If you have questions about the World Language Department curriculum, you can email Ms. Natasha Homa (nhoma@nhart.org), World Language Department Chairperson, or call her at 315-624-1257.
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
Students are required to earn one credit in a World Language in order to graduate. Students pursuing an Advanced Regents Diploma are required to complete three credits in one World Language and pass the Checkpoint B exam. Students can earn a 5-credit sequence in Art, Music, or Technology in place of the 3-credit World Language requirement for the Advanced Regents Diploma 5-credit Sequence Options. However, many colleges require some World Language as part of their admissions requirements.
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
FRENCH 3 1 unit of credit
This is the World Languages Checkpoint B Examination level. Students will work on mastering material from their previous years of study while learning intermediate-level vocabulary and grammar topics. Students are expected to practice and refine the four language skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking through various activities including: simulated conversations in the language lab, writing letters and compositions, reading a variety of passages and doing listening activities. These practiced skills align with the Checkpoint B Examination tasks. All grammar and vocabulary topics will build upon the previous years of study while emphasis is placed on continuing to learn about the different cultures of the Francophone world.
A World Languages Checkpoint B Local Examination is given at the end of this course. PREREQUISITE: French 2
FRENCH 4 1 unit of credit
This course builds upon the past three years of study to continue to develop a practical application and fluency of the language. Students will continue to broaden their language skills and will develop a command of the French language across the three modes of communication: Interpretive, Interpersonal, and Presentational. Students will continue to broaden their understanding of different cultures of the Francophone world. French will be the primary language of the course in order to build comprehension abilities. In order to achieve this goal, a variety of quality authentic materials that are representative of the French speaking world will be used along with the reading of selected short stories from well known French authors, listening to French music, etc. Students will be encouraged to speak French daily via various activities along with concentrated work in the World Languages lab. The review of grammatical structures is intertwined throughout the course while simultaneously learning new advanced grammar structures. This course is aligned with, and will prepare students for, the Advanced Placement course. PREREQUISITE: French 3 and the French LOTE/Checkpoint B Exam
AP FRENCH LANGUAGE AND CULTURE (FR201 & FR202 @ MVCC) 1 unit of credit (0.5 each semester)
Students enrolled in this course are required to take the accompanying Advanced Placement Exam in May.
In the AP French Language and Culture course, students will broaden their language skills and will develop a strong command of the French language across the three modes of communication: Interpretive, Interpersonal, and Presentational. These three modes will center around the six themes of this course: Family and Community, Public and Personal Identities, Beauty and Aesthetics, Science and Technology, Contemporary Life and Global Challenges. While studying these themes, students will broaden their understanding of different cultures of the Francophone world and compare those cultures to their own culture. This class is conducted completely in French and includes frequent writing and integration of the four skills in a real-world context. In order to achieve this goal, a variety of quality authentic materials that are representative of the French-speaking world include different media resources: audio and video recordings, journalistic and literary works, podcasts, interviews, newscasts, short films, documentaries, and other printed media. The audio and video resources feature unaltered, native French speakers from a variety of French-speaking countries, speaking on various topics using different registers. Students will be required to speak French daily through various activities along with concentrated work in the World Languages lab. The review of grammatical structures is intertwined throughout the course. Students who successfully complete the fall semester are afforded the opportunity to earn 3 credits via MVCC Dual Credit Course: FR 201. Students who successfully complete the spring semester are afforded the opportunity to earn 3 credits via MVCC Dual Credit Course: FR 202. (total of 6 credits upon full course completion) PREREQUISITE: French 4
LATIN 3 1 unit of credit
This course provides the student with a sequence in Latin for the Advanced Designation Diploma. Student competency communicating in Latin is expected and is measured by the Checkpoint B Examination. At this level students are involved with a variety of authentic sources such as coins, inscriptions, architecture, as well as literature. The works of Caesar, Cicero, Livy, Ovid, and Pliny are central to this course. Projects, independent readings and other creative demonstrations of knowledge are required. Cultural emphasis is on politics, philosophy, and religion. Membership and participation in the National Junior Classical League offered at Levels 1 and 2 are also available to Level 3 students who enroll. A Checkpoint B Regional LOTE exam is given at the end of this course. PREREQUISITE: Latin 2
LATIN 4 1 unit of credit
This course strengthens competency in Latin through the reading and enjoyment of select Roman authors. The works of Caesar, Cicero, Plautus, Ovid, Vergil, and Catullus provide students experience with a variety of Roman themes and styles. Independent and cooperative assignments are given on more sophisticated topics such as philosophy, art, comparative literature, and literary analysis. Students may opt to participate in the University in High School program to earn 4 college credits (for a fee from SUNY Albany). PREREQUISITE: Latin 3 and Latin Comprehensive Exam
LATIN 5 1 unit of credit
This course is an advanced literature course during which students will study various authors of different time periods. They will examine Latin wording and references through analyzing grammatical structures. Students will be exposed to and do analysis of a variety of literary devices through reading of poetry and prose. Students may opt to participate in the University in High School program to earn 3 college credits (for a fee from SUNY Albany). PREREQUISITE: Latin 4
SPANISH 1 1 unit of credit
The first year of Spanish is an introduction to language and culture of the Spanish-speaking world. The student learns to understand, speak, read and write simple, everyday sentences on a variety of topics, fulfilling the functions and proficiencies of Checkpoint A of the New York State Syllabus. Additionally the student learns and masters basic grammar structures to acquire a proficiency in oral and written Spanish, stressing communication skills. The student learns to appreciate and open his/her mind to the culture and life styles of Spanish-speaking peoples.
SPANISH 2 1 unit of credit
This course continues the three-year sequence of Spanish in the LOTE track. It continues to emphasize Checkpoint A of the NYS Syllabus. Spanish 2 reviews and expands the work of Spanish 1 by building and strengthening communication skills as well as grammatical structures. The students are able to comprehend and participate in short conversations. Translations, writing and reading comprehension are increased at this level. The students write notes, letters, and short reports using Level 2 vocabulary. Cultural material is presented through class discussion, films and personal experiences. PREREQUISITE: Spanish 1
SPANISH 3 1 unit of credit
This is the World Languages Checkpoint B Examination level based on the completion of three years of study. Students are expected to practice and refine the four language skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking through various activities including: simulated conversations in the language lab, writing letters and compositions, reading a variety of passages and doing listening activities. These practiced skills align with the tasks of the Checkpoint B Examination. All grammar and vocabulary topics will build upon the previous years of study while emphasis is placed on continuing to learn about the different cultures of the Hispanohablante world. A World Languages Checkpoint B Local Examination is given at the end of this course. PREREQUISITE: Spanish 2
SPANISH 4 1 unit of credit
This course ties in the past three years of study to continue to build a practical application and fluency of the language. Students will continue to broaden their language skills and will develop a command of Spanish language across the three modes of communication: Interpretive, Interpersonal, and Presentational. As well, students will continue to broaden their understanding of different cultures of the Hispanohablante world. Spanish will be the primary language of the course in order to build comprehension abilities. In order to achieve this goal, a variety of quality authentic materials that are representative of the Spanish-speaking world will be used along with the reading of selected short stories from well known Latin American and Spanish writers. Students will be encouraged to speak Spanish daily via various activities along with concentrated work in the WL lab. The review of grammatical structures is intertwined throughout the course. PREREQUISITE: Spanish 3 and the Spanish LOTE/Checkpoint B Exam.
AP SPANISH LANGUAGE (SP201 & SP 202 @ MVCC) 1 unit of credit (0.5 each semester)
Students enrolled in this course are required to take the accompanying Advanced Placement Exam in May.
In the AP Spanish Language and Culture course, students will broaden their language skills and will develop a strong command of Spanish language across the three modes of communication: Interpretive, Interpersonal, and Presentational. As well, students will broaden their understanding of different cultures of the Hispanohablante world. This class is conducted completely in Spanish and includes frequent writing and integration of the four skills in a real-world context. In order to achieve this goal, a variety of quality authentic materials that are representative of the Spanish-speaking world include different media resources: audio and video recordings, journalistic and literary works, podcasts, interviews, newscasts, short films, documentaries, and other printed media. The audio and video resources feature unaltered, native Spanish speakers from a variety of Spanish-speaking countries, speaking various topics in different registers. Students will be required to speak Spanish daily via various activities along with concentrated work in the WL lab. The review of grammatical structures is intertwined throughout the course.
Students who successfully complete the fall semester are afforded the opportunity to earn 3 credits via MVCC Dual Credit Course: SP 201. Students who successfully complete the spring semester are afforded the opportunity to earn 3 credits via MVCC Dual Credit Course: SP 202. (total of 6 credits upon full course completion). PREREQUISITE: Spanish 4
MANDARIN 1 (FL111&FL112 @MVCC) 1 unit of credit
Mandarin 1 introduces students to the official language of the People's Republic of China, Taiwan, and Singapore. Focusing on Checkpoint A of the NYS syllabus, this course provides students with no prior knowledge of Chinese the tools they need to further their study of Mandarin at the high school or college level. Students begin by learning the Pinyin system (the official Chinese phonetic spelling system) to build a solid foundation of correct pronunciation. They also learn to read and write Chinese characters in simplified form. Additionally, students are introduced to Chinese culture to make connections with their daily lives. (This is a MVCC Dual Credit course)
MANDARIN 2 (FL211&FL212 @ MVCC) 1 unit of credit
Mandarin 2 offers students who have completed Mandarin 1 the opportunity to further develop their ability to read, write, speak, and understand Mandarin. This course continues to emphasize Checkpoint A of the NYS syllabus. Mandarin 2 reviews and expands upon the content of Mandarin 1 by enhancing students' communication skills and cultural understanding. (This is a MVCC Dual Credit course) PREREQUISITE: Mandarin 1