World Language

This year-long course introduces the student to the French language through active participation. The student develops skills in listening, speaking, reading and writing, as well as a beginning understanding of basic grammar.  The student will demonstrate an introductory knowledge of French-speaking cultures and customs.  Students will read a novel in French at the end of the year.

This year-long course builds on the Level 1 introduction to the French language through active participation.  Level 2 students are challenged to move beyond simple patterns in language communication.  The students will develop intermediate grammar skills, increase their vocabulary base, and learn more about francophone countries and cultures. Students will read a novel in French at the end of the year.

This course, conducted primarily in French, continues the progressive development of the four language skills of communication.  Students will explore themes such as childhood, travel, professions, the environment, French films and media. Authentic sources such as French internet sites, short stories, music and films will be used.  Students will also study intermediate grammar and apply it in conversations and in writing. Finally, students will study cultural aspects of the francophone world. Students will follow a Pre-CIS curriculum to help prepare for the College in the Schools course next year. 

This year-long course, conducted primarily in French, continues the progressive development of the four language skills of communication.  Students will earn 5 University of Minnesota credits for successful completion of this weighted course.  It is the equivalent of French 1003 at the University of Minnesota.  Students will study advanced grammar and apply it in conversations, in reading, and in writing.  Students will do more in-depth study of contemporary life in France and in the Francophone world. Students will use the textbook En Avant, and read the novel Le Petit Prince.  Finally, students will have the opportunity to visit the University of Minnesota and French classes there, as a class field trip.

College Credit Information: 

Earned with University of Minnesota, Twin Cities | FREN 1003: Intermediate French, 5 credits

This year-long course, conducted in French, continues the progressive development of the four language skills of communication.  Students will earn 5 University of Minnesota credits for successful completion of this weighted course.  It is the equivalent of French 1004 at the University of Minnesota.  Students will study advanced grammar and apply it in conversations, in reading, and in writing.  Students will do more in-depth study of contemporary life in France and in the Francophone world.  Students will use the textbook Ouvertures, and read short stories and excerpts from a novel. Finally, students will have the opportunity to visit the University of Minnesota and French classes there, as a class field trip.

College Credit Information: 

Earned with University of Minnesota, Twin Cities | FREN 1004: Intermediate French, 5 credits

This year-long course introduces students to the German language through comprehensible input and storytelling. The students will acquire German by listening and reading for comprehension. They will also participate in hands-on games and activities that support language learning. They will demonstrate their understanding through writing, retelling of stories and speaking. The students will also acquire an introductory knowledge of German speaking cultures and customs throughout the course.

This year-long course continues German language growth through comprehensible input and storytelling. The students will acquire German by listening and reading for comprehension. They will demonstrate their understanding through writing and retelling of stories. The students will expand their knowledge of German speaking cultures and customs through the content of the stories and novels that they read.

German 3 is a College in the School-Program.  This PLHS program is administered by the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities (U of M) and students have the opportunity to earn college German credits that may be accepted for general education credit by many colleges and universities.  This course follows the curriculum of German 1003 offered as semester courses at the U of M.  Students will attend class at PLHS, but earn 5 credits through the U of M.

Students will receive a college transcript at the end of this course.  All students will receive the college credit if the German teachers feel they deserve the college credit based on previous German classes.  If students do not meet the prerequisite to receive college credit, they can still take the course but would not receive college credit.  We will offer an opportunity to take the German AP test and the National German test at the end of the year for any student interested.

This year-long course, conducted in German, continues the progressive development of the four language skills of communication (listening, speaking, reading, and writing). Students will develop language skills by reading from authentic sources (such as newspapers, poems, short stories, and novels) and by increasing composition techniques.  The student will review the grammatical concepts already learned in German 1 and 2, understand and use more advanced grammar, and demonstrate knowledge of German cultures and history.  

College Credit Information: 

Earned with University of Minnesota, Twin Cities | GER 1003: Intermediate German, 5 credits

German 4 is a College in the School-Program.  This PLHS program is administered by the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities (U of M) and students have the opportunity to earn college German credits that may be accepted for general education credit by many colleges and universities.  This course follows the curriculum of German 1004 offered as semester courses at the U of M.  Students will attend class at PLHS, but earn 5 credits through the U of M.

Students will receive a college transcript at the end of this course.  All students will receive the college credit if the German teachers feel they deserve the college credit based on previous German classes.  If students do not meet the prerequisite to receive college credit, they can still take the course but would not receive college credit.  We will offer an opportunity to take the German AP test and the National German test at the end of the year for any student interested.

This year-long course, conducted in German, continues the progressive development of the four language skills of communication (listening, speaking, reading, and writing). Students will develop language skills by reading from authentic sources (such as newspapers, poems, short stories, and novels) and by increasing composition techniques.  The student will review the grammatical concepts already learned in German 1 through German 3 CIS, understand and use more advanced grammar, and demonstrate knowledge of German cultures and history.  

College Credit Information: 

Earned with University of Minnesota, Twin Cities | GER 1004: Intermediate German, 5 credits

This year-long course introduces students to the Spanish language through comprehensible input and storytelling. The students will acquire Spanish by listening and reading for comprehension. They will also participate in hands-on games and activities that support language learning. They will demonstrate their understanding through writing, retelling of stories and speaking. The students will also acquire an introductory knowledge of Spanish speaking cultures and customs throughout the course.

This year-long course continues Spanish language growth through comprehensible input and storytelling. The students will acquire Spanish by listening and reading for comprehension. They will demonstrate their understanding through writing and retelling of stories. The students will expand their knowledge of Spanish speaking cultures and customs through the content of the stories and novels that they read. Field trip opportunities are possible as a way for students to use their skills in a real world setting.

This course, conducted almost primarily in Spanish, continues the progressive development of the four language skills of communication (listening, speaking, reading, and writing). Students will learn through various texts including novels, stories & authentic recordings in Spanish. The student will be challenged to comprehend these texts and use intermediate language skills to respond to what they read, watch and hear.

This year-long course, conducted primarily in Spanish, continues the progressive development of the four language skills of communication (listening, speaking, reading, and writing). Students will read from authentic sources such as news articles, blogs, as well as two novels, followed by discussions and written activities based on these reading selections.  The students will be challenged to understand and use intermediate grammar and to demonstrate a knowledge of Hispanic culture with an emphasis on the culture of Hispanics living in the United States.   Successful completion of this course may provide the opportunity to “test into” an upper-level university Spanish course.  Some universities may grant credit based on the entrance proficiency test. 

Concurrent Enrollment Spanish 4 is offered as part of a College in the Schools-type program.  This PLHS program

is administered by MSU Mankato, and students have the opportunity to earn college Spanish credits that may be accepted for general education credit by many colleges and universities.  This is a year-long, weighted course equivalent to Spanish 102, a semester course at MSUM.  Students will attend class at PLHS, but earn 4 semester credits through MSUM.

Students will receive a college transcript at the end of this course.  These credits may be accepted by many colleges and universities as a general Spanish or elective credit.  Juniors in the top 1/3 of their class and seniors in the top ½ of their class are eligible to participate in this course. Sophomores are eligible based on available space and program approval.

This yearlong course, conducted mainly in Spanish, continues the progressive development of the four language skills of communication (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) at the “intermediate mid” level. Students will develop language skills by reading from authentic sources (such as websites and novels) and by increasing composition techniques. The student will review the grammatical concepts already learned in Spanish I through III, understand and use more advanced grammar, and demonstrate knowledge of Hispanic culture and history. 

College Credit Information: 

Earned with University of Minnesota, Mankato | SPAN 102: Elementary Spanish 2, 4 credits 

Concurrent Enrollment Spanish 5 is offered as part of College in the Schools-type program.  This PLHS program is administered by Minnesota State University, Mankato and students have the opportunity to earn college Spanish credits that may be accepted for general education credit by many Minnesota colleges and universities.  This year-long, weighted course follows the curriculum of Spanish 201 and 202 offered as semester courses at MSUM.  Students will attend class at PLHS, and will earn a total of 8 credits through the State University.

Students will receive a college transcript at the end of this course.  These credits may be accepted by many colleges and universities as a general Spanish or elective credit.  Juniors in the top 1/3 of their class and seniors in the top ½ of their class are eligible to participate in this course.

This year-long course, conducted in Spanish, continues the progressive development of the four language skills of communication (listening, speaking, reading, and writing). Students will develop language skills by reading from authentic sources (such as newspapers, poems, short stories, and novels) and by increasing composition techniques.  The student will review the grammatical concepts already learned in Spanish I through IV, understand and use more advanced grammar, and demonstrate knowledge of Hispanic cultures and history.  

College Credit Information: 

Earned with University of Minnesota, Mankato | 

Semester 1- SPAN 102: Intermediate Spanish 1, 4 credits Semester 2- SPAN 103: Intermediate Spanish 2, 4 credit

The AP® Spanish Literature and Culture course is designed to provide students with a learning experience equivalent to that of a college course in literature written in Spanish. The weighted course introduces students to the formal study of a representative body of texts from Peninsular Spanish, Latin American, and U.S. Hispanic literature.  The overarching aims of the course are to provide students with ongoing and varied opportunities to further develop their proficiencies across the full range of language skills — with special attention to critical reading and analytical writing. A key objective of the course is to encourage students not only to understand and retell the content of the texts they read but also to relate that content to literary, historical, sociocultural, and geopolitical contexts in Spanish. Students completing this course may qualify for college credit and/or advanced placement by taking the College Board AP test in May.

This course is designed for heritage Spanish speakers or students that have come from the Spanish Immersion program through PLSAS or another qualified immersion program. There are two courses for Spanish for Heritage Speakers & Immersion, A and B, and the courses alternate each year. This course focuses on enhanced literacy, pronunciation, writing skills, grammar, and cultural awareness of Spanish speaking countries. This course will be instructed entirely in Spanish and with a content-based learning approach.

Learn to Speak with Your Hands! Dive into American Sign Language (ASL), the vibrant, visual language used by Deaf communities across North America. This foundational course is your introduction to basic everyday conversational skills—you'll be able to communicate and connect with ASL-users from day one! You will learn core sign vocabulary, fundamental ASL grammar (it's visual!), and the art of fingerspelling. More than just a language, you will explore the rich history, cultural norms, and unique practices of the Deaf community, offering a new perspective on communication and culture.

Connect, Converse, and Create! Continue your journey into American Sign Language (ASL) by moving beyond the basics! In ASL 2, you will significantly expand your conversational fluency and ability to socialize with ASL-users. This course focuses on complex communication, deepening your learning of ASL grammar, non-manual signals (facial expressions and body language), and extensive vocabulary. Alongside learning sophisticated signing techniques, you will engage in an even deeper exploration of Deaf Culture, examining more complex cultural rules, historical movements, and community dynamics. Finish this course with the confidence to hold meaningful conversations in ASL!

EARN COLLEGE CREDIT, Cultural Fluency, and Advanced Communication! ASL 3 is offered as a Concurrent Enrollment course administered by MSU Mankato. Attend class at PLHS and earn 3 college-level ASL semester credits that can be accepted by many colleges and universities. (Eligibility requirements: Juniors in the top 1/3 and seniors in the top 1/2 of their class.)

This advanced, year-long course is conducted mainly in ASL and focuses on achieving advanced skills —the level where you become more confident and comfortable. We will significantly expand your understanding and use of complex grammar and classifiers (ASL's unique way of describing things visually) to give your signing flow and confidence.

Beyond conversation, you will dive deep into:

·         ASL Literature (storytelling, poetry, and performance).

·         The rich culture and history of the American Deaf community.

·         Engaging in social conversations using culturally appropriate norms.

Finish this course with a college transcript and the ability to confidently communicate and connect with the Deaf community!

College Credit Information: 

Earned with University of Minnesota, Mankato | CDIS 307: Advanced ASL 3, 3 credits

The ultimate challenge!  Advanced Fluency and Cultural Understanding: ASL 4 is your opportunity to achieve true fluency and earn 3 advanced college credits through Minnesota State University, Mankato (CDIS 407: Advanced American Sign Language 4).

This course is conducted exclusively in ASL—no spoken English is used—and it moves you toward an advanced, conversational level. You will be immersed in the language, focusing on:

·         Challenging and abstract conversational concepts.

·         Expert use of classifiers and labeling for descriptive precision.

·         Achieving smoothness, confidence, and natural flow in your expressive signing.

You will further refine your receptive and expressive skills, knowledge and use of complex grammatical structures and cultural behaviors. ASL 4 prepares you to confidently communicate and interact with the Deaf community on any topic.

College Credit Information: 

Earned with University of Minnesota, Mankato | CDIS 407: Advanced American Sign Language 4, 3 credits

This year-long course introduces students to the Dakota language and culture through participation in cultural learning and activities. The Dakota language has a strong oral tradition therefore the majority of instruction and assignments will be through spoken language. In class participation will focus on questions and answers. Students will develop skills in listening, speaking, reading and writing. The student will also demonstrate an introductory knowledge of historical events that have impacted Dakota people.

Dakota Language 2 is designed to help students develop functional language skills through real-world contexts, focusing on speaking in full sentences and understanding different dialects. Building on foundational knowledge, the course covers topics related to home, city, and land-based concepts, including traditional structures and cultural gatherings such as language bowls.. The class will be conducted in an environment, encouraging natural communication, and includes field trips related to the culture, where students will engage in community activities. By the end of the course, students will confidently use Dakota in everyday conversations, expanding their vocabulary and connecting more meaningfully with the language and Dakota culture.