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WORLD LANGUAGES - CURRICULUM | FACULTY
The World Languages curriculum affords students the opportunity to begin or continue their study of Chinese, French and/or Spanish. In accordance with the National Foreign Language Standards, the curriculum is designed to foster communication in the target language, to stress knowledge of the target culture, to encourage connections with other disciplines, to make comparisons between the target language and culture and their own, and finally, to participate in multilingual communities at home and around the world. Because communication is at the core of the World Language curriculum, students must be encouraged to speak. In order to improve comprehension and verbal skills, students have the opportunity to work in an interactive language laboratory. Students have further opportunity to perfect speaking skills and to gain cultural awareness during activities which simulate reality, use realia, and utilize audio-visual aids. The World Language teachers ultimately gauge student progress by means of traditional as well as performance based assessment. Finally, the curriculum is enhanced by trips to France and Spain, field trips, and varied classroom projects. By learning a world language, it is believed that students will nurture the critical thinking skills necessary to become lifelong learners.
Graduation requirement: 2 credits in the same language
CHINESE MANDARIN I
Credit: 1 unit
Eligible Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: None
Chinese Mandarin I is a beginning level world language course designed for students who have had limited or no previous exposure to the language. With a Chinese language course for beginners, students will gain listening, speaking, reading and writing skills in standard Chinese (Mandarin) and acquire an appreciation of Chinese culture. Students will be introduced to new vocabulary and language structures in a communicative environment using a variety of readings, projects, as well as “Tell Me More” and additional interactive internet-based activities.
CHINESE MANDARIN II (not offered in 2012-2013)
Credit: 1 unit
Eligible Grade Level: 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: Chinese Mandarin I
FRENCH I
Credit: 1 unit
Eligible Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: None
French 1 is a beginning level world language course designed for students who have had limited or no previous exposure to the language. This course emphasizes the four language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Since fluency is one of the major goals of French study, particular emphasis is placed on speaking exercises and proper pronunciation of the material. Students also explore various cultural elements of the Francophone countries through readings and presentations. To support this process, students use the “Tell Me More” and other interactive language software in the computer lab, and internet based activities.
FRENCH II
Credit: 1 unit
Eligible Grade Level: 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: French I
Students continue to develop their listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. Furthermore, students continue to work on proper pronunciation while practicing more complex grammar. Finally, students learn practical vocabulary to use in real-life situations. Interwoven with the study of useful vocabulary and grammar, is the presentation of French culture and civilization. Students must complete units of the “Tell Me More” and other interactive language software in the computer lab.
HONORS FRENCH II
Credit: 1 unit
Eligible Grade Level: 10, 11, 12 (9 by world language placement test)
Prerequisite: Minimum 88% in French I grade and recommendation of French I instructor.
While all French II students continue to develop their listening, speaking, reading and writing skills, an Honors French II student will be encouraged to speak French on an ever increasing basis with the goal being to use the target language during the entire class. The Honors French II student learns complex grammar, proper pronunciation, and practical vocabulary for real-life situations. Interwoven with the study of useful vocabulary and grammar, is the presentation of French culture and civilization. Students must also complete specific units of the “Tell Me More” interactive language software in the computer lab.
HONORS FRENCH III
Credit: 1 unit
Eligible Grade Level: 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: Minimum 86% in Honors French II and recommendation of instructor. The student may also qualify with a 95% in regular French II and recommendation of instructor.
Honors French III is designed to develop a more advanced command of the four language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. While advanced grammar and verb tenses are an integral part of the curriculum, continued emphasis will be placed on speaking and proper pronunciation. Furthermore, students adopt the name, family and profession of a famous French personality. Students must research, write a paper and deliver a creative speech in French detailing their new persona. The students retain this personality during French III as well as French IV. In addition, students read an original short story from the Petit Nicholas series. They begin to analyze, discuss and summarize in French, the literature they have read. Finally, students must also complete units in the computer lab using the interactive language software “Tell Me More” and internet based activities.
HONORS FRENCH IV
Credit: 1 unit
Eligible Grade Level: 11, 12
Prerequisites: Minimum 86% in Honors French III and recommendation of instructor.
Students continue to develop a more advanced command of the four language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. While difficult grammar and verb tenses are an integral part of the curriculum, continued emphasis is placed on writing, speaking and proper pronunciation. Students maintain the French speaking personality they developed in Honors French III. Students must also complete units in the computer lab working with the interactive language software “Tell Me More.” Furthermore, students will read and analyze Le Petit Prince by Antoine de Saint Exupéry or Les Miserables by Victor Hugo. Finally, students will conclude their course of study with Les Beaux Arts: French poetry, art and film.
HONORS FRENCH V
Credit: 1 unit
Eligible Grade Level: 11, 12
Prerequisite: Minimum 88% in Honors French IV and recommendation of instructor.
This course is designed for students who have completed the 4th level of Honors French Language study. These students must have an advanced command of the four language skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. Students will continue to refine these skills, view accompanying films and complete corresponding lab work designed to enhance listening and speaking skills as well as reinforce advanced grammar. Students will also continue to work with native speakers using the “Tell Me More” and other interactive language software and internet based activities in the computer lab.
SPANISH I
Credit: 1 unit
Eligible Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: None
Spanish I is a beginning level world language course designed for students who have had limited or no previous exposure to the language. This course emphasizes the four language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Since fluency is one of the major goals of world language study, particular emphasis is placed on speaking exercises and proper pronunciation of the material. Students also explore various cultural elements of Spain as well as other Spanish-speaking countries through readings, projects, and the “Tell Me More” and other interactive language software.
SPANISH II
Credit: 1 unit
Eligible Grade Level: 10, 11, 12
Prerequisites: Spanish I or world language placement test
Students continue to develop their listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. This course also examines Spanish culture and civilization in various Spanish speaking countries. Students must also complete specific units of the “Tell Me More” and other interactive language software in the computer lab.
HONORS SPANISH II
Credit: 1 unit
Eligible Grade Level: 10, 11, 12 (9 by world language placement test)
Prerequisite: Minimum 93% Spanish I and recommendation of instructor. Incoming freshman may qualify for Spanish II Honors contingent upon placement exam results.
All Spanish II Honors students continue to develop their listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. An Honors Spanish II student is encouraged to speak Spanish on an ever-increasing basis with the goal being to use the target language during the entire class. This course introduces many cultural elements representative of Spanish-speakers from the United States, Spain and Latin America. Students are required to complete specific units in the computer lab with the interactive language software “Tell Me More.”
SPANISH III
Credit: 1 unit
Eligible Grade Level: 10, 11, 12
Prerequisites: Minimum of 80% in Spanish II Honors or 85% in Spanish II and recommendation of instructor.
Students continue to reinforce grammatical concepts learned previously. Emphasis is placed on identifying and conjugating verbs in a variety of different levels. Students journal frequently on a variety of related topics. During the second semester, students read “La herencia” which reinforces learned materials. Students must also complete specific units of the “Tell Me More” and other interactive language software in the computer lab.
HONORS SPANISH III
Credit: 1 unit
Eligible Grade Level: 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: Minimum 90% in Honors Spanish II and recommendation of instructor.
Students begin with the review of previously learned vocabulary and grammatical concepts. New vocabulary, advanced grammar and writing are an integral part of the course. These concepts prepare students for reading and discussing various Spanish literatures, including the classic Lazarillo de Tormes. Classroom discussion and conversation is conducted in Spanish. Students must also complete specific units of the “Tell Me More” and other interactive language software in the computer lab.
SPANISH IV
Credit: 1 unit
Eligible Grade Level: 11, 12
Prerequisite: Minimum of 80% in Spanish III
Students continue with the advanced study of grammar, writing and reading with an emphasis in conversational Spanish. Classroom discussion and conversation is conducted in Spanish. Students must also complete specific units of the “Tell Me More” and other interactive language software in the computer lab.
HONORS SPANISH IV
Credit: 1 unit
Eligible Grade Level: 11, 12
Prerequisites: Minimum 93% in Spanish III Honors and recommendation of instructor.
Students continue the advanced study and refinement of grammar, writing, speaking, reading, and listening skills. All classroom discussions and conversation are conducted in Spanish by both the teacher and the students. College level assignments and assessments are employed to prepare students for college entrance exams. Students will be exposed to various works of literature, cinema, and current events to expand their cultural understanding of the Spain and Latin America. Students must complete specific units of the “Tell Me More” and other interactive language software in the computer lab.
HONORS SPANISH V
Credit: 1 unit
Eligible Grade Level: 12
Prerequisite: Minimum of 93% in Honors Spanish IV and recommendation of instructor.
This course is designed for students who have completed the fourth level of Honors Spanish Language study. These students must have an advanced command of the four language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Students continue to refine these skills through applying them in useful “real world” situations. They will also use these skills in the study of Spanish and Latin American civilizations along with literature from those areas. They also continue working with native speakers using the “Tell Me More” interactive language software in the computer lab. Finally, students, upon completion, are eligible to take the Advanced Placement Spanish Language exam.
