Classical & World Languages
5 credits of World Languages courses are required for graduation in NJ.
World Language courses are subject to availability.
One year of a world language course is required for graduation (5 credits).
Entry in a level 1 language is recommended for students who have not taken the language in previous years.
Questions regarding prerequisites and/or sequence acceleration should be directed to the department supervisor at your school.
5 Credits, Grades 9 - 12
Prerequisite: French 1
The units in French 2 are presented within a context of French and Francophone cultures; we accept and appreciate that language and culture are inseparable and we teach and learn about them together. French 2 Students will deepen their understanding of their own culture, and learn to recognize and discuss similarities and differences between the American experience and that of France and other French-speaking countries. Specifically, French grammar, vocabulary, and structure are presented, practiced, and integrated with supplemental activities and discussions of French history, traditions, products, geography, and habits, etc., accessed via the Internet, which provides access to an ever-expanding and diverse supply of relevant and current information.
5 Credits, Grades 10 - 12
Prerequisite: French 2
This course refines grammar skills and knowledge of the French language and culture. Oral presentations and written projects are used as primary teaching strategies.
5 Credits, Grades 11 - 12
Prerequisite: French 3
This course utilizes skills previously learned as a vehicle to conduct an in-depth study of the French language and culture emphasizing contemporary issues and oral fluency.
5 Credits, Grade 12
Prerequisite: Honors French 4
This course emphasizes the use of language for active communication and helps students to develop an ability to understand spoken French in various contexts; a French vocabulary sufficient to read newspaper/magazine articles, literary texts, and other non-technical writings without dependence on a dictionary; and the ability to express themselves coherently, resourcefully, and with reasonable fluency and accuracy in both written and spoken French.
5 Credits, Grades 9 - 12
Throughout Italian 1, students will gain knowledge of Italian language structures and vocabulary to communicate in written and oral scenarios. Throughout this course, students will develop basic language patterns and vocabulary through repetition and comprehensible input. Students taking this course will develop reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills in the target language and will increase proficiency. This course will engage students in discovering the learning of a world language, allowing them to gain a global perspective through the study of culture. By the end of the course, learners will be able to apply their language skills to engage in meaningful conversations regarding community and culture by comparing and contrasting American life with that of Italian life.
5 Credits, Grades 9 - 12
Prerequisite: Italian 1
Throughout Italian 2, students will increase their knowledge of Italian language structures and vocabulary in order to communicate more proficiently in real- life situations. Students will improve their reading, writing and speaking skills through cognitively complex tasks in order to cultivate a sense of global awareness. By the end of the course, students will engage in meaningful conversations by comparing and contrasting the Italian and American culture.
5 Credits, Grades 10 - 12
Prerequisite: Italian 2
Throughout Academic Italian 3, students will depend on their knowledge of Italian culture, history, language structures, and vocabulary to communicate authentically using all modes of communication. Students will further develop knowledge of fundamental and more complex language structures and vocabulary through relevant, engaging, and comprehensible interactions that relate to life in Italy. Students taking this course will continue developing their reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills and increase proficiency in Italian. In addition, students will gain a global perspective through the study of the Italian culture. By the end of the course, learners will be able to apply their language skills to engage in authentic conversations regarding community and culture by making connections to life in the United States with that of the Italian-speaking world.
5 Credits, Grades 11 - 12
Prerequisite: Italian 3
Italian 4 Honors is designed to promote the learning of new concepts and to enhance the usage of previously learned language skills to achieve proficiency in the target language. The focus of this course is to increase linguistic and cultural awareness by making use of a variety of methodologies. Teachers will choose techniques based on their own teaching styles and preferences according to the needs of their individual classes. The methodologies used in this course are to develop skills in the areas of listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT ITALIAN LANGUAGE & CULTURE
5 Credits, Grades 11 - 12
Prerequisite: Honors Italian 4
This course develops students reading, writing, listening, and speaking while interweaving cultural content through the course. Students will demonstrate proficiency across three communicative modes of interpersonal (interactive communication), interpretive (receptive communication), presentation (productive communication).
5 Credits, Grades 9 - 12
In this class, students will learn about the Latin language and various aspects of Ancient Roman history and culture. They will be introduced to Latin vocabulary and grammar. Latin I will emphasize the importance of Latin derivatives and how Latin can be used to help enhance English vocabulary as well as help students to learn other Romance languages. This class will examine various aspects of Ancient Roman culture, history, geography, social structures, mythology, and government not only to learn about the past but also to examine the countless ways Ancient Rome impacts society today.
5 Credits, Grades 10 - 12
Prerequisite: Latin 1
In Latin 2 students will learn about the Latin language and various aspects of Ancient Roman history and culture. They will further develop their Latin vocabulary and grammar. Latin will emphasize the importance of English derivatives and how can be used to help enhance English vocabulary, as well as help, learn other Romance languages. This class will examine various aspects of Ancient Roman culture, history, geography, military, mythology, technology, science, and medicine not only to learn about the past but also to examine the countless ways Ancient Rome impacts our society today. This course will solidify the foundation for tackling authentic Latin.
5 Credits, Grades 11 - 12
Prerequisite: Latin 2
This advanced course is a refinement of grammar skills and a continuation of the study of Roman literature through the works of authors such as Sallust, Suetonius, Pliny, and Cicero. Reading center around the politics and government of the late Republican period. Emphasis is placed on the Roman contribution to western culture.
5 Credits, Grades 11 - 12
Prerequisite: Latin 3
This course is a refinement of learned grammar skills and a continuation of the study of Roman literature through the works of such poets as Horace, Virgil, Catullus, Ovid, and Martial. Historical concentration is placed on the period of the Empire. Literature from other time periods may also be included. Emphasis is placed on the Roman contribution to western culture.
5 Credits, Grades 11 - 12
Prerequisite: Honors Latin 4
AP Latin is designed to provide advanced high school students with a rich and rigorous Latin course, approximately equivalent to an upper-intermediate college or university Latin course. Students who successfully complete the course are able to read, understand, translate, and analyze Latin poetry and prose.
5 Credits, Grades 9 - 12
This course is designed to develop speaking, listening, and writing proficiency in Mandarin, utilizing the simplified character style. Students study vocabulary, grammatical structures, and contemporary expressions, and begin an initial exploration of the Chinese culture and its increasing importance in the contemporary world. Through songs, poems, pictures, and stories, students discover the world of Chinese art and literature.
5 Credits, Grades 9 - 12
Prerequisite: Mandarin 1
This course is a continuation of skill development, combined with a significant increase in vocabulary and tenses. Students read simple selections in Mandarin based on Chinese culture, customs and traditions as a means to facilitate oral proficiency, as well as reinforce grammar, vocabulary mastery, and writing in the simplified character style.
5 Credits, Grades 10 - 12
Prerequisite: Mandarin 2
This course refines grammar skills, writing in the simplified character style and further enhances the knowledge of Chinese culture, tradition, and beliefs. Oral presentations and written projects assist students in developing their enthusiasm for language.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT CHINESE LANGUAGE & CULTURE
5 Credits, Grade 12
Prerequisite: Mandarin 3
The AP Chinese Language and Culture course in Mandarin Chinese emphasizes communication (understanding and being understood by others) by applying interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational skills in real-life situations. This includes vocabulary usage, language control, communication strategies, and cultural awareness. The AP Chinese Language and Culture course strives not to overemphasize grammatical accuracy at the expense of communication. To best facilitate the study of language and culture, the course is taught almost exclusively in Chinese.
5 Credits, Grades 9 - 12
Throughout Spanish 1, students will gain knowledge of Spanish language structures and vocabulary to communicate. During the duration of this course, students will develop basic language patterns and vocabulary through repetition and comprehensible input. Students taking this course will develop reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills in the target language and will increase proficiency according to the level. This course will engage students in discovering the learning of a foreign language, allowing them to gain a global perspective through the study of culture. By the end of the course, learners will be able to apply their language skills to engage in meaningful conversations regarding community and culture by comparing and contrasting American life with that of Hispanic life.
5 Credits, Grades 9 - 12
Prerequisite: Spanish 1
Throughout Academic Spanish 2, students will gain knowledge of Spanish language structures and vocabulary to communicate about real-life situations in three modes of communication. During this course, students will develop knowledge of fundamental language structures and vocabulary through relevant, engaging and comprehensible interactions. Students taking this course will expand and improve their reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills in Spanish and will increase proficiency. In addition to learning a foreign language, students will gain a global perspective through the study of culture. By the end of the course, learners will be able to apply their language skills to engage in meaningful conversations regarding community and culture by comparing and contrasting life in the United States with that of the Spanish-speaking world.
5 Credits, Grades 10 - 12
Prerequisite: Spanish 2
Throughout Academic Spanish 3, students will depend on their knowledge of Spanish culture, history, language structures, and vocabulary to communicate meaningfully using all modes of communication. During this course, students will further develop knowledge of fundamental and more complex language structures and vocabulary through relevant, engaging, and comprehensible interactions that relate to life in different Spanish-speaking countries. Students taking this course will continue developing their reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills and increase proficiency in Spanish. In addition, students will gain a global perspective through the study of various cultures. By the end of the course, learners will be able to apply their language skills to engage in meaningful conversations regarding community and culture by making connections to life in the United States with that of the Spanish-speaking world.
5 Credits, Grades 11 - 12
Prerequisite: Spanish 3
Honors Spanish 4 will help students develop an understanding of how the world is organized and interconnected. It is designed to develop and refine the four communicative skills in the Spanish language as students discuss family, health, art, public figures, ecosystems, and education within Spanish-speaking countries and how they relate to the United States. Through the study of current and past issues, students will make connections, comparisons, and develop a deeper understanding of their own language and culture and those of other communities. Students will develop the necessary skills to interpret and communicate in Spanish in both their educational and personal life.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT SPANISH LANGUAGE
5 Credits, Grade 12
Prerequisite: Honors Spanish 4
Advanced Placement Spanish is a rigorous college-level course that encompasses the in-depth study of various language structures embedded in relevant literary, cultural and social topics. The course provides students with multiple opportunities to apply and transfer their knowledge of Spanish in all three modes of communication. This course is designed to further develop and refine the four communication skills in the Spanish language. Students in this course will explore and analyze meaningful themes that will allow them to make connections and comparisons between their culture and those of the Spanish-speaking world to develop a deeper understanding of the global community in which they live. Students will interact in the target language by completing authentic tasks including reading and listening to authentic materials, interacting in written form by developing essays and creating electronic and conventional correspondence, and engaging in simulated and real-life conversations at high levels of complexity. They will also interpret written, visual and audio communication in the target language.