World Languages
The World Language Department offers a diverse selection of courses for students. These courses expose students to a variety of cultures and prepare them for work in an expanding global economy. The range of courses includes basic, intermediate, advanced and AP courses as well as honors courses in levels 1, 2, 3, and 4.
FRENCH 1
Grade(s): 9-12 Credit(s): 1.0 Weight: CP, H
Length: Year
Prerequisite: None
Traditional: Periods/cycle: 5
Course numbers:
College Prep (05112)
Honors (05111)
Students learn to communicate about themselves, their families, and everyday life experiences. Themes are introduced through oral as well as written activities. Audio exercises are used to enhance listening and speaking skills, and videos provide a view of life and culture in French-speaking countries.
FRENCH 2
Grade(s): 9-12 Credit(s): 1.0 Weight: CP, H
Length: Year
Prerequisite:
College Prep requires a 74 in French 1 and a 74 on French 1 final exam.
Honors level requires an 85 in French 1 and a 74 on French 1 final exam.
Traditional Periods/cycle: 5
Hybrid: Honors Only Periods/cycle: 2
Course numbers:
College Prep (05122)
Honors (05121)
Hybrid Honors (05121H)
Students further develop their oral and written communication skills through the discussions of themes including leisure activities, school life, and gastronomy. Students improve their listening and verbal skills though class discussion and use audio exercises as reinforcement. Through a variety of listening, speaking, reading, and writing activities, students expand their vocabulary and grammar skills.
FRENCH 3
Grade(s): 10-12 Credit(s): 1.0 Weight: CP, H
Length: Year
Prerequisite:
College Prep requires a 74 in French 2
Honors level requires either a 74 in Honors French 2 or an 85 in CP French 2.
Traditional Periods/cycle: 5
Course numbers:
College Prep (05132)
Honors (05131)
Dual Enrollment: 3 credits via Montgomery County Community College contingent upon yearly instructor approval (Honors only).
Students improve their listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills through an expansion of vocabulary and the introduction of some advanced grammatical structures. Themes include careers, relationships, and storytelling. Students continue to study the culture and customs of French-speaking countries and will read a major work of French literature.
FRENCH 4
Grade(s): 11-12 Credit(s): 1.0 Weight: CP, H
Length: Year
Prerequisite:
College Prep requires a 74 in French 3.
Honors level requires either a 74 in Honors French 3 or an 85 in CP French 3.
Traditional Periods/cycle: 5
Online Periods/cycle: 0
Course numbers:
College Prep (05142)
Honors: Traditional (05141)
Online (05141O)
Dual Enrollment: 6 credits (Honors)/3 credits (College Prep) via Montgomery County Community College contingent upon yearly instructor approval.
Students continue to improve their listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills through the introduction of abstract vocabulary topics and advanced grammatical structures. Students will read and discuss excerpts from authentic Francophone literature and will view and analyze short films.
FRENCH 5
Grade(s): 12 Credit(s): 1.0 Weight: CP
Length: Year
Prerequisite: A 74 in CP French 4 or a passing grade in H French 4.
Traditional: 05151 Periods/cycle: 5
Dual Enrollment: 3 credits via Montgomery County Community College contingent upon yearly instructor approval.
This course provides continuing proficiency and transition for further college studies. Contemporary and classical literature is read and discussed in French with emphasis on the ability to communicate in French. Compositions will reflect literary, contemporary and cultural themes.
In the event of insufficient enrollment in either College Prep French 4 or French 5 these courses may be combined.
AP FRENCH LANGUAGE & CULTURE
Grade(s): 12 Credit(s): 1.0 Weight: AP
Length: Year Fee: AP Exam fee
Prerequisite: A 74 in H French 4 or an 85 in CP French 4.
Traditional: 05160 Periods/cycle: 5
Dual Enrollment: 6 credits via Montgomery County Community College contingent upon yearly instructor approval.
*Summer assignment required*
This college level course will prepare students to express themselves coherently, resourcefully, and with reasonable fluency and accuracy in both written and spoken French. Extensive training in presentational skills and the organization and writing of compositions is emphasized. Students are expected to think critically about contemporary issues in Francophone cultures. Students will be prepared to take the AP exam in May.
GERMAN 1
Grade(s): 9-12 Credit(s): 1.0 Weight: CP, H
Length: Year
Prerequisite: None
Traditional Periods/cycle: 5
Course numbers:
College Prep (05212)
Honors (05211)
Students enrolled in German 1 will begin with basic chapters including family, food, weather, holidays, traveling and school. Students will begin learning how to speak and write during the duration of German 1. German 1 will prepare students for German 2.
GERMAN 2
Grade(s): 9-12 Credit(s): 1.0 Weight: CP, H
Length: Year
Prerequisite:
College Prep requires a 74 in German 1 and a 74 on German 1 final exam.
Honors level requires an 85 in German 1 and a 74 on German 1 final exam.
Traditional Periods/cycle: 5
Course numbers:
College Prep (05222)
Honors (05221)
German 2 will begin with a review of German 1. The emphasis in German 2 is mastering the grammar and structure of the language as well as speaking the language. This course will prepare students for upper levels of writing, speaking, and thinking in German.
GERMAN 3
Grade(s): 10-12 Credit(s): 1.0 Weight: CP, H
Length: Year
Prerequisite:
CP requires a 74 in German 2.
Honors level requires either a 74 in H German 2 or an 85 in CP German 2
Traditional Periods/cycle: 5
Course numbers:
College Prep (05232)
Honors (05231)
German 3 is primarily the reinforcement of previously developed oral, reading, listening and writing skills. The more difficult points of grammar are reinforced with additional oral and written exercises. The stress in reading is on meaningful content rather than speech patterns. The readings serve as a springboard for discussion and creative writing thereby developing speaking skills. German cultural contributions, including history and famous artists, are further developed.
GERMAN 4
Grade(s): 11-12 Credit(s): 1.0 Weight: CP, H
Length: Year
Prerequisite:
College Prep requires a 74 in German 3.
Honors level requires either a 74 in H German 3 or an 85 in CP German 3.
Traditional Periods/cycle: 5
Course numbers:
College Prep (05242)
Honors (05241)
Dual Enrollment: 6 credits via Montgomery County Community College contingent upon yearly instructor approval (Honors only).
German 4 concentrates on the reinforcement of the four language skills. Grammar is covered primarily in the form of review, with refinement of more difficult points. Some modern and classical literature is read and discussed in German. Creative writing is also stressed. Contemporary culture involving youth is closely examined. Speaking skills are refined and practiced.
GERMAN 5
Grade(s): 12 Credit(s): 1.0 Weight: CP
Length: Year
Prerequisite: A 74 in CP German 4 or a passing grade in H German 4.
Traditional: 05251 Periods/cycle: 5
German 5 provides advanced work in conversational German. Listening comprehension and oral fluency are emphasized. Modern and classical literature, as well as cultural contributions and contemporary issues are also discussed. Emphasis on contemporary youth literature develops reading, writing, and vocabulary skills.
AP GERMAN LANGUAGE & CULTURE
Grade(s): 12 Credit(s): 1.0 Weight: AP
Length: Year Fee: AP Exam fee
Prerequisite: A 74 in H German 4 or an 85 in CP German 4.
Traditional: 05260 Periods/cycle: 5
This college level course will prepare students to express themselves coherently, resourcefully, and with reasonable fluency and accuracy in both written and spoken German. Extensive training in the organization and writing of compositions is emphasized. Contemporary and classic literature is read and discussed. Students will be expected to take the Advanced Placement German Language Exam in May.
In the event of insufficient enrollment, students who take AP German will be combined with students in German 5 and will be given additional independent work.
LATIN 1
Grade(s): 9-12 Credit(s): 1.0 Weight: CP, H
Length: Year
Prerequisite: None
In-person Periods/cycle: 5
Course numbers:
College Prep (05312)
Honors (05311)
Latin 1 introduces basic vocabulary to students and provides the opportunity to learn about noun declensions, the present tense of verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and basic pronouns. While reading Latin stories, students will experience Ancient Rome through the eyes of a young Roman boy named Quintus Horatius Flaccus as he and his family take us through their daily lives. This serialized story will provide students with invaluable cultural comparisons of education, history, geography, and of course mythology. Students will also experience a deeper look at linguistics through word derivation as they begin to make connections between Latin and English. This course supplements learning elements and topics from many of the core subjects such as Language Arts, History, Social Studies, Literature, Philosophy and modern world Languages.
LATIN 2
Grade(s): 9-12 Credit(s): 1.0 Weight: CP, H
Length: Year
Prerequisite:
College Prep requires a 74 in Latin 1 and a 74 on Latin 1 final exam.
Honors level requires an 85 in Latin 1 and a 74 on Latin 1 final exam.
Traditional Periods/cycle: 5
Course numbers:
College Prep (05322)
Honors (05321)
Students will continue their journey with Quintus Horatius Flaccus as he continues his education in Rome and eventually in Greece. The history, culture and grammar build on last year’s concepts as the course expands its vocabulary and grammatical structures to envelop more advanced topics such as verb tense and mood. The students continue to make connections lexically and culturally as they begin to analyze passages about elections, political alliances and a more detailed look at Rome’s influential history. The history and culture are taught side by side with the grammar and vocabulary lessons, which provide the student with an educational experience rich in interdisciplinary study.
LATIN 3
Grade(s): 10-12 Credit(s): 1.0 Weight: CP, H
Length: Year
Prerequisite:
College Prep requires a 74 in Latin 2.
Honors level requires either a 74 in H Latin 2 or an 85 in CP Latin 2.
Traditional Periods/cycle: 5
Course numbers:
College Prep (05332)
Honors (05331)
Students will continue their journey with Quintus Horatius Flaccus as he completes his education and becomes embroiled in the Roman civil war which ushers in the end of the Republic and the beginning of the Roman Empire. The associated readings develop in complexity to include advanced verb forms of the subjunctive mood and a wide variety of clauses, participles, gerunds, and other verbal constructs. These advanced topics and expanded vocabulary complete the Latin student’s introduction to the grammar of the Latin language and leave them on firm footing for their exploration of Latin literature in fourth year.
LATIN 4
Grade(s): 11-12 Credit(s): 1.0 Weight: CP, H
Length: Year
Prerequisite:
College Prep requires a 74 in Latin 3.
Honors level requires either a 74 in H Latin 3 or an 85 in CP Latin 3.
Traditional Periods/cycle: 5
Course numbers:
College Prep (05342)
Honors (05341)
Students using the grammar, vocabulary, history, and cultural knowledge that they gained in the first three years of study to explore texts from several “Golden Age” Latin authors. They will study the letters and speeches of Cicero, the love poems of Catullus and Ovid and the history of Livy. These authors have had a far-ranging impact on the literature of the world in the two millennia since the height of the Roman Empire, and students will have an opportunity to read these selections in the original language. Through this year, students will become familiar with the stylistic and rhetorical devices that authors use to make their readings more attractive, interesting, and profound. Students will also be introduced to the basic meters of Roman poetry.
LATIN 5
Grade(s): 12 Credit(s): 1.0 Weight: CP
Length: Year
Prerequisite: A 74 in CP Latin 4 or a passing grade in H Latin 4.
Traditional: 05351 Periods/cycle: 5
Summer assignment required
Fifth year Latin is an intense course geared to the translation of Latin literature. Emphasis of the course is directed toward translation and understanding as well as figures of speech and poetic meter.
NOTE: In the event of insufficient enrollment, students who take Latin 5 will be combined with students in AP Latin (05351) and work with a modified syllabus.
AP LATIN
Grade(s): 12 Credit(s): 1.0 Weight: AP
Length: Year Fee: AP Exam fee
Prerequisite: A 74 in H Latin 4 or an 85 in CP Latin 4
Traditional: 05360 Periods/cycle: 5
Summer assignment required
Advanced Placement Latin is an intensive study of Latin literature. The prescribed, college-level syllabus will focus on Vergil’s epic poem the Aeneid and Julius Caesar’s De Bello Gallico war commentaries. The length of the translations is considerable. This AP course will also require practice writing AP-style literary essays and sight translation. Attention is given to figures of speech and stylistic devices, advanced grammar and vocabulary, poetic meter, as well as the cultural, social, and political context of the poem. NOTE: In the event of insufficient enrollment, students who take AP Latin will be combined with students in Latin 5 (05351) and will be given additional independent work.
SPANISH 1
Grade(s): 9-12 Credit(s): 1.0 Weight: CP, H
Length: Year
Prerequisite: None
Traditional Periods/cycle: 5
Course numbers:
College Prep (05412)
Honors (05411)
Students in Spanish 1 learn to communicate about themselves, their families and everyday life experiences. Students receive basic instruction in speaking, listening, reading and writing. Grammar is introduced through oral and written exercises. Students will be introduced to Spanish-speaking cultures and customs. This course provides the foundation for further studies in Spanish.
SPANISH 1-B
Grade(s): 9-12 Credit(s): 1.0 Weight: CP
Length: Year
Prerequisite: Passing grade in Spanish 1or Spanish Part 1 in the Middle School
Traditional: 05402 Periods/cycle: 5
Spanish 1B is a course designed for students who need extra reinforcement of Spanish 1 topics before taking Spanish 2. Students who have a final average of a 65-73 in Spanish 1 or have only completed Spanish Part 1 in the Middle School and/or teacher recommendation are eligible to enroll in this course. Any student who failed Spanish 1 may not take this course. Please note, this course is not approved by the NCAA Eligibility Center.
SPANISH 2
Grade(s): 9-12 Credit(s): 1.0 Weight: CP, H
Length: Year
Prerequisite:
College Prep requires a 74 in Spanish 1/1B and a 74 on Spanish 1/1B final.
Honors level requires a 92 in Spanish 1/1B and an 85 on Spanish 1/1B final.
Traditional Periods/cycle: 5
Course numbers:
College Prep (05422)
Honors (05421)
In Spanish 2, students build upon beginner level listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. Students learn to describe familiar, uncomplicated situations. Students will continue to learn about the cultures and customs from the Spanish-speaking world.
SPANISH 3
Grade(s): 10-12 Credit(s): 1.0 Weight: CP, H
Length: Year
Prerequisite:
College Prep requires a 74 in Spanish 2 or a passing grade in Honors Spanish 2.
Honors level requires either a 74 in Honors Spanish 2 or a 92 in CP Spanish 2.
Traditional Periods/cycle: 5
Course numbers:
College Prep (05432)
Honors (05431)
Dual Enrollment: 6 credits via Montgomery County Community College contingent upon yearly instructor approval (Honors only).
The Spanish 3 course focuses on practical travel situations as well as everyday life experiences. All four aspects of the language (listening, speaking, reading and writing) are incorporated. Students master basic grammar and are introduced to advanced grammatical structures.
SPANISH 4
Grade(s): 11-12 Credit(s): 1.0 Weight: CP, H
Length: Year
Prerequisite:
College Prep requires a 74 in Spanish 3.
Honors level requires either a 74 in Honors Spanish 3 or a 92 in CP Spanish 3.
Traditional Periods/cycle: 5
Course numbers:
College Prep (05442)
Honors (05441)
Dual Enrollment: 6 credits via Montgomery County Community College contingent upon yearly instructor approval.
In Spanish 4, students build upon advanced level listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Their writing will improve from the sentence level to the paragraph level. Students learn to initiate and sustain conversation on an intermediate to high level.
SPANISH 5
Grade(s): 12 Credit(s): 1.0 Weight: CP
Length: Year
Prerequisite: A 74 in CP Spanish 4 or a passing grade in H Spanish 4
Traditional: 05451 Periods/cycle:
Dual Enrollment: 6 credits via Montgomery County Community College contingent upon yearly instructor approval.
This course provides continuing proficiency and transition for further college studies. Class discussions and compositions incorporate advanced grammatical structures with current world issues. Students will study the culture, geography and history of Spanish speaking countries.
AP SPANISH LANGUAGE & CULTURE
Grade(s): 12 Credit(s): 1.0 Weight: AP
Length: Year Fee: AP Exam fee
Prerequisite: A 74 in H Spanish 4 or a 92 in CP Spanish 4
Traditional: 05460 Periods/cycle: 5
Dual Enrollment: 6 credits via Montgomery County Community College contingent upon yearly instructor approval.
*Summer assignment required*
This course focuses on advanced work in conversational Spanish, listening comprehension, reading and writing. Class discussions and compositions will incorporate advanced grammatical structures with current world issues. Modern and classical literature is read and discussed in the target language. Students will practice listening skills with authentic materials from news broadcasts and other internet resources. The fifth year course is geared towards preparing to take the Advanced Placement Exam and provides a basis for further studies on the college level. The course is conducted entirely in the target language. Students will be expected to take the Advanced Placement Spanish Language Exam in May. NOTE: In the event of insufficient enrollment in either Spanish 5 or AP Spanish the two courses will be combined and taught at the level of the majority of the students enrolled.
WORLD LANGUAGE ELECTIVES
MYTHOLOGY
Grade(s): 9-12 Credit(s): 0.5 Weight: CP
Length: Semester
Prerequisite: Rising 9th graders: 80 in Language Arts 8. Current high school students: 74 in any previous high school English course.
Online: 05372O Periods/cycle: 0
Mythology and other forms of folklore have been used throughout time as a way to give examples of moral behavior, to explain natural and scientific phenomena, and of course to entertain and inform the societies that created them. This course will focus on the wide variety as of myth and folklore themes from the ancient world through to other traditions such as Norse and Native American mythologies as well as a look at modern mythologies. Students will learn about the universality of mythic motifs as well as the comparative mythology of the epic cycle.
Please note, no knowledge of Latin or Greek language is required.