32720/32740 Spanish For Heritage Learners - Red / White 32760/32780

Course Name: 32720/32740 Spanish for Heritage Learners - Red

32760/32780 Spanish for Heritage Learners - White

Length: 4 Semesters (2-year rotating course)

Credits: 1 credit (per year)

Open to: Grades 9 - 12

Prerequisite: This two-year rotating course is designed for heritage learners of Spanish, meaning students of any level of Spanish proficiency who have significant prior exposure to the language from their personal lives (i.e. Spanish as a first language, Spanish spoken in the home, significant time abroad, etc). Students may enroll in the course based on teacher recommendation and/or qualification through language testing such as the STAMP, AAPPL, or a teacher-designed Spanish proficiency assessment, ideally administered in the 8th-grade year.

Course Content: Students will improve their language skills through the study of relevant topics such as career options for Spanish speakers, dialects and accents across the Spanish-speaking world, current challenges in the Spanish-speaking world, famous Hispanic literature, and the history of the Spanish-speaking world. Upon completion, students may continue their study of Spanish by enrolling in AP® Spanish Language and Culture or Advanced Spanish for Communication.

Course Activities: In order to address the varied and unique needs of heritage learners, this course will focus on improving students’ proficiency in the language as well as developing a deeper understanding of oneself and of Hispanic identity through reading, listening, writing and speaking. Given that heritage learners’ listening and speaking abilities are typically stronger than their writing skills, this course does not assume proficiency in spelling, grammar or other literacy skills. Students will develop their formal and informal speaking and writing skills through course activities which include but are not limited to: free choice reading, whole-class novel reading and discussion, formal and informal writing, research and discussion of course topics, and self-reflection.

Cost: None