World Language

(1.0 Credit)

Chinese I is an elementary course, designed for students who have no formal background in Chinese. It introduces the Chinese (Mandarin) phonetic system, basic grammatical structures, functional daily language use, and covers about 200 characters and associated phrases. It emphasizes the training of all four language skills (listening, reading, speaking, and writing) as well as understanding of the socio-linguistics and socio-cultural factors that are important to cross-cultural communication. The general teaching and learning objectives of Chinese language courses include 1) to introduce knowledge about the Chinese language; 2) to teach learners how to learn a foreign language and culture; and 3) to promote learners’ cross-cultural understanding and communicative skills. The classroom activities are student centered, task based, and proficiency oriented. Computer input methods will be emphasized. 

(1.0 Credit; Prerequisite: Chinese I)

Chinese II continues to focus on the introduction to the Chinese language grammatical system as well as the functional use of the language. It develops learners’ communicative competence from general description of events to specific descriptions, from sentences to discourses with contexts, from simple expressions to complex structures. The learning activities encourage cooperative learning, use of information technology, and creative learning and thinking. 

(1.0 Credit; Prerequisite: Chinese II)

Chinese III is an intermediate level Chinese language course that introduces sophisticated topics and emphasizes using authentic materials. Cultural learning and development of insight into the nature of the language and culture are integrated into the curriculum. Students are expected to reach higher levels of proficiency in the target language. 

 (1.0 Credit; Prerequisite: Chinese III)

Chinese IV is an advanced Chinese language course that emphasizes the transition from using spoken language to its formal written forms. Texts from Chinese contemporary literature, TV programs, and related internet sites will be used as reading and listening materials. Performing scripts, in-depth discussions, and written reports in Chinese will be developed as individual or group projects. 

(1.0 Credit; Prerequisite: Chinese IV)

The AP Chinese Language and Culture course is in alignment with national standards which emphasize proficiency in “5 Cs” and language skills across the three communicative modes. It aims at thoroughly and effectively integrating cultural content knowledge and language skills, providing for the frequent formative assessment of students’ developing proficiencies within the context of their learning. The content begins with fundamental aspects of daily life, progresses through topics surrounding Chinese family and societal structures over the six main themes of AP world languages and finally culminates in national and international perspectives. The course examines the expanding spheres of influence in Chinese life. General testing strategies and skills as well as use of computers for testing will also be an important and unavoidable part of the course. The instructional materials and activities are carefully and strategically chosen to support the goals of the course.

(1.0 Credit; Prerequisite: Chinese IV)

Chinese V focuses on reading and writing. The reading emphasizes various styles of authentic materials in Chinese such as newspaper articles, prose, and short stories, also materials in traditional versions of Chinese characters in order to enhance students’ reading capacity. The topics and styles of writing assignments cooperate with styles and content of reading. Oral discussion on themes and styles before each writing is also an important part of the prerequisite. Social variations and cultural understanding and appreciation are integrated aspects of learning. A portfolio of student’s writing is part of the assessment of overall proficiency and improvement.

(1.0 Credit)

The French curriculum uses a graduated immersion model. This course is based on National Standards such as the three modes of communication: interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational. The themes and grammar of each level are scaffolded to support the AP curriculum. Subthemes: Greetings/Leave-takings, school life, friends and family, interests and hobbies, holidays/celebrations, and clothing.

(1.0 Credit; Prerequisite: French I)

The French curriculum uses a graduated immersion model. This course is based on National Standards such as the three modes of communication: interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational. The themes and grammar of each level are scaffolded to support the AP curriculum. Subthemes: travel and vacation, household objects and responsibilities, health and eating habits, use of technology and devices.

(1.0 Credit; Prerequisite: French II)

The French curriculum uses a graduated immersion model (this class is taught in French). This course is based on National Standards such as the three modes of communication: interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational. The themes and grammar of each level are scaffolded to support the AP curriculum. Subthemes: professions and the working world, technology, environment, the arts.

(1.0 Credit; Prerequisite: French III)

The French curriculum uses a graduated immersion model (this class is taught in French). This course is based on National Standards such as the three modes of communication: interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational. The themes and grammar of each level are scaffolded to support the AP curriculum.  Subthemes are taken from the AP subthemes (see below).

(1.0 Credit; Prerequisite: French III or French IV)

The AP French Language and Culture course builds on students’ previous knowledge as they develop the productive, receptive and cultural skills necessary to communicate with French language speakers (this class is taught in French). This course is based on National Standards such as the three modes of communication: interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational. Also, the course includes grammar review, which is reinforced and built upon through reading of literature, articles, short stories and written communication in target language. If students take this course, they may take the AP French test. Subthemes: global challenges, science and technology, contemporary life, personal and public identities, family and communities, arts and aesthetics.

(1.0 Credit; Prerequisite: AP French)

This course is an accelerated version of French IV and a complement to AP French. It is an advanced course designed to enhance the language skills students have already learned in French I-IV. This course is usually taught exclusively in French, and all students are expected to use French in every aspect of language learning.

(1.0 Credit)

Students learn the Japanese language through the four basic language skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) that will help them communicate with other Japanese speakers. Students learn the basic three Japanese character systems: Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji with phonetic practicing. Students will acquire basic vocabulary, sentence structure, tense, and verb and adjective conjugation. Students will learn about greetings, numbers, dates, family, hobbies, body parts, shopping, and useful classroom expressions. Students will be exposed to Japanese culture with visual and reading materials for smooth communication and understanding of the culture.

(1.0 Credit; Prerequisite: Japanese I)

This course builds on the first year, allowing students to maintain, refine, and further develop the four basic skills at increasing levels of difficulty. Students learn more oral communication and reading skills, and verb and adjective conjugation, which is the biggest formula form in Japanese. Students learn additional reading skills with authentic Japanese materials and Kanji. Students interact in Japanese in a limited setting and begin to understand the fine arts of Japanese society. 

(1.0 Credit; Prerequisite: Japanese II)

Students will learn sophisticated sentence structure and vocabulary at an intermediate level. Reading literary texts of interest to students and exercises in written expression are greatly expanded. Students will use Japanese to communicate within and beyond the classroom setting. Students will extend the number of Kanji and begin to explore literary works and focus on writing in Japanese. Also, students will develop and understand Japanese customs. 

(1.0 Credit; Prerequisite: Japanese III)

This course includes intensive reading of literary texts with emphasis on style and grammar review and continued writing practice using themes from the texts that are being read in the class. Students will interact in Japanese in various settings and understand written passages from sources such as Japanese newspapers. Students will extend the number of Kanji and write the Kanji in various situations. They will also study the history of areas where Japanese is spoken. 

(1.0 Credit; Prerequisite: Japanese IV)

This AP Japanese Language and Culture course builds on students’ previous knowledge as they develop the productive, receptive, and cultural skills necessary to communicate with Japanese language speakers. This course is based on National Standards such as the three modes of communication; interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational. Also, the course includes grammar review, which is reinforced and built upon through reading of literature, articles, short stories and written communication in target language. If students take this course, they may take the AP Japanese test. 

(1.0 Credit)

The Honors Latin 1 class introduces students to the Latin language, as well as the history, culture, literature, and mythology of the ancient Romans. Latin language study bolsters students’ understanding of the mechanics and structure of English (and other primary languages), enhances English vocabulary, and begins to prepare them to read influential Latin texts in the original language of composition. In accordance with contemporary Classical Language Learning Standards, students acquire not only elementary reading and writing skills but also basic oral communication skills (e.g., greetings, questions, commands) and vocabulary (e.g., animals, body parts, days of the week, weather terms, rooms of the Roman house and baths). The study of Latin grammar and vocabulary is supplemented regularly with readings, documentaries, and other sources highlighting the profound influence of the Romans on all aspects of modern life: socio-political, philosophical, and artistic. In Latin I, students focus, in particular, on the Roman Monarchy and Republic (753-27 B.C.). Individual research, oral presentations, and art projects permit students to demonstrate understanding of the rich context from which the Latin language arose. 

(1.0 Credit; Prerequisite: Latin I)

The Honors Latin II class completes the study of essential grammatical concepts, while deepening students’ knowledge of the ancient Romans. By the end of this course, students will have mastered all declensions of nouns and those of most pronouns; all tenses and moods of verbs, both active and passive; and complex grammatical structures using participles, infinitives, and subjunctive verb forms (e.g., ablative absolutes, periphrastics, indirect statements, purpose and result clauses). Through translation of increasingly difficult Latin passages (including original ancient texts), as well as composition assignments in Latin, students hone their Latin comprehension and communication skills. The study of Latin grammar and vocabulary is again supplemented regularly with readings, documentaries, and other sources highlighting the profound influence of the Romans on all aspects of modern life: socio-political, philosophical, and artistic. In Honors Latin II, students focus more on the period of the Roman Empire (27 B.C. - 476 A.D.). Individual research, oral presentations, and art projects permit students to demonstrate understanding of the rich context from which the Latin language arose. 

(1.0 Credit; Prerequisite: Latin II/III)

The Honors Latin III/IV class introduces students to the world of Latin literature, even as they continue to solidify their mastery of Latin vocabulary, grammar, and syntax through both reading and writing in Latin. Although the literary selections change from year to year based on student and teacher interest, prose works such as the speeches of Cicero and Petronius’ Satyricon (the first novel in Western literature) and poetry from the likes of Catullus and Ovid (Metamorphoses) are standard fare. In these works, students will explore issues of genre, stylistic devices and themes, and literary analysis generally, as they translate original Latin texts and comment on their literary and historical significance through class discussion, individual and group presentations, art projects, and essays.  N.B. This course may be offered every other year, in rotation with the AP Latin class.

(1.0 Credit; Prerequisite: Latin IV)

The AP Latin course focuses on the in-depth study of selections from two of the greatest works in Latin literature: Vergil’s Aeneid and Caesar’s Gallic War. The course requires students to prepare and translate the readings and place these texts in a meaningful context, which helps develop critical, historical, and literary sensitivities. Throughout the course, students consider themes in the context of ancient literature and bring these works to life through classroom discussions, debates, and presentations. Additional English readings from both of these works help place the Latin readings in a significant context.  If students take this course, they may take the AP Latin test. N.B. This course may be offered every other year, in rotation with the Honors Latin III/IV Latin class.

(1.0 Credit; Prerequisite: Latin IV/AP)

The Honors Latin V course is offered to those students who have completed Latin IV and/or AP Latin and wish to continue their study of the language in high school. This course will include readings in original Latin texts from authors not previously covered in Latin III, IV, or AP.

(1.0 Credit)

Honors Spanish I presents and practices the basic language typical of the novice level. Students will learn skills in listening, writing, speaking, and reading as well as gain an insight into the way of life among people in different Spanish speaking countries. Students are expected to use Spanish for all in-class communication. Students learn greetings, expressions of courtesy, numbers, days, expressing likes and dislikes, the present, present progressive, and past tense (preterite) verbs conjugations, and vocabulary dealing with real life situations. Reflexive verbs are introduced in the present tense. Asking and answering questions and making oneself understood in simple social situations are a part of this course. Class requires written and oral work, role- play, group and pair work. 

(1.0 Credit; Prerequisite: Honors Spanish II) 

The third year student needs a great deal of grammar review. Grammar is reviewed and new grammar is presented. The present subjunctive mood as well as imperfect subjunctive are covered in-depth. The passive voice as well as relative pronouns are reviewed. Vocabulary is reviewed and expanded. Students continue to work entirely in the target language and reading skills continue to be developed through longer reading selections, which cover culture, literature or an excerpt from a newspaper. Comprehension items follow and require oral and written responses. Role-play and group and pair work continue to develop speaking skills. 

(1.0 Credit; Prerequisite: Honors Spanish III) 

This advanced language course builds on the solid foundation that was established during the first three years. The course is conducted entirely in Spanish and includes a grammar review, reading of literature, poetry, short stories and oral and written communication in the target language. Various aspects of Hispanic cultures are examined and discussed. The focus of this course is not only on speaking and understanding both oral and written Spanish with greater ease and fluency, but also on being able to communicate in greater detail about more topics both orally and in writing. 

(1.0 Credit; Prerequisite: Honors Spanish IV)  

The AP Spanish language course builds on students’ previous knowledge as they develop the productive, receptive and cultural skills necessary to communicate with Spanish language speakers. This course is based on National Standards such as the three modes of communication: interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational. Also, the course includes grammar review, which is reinforced and built upon through reading of literature, articles, short stories, and written communication in the target language. If students take this course, they may take the AP Spanish test.