World Language Department Courses
The study of a world language provides students with the opportunity to achieve personal and career goals as well as respond to an urgent national need for persons who can communicate with and comprehend persons of other nations and cultures. Recent studies of American education have indicated the importance of training greater numbers of students in a second language. There is an economic as well as a political need for Americans to be proficient in a second language. The Middletown schools offer students a six-year program in French or Spanish, a four-year courses of study in Latin and Italian, and is planning to expand the American Sign Language program to two years effective September 2021.
Developing Skills
Achieving proficiency in a traditional second language involves the development of skills in listening, speaking, reading and writing. Students acquire these skills by pursuing a carefully sequenced study of modern languages. Latin is taught in the traditional manner which enhances mastery and understanding of complex text and expands vocabulary in English.
Cultural Components
In addition to communicative competence, the program of study in French, Spanish, Italian, and Latin has a strong cultural component. Students learn about the history, geography, literature, and social organization of the countries whose languages are being studied, leading to a greater understanding of our own country and the similarities and differences between cultures.
Global Competency
World Language classes are designed to promote the use of language to study a variety of topics. Students in the first year of study may discuss the immediate world in which they live. They have the opportunity to compare and contrast life in the United States with life in the countries of the language being studied. Subsequent years of study introduce students to the music, art, and literature of the countries where the target language is spoken. The influence of the target language on English is also investigated.
Advanced Foreign Language Education
French or Spanish “Advanced A” and “Advanced B” are courses offered to those students seeking to continue study in a language beyond Level 4 Honors or in lieu of Advanced Placement. Depending on the year, “Advanced A” and “Advanced B” are offered on an alternating basis and are of an equivalent level. Students may enter at any of the alternating years and remain in the course through the consecutive year.
In order to progress from level II and beyond, students must achieve a minimum final grade of 70 or better to continue the study of that language.
French (all levels)
Italian (all levels)
Latin (all levels)
AP courses in French, Spanish and Italian are based upon the objectives established by the College Board. Students who wish to enroll in AP French or Spanish must have completed the Level 4 course in the respective language.
College Credit may be earned from Seton Hall University for AP French, AP Italian, AP Spanish, Italian IV Honors and Latin IV Honors.
Summer packets are provided to students by the teacher and will be available on the school website so that students may prepare for the course. The intent is for all students to take the Advanced Placement exam.
Based on enrollment, AP courses may only be offered at one high school.
American Sign Language 1: The focus of the ASL 1 course is to provide students with an introduction to American Sign Language, including Deaf culture. More specifically, this course will include the following: fingerspelling, numbers, basic vocabulary across a range of topics, common ASL handshapes, palm orientation, sign location, movement, eye gaze, non-manual markers and facial expressions in order to be able to efficiently communicate through ASL. This course will not only study the aforementioned topics, but also focus on ASL grammar and proper syntax used by the Deaf community.
American Sign Language 2: This course will build upon ASL 1. Themes students will learn about may include: the art of storytelling focusing on practicing role shifting, word order, transitions, and modified verbs. Additional language skills addressed include: identifying present people, describing personal items, and describing lost items.
American Sign Language 3: This course expands upon ASL 1| and ASL 2. Topics students will learn about include: making requests, agreeing with conditions, asking for advice, expanding students' language to discuss neighborhoods, restaurants, and students expressing opinions about and comparing personal qualities. Students will have the opportunity to discuss their knowledge, abilities, ask for opinions, make and cancel plans, and express personal goals.
American Sign Language 4: Coming soon!