Syllabus

Introduction to Modern Languages

Sra. Roy

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course provides an introduction to the concept of language. Topics include verbal and nonverbal communication, language acquisition, and language related to the students’ everyday world. Not only will this course reinforce English grammar, it will also introduce students to the basics of French/Spanish grammar as well as the cultures from these languages, and many others. This course is designed for students who have not previously taken a language course and would like to better their English grammar skills, through a 2nd language learning approach, and gain knowledge and awareness of languages, countries, traditions and customs worldwide.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

    • 1: 3-ring binder (1.5 inch)

    • Filler paper

    • A box of tissues

    • 4 fine-tip dry erase markers

    • An open mind

VIDEO/YOU-TUBE USAGE:

Television over the decades has dealt with a number of issues we will be discussing in this course throughout the year. From shows like I Love Lucy in the 1950s to sitcoms in the 1970s like All in the Family, Sanford and Son, The Jeffersons, and Mork and Mindy, to comedies in the '80s like Different Strokes and Alf to shows in the '90s like Seinfeld, 3rd Rock from the Sun and Perfect Strangers and even into today with shows like The Big Bang Theory and Modern Family. We will be viewing many clips from these programs to prove how communication/language and culture/traditions have made such an impact in our American world.

MOVIES:

My Big Fat Greek Wedding....with Nia Vardalos; directed by Joel Zwick

Akeelah and the Bee....with Laurence Fishburne; directed by Doug Atchison

The Red Balloon.....by Albert Lamorisse

HOMEWORK/TEXTBOOK:

At this point, I do not intend on having any homework on a regular basis, including over holidays and vacations.

The majority of the work will be conducted in class. We will not be using a textbook, therefore all materials will be provided

by the teacher.

SYLLABUS:

August/September:

    • How do we communicate?

    • Continents and languages

    • Cultural Universals

October:

    • Nouns and their identifiers (articles, demonstrative adjectives, possessive adjectives, # and # words)

November:

    • Noun/Adjective placement (in English, Spanish and French)

    • Elections/Government/Currency

December:

    • Holidays around the World

January:

    • Subjects/Subject Pronouns

February:

    • Pronouns: Direct/indirect/Reflexive

March:

  • Verbs: English tenses: 12 indicative forms (including the simple, perfects and progressives)

April:

  • Verbs: Spanish and French (including the conjugations of all types of regular present tense verbs) with a review of subject and direct object pronouns.

  • Artist in Residence Project

May:

    • Moods (Indicative, Subjunctive and Imperative)

    • Voices (Active and Passive)

    • Introduction of French/Spanish nouns

    • Conjugation of verbs "TO BE" and "TO LIKE"

June:

  • Write Spanish/French paragraphs

    • Watch "The Red Balloon"

    • Review for Final Exam

GRADE DETERMINATION:

10%: Responsibility (including class preparedness and class participation)

25%: Communication (writing and speaking activities, classwork, sub work including grammar points)

25%: Comprehension (listening and reading activities, grammar/vocab comprehension)

40%: Production (tests and projects)

STUDENT EXPECTATIONS:

Students are expected…

1. to come to class on time, prepared with materials for class (pen or pencil,

notebook)

2. to respect the teacher and fellow classmates

3. to participate during class

4. to seek extra help (if needed)

GENERAL INFORMATION:

· Each Student is responsible for his/her missed work, or future work that they may be missing for an expected absence.

· There is NO extra credit. Please spend the time that you would on an extra credit project doing class work and studying.

· In accordance with the school handbook, all policies directly correlate to the classroom. It is important to note the policy regarding CHEATING

and ELECTRONIC DEVICES during an assessment.

THERE IS TYPICALLY NO HOMEWORK GIVEN TO THE STUDENTS OF THIS CLASS.

***ANY ELECTRONIC DEVICE TAKEN OUT DURING ANY FORM OF ASSESSMENT WILL RESULT IN A “ZERO” FOR THE FINAL GRADE OF THE GIVEN ASSIGNMENT.

    • ***The instructional materials used at Hollis Brookline High School represent a broad range of knowledge, viewpoints, and experiences as well as a diversity of religious, ethnic, and cultural groups. Materials support curricular goals, stimulate academic growth, and provide students an opportunity to practice critical analysis while developing the ability to make intelligent judgments in their daily lives. We recognize that at times students and parents may object to some instructional material. If a parent wishes to have their student exempt from the use of any material, such as a video or novel utilized in a class, they must notify the teacher. It is strongly encouraged that the parent and student meet with the teacher to discuss the alternative material and/or any alternative assignments that coincide with the change in material.

    • If you have questions about the selection of course materials, please review the HBHS Cooperative School Board Policy IIA Instructional and Library Media Materials which can be found at http://policy.ctspublish.com/hollis-brookline-nhsba/.

Turnitin: Please note that some teachers will be using software to check students’ work for potential plagiarism or improper citations. For further information see: http://turnitin.com/.