WORLD LANGUAGES
Lenape Valley Regional High School offers sequential study in three world languages: Chinese, French, and Spanish. All courses concentrate on the development of listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in order to develop functional communication in the target language. Using a variety of techniques, the Modern Language Department helps students enrolled in these classes achieve the following proficiencies:
• Develop listening comprehension and oral fluency in the selected language;
• Master the grammatical foundation and syntax of the language studied;
• Heighten awareness of the culture and history of the nation or nations in which the selected language is spoken.
Students who anticipate attending a four year college should pursue a minimum of three years of continuous study of the same language. More competitive colleges may require a four or five year sequence in one language.
LEVEL I (Grades: 9-12) Full Year
Course Weight: College Prep 5 Credits
Learning a language for the first time should be a rewarding experience. Geared for those students who plan to attend college, the Level I class is the first part of a four-year program which encompasses all the elements necessary to master a second language. Students have various opportunities to speak as often as possible. The course has been planned to develop all the basic fluencies: speaking, writing, reading, and comprehension of the spoken word. An important theme throughout first year studies is the exposure to the basic culture of the countries speaking the respective languages. Also, regular practice in the language laboratory enables students to use the latest technology in the learning of a second language.
LEVEL III (Grades: 10-12) Full Year
Course Weight: College Prep 5 Credits
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Level II College Prep.
This course continues to develop students’ fluencies and creative expressions learned in the first two years of language study. In this year, students have a chance to polish their pronunciation in an intensive atmosphere where classes will progressively begin to be taught almost exclusively in the target language. Regular work sessions in the language laboratory will give students the opportunity to listen to CD’s and audiocassettes as well as record their own voices. As an integral part of the third year, students are introduced to some of the short readings and works of famous literary figures. Third year studies stress continued exposure to cultural elements through movies, videos, class trips, songs, guest speakers, etc.
English as a Second Language (Grade:9-12) Full Year
Course Weight: Standard 5 Credits
Co-requisite: Grade-Appropriate English Course
The English as a Second Language (ESL) course is designed to align with New Jersey's mandate that all English Language Learners (ELLs) have access to curriculum that strengthens their reading, writing, speaking and listening skills. Its curriculum will address the academic, social, and cultural aspects of the English language, while valuing each student's unique ethnic traditions. The teacher will differentiate instruction based upon the student’s present level of English language acquisition. Prospective ESL students will be administered the WIDA screener test either in September or upon entry to the school (unless a score from a previous school exists) to determine if the course is appropriate. Daily lessons, activities and assessments will bolster performance in other classes and prepare students for the WIDA Access 2.0 test administered in the spring. The state currently required a 4.5 (on a 1 - 6 scale) to successfully complete (and exit) the program. ESL students will simultaneously be enrolled in and must pass their separately scheduled English course in order to work towards a diploma. This course does not fulfill and may not be counted towards the NJ state minimum graduation requirement of 20 credits in the Language Arts Literacy content area.