WORLD LANGUAGE

Creating global citizens who understand and embrace the value of diversity, culture, and varied perspectives.

 Spanish 1                                                                 

CPS/Honors 1 Credit Grade 9-12

“One language sets you in a corridor for life. Two languages open every door along the way” - Frank Smith   

From the bustling markets of Barcelona to the world-famous paella of Valencia, the Spanish language and culture has had a lasting impact on our world. How does learning about another culture expand students’ horizons? What can students learn about their own language and culture by studying the languages and cultures of the Spanish-speaking world? Spanish I introduces students to the Spanish language and culture and is the beginning of their journey to proficiency. Through study of the Spanish/Hispanic/Latino language and culture, students will begin to discover the 5 C’s of language learning: communication, cultures, comparisons, connections, and communities. They will demonstrate their linguistic knowledge through one-to-one conversational interviews and their cultural knowledge through their creation of a “Tour of Latin America” trivia board game.

Spanish 2                                                                

CPS/Honors 1 Credit Grade 9-12

“He who knows no foreign languages knows nothing of his own.” - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

The Spanish language and culture can be found in many aspects of life for our students in the United States.  Many of our students come from families of Spanish, Hispanic, or Latin American decent and have grown up with many ties to the culture. Have you ever tried cuisine from Latin America or Spain?  Are there words in our vocabulary that come from the Spanish language? How are Latino teenagers and American teenagers similar and different?

In the Level 2 Spanish class, students will continue their study of the Spanish language and culture through various learning experiences. For example, students will research a Spanish-speaking country and its culinary delights to create an authentic “Food Truck” experience for the school community.  Continuing with visions of proficiency, students will demonstrate their progress in oral interviews and make real-life connections and comparisons using their language skills. Students will walk away from this class with a deeper appreciation for the Spanish/Hispanic/Latino culture while further developing the ability to communicate in Spanish about their own lives and experiences.

Spanish 3                                      

CPS/Honors 1 Credit Grade 9-12 

“A different language is a different vision of life.” - Federico Fellini

From the rich history of indigenous cultures to the legendary range of savory Latin American cuisines, Spanish culture and language surround us in many aspects of daily life.  Taking the foundational skills learned in their first two years, Level 3 students will apply and refine their communication skills by speaking and writing in a wide range of authentic contexts.  From utilizing technology to practice their tongue-twisting “trabalenguas” to exploring the culinary tradition of Spanish tapas at a local restaurant, students will find that their linguistic knowledge and cultural understandings are applicable in a wide range of settings.  

In Level 3 Spanish courses, students will discover interdisciplinary connections between Spanish language and other fields (such as history, art and literature).  Through both explicit cultural instruction and opportunities to interact with native speakers, Spanish students are challenged to consider different cultural perspectives about a variety of topics. 

Spanish 4                                            

CPS/Honors 1 Credit Grade 9-12 

“Language is the road map of a culture. It tells you where its people come from and where they are going.” - Rita Mae Brown

From the salsa song blaring on the radio to the delicious Latin cuisine we all enjoy, Spanish language and culture surrounds us and enriches the American experience every day.   How does immersing yourself in another language truly open the door to new cultures? How will utilizing the “whole language” help you engage in meaningful learning opportunities that you are personally invested in?

In Level 4 Spanish classes, students will utilize authentic resources to explore and discuss various aspects of Spanish influence on topics such as international cuisine, cultural identity, and urban legends.  Students will employ Spanish in real-world situations and in spontaneous, non-rehearsed contexts such as our “Latino Market Treasure Hunt” in order to connect them to the world beyond school. 

Advanced Spanish Grammar and Composition (Immersion)          

Honors 1 Credit Grade 9-12

To have another language is to possess a second soul.” - Charlemagne

Do you truly love speaking Spanish?  Are you looking to take your Spanish-speaking skills to the next level?  This challenging course is intended for skilled language learners of the Spanish Immersion program who wish to improve their oral communication and pronunciation skills and to expand their knowledge of Spanish grammar, usage, and composition.  Students will engage in a comprehensive review of all advanced grammar concepts and theme-oriented vocabulary integrated with various authentic resources and classic literary selections.

Students will enjoy a classroom atmosphere in which the target language is utilized at all times to converse, to discuss literary selections, to communicate their opinions, and to give oral presentations.  Biliterate leaders of tomorrow will find their voice as they refine their conversational skills and Spanish accent through the use of various media tools and presentations. Aspiring writers will further develop their linguistic skills with personal essays, journal entries, personal reflections, and research papers.  Student discussion will focus on expanding awareness of Hispanic culture and influence with an examination of Latino history and current events.  This course is held entirely in Spanish.  

Hispanic Civilization, Culture, and Literature (Immersion)                 

Honors 1 Credit Grade 9-12

“Change your language and you change your thoughts.” - Karl Albrecht

Are you confident in your advanced Spanish language skills, but feel like you need to know more about the culture of the Spanish-speaking world? Then this is the class for you! We will start by figuring out exactly what “culture” is, examining our own personal cultures and using that as a point of comparison, as we explore the immense diversity that exists in el mundo hispanohablante. Then, we will investigate the Roman and Arabic influence in Spain’s history, taking a virtual tour of the famous Alhambra, debating the legality/morality of bullfighting, and planning a “vacation” to one of Spain’s 17 autonomous communities. After studying the Spanish Civil War and the dictatorship of Francisco Franco using the film “La lengua de las Mariposas”, we will cross the ocean to the “New World”, questioning our perspectives on Columbus Day and learning about el sincretismo cultural that comes to life in the beautiful celebrations of the Day of the Dead in Latin America. Additionally,  we will use the movie “También la lluvia” and the song “Latinoamérica” by Calle 13 to guide our discussions about the beauty of the geography and culture as well as the political, environmental, social, and economic struggles that exist in Latin American countries today.  This course is held entirely in Spanish.

Advanced Placement Spanish Language              

AP 1 Credit Grade 11-12

“Learning another language is not only learning different words for the same things, but learning another way to think about things.” - Flora Lewis

Are you interested in taking your Spanish abilities to the next level?  Do you love a challenge? Would you like to stand out in your college application? Advanced Spanish Language and Composition engages students in becoming skilled readers of prose written in a variety of periods, disciplines, and rhetorical contexts. The emphasis of the course is about bringing students to an educated citizenry.

Students who elect this course will work towards becoming skilled writers who compose for a variety of purposes. Both their writing and their reading should make students aware of the interactions among a writer’s purposes, audience, and occasion. Students will become more knowledgeable of generic conventions and understand how the resources of language contribute to effectiveness in writing. This course instructs students how to discern what the question is asking, how to take a stand, how to develop a point of view, how to construct engaging introductions and move past formulaic responses, and how to quote and paraphrase appropriately.  Course study examines a scope of writers: autobiographers and diarists, biographers and history writers, critics, essayists and fiction writers, journalists, political writers, and science and nature writers. This course is held entirely in Spanish.

Advanced Conversational Spanish            

Honors 1 Credit Grade 9-12

"Language shapes the way we think and determines what we can think about." - Benjamin Lee Whorf

How can you speak Spanish in a more conversational, everyday way?  Want to learn how to speak in real world Spanish conversations and sound like a pro?  Want to learn some realistic Spanish conversation starters and phrases you can use in a real discussion?  Let’s break the ice and start talking!

This course combines content-based language instruction with an interactive task-based approach, providing a welcoming environment where language learners can develop their Spanish speaking-skills and take risks in a non-judgmental setting.  Through speaking and listening exercises, students will quickly learn the phrases and vocabulary needed to communicate with native Spanish speakers.  Individual and group presentations will provide students with practice in making formal presentations in Spanish, a skill that is necessary for many professional settings such as international affairs, business, and teaching.  Utilizing short films and authentic resources, classroom and small group discussions will provide practice in a more informal style of speech that is encountered in travel and social situations. Conversation topics will include varied genres from around the Hispanic world which provide students with both cultural perspectives on general topics that will help to stimulate discussions.  Students will employ Spanish in real-world situations and share their knowledge and skills with younger students in the district with their “Spanish Mini-Lessons.” This course is held entirely in Spanish.

Italian 1                                                   

CPS/Honors 1 Credit Grade 9-12

“One language sets you in a corridor for life. Two languages open every door along the way” - Frank Smith   

Italy is much more than pizza and espresso: from the fascinating fashion capital of Milano to the Renaissance masterpieces born in Firenze, the Italian language and culture has had (and continues to have) a lasting impact on our world. How does learning about another culture expand students’ horizons? What can students learn about their own language and culture by studying the language and culture of Italy? Italian I introduces students to the Italian language and culture and marks the beginning of their journey to proficiency. Through study of the Italian language and culture, students will begin to discover the 5 C’s of language learning: communication, cultures, comparisons, connections, and communities. They will demonstrate their linguistic knowledge through one-to-one conversational interviews and their cultural knowledge through projects, such as their “Tour of an Italian region” trivia board game.

Italian 2                                                    

CPS/Honors 1 Credit Grade 9-12

“He who knows no foreign languages knows nothing of his own.” - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

The Italian language and culture can be found in many aspects of life for our students in the United States.  Many of our students come from families with Italian heritage and have grown up with many ties to the culture. Have you ever tried true Italian cuisine?  Are there words in our vocabulary that have roots in the Italian language? How are American teenagers and Italian teenagers similar and different?

In Level 2 Italian classes, students will continue their learning of the Italian language and culture through different learning opportunities and projects.  Students in this course will expand their knowledge of uses of the language and their understanding of life in Italy. For example, students will research Italian regions and the food famous in each part of Italy to create an authentic “Food Truck” experience for their classmates.  Continuing with our proficiency based vision, students will show their progress in oral interviews and make real-life connections and comparisons using their language skills. Students will walk away from this class with a deeper appreciation for the Italian culture and the ability to communicate in Italian about their own lives and experiences.

Italian 3                                                    

CPS/Honors 1 Credit Grade 9-12

“A different language is a different vision of life.”  Federico Fellini

From the rich history of the Roman empire to the legendary range of regional cuisines, Italian culture and language surround us in many aspects of American life.  Taking the foundational skills learned in their first two years, Level 3 students will apply and refine their communication skills by speaking and writing in a wide range of authentic contexts.  From utilizing Skype to chat with native speakers to taking an Italian language tour of Boston’s Eataly, students will find that their linguistic knowledge and cultural understandings are applicable in a wide range of settings.  

In Level 3 Italian courses, students will discover interdisciplinary connections between Italian and other fields (such as history, art and music).  Through both explicit cultural instruction and opportunities to interact with native Italians, students are challenged to consider different cultural perspectives about a variety of topics.

Italian 4                                                 

CPS/Honors 1 Credit Grade 9-12

“Language is the road map of a culture. It tells you where its people come from and where they are going.” - Rita Mae Brown

From the delicious Italian restaurants of the North End to the stunning drama of Italian cinema, Italian language and culture surrounds us and enriches the American experience every day.   How does immersing yourself in another language truly open the door to new cultures? How will utilizing the “whole language” help you engage in meaningful learning opportunities that you are personally invested in?

In Level 4 Italian classes, students will utilize authentic resources to explore and discuss various aspects of Italian influence on topics such as immigration, the Mafia, and the Renaissance.  Students will employ Italian in real-world situations and in spontaneous, non-rehearsed contexts such as our “Eataly Market Visit” in order to connect them to the world beyond school.  

**Students can enroll in any of the courses below regardless of the language study.  For example, a student studying French could enroll in the Spanish Culture, Cinema, and Cuisine course.

Culture, Cinema, & Cuisine of Italy 

CPS/Honors 0.5 Credits Grade 9-12

Get ready for a flavorful, culture-filled adventure across all of Italy’s regions, from the snowy Alps to sunny Sicily. This course explores Italy’s diverse cultures, histories, cuisines, and cinematic traditions while uncovering what makes each region unique. Through hands-on activities like sampling or cooking regional dishes, exploring iconic artworks, trying simple creative projects, listening to local music, and watching films set throughout the country, you’ll experience Italy’s richness in a fun, interactive way—no passport required!

Culture, Cinema, & Cuisine of Latin America

CPS/Honors 0.5 Credits Grade 9-12

Step into a classroom where learning is deliciously hands-on! In this course, students explore the rich flavors, vibrant traditions, and fascinating stories of Latin American countries through in-class cooking challenges, taste tests, and interactive culinary projects. We don’t just cook, we compete! Students put their skills to the test in our exciting Battle of International Food Trucks, where teamwork, innovation, and flavor all come together to win the ultimate culinary showdown. Along the way, we view films, documentaries, and programs that highlight Latin American cuisine, gastronomy challenges, and the global connections that food brings.  Students gain hands-on experience, deepen their understanding of Latin American traditions, and develop skills in creativity, collaboration, and cultural appreciation. If you love to taste, cook, explore, and compete, this is the class for you!

History & Cuisine of Spain                     

CPS/Honors 0.5 Credits Grade 9-12

Discover the flavors, traditions, and unique identities of Spain’s diverse autonomous communities!  In this course, students will dive into hands-on cooking challenges where they prepare authentic dishes from across the country, exploring the distinct culinary styles that make each region special, all while connecting food to history, art, and global perspectives. From tapas in Andalusia to paella in Valencia, every lesson is a tasty journey through Spain’s rich cultural tapestry. Students will go head-to-head as ambassadors of a Spanish region in our thrilling International Food Truck Battle, where collaboration, creativity, and vibrant regional flavors fuel the ultimate culinary competition.  If you love cooking, exploring, and experiencing new cultures, this is the class where your curiosity and your appetite will thrive!

History & Cuisine of Rome /Tuscany

CPS/Honors 0.5 Credits Grade 9-12

Travel through two of Italy’s most iconic regions—Lazio and Tuscany—as we explore ancient Rome, the Renaissance, regional art, history, music, film, and delicious local cuisine. This course blends engaging lessons with hands-on fun, including tasting or preparing traditional dishes (like carbonara, cantucci, panzanella and more), trying art techniques inspired by Italian masters, and watching films set in Rome and Florence. By the end, you’ll feel like you’ve journeyed through both regions and experienced their culture, creativity, and charm firsthand.  

Global Careers & Cultural Competence: Italian

Honors 0.5 Credits Grade 11-12

What if your Italian class could open doors to real careers around the world?  This full-year course is built for language learners who are ready to turn their skills into real opportunities. Students sharpen professional speaking and writing, build powerful cultural fluency, and explore exciting career pathways in healthcare, business, education, hospitality, public service, and beyond.  Through hands-on projects, authentic workplace scenarios, and collaborative experiences, students grow their confidence, professionalism, and global mindset, creating a standout foundation for college, future careers, and earning the MA State Seal of Biliteracy.

*Eligible students must have completed or be currently studying Level IV of the target language (or demonstrate equivalent proficiency at I3 level or above).  These courses WILL count as a world language credit course, as they will be held in the target language.)

Global Careers & Cultural Competence:Spanish

Honors 0.5 Credits Grade 11-12

What if your Spanish class could open doors to real careers around the world?  This full-year course is built for language learners who are ready to turn their skills into real opportunities. Students sharpen professional speaking and writing, build powerful cultural fluency, and explore exciting career pathways in healthcare, business, education, hospitality, public service, and beyond.  Through hands-on projects, authentic workplace scenarios, and collaborative experiences, students grow their confidence, professionalism, and global mindset, creating a standout foundation for college, future careers, and earning the MA State Seal of Biliteracy.

*Eligible students must have completed or be currently studying Level IV of the target language (or demonstrate equivalent proficiency at I3 level or above).  These courses WILL count as a world language credit course, as they will be held in the target language.)