World Languages

Prerequisite: None 

ASL 1 is an introduction to American Sign Language and American deaf culture.  Students are introduced to commonly used signs and basic rules of grammar.  The course also explores information related to the deaf community. Both  beginning expressive and receptive skills are developed through a variety of  activities, drills, and creative projects. The final assessment in June will have two  parts: an exam of receptive and expressive skills, including fingerspelling, facial  expression, and body language, as well as a cultural project.

Prerequisite: Successful Completion of ASL 1

The ASL 2 curriculum focuses on developing conversational fluidity. Students will continue to build a vocabulary base while expanding on different  grammatical features, including both receptive and expressive skills, and conversational skills. Students will continue learning glossing (written ASL) as  well as classifiers (handshapes associated with a particular semantic). In June,  there will be a final exam, which will consist of a cumulative assessment on all  chapter material covered during the last semester. This will include the  grammatical structures, as well as expressive and receptive skills, and vocabulary  knowledge.

Prerequisite: Successful Completion of ASL 1 & 2

The material  is taught in units, not consecutively. Students may have some input on choosing  specialized vocabulary. 

Students deepen their understanding of deaf culture,  hold discussions, and tell stories completely in ASL. Total language immersion is  encouraged. There will be a final project in which the students will be able to choose a children’s story to interpret in order to show mastery of this level.

Independent Study Opportunity: Upon completion of ASL 1,2, & 3, an independent course may be offered for credit for those who are interested in being teacher assistants. Passing all three levels, a teacher recommendation, and a completion of an Independent Study Agreement is required.

Prerequisite: French 4

The AP French Language and Culture course emphasizes communication (understanding and being understood by others) by applying the interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational modes of communication in real-life situations. This includes vocabulary usage, language control, communication strategies, and cultural awareness. The AP French Language and Culture course strives not to overemphasize grammatical accuracy at the expense of communication. To best facilitate the study of language and culture, the course is taught almost exclusively in French.

The AP French Language and Culture course engages students in an exploration of culture in both contemporary and historical contexts. The course develops students' awareness and appreciation of cultural products (e.g., tools, books, music, laws, conventions, institutions); practices (patterns of social interactions within a culture); and perspectives (values, attitudes, and assumptions).

*An AP exam will be ordered for all students who are in an AP class on Nov. 15th.  A $40 unused exam fee will be applied to anyone who drops the AP courses after Nov. 15th.

Prerequisite:   None

This is an academic level course for students with some or no previous language experience.  French 1 introduces novice students to the oral and written skills of the French language.  Learning targets will encompass French pronunciation, vocabulary building, grammar and writing practice as well as speaking, listening and reading comprehension.  Students will use the language to communicate basic information in a variety of modalities.  Furthermore, students study the culture and geography of the French-speaking world.

Prerequisite:   French 1

French 2 at the honors level builds upon the already acquired language skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing.  Learning targets will include an in depth study of grammatical structures and vocabulary.  A strong emphasis will be placed on the development of conversational skills in order to expand students’ fluency in the French language.  Students will develop a stronger awareness of the culture and geography of the French-speaking world.

Prerequisite: French 1

This is an academic course building upon the already acquired language skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing.  Learning targets will include an in depth study of grammatical structures and vocabulary.  A strong emphasis will be placed on the development of conversational skills in order to expand students’ fluency in the French language.  Students will develop a stronger awareness of the culture and geography of the French-speaking world.

Prerequisite: French 2 

French 3 at the honors level offers students the opportunity to practice skills and concepts at a quicker pace. The rigor of this course will be consistent with preparing students  to move to year 4, AP, and ECE courses. Students will build upon the already acquired language skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing.  Learning targets will include an in depth study of grammatical structures and vocabulary.  A strong emphasis will be placed on the development of conversational skills in order to expand students’ fluency in the French language.  Students will develop a stronger awareness of the culture and geography of the French-speaking world.

Prerequisite: French 2 

This is an academic level course building upon the already acquired language skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing.  Learning targets will include an in depth study of grammatical structures and vocabulary.  A strong emphasis will be placed on the development of conversational skills in order to expand students’ fluency in the French language.  Students will develop a stronger awareness of the culture and geography of the French-speaking world.

Prerequisite: French 3 

This honor level course is a continuation of French 3 and is designed for highly motivated students.  The main objective of this course is to develop more advanced reading, writing and speaking skills.  Students are encouraged to communicate in conversational exchanges with the teacher and their fellow classmates.  Grammar skills are expanded, and students are exposed to authentic French literature, French language films and media. This course is in preparation for AP French Language and Culture.

Prerequisite:  None

This is an academic level course that introduces students to Italian vocabulary and grammar.  This course helps the novice student develop Italian oral and written skills.  Learning targets will encompass Italian pronunciation, vocabulary building, grammar and writing practice as well as speaking, listening and reading comprehension.  Furthermore, students study the culture and geography of Italy.

Prerequisite:  Italian 1 

Italian 2 at the honors level builds upon the already acquired language skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing.  Learning targets will include an in depth study of grammatical structures and vocabulary.  A strong emphasis will be placed on the development of conversational skills in order to expand students’ fluency in the Italian language.  Students will develop a stronger awareness of the culture and geography of Italy.

Prerequisite:  Italian 1 

This is an academic course building upon the already acquired language skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing.  Learning targets will include an in depth study of grammatical structures and vocabulary.  A strong emphasis will be placed on the development of conversational skills in order to expand students’ fluency in the Italian language.  Students will develop a stronger awareness of the culture and geography of Italy.

Prerequisite: Italian 2 

Italian 3 at the honors level offers students the opportunity to practice skills and concepts at an advanced level.  Students will build upon the already acquired language skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing. The rigor of this course will be consistent with preparing students to move to year 4, AP, and ECE courses. Learning targets will include an in depth study of grammatical structures and vocabulary.  A strong emphasis will be placed on the development of conversational skills in order to expand students’ fluency in the Italian language.  Students will develop a stronger awareness of the culture and geography of Italy.

Prerequisite:  Italian 2 

This is an academic level course building upon already acquired language skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing.  Students will build upon the already acquired language skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing. Learning targets will include an in depth study of grammatical structures and vocabulary.  A strong emphasis will be placed on the development of conversational skills in order to expand students’ fluency in the Italian language.  Students will develop a stronger awareness of the culture and geography of Italy.

Prerequisite:  Italian 3 

This honor level course is a continuation of Italian 3 and is designed for highly motivated students.  The main objective of this course is to develop more advanced reading, writing and speaking skills.  Students are encouraged to communicate in conversational exchanges with their teacher and their fellow classmates.  Grammar skills are expanded, and students are exposed to authentic Italian literature, Italian language films and media.

Prerequisite:  Italian 4 

ILCS 3239: Composition & Conversation I

Three credits ($150). Offered Fall, Spring, or Full-year. Prerequisite: ILCS 1148 or equivalent.

Practice in written and oral composition. Syntax study.

Eligibility Guidelines: Successful completion of the equivalent of four Italian language courses (two courses at the Elementary level & two at the Intermediate level) and instructor consent. A student must pass ILCS 3239 with a grade of a “C” or higher to continue on to ILCS 3240.

ILCS 3240: Composition & Conversation II

Three credits ($150). Offered Fall, Spring, or Full-year. Prerequisite: ILCS 3239 or equivalent.

Further practice in written and oral composition. Treatment of the finer points in syntax.

Eligibility Guidelines: Successful completion of the equivalent of four Italian language courses (two courses at the Elementary level & two at the Intermediate level) and instructor consent. A student must pass ILCS 3239 with a grade of a “C” or higher to continue on to ILCS 3240.

This course affords the student the opportunity to register for the University of Connecticut’s SPAN 3178: Intermediate Spanish Composition course and SPAN 3179: Spanish Conversation: Cultural Topics through our Early College Experience program and earn up to six college credits. Only students who are registered in the UCONN/ECE Program for this course will receive UCONN credit. These credits are transferable to other colleges. Note: Credit transfer policies vary from college to college, hence students must check with their colleges of interest. Typically grades below a C do not transfer, and grades of a C or higher transfer as a “T” which carries no GPA or grade.

Prerequisite:  Spanish 4 

This honors college level course is designed for highly motivated students. The main objective of this course is to develop more advanced reading, writing and speaking skills. This course will afford students the opportunity to expand their skills of composition writing in the language, and provides a thorough review of grammar and methodical practice in composition leading to command of practical idioms and vocabulary. Students are still encouraged to communicate in conversational exchanges with the teacher and their fellow classmates. Grammar skills are expanded, and students are exposed to authentic Spanish literature, Spanish language films and media. 

Only students who are registered in the UCONN/ECE Program for this course will receive 3 UCONN credits. These credits are transferable to other colleges. Note: Credit transfer policies vary from college to college, hence students must check with their colleges of interest. Typically grades below a C do not transfer, and grades of a C or higher transfer as a “T” which carries no GPA or grade.

Prerequisite:  ECE Spanish 3179 or permission from instructor

This honors college level course is designed for highly motivated students. The main objective of this course is to develop more advanced reading, writing and specifically, speaking skills. This course will afford students the opportunity to expand their skills in conversation in the language. A focus will be placed on an in-depth development of speaking skills through cultural readings, group discussions and oral presentations on selected topics concerning the Spanish-speaking world. Students are encouraged to communicate in conversational exchanges with the teacher and their fellow classmates. Grammar skills are expanded, and students are exposed to authentic Spanish literature, Spanish language films and media. 

Only students who are registered in the UCONN/ECE Program for this course will receive UCONN credit. These credits are transferable to other colleges. Note: Credit transfer policies vary from college to college, hence students must check with their colleges of interest. Typically grades below a C do not transfer, and grades of a C or higher transfer as a “T” which carries no GPA or grade.

Prerequisite: None

This is an academic level course for students with some or no previous language experience.  Spanish 1 introduces novice students to the oral and written skills of the Spanish language.  Learning targets will encompass Spanish pronunciation, vocabulary building, grammar and writing practice as well as speaking, listening and reading comprehension.  Students will use the language to communicate basic information in a variety of modalities.  Furthermore, students study the culture and geography of the Spanish-speaking world.

Prerequisite: Spanish 1                   

Spanish 2 at the honors level builds upon the already acquired language skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing.  Learning targets will include an in depth study of grammatical structures and vocabulary.  A strong emphasis will be placed on the development of conversational skills in order to expand students’ fluency in the Spanish language.  Students will develop a stronger awareness of the culture and geography of the Spanish-speaking world.

Prerequisite: Spanish 1 

This is an academic course building upon the already acquired language skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing.  Learning targets will include an in depth study of grammatical structures and vocabulary.  A strong emphasis will be placed on the development of conversational skills in order to expand students’ fluency in the Spanish language.  Students will develop a stronger awareness of the culture and geography of the Spanish-speaking world.

Prerequisite: Spanish 2 

Spanish 3 at the honors level offers students the opportunity to practice skills and concepts at a quicker pace. The rigor of this course will be consistent with preparing students  to move to year 4, AP, and ECE courses. Students will build upon the already acquired language skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing.  Learning targets will include an in depth study of grammatical structures and vocabulary.  A strong emphasis will be placed on the development of conversational skills in order to expand students’ fluency in the Spanish language.  Students will develop a stronger awareness of the culture and geography of the Spanish-speaking world.

Prerequisite: Spanish 2 

This is an academic level course building upon the already acquired language skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing.  Learning targets will include an in depth study of grammatical structures and vocabulary.  A strong emphasis will be placed on the development of conversational skills in order to expand students’ fluency in the Spanish language.  Students will develop a stronger awareness of the culture and geography of the Spanish-speaking world.

Prerequisite: Spanish 3 

This honors level course is a continuation of Spanish 3 and is designed for highly motivated students.  The main objective of this course is to develop more advanced reading, writing and speaking skills.  Students are encouraged to communicate in conversational exchanges with the teacher and their fellow classmates.  Grammar skills are expanded, and students are exposed to authentic Spanish literature, Spanish language films and media. This course is in preparation for ECE Spanish.

Prerequisite:  Permission of Instructor

The Plainville High Study in Advanced World Language program is open to all students in grades 11 and 12 who have successfully completed ALL of the courses offered at Plainville High School in a particular subject area, as outlined in the program of studies.  Independent study gives students the opportunity to be in charge of his or her learning, allowing the student to select and study a topic in order to strengthen a college application, prepare for a future job, or pursue a personal interest. The Independent study course responds to the students’ interests, aptitudes, and abilities and allows the student to learn at an individual pace. Independent study is not a viable option for all students because the course may be more challenging than a traditional course due to the self-motivation and self-direction required by the student. The Independent study teacher serves as a facilitator to ensure that the student meets the goals of the mutually agreed upon course of study.  Any interested students should first obtain the Independent Study Program application from his or her School Counselor.