SECOND LANGUAGES

What you need to know:

• The goal is to guide students through authentic acquisition of language and thinking skills.  

• Students will develop communication skills, use strategies to communicate and continue to expand their culture awareness.

• French Immersion students should talk with a counselor to ensure accurate placement in French courses.

What you need to know:

• German 10 is an introductory course for students who have no prior knowledge of German.  It is project-based.  Emphasis is on both oral and written communication.  Students interested in participating in the three-month exchange program with Germany must apply when they are in German 10.

What you need to know:

• Mandarin 10 is an introduction to the Mandarin language and Chinese cultures and is designed for students who have little or no knowledge of the language. Students begin with basic vocabulary and structures to communicate about their lives. 

What you need to know:

• Japanese 10 is an introduction to the Japanese language.  The main focus is on oral and written communication.  Listening with understanding is also stressed.  One of the Japanese writing systems, Hiragana, will be introduced.  Students will also learn some Kanji characters (pictographic Chinese characters).  The vocabulary acquired in the course will be written in Hiragana.  The cultural component of the course will deal with everyday social communication and etiquette.  Various culturally related activities such as origami, learning songs, cooking, and crafts will be introduced.

What you need to know:

• ¡Hola!  Spanish 10 is an introduction to the Spanish language.  You will be introduced to a variety of cultural traditions, music, and food from various Spanish-speaking countries from across the globe.  This course focuses on building a foundation in everyday communication with these topics:  greetings and goodbyes, the classroom and school life, and family.  Throughout the course, you will focus on speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills through a variety of activities and projects, both independently and within a group. 

What you need to know:

• Continued development of French language and culture through oral, aural and written work 

• Travel opportunities may be available

What you need to know:

• Topics of interest in German 30 are based partially on students’ interests, mostly focuses on extended conversations. Literature, films, videos and other supplementary materials continue to widen students’ vocabulary, grammar and cultural understanding.

What you need to know:

• Japanese 30 takes oral and written communication to a more advanced level and deals, in particular, with complex everyday expressions.  The students will continue to learn more Japanese writing, focusing on the development of their Kanji writing.  The cultural component of the course focuses on understanding and developing flexibility and sensitivity in the cultural differences between Canada and Japan. 

What you need to know:

• ¿Te gusta el español? In Spanish 30, you will continue to strengthen the already solid foundation you have built in Spanish. Most instruction and classroom communication will be in Spanish. The units will focus on vocabulary and grammar that will help you communicate about daily routines, food, traditional parties and celebrations, and personal relationships. Not only will you continue to develop your speaking, listening, and reading skills, but this course will also challenge you to create a variety of written compositions in Spanish. A cultural component will be included in the course with a focus on traditional food and celebrations, as well as music, film, art, and literature.