Bienvenue! Willkommen! Bienvenidos!
WORLD LANGUAGES
The World Language program at Pennsbury High School offers a complete study of 3 traditional Languages, French, German, Spanish, and an introduction to Mandarin Chinese within the framework of a rigorous academic elective program. One credit is awarded for each level of successful World Language study towards graduation grades 9-12.
Both Honors and Academic courses are offered in four levels of Spanish, French and German. Additionally, a fifth level “Literature, Culture, and Conversation” course of Spanish Honors is offered. Advanced Placement Language and Culture courses are available in all three traditional languages. With the advantage of Block Scheduling, students can complete all levels of World Language study and Advanced Placement before graduation.
While World Language study is not required for graduation from PHS, enrollment of two sequenced language courses satiates a mandated two credits in the humanities. Furthermore, a large majority of four-year colleges and universities seek an intermediate proficiency in a World Language, with a minimum of two to three levels of high school Language study recommended. Many colleges and universities require demonstrated proficiency in a World Language for graduation that may require a longer sequence of study at the high school level. Some institutions give college credit or exempt students from degree requirements for achieved proficiency in high school courses demonstrated by successful achievement on a university's World Language placement exam, the SAT II exam, or a score of "3" or higher on the College Board AP Language Exam.
Pennsbury High School’s World Languages are taught based on a communicative approach methodology. This approach emphasizes the speaking and comprehension of the target Language acquired the natural way, i.e. through classroom immersion achieved through modeling of the Language and introduction to the culture of the native countries. This communicative-based approach is then followed by the introduction of reading and writing skills. Pennsbury High School is equipped with two Language learning centers, furnished with computers, into which classes are scheduled so as to utilize a variety of technologies to support this instruction.
THE FOLLOWING LANGUAGES
ARE AVAILABLE:
High School World Language Program:
Both academic and honors courses are offered in French, Spanish, and German. The honors track World Language program begins in Level I and continues through Advanced Placement. An honors track program is designed for a more motivated student. The textbook material is presented at an accelerated pace and is supplemented with additional curricular resources. Students in the academic classes will study the traditional course material without the accelerated pace.
Because World Language classes are sequential in nature, it will be difficult for a student in an academic class to switch into an honors level. Initial placement is critical. Therefore, it is suggested that the following parameters be used to help the 8th grade students make a decision between the honors or academic tracks.
Any 8th grader meeting the criteria below should select the honors track.
Above-grade-level standardized reading scores
Above-average grades in English classes
Consistent high grades in other major subjects
NOTE: Minimal consideration should be given to the grade received in the FLEX thirty-day program since it was not designed to indicate Language aptitude, but rather to help students choose which Language they would like to study.
Courses Offered: (All Level I to IV courses are offered either academic or honors.)
WLFR1
WLFGR1
WLSP1
Level I French Language Academic
Level I German Language Academic
Level I Spanish Language Academic
PREREQUISITE: None
18 weeks
1.0 credit
Grade 9, 10, 11, 12
The French, German, and Spanish Level I Academic course introduces the student to developing skills in communicating in a World Language and to the cultures of people who speak the language. The course utilizes a wide variety of curricular resources including online textbooks, interactive websites and software, and audio and video to supplement the text and auxiliary materials.
WLFR2
WLGR2
WLSP2
Level II French Language Academic
Level II German Language Academic
Level II Spanish Language Academic
PREREQUISITE: Must have successfully completed Level I Academic or Honors of French, German or Spanish.
18 weeks
1.0 credit
Grade 9, 10, 11, 12
The French, German, and Spanish Level II Academic course continues to develop the student's communication skills, both written and spoken. Many of the vocabulary and grammar topics are reviewed and expanded, while introducing new subjects. The cultures of the target language are further explored. A wide variety of resources and technology are utilized.
WLFR3
WLGR3
WLSP3
Level III French Language Academic
Level III German Language Academic
Level III Spanish Language Academic
PREREQUISITE: Must have successfully completed Level II Academic or Level I Honors of French, German or Spanish.
18 weeks
1.0 credit
Grade 10, 11, 12
The Level III course expands and reviews previous knowledge. The course continues to incorporate the function, structure, and vocabulary of the language. Proficiency is built step by step while discovering the people and the culture. A wide variety of resources and technology are utilized.
WLFR4
WLGR4
WLSP4
Level IV French Language Academic
Level IV German Language Academic
Level IV Spanish Language Academic
PREREQUISITE: Must have successfully completed Level III Academic or Level II Honors of French, German or Spanish.
18 weeks
1.0 credit
Grade 10, 11, 12
The Level IV academic course moves the student further towards mastery of the grammar, structure, and culture of the target language. Communication continues to be the goal, with appropriate practice of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The study of the cultures where the target language is spoken continues to provide more in depth understanding. A wide variety of resources and technology are utilized. If a student wishes to continue his/her study of this language after Level IV Academic, it is recommended to select Level IV Honors.
WLFR1H
WLGR1H
WLSP1H
Level I French Language Honors
Level I German Language Honors
Level I Spanish Language Honors
PREREQUISITE: None
18 weeks
1.0 credit
Grade 9, 10, 11, 12
The Level I Honors course introduces the student to developing skills in communicating in a World Language and to the cultures of people who speak the language. The course utilizes a wide variety of curricular resources including online textbooks, interactive websites and software, and audio and video to supplement the text and auxiliary materials. The honors course represents an accelerated pace with greater in-depth study and practice.
WLFR2H
WLGR2H
WLSP2H
Level II French Language Honors
Level II German Language Honors
Level II Spanish Language Honors
PREREQUISITE: Must have successfully completed Level II Academic, Level I Honors, or Level 1 Academic (with Teacher Recommendation) of French, German or Spanish.
18 weeks
1.0 credit
Grade 9, 10, 11, 12
The Level II Honors course continues to develop the student's communication skills, both written and spoken. Many of the vocabulary and grammar topics are reviewed and expanded while introducing new subjects. The cultures of the target language are further explored. A wide variety of resources and technology are utilized. The honors course represents an accelerated pace with greater in depth study and practice.
WLFR3H
WLGR3H
WLSP3H
Level III French Language Honors
Level III German Language Honors
Level III Spanish Language Honors
PREREQUISITE: Must have successfully completed Level II Honors or Level III Academic of French, German or Spanish.
18 weeks
1.0 credit
Grade 10, 11, 12
The Level III honors course expands and reviews previous knowledge. The course continues to incorporate the functions, the structure, and the vocabulary of the language. Proficiency is built step by step while discovering the people and the culture. A wide variety of resources and technology are utilized. The honors course represents an accelerated pace with greater in depth study and practice.
WLFR4H
WLGR4H
WLSP4H
Level IV French Language Honors
Level IV German Language Honors
Level IV Spanish Language Honors
PREREQUISITE: Must have successfully completed Level III Honors or Level IV Academic of French, German or Spanish.
18 weeks
1.0 credit
Grade 10, 11, 12
The Level IV honors course moves the student towards mastery of the grammar, structure, and culture of the target language from the previous courses. Communication continues to be the goal, with appropriate practice of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The study of the cultures continues to provide more in depth understanding. A wide variety of resources and technology are utilized.
WLSPLCH
Spanish Literature, Culture, and Conversation Honors
PREREQUISITE: Must have successfully completed Level IV Honors of Spanish or test out with equivalent outside experience. This course may be taken either pre or post AP Spanish Language & Culture.
18 weeks
1.0 credit
Grade 11, 12
This fifth semester Spanish course places a heavy emphasis on the spoken Spanish language. Students will be challenged to communicate exclusively in the target language while taking an in-depth study of both literature and culture of the Spanish speaking world.
WLAPFR
WLAPGR
WLAPSP
Advanced Placement Language and Culture: FRENCH
Advanced Placement Language and Culture: GERMAN
Advanced Placement Language and Culture: SPANISH
PREREQUISITE: Must have successfully completed Level IV Honors of French, German or Spanish.
18 weeks
1.0 credit
Grade 11, 12
The College Board designs this course for the serious World Language student who desires to prepare himself/herself for the rigorous Advanced Placement exam. The student will need to obtain a strong command of the grammar and vocabulary along with competence in listening, reading, speaking, and writing in the target language. The course uses an extensive variety of curricular materials including college-level texts, teacher-generated materials, commercially prepared materials, audiocassettes, videos, computer software, Internet resources, and practice exams prepared by the College Board. The target language MUST be used at all times in the AP Language class. A summer assignment may be assigned and expected to be completed by the first day of class.
WLMCH
AN INTRODUCTION TO MANDARIN CHINESE
PREREQUISITE: Must have successfully completed level 3 honors or 4 academic of French, German or Spanish. Priority will be given to students who are concurrently enrolled in or have completed level 4 honors, and/or AP French, German, or Spanish.
18 weeks
1.0 credit
Grade 10, 11, 12
This course will introduce the Mandarin Chinese language to students who intend to continue their study in the future to reach academic, personal or professional goals. Students will use their knowledge of second-language acquisition from previously-studied world languages (French, German or Spanish) to independently explore Mandarin Chinese via computer–assisted language software.