World Languages
The Hoboken Public Schools World Languages program instills an understanding of the importance and benefits of communicating in a non-native language. Content is organized contextually and thematically around authentic, real-world applications in order to maximize student engagement and retention. Students develop an appreciation, awareness and respect for international cultures, values and perspectives. Individuals are taught to communicate in order that they may remain life-long users of the language and productive, conscientious global citizens.
Conversation and Culture Spanish I
Credits: 5
Course Length: Full Year
Grade Level: 9-12
The first year of all language courses consists of developing basic skills of listening comprehension, speaking, reading and writing. An appreciation of the culture of the target language is studied. These courses are designed for students with little or no experience in the target language. Students will use a conversational approach to learning expressions, dialogues, and real-life situations. Part of the class will deal with speaking the language, memorization of dialogues, and use of vocabulary. Cultural differences and traditions will be analyzed.
Spanish I Advanced
Credits: 5
Course Length: Full Year
Grade Level: 9-12
The first year of all language courses consists of developing basic skills of listening comprehension, speaking, reading and writing. An appreciation of the culture of the target language is studied. Students will use a conversational approach to learning expressions, dialogues, and real-life situations. Part of the class will deal with speaking the language, memorization of dialogues, and use of vocabulary. Cultural difference and traditions will be analyzed. Advanced-level courses are for highly motivated students. This course is intended for students who began the target language in middle school and desire an enriched language experience. Classes are conducted completely in the target language.
Conversation and Culture Spanish II
Credits: 5
Course Length: Full Year
Grade Level: 9-12
Prerequisite: Conversation and Culture Spanish I The second year of language is designed to increase proficiency and to continue the development of the reading comprehension and writing skills begun in the first year. A more comprehensive view of cultural life is included in the conversational and reading selections. Students can expect the teacher to speak in the target language more regularly. Students will be expected to respond to more complex situational dialogues and daily participation in conversation or group discussions is expected.
Spanish II Advanced
Credits: 5
Course Length: Full Year
Grade Level: 9-12
Prerequisite: Spanish I Advanced
The second year of language is designed to increase proficiencies and to continue the development of the reading comprehension and writing skills begun in the first year. A more comprehensive view of cultural life is included in the conversational and reading selections. Students can expect the teacher to speak in the target language more regularly. Students will be expected to respond to more complex situational dialogues and daily participation in conversation or group discussions are expected. Advanced-level courses are for highly motivated students. Classes are conducted completely in the target language.
Spanish III Advanced
Credits: 5
Course Length: Full Year
Grade Level: 11-12
Prerequisite: Spanish II Advanced
A third year of a language is designed for reading novels and other texts in the target language. Writing and speaking skills are honed. Students will read and respond to cultural reading selections in the target language. The study of the customs and the culture of the people will be continued. Students must expect to participate orally in class. Students will also be expected to give oral presentations. Advanced-level courses are for highly motivated students. Classes are conducted completely in the target language.
Advanced Placement Spanish Language and Composition
Credits: 5 Course
Length: Full Year
Grade Level: 11-12
Prerequisite: Spanish III Advanced
Advanced Placement Spanish follows the College Board curriculum and prepares students for the AP exam in May. This course is conducted entirely in Spanish and is recommended for students who are highly motivated and excel in world language study. The course content reflects a wide variety of academic and cultural topics (the arts, history, current events, literature, culture and sports, etc.). Students work with different authentic resources in the form of videos, music films, newspapers, magazines and websites. The students are expected to speak Spanish exclusively in class and to independently complete intensive projects, in addition to regular homework assignments. Students will write essays, make oral presentations in Spanish (prepared and spontaneous). Students are required to take the AP exam.
Advanced Placement Spanish Literature and Composition
Credits: 5 Course
Length: Full Year
Grade Level: 11-12
Prerequisite: Spanish III Advanced
The AP Spanish Literature and Culture course uses a thematic approach to introduce students to representative texts (short stories, novels, poetry, plays, and essays) from Peninsular Spanish, Latin American, and US Hispanic literature. Students develop proficiencies across the three modes of communication (interpretive, interpersonal, and presentational) in the range of Intermediate High to Advanced Mid of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages' (ACTFL) Proficiency Guidelines. Through careful examination of the required readings and other texts, students work to hone their critical reading and analytical writing skills. Literature is explored within the contexts of its time and place, and students gain insights on the many voices, historical periods, and cultures represented in the required readings and other texts. The course also includes a strong focus on cultural, artistic, and linguistic connections and comparisons, which is supported by the exploration of various media (art, music, film, articles, and literary criticism).
Conversation and Culture French I
Credits: 5
Course Length: Full Year
Grade Level: 9-12
The first year of all language courses consists of developing basic skills of listening comprehension, speaking, reading and writing. An appreciation of the culture of the target language is studied. These courses are designed for students with little or no experience in the target language. Students will use a conversational approach to learning expressions, dialogues, and real-life situations. Part of the class will deal with speaking the language, memorization of dialogues, and use of vocabulary. Cultural differences and traditions will be analyzed.
French I Advanced
Credits: 5
Course Length: Full Year
Grade Level: 9-12
The first year of all language courses consists of developing the basic skills of listening comprehension, speaking, reading and writing. An appreciation of the culture of the target language is studied. These courses are designed for students with little or no experience in the target language. Students will use a conversational approach to learning expressions, dialogues, and real-life situations. Part of the class will deal with speaking the language, memorization of dialogues, and use of vocabulary. Cultural differences and traditions will be analyzed. Advanced-level courses are for highly motivated students. This course is intended for students who began the target language in middle school and desire an enriched language experience. Classes are conducted completely in the target language.
Conversation and Culture French II
Credits: 5
Course Length: Full Year
Grade Level: 9-12
Prerequisite: Conversation and Culture French I
The second year of language is designed to increase proficiencies and to continue the development of the reading comprehension and writing skills begun in the first year. A more comprehensive view of cultural life is included in the conversational and reading selections. Students can expect the teacher to speak in the target language more regularly. Students will be expected to respond to more complex situational dialogues and daily participation in conversation or group discussions are expected.
French II Advanced
Credits: 5
Course Length: Full Year
Grade Level: 9-12
Prerequisite: Conversation and Culture French I
The second year of language is designed to increase proficiency and to continue the development of the reading comprehension and writing skills begun in the first year. A more comprehensive view of cultural life is included in the conversational and reading selections. Students can expect the teacher to speak in the target language more regularly. Students will be expected to respond to more complex situational dialogues and daily participation in conversation or group discussions are expected. Advanced-level courses are for highly motivated students. Classes are conducted completely in the target language.
French III Advanced
Credits: 5
Course Length: Full Year
Grade Level: 11-12
Prerequisite: French II Advanced
A third year of a language is designed for reading novels and other texts in the target language. Writing and speaking skills are honed. Students will read and respond to cultural reading selections in the target language. The study of the customs and the culture of the people will be continued. Students must expect to participate orally in class. Students will also be expected to give oral presentations. Advanced-level courses are for highly motivated students. Classes are conducted completely in the target language.
Advanced Placement French Language and Culture
Credits: 5
Course Length: Virtual Course; Full Year
Grade Level: 11-12
The AP French Language and Culture course 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 French 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 French. The AP French Language and Culture course engages students in an exploration of culture in both contemporary and historical contexts. The course develops students’ awareness and appreciation of cultural products (e.g., tools, books, music, laws, conventions, institutions); practices (patterns of social interactions within a culture); and perspectives (values, attitudes, and assumptions).
Conversation and Culture Mandarin Chinese I
Credits: 5
Course Length: Full Year
Grade Level: 9 - 12
Students will learn the basics of Mandarin Chinese pronunciation with an emphasis on developing the fundamental skills of speaking, reading, listening and writing characters with a goal of applying it to familiar, every day concepts such as greetings, foods, school and family. In addition, Chinese culture will be explored through readings, video clips, and movies.
Conversation and Culture Mandarin Chinese II
Credits: 5
Course Length: Full Year
Grade Level: 10 - 12 This course is for students who, having successfully developed strong basic skills, are ready to increase proficiency in oral comprehension and in the speaking, reading and writing skills of Mandarin Chinese. Readings are real-life dialogues emphasizing proper use of Mandarin with the goal of developing vocabulary and fluency. Written and oral precision will be emphasized. Authentic materials will be studied. Culture content is incorporated into instruction. Students can write short articles by either hand writing or typing Chinese characters.