World Language
Coordinator: ariel vargas
The purpose of the World Language Department is to provide an opportunity for all students to gain proficiency in Spanish and French according to ability, the pace and depth at which the student would like to learn a language. Every effort is made to acquaint the student with the history, the culture and the literature of the countries in which these languages are spoken. A continuum of four or five levels is encouraged for all students, especially honors students. Due to the sequential nature of learning a second language, students are encouraged not to skip a school year between levels.
HONORS SEQUENCE AND ADVANCED PLACEMENT
To succeed in an honors-level world language course, students must be prepared to work in depth and should desire to complete four or five courses in the language. Students can expect to exercise a great deal of independent responsibility for learning. Emphasis is placed on literature, advanced grammar, and communication skills. It is strongly recommended that all students in Advanced Placement courses schedule and take the Advanced Placement Examination administered by Educational Testing Service (ETS). The Advanced Placement Educational Examination costs approximately $90. There are special provisions to have this fee waived for students with a verified financial need. Students should see their school counselors for more details.
PREREQUISITES
Students recommended for Honors and AP level courses are required to have an A average in their current Academic level language course or an A or B in their current Honors level language course.
SPANISH II HONORS
Grades 9-12
WLA233 1.0 credit
In this course, students will continue the four skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) in the present and past tenses. Students will be expected to work in depth at an accelerated pace and can expect to exercise a great deal of independent responsibility for learning. Students should desire to complete the four-year sequence of study in the language.
PREREQUISITE: Spanish I with final grade of an “A”.
FRENCH III HONORS
Grades 11-12
WLA331 1.0 credit
Students will continue the four skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) in more complex sentence structure with advanced verb tenses and with richer vocabulary by using graded and authentic texts. The students exchange ideas in more advanced conversation and continue cultural studies, learning some national history and making connections to other subject areas. Students will be expected to work in depth at an accelerated pace. Students can expect to exercise a great deal of independent responsibility for learning. Students should desire to complete the four-year sequence of study in the language.
PREREQUISITE: Final grade of A in previous academic language course or B or above in previous honors language course.
SPANISH III HONORS
Grades 10-12
WLA333 1.0 credit
Students will continue the four skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) in more complex sentence structure with advanced verb tenses and with richer vocabulary by using graded and authentic texts. The students exchange ideas in more advanced conversation and continue cultural studies, learning some national history and making connections to other subject areas. Students will be expected to work in depth at an accelerated pace. Students can expect to exercise a great deal of independent responsibility for learning. Students should desire to complete the four-year sequence of study in the language.
PREREQUISITE: Final grade of A in previous academic language course or B or above in previous honors language course.
FRENCH IV HONORS
Grade 12
WLA431 1.0 credit
(*traditional course offering is dependent on number of students registered)
Students will be able to handle a variety of increasingly complicated communicative skills. They will participate in conversations beyond basic needs. Advanced literature and advanced reading selections are emphasized. Students will need to employ higher order thinking skills to write about and to discuss the readings. The history and literature of the target countries will be studied. Students will be expected to work in depth at an accelerated pace. Students can expect to exercise a great deal of independent responsibility for learning.
PREREQUISITE: Final grade of A in previous academic language course or B or above in previous honors language course.
SPANISH IV HONORS
Grade 11-12
WLA433 1.0 credit
Students will be able to handle a variety of increasingly complicated communicative skills. They will participate in conversations beyond basic needs. Advanced literature and advanced reading selections are emphasized. Students will need to employ higher order thinking skills to write about and to discuss the readings. The history and literature of the target countries will be studied. Students will be expected to work in depth at an accelerated pace. Students can expect to exercise a great deal of independent responsibility for learning.
PREREQUISITE: Final grade of A in previous academic language course or B or above in previous honors language course.
SPANISH ADVANCED PLACEMENT
Grade 12
WLA443 1.0 credit
Students who elect this course should already have knowledge of the language and culture of the countries where the target language is spoken. They should have attained a level of proficiency in listening comprehension, speaking, reading and writing. This third year college level course emphasizes advanced skills in the four areas of language acquisition. Students will study history, literature, art, poetry, current events and pop culture in the target language. Active communication is emphasized. Much independent learning is required. Completion of a summer assignment is required.
PREREQUISITE: Final grade of A in previous academic language course or B or above in previous honors language course.
NOTE: Students are strongly encouraged to schedule and take the Advanced Placement examination administered by the College Board.
ACADEMIC SEQUENCE
FRENCH I
Grades 9-12
WLA101 1.0 credit
In these courses, students will begin to listen, speak, read, and write in French foreign language. They will learn to express ideas and opinions about a variety of topics in the present and past tense in writing and in speaking. They will learn about the geographical areas in which the foreign language is spoken. Students will experience the culture through classroom activities.
In this course, students will begin to listen, speak, read, and write in German foreign language. They will learn to express ideas and opinions about a variety of topics in the present and past tense in writing and in speaking. They will learn about the geographical areas in which the foreign language is spoken. Students will experience the culture through classroom activities.
SPANISH I
Grades 9-12
WLA103 1.0 credit
In this course, students will begin to listen, speak, read, and write in Spanish foreign language. They will learn to express ideas and opinions about a variety of topics in the present and past tense in writing and in speaking. They will learn about the geographical areas in which the foreign language is spoken. Students will experience the culture through classroom activities.
FRENCH II
Grades 9-12
WLA 201 1.0 credit
In this course, students will continue the four skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) in the present, past, and future tenses. Students begin to communicate in longer utterances and paragraphs through guided composition. Students experience the culture through classroom activities.
PREREQUISITE: Successful completion of previous level academic language course.
SPANISH II
Grades 9-12
WLA203 1.0 credit
In this course, students will continue the four skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) in the present, past, and future tenses. Students begin to communicate in longer utterances and paragraphs through guided composition. Students experience the culture through classroom activities.
PREREQUISITE: Successful completion of previous level academic language course.
SPANISH III
Grades 10-12
WLA303 1.0 credit
In this course, students will continue the four skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) in more complex sentence structure with advanced verb tenses and with richer vocabulary by using graded and authentic texts. They exchange ideas in more advanced conversation and continue cultural studies, learning some national history, and making connections to other subject areas. (Grade 10-12)
PREREQUISITE: Successful completion of previous level academic language course.
SPANISH IV
Grades 11-12
WLA401 1.0 credit
(*traditional course offering is dependent on number of students registered)
Students will be able to handle a variety of increasingly complicated communicative skills. They will participate in conversations beyond basic needs. Advanced literature and advanced reading selections are emphasized. Students will need to employ higher order thinking skills to write about and to discuss the readings. The history and literature of the target countries will be studied.
PREREQUISITE: Successful completion of previous level academic language course.