MPS HS Program of Studies 2023-2024

Students in World Languages will acquire meaningful skills that are grounded in an understanding that language acquisition makes them active participants in our global community.

The Milford Public Schools World Languages Department provides students with opportunities to acquire essential language skills and to become familiar with the historical and cultural bases of different languages. Offerings in French, Spanish and Latin serve as vehicles for understanding and respecting cultural heritage and cultural differences. In this way, the World Languages Department prepares students for citizenship in the global community of the 21st century and equips them with the language proficiency, knowledge, and critical insight necessary for further study.

Recommended Sequence:

Latin offers a four-year sequence while French and Spanish offer a five-year sequence. All three languages offer a culminating Advanced Placement course. It is important to note that the Board of Education will not guarantee three years or more of a language sequence without adequate enrollment.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

FRENCH 1

Grade 9, 10, 11, 12 (1.0 Credits)

Levels: 1-751100, 2-752100

Basic French language patterns and vocabulary are studied through listening, speaking, reading and writing. Language acquisition is fostered through the study of French-speaking countries’ culture and history. Student evaluation is reflected through activities and assessments such as traditional tests and quizzes, as well as projects and speaking and listening exercises.

FRENCH 2

Grade 9, 10, 11, 12 (1.0 Credits)

Levels: 1-751200, 2-752200

French 2 is a continuation of the development of listening,speaking, reading, and writing skills. French culture is elaborated upon through different mediums including games, media, adapted readings, and class discussions. Active participation and engagement in the target language is required. Prerequisite: French 1.

FRENCH 3

Grade 9, 10, 11, 12 (1.0 Credits)

Levels: 1-751300, 2-752300

French 3 continues to explore, expand upon, advance, and sharpen students’ listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Students continue to demonstrate their ability to communicate in French, through various contexts, to achieve higher degrees of language comprehension and proficiency. Although listening and speaking skills are still practiced, reading and writing skills are emphasized at this level of language acquisition. Students will creatively produce different publications and media using the target language. Prerequisite: French 2.

FRENCH 4

Grade 10, 11,12 (1.0 Credits)

Levels: 1-751400, 2-752400

The French 4 course continues to focus on and explore the four language skills: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. These skills will be further refined, sharpened and expanded upon in this course. Students at this level are expected to work more independently and communicate with increased fluency on a variety of topics. Aspects of daily Francophone customs, traditions, and culture support the language instruction. Prerequisite: French 3.

FRENCH 5

Grade 11,12 (1.0 Credits)

Levels: 1-751501, 2-752501

This course will continue to fine-tune students’ skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing while exploring France and the Francophone world. This course also enables students to use previously-mastered material on a daily basis as they read, write, and speak about a variety of topics and literature. Assessments include oral assignments, presentations, dialogues, and short compositions. Active participation and engagement in the target language is required. Prerequisite: French 4.

AP FRENCH LANGUAGE AND CULTURE

Grade 11, 12 (1.0 Credits)

Levels: AP-750500

Students cultivate their understanding of French language and culture by applying interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational modes of communication in real-life situations as they explore concepts related to family and community, personal and public identity, beauty and aesthetics, science and technology, contemporary life, and global challenges. Students taking this course are required to take the AP exam given in the spring. Prerequisite: French 5 level 1 or level 2.

LATIN 1

Grade 9, 10, 11, 12 (1.0 Credits)

Levels: 1-751120, 2-752120

Students will begin to understand the grammatical and syntactical structures that distinguish Latin from English while exploring cultural and historical issues of Ancient Roman society through readings, discussions, and student-led research and presentations. Cross cultural and cross curricular connections will be highlighted and expanded. Students will also expand their knowledge of English language derivatives that have grown out of Latin language over the centuries. Assessments will reflect gradually increasing mastery of vocabulary and syntax, as well as historical knowledge.

LATIN 2

Grade 10, 11, 12 (1.0 Credits)

Levels: 1-751220, 2-752220

Students will continue their study of Latin grammatical structures as they also continue to build their Latin vocabulary. Knowledge of the usage of nouns in Latin will be expanded and deepened. Students will read Latin stories of increasing difficulty as they learn more complicated forms and syntax. History and culture of the ancient world will be explored in readings, discussions, and research. Students will continue to prepare and present various projects of interest that help them make connections between antiquity and the modern world. Prerequisite: Latin 1.

LATIN 3

Grade 11,12 (1.0 Credits)

Levels: 1-751320, 2-752320

In Latin 3, students will continue to study and increase their grammatical knowledge and skills in reading Latin, as well as discovering additional English words derived from Latin. Students are expected to have a higher degree of vocabulary mastery, will also be expected to read at a faster pace to achieve a higher degree of comprehension, and to communicate cultural materials in broader terms. Assessment at this level reflects a more in-depth language acquisition and an acute awareness of the complexities of grammar and syntax. Prerequisite: Latin 2.

LATIN 4

Grade 11,12 (1.0 Credits)

Levels:1-751420, 2-752420

Students will explore Roman literature by studying the writings of renowned Roman authors. Through the study of these important works, students will also gain insight into the rich culture of the ancient Roman world. Students will also apply their skills with Latin vocabulary and English derivatives to enhance their comprehension of both Latin and English. Students will continue to prepare and present various projects of interest that help them make connections between antiquity and the modern world. Prerequisite: Latin 3.

AP LATIN

Grade 11,12 (1.0 Credits)

Levels:AP-750420

The AP Latin course focuses on the in-depth study of selections from two of the greatest works in Latin literature: Vergil’s Aeneid and Caesar’s Gallic War. The course requires students to prepare and translate the readings and place these texts in a meaningful context, which helps develop critical, historical, and literary sensitivities. Throughout the course, students consider themes in the context of ancient literature and bring these works to life through classroom discussions, debates, and presentations. Students taking this course are required to take the AP exam given in the spring. Prerequisite: Latin 3.

SPANISH 1

Grade 9, 10, 11,12 (1.0 Credits)

Levels: 1-751140, 2-752140

This introductory course focuses on the communication skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing in Spanish. These skills are taught through the use of the language in everyday situations typical of the Spanish culture. Vocabulary and grammar are taught by means of oral and written practice. Various media resources are used to increase vocabulary and cultural awareness.

SPANISH 2

Grade 9, 10, 11,12 (1.0 Credits)

Levels: 1-751240, 2-752240

In Spanish 2, students continue to develop and improve upon their listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Emphasis is placed on comprehension and production of language through a variety of activities incorporating vocabulary and structures. Student participation using the target language is essential. Prerequisite: Spanish 1.

SPANISH 3

Grade 9, 10, 11, 12 (1.0 Credits)

Levels: 1-751340, 2-752340

In Spanish 3, students continue to develop and increase their language acquisition through the study of language in cultural and historical contexts. Students will be engaged in a study of language structures and vocabulary through reading, listening, speaking, and writing activities. Student participation using the target language is essential.. Prerequisite: Spanish 2.

SPANISH 4

Grade 10, 11,12 (1.0 Credits)

Levels: 1-751440, 2-752440

The Spanish 4 course engages students in further developing, improving, and refining language skills with an emphasis on aural skills while reading, writing, and speaking in the target language. Students engage in multiple opportunities to demonstrate their proficiency in Spanish in different contexts. As with previous courses, it is essential that students are engaged and participate while using the target language. Prerequisite: Spanish 3.

Spanish Conversation & Culture

Grade 10, 11,12 (1.0 Credits)

Level: 1-751540

In this proficiency-based course, students will engage in real-world application of their Spanish language skills. Aligned with the ACTFL World Readiness Standards, they will speak, read, write, and listen in Spanish as they explore culture, music, food, art, and literature of Spanish-speaking countries through contemporary and historical lenses. This will be an immersive learning experience for students that builds on their previous learning in Spanish 1, 2, 3, and 4. Prerequisite: Spanish 4.

AP SPANISH LANGUAGE AND CULTURE

Grade 10, 11,12 (1.0 Credits)

Level: AP-750550

The AP Spanish Language course is a program that strives to develop a higher level of proficiency in all four language skills: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. This is a college-level course. Students taking this course are required to take the AP exam given in the spring. Prerequisite: Spanish 4 and/or Teacher Recommendation.

Special Designations

CONNECTICUT SEAL OF BILITERACY

Commencing with the graduating class of 2018, and for each graduating class thereafter, the Board, utilizing criteria established by the State Board of Education, may/shall affix the "Connecticut State Seal of Biliteracy" to a diploma awarded to a student who has achieved a high level of proficiency in English and one or more foreign languages.

"Foreign language" means a world language other than English and includes American Sign Language and any other language spoken by a federally recognized Native American tribe. The Board shall include on such student's transcript a designation that the student received the "Connecticut Seal of Biliteracy."

ALL Connecticut students are eligible to earn the Seal of Biliteracy; students must be in grades 10, 11, or 12 to qualify. Both native and non-native speakers of English need to provide comparable evidence of English language proficiency. The language performance should be demonstrated in both social and academic use of the language, in all modes of communication.

The two academic requirements below must be met.

Students must complete all English language arts requirements for graduation.
Students must demonstrate proficiency in a language other than English at a level comparable to Intermediate Mid on the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines in Grade 10 or later.

Please see your school counselor for more information.

CONNECTICUT CERTIFICATE OF GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT

As a reminder, the Connecticut Certificate of Global Engagement requires a minimum of 7.0 credits in Globally-focused Coursework, including 3.0 credits of high school World Language.

Students in Milford Public Schools can elect to pursue the Connecticut Certificate of Global Engagement. The Certificate of Global Engagement is bestowed by the Connecticut State Department of Education upon students who meet district-selected requirements that will demonstrate their critical thinking and real-world problem solving skills. Additionally, this sequence of requirements will give students the opportunity to demonstrate their preparedness for college, career, and civic life and serve as a validation of their deliberate pursuit of global education and awareness.

Successful completion of the Certificate of Global Engagement through the Milford Public Schools requires a minimum of 7.0 credits in globally-focused coursework including:

3.0 credits of high school World Language,
4.0 credits in English, Science, and Social Studies courses with a global focus.

In addition, students are required to:

Actively participate in at least one school-sponsored or endorsed globally-focused extra-curricular activity,
Complete a district-approved Global Service Learning Project.