world language

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Courses

Information

The modern World Language curriculum is designed to prepare students to function successfully in the country where the language originates and/or to meet the requirements for college entrance. Emphasis is placed on proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing the language. The outcome of studying a classical language is to increase students’ language power. Etymology and vocabulary are emphasized. College admission is usually aided if students complete at least three years of the same language.

Students who complete and pass a credited World Language course in middle school will receive high school credit for these courses, but the grades will not be used in calculation of grade point averages, quality points, or rank in class.

Courses

AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE 1 – 050103

Students will learn the basic vocabulary and grammatical structures of American Sign Language to conduct basic conversations with fluency. Students will explore the deaf culture in order to gain sensitivity to the culture of the deaf community and its influence. 

AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE 2 – 050203

Students will continue learning content related vocabulary; more conversational dialogues using the advanced grammatical uses of American Sign Language; see how sign movements can be modified to change meaning; how and when facial expressions occur; and how body, head, and eye movements are used in phasing and agreement. Students will continue to explore the deaf culture in order to gain sensitivity to the culture of the deaf community and its influence.

AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE 3 – 050303

This course is a continuation of skills learned in American Sign Language (ASL) 2. Its focus is on conversational competence to increase ASL fluency and accuracy in both receptive and expressive skills when signing. Students will continue to demonstrate signing skills using complex ASL grammatical features and vocabulary, short stories, narratives, and dialogues. Supplemental readings will be provided to increase awareness of the deaf culture within the community. 

CHINESE 1 – 055123

Students begin to speak and understand Mandarin Chinese through repetition and variation, stressing proper pronunciation and intonation. The vocabulary acquired deals with realistic life-like situations. Students learn how to write Chinese using pinyin as well as simplified Chinese characters. Chinese culture is introduced through simple reading selections. As conversational skills are developed and strengthened, grammatical structures are introduced and emphasized. Students learn about China and its people. 

CHINESE 2 – 055233

Students improve fluency and comprehension of the Mandarin Chinese language and increase knowledge of proper pronunciation and intonation. Students increase their knowledge of how to write Chinese using pinyin as well as simplified Chinese characters. Students read more coherently and fluently in Chinese. Students participate in frequent structured conversations about daily life and business and continue their study of Chinese culture. 

CHINESE 3 – 055323

Students improve their oral, reading, and writing competency, with emphasis placed on improving vocabulary. Reading selections increase in difficulty and include simplified excerpts from Chinese classics, as well as short stories and articles. Students continue to learn about Chinese culture and civilization. Grammar and composition also continue to be emphasized. 

CHINESE 4 – 055423

Chinese 4, primarily conducted in Chinese, furthers the communication skills acquired in Chinese 3, with the aim of language proficiency. Chinese 4 engages students in extensive oral expressions, using authentic audio/video recordings as well as native Chinese speakers to improve comprehension and conversation. Selections from authentic materials and Chinese literature are read for reading comprehension. Discussion, projects, compositions, and other writings demonstrate an understanding of the culture and the complexities of the language and vocabulary. 

CHINESE 5 – 055523

Chinese 5, conducted in Chinese, furthers the communication skills acquired in Chinese 4, with the aim of language proficiency. Chinese 5 engages students in extensive oral expressions, using authentic audio/video recordings as well as native Chinese speakers to improve comprehension and conversation. Selections from authentic materials and Chinese literature are read for reading comprehension. Discussion, projects, compositions, and other writings demonstrate an understanding of the culture and the complexities of the language and vocabulary. 

AP CHINESE LANGUAGE AND CULTURE - 055723

Description: AP Chinese Language and Culture is equivalent to an intermediate-level college course in Chinese. Students cultivate their understanding of Chinese language and culture by applying the interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational modes of communication in real-life situations as they explore concepts related to family and community, personal and public identity, beauty and aesthetics, science and technology, contemporary life, and global challenges.


FRENCH 1 – 050123

In this course, students begin to speak and understand French through repetition and variation, stressing proper French pronunciation and intonation. The vocabulary acquired deals with realistic, lifelike situations. Students are introduced to French civilization through simple reading selections. As conversational skills are strengthened and increased, grammatical structures are introduced and emphasized. Students learn more about the Francophone world. 

FRENCH 2 – 050133

Students improve fluency and comprehension, learn solid grammatical structures, and learn to read more coherently and intelligently in French. Students participate in frequent structured conversations and continue to learn about the Francophone world. Reading activities and expanded writing skills are developed. 

FRENCH 3 – 050233

Students improve their oral, reading, and writing competency, with emphasis placed on reading. Reading selections increase in difficulty and include simplified excerpts from French classics. Students continue to learn about French culture and civilization. Grammar and composition also continue to be emphasized. 

FRENCH 4 – 050333

Students increase their knowledge of grammatical structure, writing, and formal and informal vocabulary through frequent usage. Stress is placed on advanced conversation, independent reading, and original composition. The course includes excerpts from literature, journals, and periodicals. 

ADVANCED PLACEMENT FRENCH LANGUAGE – 050553

Students who enroll in AP French Language should already have a good command of French grammar and vocabulary and have competence in listening, reading, speaking, and writing. The course will emphasize the use of language for active communication and help students develop the following:

Course content can reflect intellectual interests shared by the students and teacher (the arts, current events, literature, sports, etc.). Materials will include audio recordings, films, newspapers, and magazines. The course seeks to develop language skills (reading, writing, listening, and speaking) that can be used in various activities and disciplines rather than to cover any specific body of subject matter. Extensive training in the organization and writing of compositions will be emphasized. Students should be aware that not all colleges grant credit for qualifying grades on the Advanced Placement examination, although over 400 institutions do grant credit. 

GERMAN 1 – 053123

In this course, students begin to speak and understand German through repetition and variation, stressing proper pronunciation and intonation. The vocabulary acquired focuses on students’ own lives and interests. As conversational skills are founded, grammatical structures are introduced. Students learn about German culture with an emphasis on history, geography, modern music, famous figures and food.

GERMAN 2 – 053233

Students improve fluency and comprehension, learn solid grammatical structures, and learn to read more coherently and intelligently in German. Students participate in frequent structured conversations and continue to learn about Germany. Reading activities and expanded writing skills are developed.

GERMAN 3 – 053333

Students improve their oral, reading, and writing competency, with emphasis placed on writing. Students begin to journal in German.  Grammar and syntax also continue to be introduced and developed. Students continue to learn about German culture and civilization.

GERMAN 4 – 053433

Students improve their oral, reading, and writing competency, with emphasis placed on writing. Students continue to journal in German.  Grammatical structures are strengthened through frequent usage. Students continue to learn about German culture and civilization through relevant materials from German news sources.

ITALIAN 1 - 056123

In this course, students begin to speak and understand Italian through repetition and variation, stressing proper Italian pronunciation and intonation. The vocabulary acquired deals with realistic, life-like situations. Students are introduced to Italian civilization through simple reading selections. As conversational skills are strengthened and increased, grammatical structures are introduced and emphasized. 

ITALIAN 2 - 056123

In this course, students continue to speak and understand Italian through repetition and variation, improving their Italian pronunciation and intonation. The acquired vocabulary will advance students toward realistic, life-like situations. Students explore more Italian history and culture through reading selections and videos that are more advanced than in Italian 1. Conversational and grammatical skills are strengthened and increased, preparing students to use Italian in real-world situations. 

ITALIAN 3 - 056143

Students continue to expand their abilities to read, write, listen and speak the Italian language. Emphasis will be placed on reading, with grammar and composition also being augmented by the addition of more complex grammatical structures. Reading and listening selections gradually increase in difficulty and will include articles, stories and videos from authentic sources such as online Italian newspapers and brief video reports by Italian archaeologists in Pompeii. Students will also continue to learn about Italian history, culture and civilization.

INDEPENDENT STUDY WORLD LANGUAGE – 052093

Independent Study World Language is designed for advanced students who wish to pursue individualized course work beyond the school day. All work is supervised by a member of the World Language department. Students must complete a minimum of 66 hours of supervised activities for each 0.5 unit of credit and submit a minimum of two projects as determined by the student and instructor. (A maximum of six units of elective credit may be earned through independent study and/or work-study programs while in high school.) COURSE NOTE: This unit(s) may not count as a required course. 

LATIN 1 – 052123

Students are introduced to the basic grammar and vocabulary of the language of ancient Rome. Students are also taught how to find the Latin roots of English derivatives and different Latin phrases that can be used in modern life. Grading is based on the written word rather than the spoken. Students read myths and passages on daily life, history and culture. 

LATIN 2 – 052233

Students learn more grammatical constructions, vocabulary, and derivatives. The stories for translations gradually become more difficult, and Roman authors are introduced. Grading is based on translations between English and Latin. 

LATIN 3 – 052333

Students study the subjunctive mood and other grammatical constructions. Authentic Roman texts are read with more in-depth study and analysis. Emphasis on vocabulary and derivatives continues. Grading is based on the written word rather than the spoken.

LATIN 4 – 052433

Students read authentic texts from various Roman authors. There may be some study and analysis of Medieval Latin and songs. Grading is based on translation between English and Latin. The famous Roman authors Cicero, Virgil, and Ovid. There may be some study and analysis of Medieval Latin and songs. Grading is based on the written word rather than the spoken.

SPANISH 1 – 051123

Students begin to speak and understand Spanish, with simple and practical conversation as a goal. There is an introduction to pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammatical structures. Cultural and geographical points of interest of Spanish-speaking areas of the world are highlighted through various authentic texts incorporated as a part of the instructional program.

SPANISH 2 – 051133

Students improve their fluency and comprehension through practice in conversation. They master new vocabulary and grammatical structures. Cultural and geographical points of interest continue to be discussed. Students begin reading authentic texts which are paired with discussion and written assignments. All communicative skills will be practiced with the goal of achieving a higher proficiency level in Spanish. 

SPANISH 3 - 051243

Students receive a general grammar review with an increase in vocabulary and the reading of authentic texts. Conversation periods and some composition work are involved. The Spanish-speaking countries and their cultures are discussed as well as contemporary issues affecting these countries. Students continue with more advanced work on grammar and structure. Authentic text and videos will be used to facilitate higher proficiency levels in Spanish.

SPANISH 4 - 051333

Students increase their knowledge of grammatical structure, writing, and formal and informal vocabulary through frequent usage. Stress is placed on advanced conversation, independent reading, and original composition. The course includes excerpts from literature, journals, and periodicals. 

Pre-AP Spanish Seminar - 051341, 051342

Pre-AP Spanish Seminar is a continuation of the language study after Spanish 3 or 4 in lieu of a year-long Spanish 4 course.  This rigorous upper level course is designed to prepare students to take AP Spanish Language and Culture the subsequent year.  In depth reading, listening, speaking and writing skills will be practiced and hones.  Spanish-speaking cultures and current events will be explored and compared to the students' identified culture.  The teacher and students will communicate in Spanish 90% or more of the instructional time.

Course Note:  This unit(s) may not count as a required course.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT SPANISH LANGUAGE AND CULTURE – 051453

AP Spanish Language is intended for students who wish to develop their proficiency in all four language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Students who enroll should already have a basic knowledge of the language and culture of Spanish-speaking peoples and should have attained a reasonable proficiency in listening comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing. An AP Spanish Language course covers the equivalent of a third-year college course in advanced Spanish writing and conversation. It encompasses aural/oral skills, reading comprehension, grammar, and composition. Students taking such a course, emphasizing the use of Spanish for active communication, have the following objectives:

Course content might best reflect intellectual interests shared by the students and teacher (the arts, history, current events, literature, culture, sports, etc.). Materials will include recordings, films, newspapers, and magazines. The course seeks to develop language skills that are useful in themselves and that can be applied to various activities and disciplines rather than to the mastery of any specific subject matter. Extensive training in the organization and writing of compositions will be an integral part of the AP Spanish Language course. Students should be aware that not all colleges grant credit for qualifying grades on the Advanced Placement examination, although over 400 institutions do grant credit. 

ADVANCED PLACEMENT SPANISH LITERATURE AND CULTURE  - 051463

The AP Spanish Literature and Culture course uses a thematic approach to introduce students to representative texts (short stories, novels, poetry, and essays) from Peninsular Spanish, Latin American, and United States Hispanic literature. Students continue to develop proficiencies across the full range of the modes of communication (interpersonal, presentational, and interpretive), honing their critical reading and analytical writing skills. Literature is examined within the context of its time and place, as students reflect on the many voices and cultures present in the required readings. The course also includes a strong focus on cultural connections and comparisons, including exploration of various media (e.g., art, film, articles, and literary criticism).

SPANISH FOR HERITAGE LEARNERS - 051533

This world language course is specifically designed for heritage learners of Spanish. That is, students from homes where Spanish is spoken or students who have had strong exposure to Spanish in informal contexts. This course accommodates students who demonstrate different levels of proficiency in the various language skills and focuses on the development of communicative competence in reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Students will develop an understanding of Hispanic cultures and issues of identity of heritage speakers of Spanish in the United States. They will also develop an awareness of Hispanic cultures, including language variation, customs, geography, history, and current events.