanish I provides students a solid foundation in the basic structures of Spanish grammar, pronunciation and vocabulary. This knowledge is actively put into practice as students develop basic skills in written and oral communication. The course emphasizes an integrated approach and a balanced development of the four language skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. Students also become familiar with the geography, customs and the diversity of the Spanish-speaking world. A combination of textbook and web-based materials is used to facilitate students’ progress through the curriculum.

Prerequisites: Spanish I or approval by the Department Chair

Spanish II is an intermediate course in which students continue to strengthen their vocabulary, grammar and conversation skills. Students work through regular and irregular verbs in all tenses of the indicative mood, including all forms of the preterit and imperfect, as well as learn to incorporate theme-based vocabulary into both the written and oral context. Creating dialogues based on specific situations and role-playing are an important aspect of oral assessment. Students also expand their understanding of the history and culture of all Spanish-speaking countries. Spanish II is highly interactive and much of the course is conducted in Spanish. A combination of textbook and web-based materials is used to facilitate students’ progress through the curriculum.

Prerequisites: Spanish II or approval by the Department Chair

Spanish III is an intermediate-level language course. The goal of this course is to bridge the gap between elementary and advanced levels in the further development of listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. Students will be encouraged to attach meaning directly to Spanish without depending on English for understanding. For this reason, Spanish will be the language used for communication at all times. Students should continue to become better learners of language by continuing to apply useful learning strategies to their work. Students conjugate regular and irregular verbs in all tenses of the indicative and subjunctive moods and all forms of the imperative mood. Authentic texts, both auditory and visual, expose students to a wider variety of cultural, political and social aspects within the Spanish-speaking world. To facilitate their learning in a variety of facets, students work from a college-level textbook and accompanying web-based materials.

Prerequisites: Spanish II, recommendation from the student’s previous Spanish teacher or approval by the Department Chair. Designed for those students who have shown superior aptitude and interest in the study of Spanish.

Course Description:
The goal of this course is to bridge the gap between elementary and advanced levels in the further development of listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. Students will be encouraged to attach meaning directly to Spanish without depending on English for understanding. For this reason, Spanish will be the language used for communication at all times. Students should continue to become better learners of language by continuing to apply useful learning strategies to their work. They read, write and converse in a variety of situations through the use of extensive, theme-based vocabulary and advanced grammar concepts, and learn to synthesize ideas in a variety of forms. In addition, students will be exposed to cultural, political and social information from throughout the Spanish-speaking world and will be expected to acquire an appreciation of the diversity and richness of Hispanic culture by means of directed reading assignments and creative projects. Broadening students’ knowledge and exposing them to a more in-depth view into Spanish-speaking countries and their cultures is accomplished with a college-level textbook and corresponding web-based materials.

Prerequisites: Spanish III or approval from the Department Chair based on testing. Offered to students who have demonstrated continued excellence and interest in the study of Spanish.

Course Description:
In this course, Spanish is used almost exclusively as a means of communication to help students transition into a college-level environment with greater ease and to prepare them for progression into the AP Spanish Language & Culture course the following year. Students complete a thorough review of complex grammatical structures, idiomatic expressions and vocabulary as well as explore a variety of historical, political, literary and cultural movements in the Spanish-speaking world. A college-level text is used, supplemented by a variety of web-based materials and authentic resources to support and guide progress. Formal and informal writing, literary analysis, organized debates, projects and conversational exchange (both prepared and spontaneous) are many of the activities used to engage students and help them to develop a greater proficiency in listening, speaking, reading and writing.

Prerequisites: Spanish III or approval from the Department Chair based on testing. Offered to students who have demonstrated continued excellence and interest in the study of Spanish.

Course Description:
In this course, Spanish is used almost exclusively as a means of communication to help students transition into a college-level environment with greater ease and to prepare them for progression into the AP Spanish Language & Culture course the following year. Students complete a thorough review of complex grammatical structures, idiomatic expressions and vocabulary as well as explore a variety of historical, political, literary and cultural movements in the Spanish-speaking world. A college-level text is used, supplemented by a variety of web-based materials and authentic resources to support and guide progress. Formal and informal writing, literary analysis, organized debates, projects and conversational exchange (both prepared and spontaneous) are many of the activities used to engage students and help them to develop a greater proficiency in listening, speaking, reading and writing.

Prerequisites:
Completion of Honors Spanish IV with an average grade of 90 or better, the support of the department and the recommendation of the current teacher are required.

Course Description:
Centered around six overarching themes established by the College Board, The AP Spanish Language & Culture course is designed to challenge the advanced Spanish student to reach beyond traditional grammar and vocabulary acquisition to apply presentational, interpretive and interpersonal skills to a real-world context. Through the exclusive use of authentic resources, students broaden their understanding of the Spanish-speaking world through the lens of native-born speakers. Through exposure to the many products, practices and perspectives that make each culture unique, students are challenged to think critically as they work to compare and contrast their own native cultures to those corresponding to Spanish-speaking countries worldwide.

Underclassmen are required to take the AP exam. Seniors are required to take the exam but may apply for an exemption in consultation with the teacher and the College Counseling Office.

Prerequisites: Spanish IV, Spanish IV Honors, or Spanish III Honors (for rising seniors only)

Spanish V is an advanced-level language course designed to bridge the gap between intermediate and advanced levels and further students’ development of listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. The main focus in the class is on culture and conversations. Students are encouraged to attach meaning directly to Spanish, without depending on English for understanding. For this reason, Spanish is the language used for communication at all times. Students should continue to become better learners of language by continuing to apply useful learning strategies to their work.

Prerequisites: AP Spanish Language & Culture course, completion of Spanish V, or approval by the Department Chair

A seminar-style course, this class challenges students to continue to develop second language acquisition through natural progression as they increase cultural awareness and appreciation for the rich history and culture of Spain and Latin America. The students explore a variety of authentic resources (film, poetry, prose, short novels, media, music, and art) as they work to expand their knowledge and awareness of the culture of the Spanish-speaking world. The course is centered around main themes that challenge the students to think globally and critically:

• Social issues
• Immigration
• Women’s rights and the female “voice” in Latin American society
• Drug trafficking
• Revolutions, dictatorships and political regimes

Through class debates and discussions, students continue to expand and develop their interpersonal communication skills. The hope is for students to become more proficient in each of the four key components of second language acquisition (reading, writing, speaking and listening) while developing a more advanced ability to synthesize what they have learned for a broader and more complex understanding of the world in which they live. Students analyze Latin American literary excerpts, current events and contemporary cinema and use their discoveries as the basis for active class discussion, presentation and composition.