World Languages

The World Languages Department at Northern Highlands seeks to cultivate students’ abilities to communicate effectively in multiple languages while fostering a deep understanding and appreciation for diverse cultures. Our mission is to prepare students for a globalized world by developing proficiency in language skills and cultural competence through immersive, communicative, and interactive methods. We believe that language is not just a tool for communication but a gateway to understanding the perspectives, values, and traditions of others. Whether students pursue modern languages like French, Spanish, or Italian, or engage with American Sign Language, they will build lifelong skills that enhance their academic, personal, and professional lives. Through our rich course offerings and a focus on authentic language use in real-world contexts, students at Northern Highlands gain both linguistic proficiency and a broadened worldview. 

Exploring Languages and Cultures     Grades 9-12 

This survey course is designed for students beginning their first year of study of languages and cultures, who may not plan to continue their study of language beyond two years. Students are introduced to Spanish, French, and Italian languages and cultures, as well as less frequently studied languages and cultures from Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. The multi-cultural focus addresses different peoples and practices, and makes comparisons and connections with students’ own heritage. 

Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation. 

American Sign Language

American Sign Language I     Grades 9-12 

The level 1 World Language American Sign Language (ASL) Curriculum includes four units of study: Self-Image, Our Families, School & Education, and Life Experiences. These units of study address the themes of personal identity and relationships, traditions and celebrations, global awareness and contemporary life, language and regional variations, and leisure and recreation. Students at this level of study are becoming self and culturally aware through readings, conversations, dialogues and projects that also include individual and paired activities. Full immersion in the target language in the areas of listening, signing, reading, and writing, will further strengthen each student’s communicative competence. By the end of this course, the goal is for students to attain a level of Novice Low in interpretive reading and presentational signing, interpretive reception, interpersonal communication, and presentational writing. 

Approved for NCAA DI and DII athletic eligibility 

American Sign Language II   Grades 10-12 

The American Sign Language II Curriculum includes the following units of study: Our Role Within Our Families, Healthy Living & Nutrition, Teens & Technology and Leisure & Recreation. The study of American Sign Language is a cumulative experience. The second year course increases sign vocabulary, fingerspelling fluency, number incorporation, five grammatical parameters, eight morphological classifiers and expressive and receptive signing abilities. The history of ASL and Deaf Culture will be continued through authentic cultural materials and historical readings. Successful completion of this course will prepare students with those skills necessary for the ongoing study of American Sign Language. Students at this level of study are becoming self and culturally aware through readings, conversations, dialogues and projects that also include individual and paired activities. Immersion in the target language in the areas of signing, reading, and writing, will further strengthen each student’s communicative competence. By the end of this course, the goal is for students to attain a level of Novice-Mid in interpretive reading and presentational signing, interpretive reception, interpersonal communication, and presentational writing. 

Prerequisite: Completion of American Sign Language I. 

Approved for NCAA DI and DII athletic eligibility 

American Sign Language III     Grades 11-12

The American Sign Language III Curriculum includes the following units of study: Telling My Story, Milestone & Traditions, Contemporary Life and Health & Wellness. Students will continue to develop expressive and receptive language skills, complex vocabulary, grammatical structures, and cultural awareness. The history of ASL and Deaf Culture will be continued through authentic cultural materials and historical readings. Successful completion of this course will prepare students with those skills necessary for the ongoing study of American Sign Language. Students at this level of study are becoming self and culturally aware through articles, dialogues, class discussions and projects. Students will develop and create an American Sign Language portfolio that will provide them with the opportunity to encapsulate all their work throughout the year. By the end of this course, the goal is for students to attain a level of Intermediate-Low in interpretive reading and presentational signing, interpretive reception, interpersonal communication, and presentational writing. 

Prerequisite: Completion of American Sign Language II. Prerequisite: Completion of American Sign Language II. 

Approved for NCAA DI and DII athletic eligibility 

French, Italian, & Spanish

French I, Italian I, Spanish I     Grades 9-12 

The level 1 World Language Curriculum includes four thematic units of study: Self-Image, The Family Unit and Relationships, Exploring Our World, and Life Experiences. Students at this level are becoming self and culturally aware through readings, conversations, dialogues and projects that also include individual and paired activities. Full immersion in the target language in the areas of listening, speaking, reading, and writing will further strengthen each student’s communicative competence. By the end of this course, the goal is for students to attain a level of Novice-High in interpretive reading and presentational speaking, interpretive listening, interpersonal communication, and presentational writing. 

All approved for NCAAA DI and DII athletic eligibility 

French II, Italian II, Spanish II       Grades 9-12

The level 2 World Language Curriculum includes four thematic units of study: Our Role within Our Families, Healthy Living and Nutrition, Teens and Technology, and Clothing and Shopping. Students continue to be communicative, focusing on practical situations using language structures. The course further increases students’ proficiency in the language and enhances and enriches cultural understanding. Students become more comfortable expressing themselves in interpretive, interpersonal and presentational modes. By the end of level two, the goal is for students to attain a level of Intermediate Low in interpretive reading, presentational speaking, interpretive listening, interpersonal communication, and presentational writing. 

Prerequisite: Minimum of two years of language in middle school or Level I. 

All approved for NCAA DI and DII athletic eligibility 

Honors French II, Honors Italian II, Honors Spanish II     Grades 9-12 

The level 2 World Language Curriculum includes four thematic units of study: Our Role within Our Families, Healthy Living and Nutrition, Teens and Technology, and Clothing and Shopping. Students continue to be communicative, focusing on practical situations using language structures. The course further increases students’ proficiency in the language and enhances and enriches cultural understanding. Students become more comfortable expressing themselves in interpretive, interpersonal and presentational 60 modes. New subject matter is presented at a rapid pace in this enriched sequence, and reinforced through oral and written communication in interpretive, interpersonal, and presentational modes. Classes are conducted mostly in target language. By the end of level two honors, the goal is for students to attain a level of Intermediate Low. 

Prerequisite: Recommendation of Level I teacher and/or placement test. 

All approved for NCAA DI and DII athletic eligibility 

French III, Italian III, Spanish III     Grades 10-12

The level 3 World Language Curriculum includes four of the following thematic units of study: Telling My Story, Milestones and Traditions, Travel and Transportation, Contemporary Life and Health and Wellness. In this course, students learn to express themselves using more advanced grammatical structures in reading, speaking and writing pieces. By the end of level three, the goal is for students to attain a level of Intermediate-Mid in interpretive reading, presentational speaking, interpretive listening, interpersonal communication, and presentational writing. 

Prerequisite: Recommendation of Level II teacher. 

All approved for NCAA DI and DII athletic eligibility 

Honors French III, Honors Italian III, Honors Spanish III     Grades 10-12

The level 3 World Language Curriculum includes four of the following thematic units of study: Telling My Story, Milestones and Traditions, Travel and Transportation, Contemporary Life and Health and Wellness. In this course, students learn to express themselves using more advanced grammatical structures in reading, speaking and writing pieces. By the end of level three, the goal is for students to attain a level of Intermediate-Low in interpretive reading, presentational speaking, interpretive listening, interpersonal communication, and presentational writing. Students profit from more advanced reading selections and from listening practice. Students in this advanced course proceed more rapidly with language structure exercises. Classes are conducted mostly in the target language. By the end of level three honors, the goal is for students to attain a level of Intermediate-Mid. 

Prerequisite: Recommendation of Honors Level II or Level II teacher and/or placement test. 

All approved for NCAA DI and DII athletic eligibility 

French IV, Italian IV, Spanish IV     Grades 11-12

The level 4 World Language Curriculum includes four of the following thematic units of study: Travel and Transportation, Milestones and Traditions, Career Pathways and Future Endeavors, Fine and Performing Arts, and Communities and Cultures. In this course, students learn to express themselves using advanced grammar structures. They learn to collect, share, and analyze data related to contemporary and emerging global issues, problems and challenges. By the end of level four, the goal is for students to attain a level of Intermediate High in interpretive reading, presentational speaking, interpretive listening, interpersonal communication, and presentational writing. 

Prerequisite: Recommendation of a Level III teacher. 

All approved for NCAA DI and DII athletic eligibility. 

Honors French IV, Honors Italian IV, Honors Spanish IV   Grades 11-12 

The level 4 World Language Curriculum includes four of the following thematic units of study: Travel and Transportation, Milestones and Traditions, Career Pathways and Future Endeavors, Fine and Performing Arts, and Communities and Cultures. In this course, students learn to express themselves using advanced grammar structures. They learn to collect, share, and analyze data related to contemporary and emerging global issues, problems and challenges. By the end of level four, the goal is for students to attain a level of Intermediate Mid in interpretive reading, presentational speaking, interpretive listening, interpersonal communication, and presentational writing. Students advance to reading selections of increasing length and difficulty and diverse literary forms. Reading selections are chosen for this cultural significance. Students bring their interpretive, interpersonal, and presentational modes of communication to a more sophisticated level, while studying literature from the target language. Classes are conducted in target language. By the end of level four Honors, the goal is for students to attain a level of Intermediate High. 

Prerequisite: Recommendation of Honors Level III or Level III teacher and/or placement test. 

All approved for NCAA DI and DII athletic eligibility 

French V, Spanish V Grades 11-12

The level 5 World Language Curriculum includes four thematic units of study: Global Citizenship and Issues, Nourishing the Mind, Body and Soul, Media Influence, and Artistic Expression. In this course, students learn about historical and cultural influences, geography and its effect on the economy, and daily life when living abroad. By the end of level five, the goal is for students to attain a level of Advanced Low in interpretive reading, presentational speaking, interpretive listening, interpersonal communication, and presentational writing. 

Prerequisite: Recommendation of Level IV teacher. 

All approved for NCAA DI and II athletic eligibility 

AP French Language   Grades 11-12 

This level requires a high degree of proficiency. Listening and speaking skills are continuously analyzed and evaluated. Reading continues with a variety of original selections discussed in French, and writing skills are expanded to include analytical and creative papers/projects. Students enrolled in this course are preparing for and are expected to take the AP examination in French Language in May. 

Prerequisite: Recommendation of Honors French IV teacher and/or placement test. 

Note: A summer assignment may be required.

 Approved for NCAA DI and DII athletic eligibility 

Honors Spanish V (DUAL ENROLLMENT: Syracuse University Project Advance)   Grades 11-12 

This course, entitled Spanish 201 Intermediate Spanish at Syracuse University, is a proficiency-based course that reviews understanding of the formal structures of language, refines previously acquired linguistic skills, and builds awareness of Spanish culture. Authentic oral and literary texts are introduced. By the end of the course, students are expected to communicate effectively: giving and getting information; surviving predictable and complicated situations; narrating and describing in present, past, and future time; supporting opinions and hypothesizing comfortably in Spanish. 

Prerequisites: Three years of Honors Spanish or a minimum “90” average or better in Spanish IV, and teacher recommendation and/or placement test. 

Note: There is a financial obligation for students who wish to earn college credit for this course; please see page 6 for additional information

Approved for NCAA DI and DII athletic eligibility 

AP Spanish Language   Grades 11-12 

Because a high degree of proficiency is expected at this level, listening and speaking skills are continuously analyzed and evaluated. Reading continues with a variety of authentic selections discussed in Spanish; writing skills are expanded to include analytical and creative formats. Students enrolled in this course are preparing for and are expected to take the AP examination in Spanish Language in May. Please see page 5 for additional information regarding advanced placement courses and exams. 

Prerequisite: Recommendation of Honors Spanish IV teachers and/or placement test. 

Note: A summer assignment is required. 

Approved for NCAA DI and DII athletic eligibility 

Full Year World Language Electives 

Spanish Language and Culture through Cinema   Grades 10-12 

This course is designed to improve speaking abilities while learning about Spanish culture and cinema in context. Through a variety of films, the students will learn to recognize and interpret cultural and ideological messages and discuss ways that Spanish culture differs from and is similar to their own. Additionally, there will be several writing exercises throughout the course that will help students improve their writing abilities. By the end of the course, students will have a better command of all linguistic skills, especially listening comprehension, fluency and accuracy in their speech. 

Prerequisite: Completion of at least Spanish 3 or Honors Spanish 2 or teacher recommendation. 

Approved for NCAA DI and DII athletic eligibility