World Languages

Students will develop communication skills for socializing, providing and obtaining information, and expressing feelings and opinions. Speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills are developed through everyday topics such as: getting acquainted, expressing likes/dislikes, free-time activities, shopping for clothes, restaurants and foods, travel and leisure, school and school life, weather, town and city, family and friends, chores and responsibilities, and personality and physical characteristics. Interactive games and creative projects provide vocabulary and grammar practice. Cultural aspects are examined by studying various aspects of Francophone countries through songs, videos, documentaries, articles, and role playing.

French 2 further develops communication skills, literacy skills, and cultural knowledge through contextual units, including: family and friends, activities and preferences, celebrations and planning a party, shopping for food and preparing meals, school places and events, daily routines, talking about one’s childhood and events in the past, country life vs. city life, camping and outdoor activities, hypothesizing about the future, health and well-being, leisure, movies, books, and vacation plans. Hands-on activities, authentic materials, films and music from the French speaking world are integrated regularly in lessons. Computer games provide vocabulary and grammar practice. Homework is required.

This course is strongly advised for college-bound students. French 3 further develops interpretive, interpersonal, and presentational communication skills through listening, reading, speaking, and writing as well as cultural competency to prepare students for college/careers. Students will start the year with an adapted reader to review and increase vocabulary. Material is presented through contextual units: vacation and free time, careers and work, legends, fairy tales, and stories, friendship, emotions, and life events, nature, outdoors, and the animal world, news and the press, the planet and environment, society, government and politics, the arts, and travel. Authentic French recordings and documents, real life tasks, and varied supplementary materials engage students and help improve their vocabulary, grammar, cultural understanding, and literacy. Listening passages and guided reading/writing prepare students for the French 3 proficiency exam required for Advanced Regents distinction. Homework is required. Students may have the opportunity to participate in field trips to Quebec, France, or New York City.

This course is strongly advised for college-bound students. As in previous years, this course emphasizes the five basic skills: reading, writing, listening, speaking, and culture, but with more intense focus on French immersion and native-level literature. More advanced grammar study is pursued and composition writing continues. All students interested in French 4 study should be prepared to use the target language during the entire class. Various videos and films will also be incorporated into the course. Active class participation and basic understanding/familiarity of French language as demonstrated through class discussions are emphasized. Required work will include in-depth writing on approved topics. Depending on the year, students may have the opportunity to go to France, Europe, Quebec, or New York City. French 4 students have the option to earn four college credits through SUNY Albany’s University in the High School Program. The cost to register for college credit will be based on SUNY Albany’s rates for the current school year. Additional information is available from the teacher.

This course emphasizes the five basic skills: reading, writing, speaking, listening and culture, as well as literature and media. All skills will be developed using both analytical and creative activities. There will be a special emphasis on immersion. Classes that finish the curriculum will have the opportunity to make a film in French as a final group project. Required work will include in-depth writing on approved topics. Depending on the year, students may have the opportunity to go to France, Europe, Quebec, or New York City. French 5 students have the option to earn four college credits through SUNY Albany’s University in High School Program. The cost to register for college credit will be based on SUNY Albany’s rates for the current school year. Additional information is available from the teacher.

Qualified students are eligible to make a presentation and earn the NY State Seal of Biliteracy.  Recipients will receive a seal on their diploma, and a medallion to wear with their graduation attire.

Students will develop communication skills for a variety of real life situations such as socializing, providing and obtaining information, expressing feelings or opinions, and persuading. Speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills are developed through everyday topics such as: getting acquainted, expressing likes/dislikes, free-time activities, shopping for clothes, restaurants and food, travel and leisure, school and school life, weather, town and city, family and friends, chores and responsibilities, personality and physical characteristics. Computer games provide vocabulary and grammar practice. Cultural aspects are examined by studying various aspects of Hispanic countries through songs, videos, current events and readings in the textbook. Homework is required.

Spanish 2 further develops communication skills, literacy skills, and cultural understanding through contextual units. Students will build upon the vocabulary topics from Spanish 1 while adding topics from the Checkpoint B New York State World Language syllabus. Frequent supplementary materials reinforce listening, speaking, writing, and reading skills. In class and through online activities, students will perform a variety of tasks which will provide vocabulary and grammar practice. Cultural aspects are examined by studying various aspects of Hispanic countries through songs, videos, current events, authentic articles, and readings.

This course is strongly advised for college bound students. Students will continue to learn vocabulary and grammar according to the New York State World Language syllabus for Checkpoint B in Spanish 3. In class and through online activities, students will practice both vocabulary and grammar. They will then utilize this vocabulary and grammar to further develop their communication skills in Spanish. Authentic Spanish recordings and documents, real life tasks, and varied supplementary materials engage students and help improve their listening, reading, speaking and writing skills. Guided activities in each of these skills throughout the year will prepare students for the Spanish 3 Proficiency Exam.

This course is strongly advised for college-bound students. Activities include a study of Spanish artists and the preparation of skits and commercials. More advanced grammar study is pursued and composition writing continues. All students interested in Spanish 4 study should be prepared to use the target language during the class period. Various videos and films will also be incorporated into the course. Active class participation and basic understanding and familiarity of Spanish language as demonstrated through class discussion are emphasized. Homework is required. Spanish 4 students have the option to earn four college credits through the University in High School Program in conjunction with SUNY Albany. The cost to register for college credit will be based on SUNY Albany’s rates for the current school year. Additional information is available from the teacher.

This course is strongly advised for college-bound students. Work at this level will be more individualized and independent than at earlier levels. Readings of authentic materials from periodicals and books on different subjects of interest to the students are integrated with additional conversation work. Oral reports and discussions will be an integral part of the course. Reading selections may include Don Juan Tenorio, La Casa de Bernarda Alba, and Lazarillo. 

Students will be using the Spanish language through listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Students should be prepared to use the target language throughout the class period. Required work will include in-depth writing on approved topics. Spanish 5 students have the option to earn four college credits through the University in High School Program in conjunction with SUNY Albany. The cost to register for college credit will be based on SUNY Albany’s rates for the current school year. Additional information is available from the teacher. 

Qualified students are eligible to make a presentation and earn the NY State Seal of Biliteracy.  Recipients will receive a seal on their diploma, and a medallion to wear with their graduation attire.