HS World Languages Courses

World Languages (Languages Other Than English - LOTE)

When considering which language to study in high school, parents and students should consider the fact that motivation is the most important factor in a student’s success. Brain research confirms that acquiring any second language makes it easier to acquire a third and a fourth, so starting with a language that has high interest for the student is key. Continuing to improve proficiency in the original language of study will become an intrinsic endeavor and improve the ability to learn more languages as they become interesting or important for future career choices. In the end, students must be ready to work in a highly competitive international economic environment and being able to communicate in another language is an important edge.

LOTE Level 1

Grade: 9-12                     Credit: 1 – full year

RISD: 6102 - French       PEIMS: 03410100

       6701 – Japanese                03120100

       6301 – Latin                                03430100

       6002 – Spanish                           03440100

Prerequisite: None

Endorsement: A&H

NCAA Approved

The primary focus of a Level 1 class is to develop listening and reading comprehension in students, while developing early speaking and writing skills. To meet this end, 80%-100% of the class must be conducted in the target language.  Students will read, listen to, and interpret text and audio resources in the target language; and speak and write using very basic language.  (Students studying a classical language will primarily focus on reading and understanding the influence of one language and culture on another and will write using very basic language.)

LOTE Level 2 - Basic Communication

Grade: 9-12                     Credit: 1 – full year

RISD: 6106 - French       PEIMS: 03410200

       6702 – Japanese                03120200

       6305 – Latin                                03430200

       6006 – Spanish                           03440200

Prerequisite: Level 1

Endorsement: A&H

NCAA Approved

The primary focus of Level 2 classes is to bring all students to at least a novice-high level of proficiency.  A large portion of the curriculum is focused on strategies that develop interpretive skills, with an additional focus on speaking and writing for basic communication.  To meet this end, 85%-100% of the class must be conducted in the target language, with appropriate scaffolding to facilitate development of communication skills for students.  (Students studying a classical language will primarily focus on developing translation skills to promote comprehension of the language, as well as understanding the influence of one language and culture on another.)

LOTE Level 2 -  Advanced

Grade: 9-12                 Credit: 1 – full year

RISD: 6107 - French      PEIMS: 03410200

             6707 – Japanese             03120200

            6308 – Latin                     03430200

            6016 – Spanish                 03440200

Prerequisite: Level 1 or credit exam

Endorsement: A&H

NCAA Approved

UIL Exempt Course

QP - 5


The primary focus of Level 2 classes is to bring all students to at least a novice-high level of proficiency.  A large portion of the curriculum is focused on strategies that develop interpretive skills, with an additional focus on speaking and writing.  To meet this end, 85%-100% of the class must be conducted in the target language. Activities and assessments in Level 2 Pre-AP begin to introduce students to the AP format.

LOTE Level 3

Grade: 9-12                     Credit: 1 – full year

RISD: 6109 - French       PEIMS: 03410300

            6010 – Spanish                   03440300

Prerequisite: Level 2

Endorsement: A&H, Multi

Advanced course

NCAA Approved

The primary focus of the Level III class is to bring all students at least to an intermediate-low level of proficiency in all modes of communication.   Students begin exploring literary themes via authentic target language resources with plentiful teacher guidance.  Students continue refining their ear for the language with 90%-100% of the class conducted in the target language.  Both formal and informal speaking and writing become more process oriented. 

LOTE Level 3 - Advanced

Grade: 9-12                     Credit: 1 – full year

RISD: 6110 - French       PEIMS: 03410300

              6703 – Japanese              03120300

              6306 – Latin                     03430300

              6011 – Spanish                03440300

Prerequisite: Level 2 or credit exam

Endorsement: A&H, Multi

Advanced course

NCAA Approved

UIL Exempt

QP - 5


The primary focus of the Level III Advanced class is to bring all students to at least an intermediate-low level of proficiency in all modes of communication, and to begin preparation for the AP Language course and exam.  Students begin exploring literary themes via authentic target language resources with plentiful teacher guidance.  Students continue refining their ear for the language with 90%-100% of the class conducted in the target language.  Formal and informal speaking and writing become more process- oriented.  (Students studying a classical language will be introduced to authentic Latin texts with an emphasis on literary style.  The primary focus is on reading and translation.)  Students begin to practice and prepare for the AP exam.

Spanish 2 for Spanish Speakers

Grade: 9-12 Credit: 1 - full year

RISD: PEIMS: 3440220

Prerequisite: 6th grade placement exam or completion of the dual language program

Endorsement: Arts and Humanities


 Spanish for Spanish Speakers 2 is specifically designed for students who demonstrate oral language proficiency in the Spanish language. This course provides opportunities for improvement in Spanish literacy through the study of phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, reading, writing, Hispanic culture, and cultural pride and awareness. This course is enhanced with a variety of print, digital, audio, and audiovisual materials to support language development. Students will have the opportunity to progress to Spanish for Spanish Speakers 3 the following year and continue to advanced levels of language study, if they wish. Students in Spanish for Spanish Speakers 2 are expected to reach a novice high to intermediate low of language proficiency at completion of study. 

Spanish 3 for Spanish Speakers

Grade: 9-12            Credit: 1 – full year

RISD: 6017             PEIMS: 03440300

Prerequisite: Spanish Level 2; credit exam

Endorsement: A&H, Multi

Advanced course

This course is intended to provide students whose home/family language is Spanish with the context and opportunities to increase literacy skills and overall communicative proficiency to use Spanish in accurate, effective, and informed ways within a variety of academic, social, and cultural contexts.

AP Language and Culture

Grade: 9-12                     Credit: 1 – full year

RISD: 6111 - French       PEIMS: A3410100

              6013 – Spanish                A3440100

Prerequisite: Level 3 or credit exam

Endorsement: A&H, Multi

Advanced course

UIL Exempt Course

QP - 10


AP Language and Culture courses emphasize the use of language for active communication.  Students develop the ability to understand spoken language in various contexts, ample vocabulary for reading authentic texts, and the ability to express themselves with reasonable accuracy, fluency, and coherence in both written and spoken language.  Students should reach a proficiency level of at least intermediate-high. AP Language and Culture students prepare for the AP Exam.

Spanish Literature - AP

Grade: 10-12      Credit: 1 – full year

RISD: 6014     PEIMS: A3440200

Prerequisite: Spanish 3 or credit exam

Endorsement: A&H, Multi

Advanced course

NCAA Approved

QP - 10


They are based on required reading lists provided by The College Board.  These works are of literary significance and represent various historical periods, literary movements, genres, geographical areas, and population groups within the Spanish-speaking world.  Students will interpret and analyze literature in the target language, in preparation for the AP Literature Exam.

Honors Language Enrichment

Grade: 11-12                      Credit: 1 – full year

RISD: 6115 - French      PEIMS: 03410500

            6705 – Japanese           03120500

            6015 – Spanish              03440500

Prerequisite: AP French, Japanese, or Spanish Language

Endorsement: A&H, Multi

Advanced course

UIL Exempt Course

QP - 5


The Honors French, Japanese or Spanish Language courses are a continuation of the AP Language and Culture courses, designed to give the students an additional year of advanced language study to help them acquire greater proficiency in all aspects of the target language and to prepare for college language courses and/or the AP French, Japanese or Spanish Language and Culture exam.  The course content is similar to the AP Language or Language and Culture course.

AP Japanese Language and Culture

Grade: 10-12       Credit: 1 – full year

RISD: 6704       PEIMS: A3120400

Prerequisite: Japanese 3 Advanced

Endorsement: A&H, Multi

Advanced course

UIL Exempt Course


This course supports students who have completed the equivalent of approximately 300 hours of college-level classroom instruction as they develop the productive, receptive, and cultural skills necessary to communicate with coherence, relative fluency, and cultural appropriateness with native speakers of Japanese.  Students are expected to reach the Intermediate Low to Intermediate Mid-range of the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines, as they prepare for the AP Japanese Language and Culture Exam.


Latin - AP

Grade: 10-12     Credit: 1 – full year

RISD: 6311         PEIMS: A3430100

Prerequisite: Level 3 Advanced

Endorsement: A&H, Multi

Advanced course

NCAA Approved

UIL Exempt Course

QP - 10


AP Latin is designed to provide advanced high school students with a rich and rigorous Latin course, approximately equivalent to an upper-intermediate (typically fourth or fifth semester) college or university Latin course. Students who successfully complete the course can read, understand, translate, and analyze Latin poetry and prose. The syllabus of required readings includes poetry selections from the Aeneid by Vergil and prose selections from Caesar’s Gallic Wars. AP Latin students prepare and practice for the AP Latin Exam.

Spanish for Spanish Speakers 4

Grade: 9-12   Credit: 1 full year

RISD: 6027      PEIMS: 03440440

Prerequisite: Spanish for Spanish Speakers 3

Endorsement: A&H, MD


Spanish for Spanish Speakers 4 is specifically designed for students whose native or heritage language is Spanish and who demonstrate Spanish language proficiency. This course emphasizes communication in the Spanish language through interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational modes of communication in real-life situations. This includes vocabulary usage, language control, communication strategies, and cultural awareness. Students in Spanish for Spanish Speakers 4 are expected to reach an intermediate-mid to intermediate-high level of proficiency at completion of study. Upon successful completion of this course, students are expected to continue to AP Spanish Language and Culture.