WORLD LANGUAGE

DEPARTMENT OFFERINGS

World Languages, Year-Long Elective or Personal Pathway Requirement Credit

Recommendation: ”B” average grade in English/Language Arts

The goal of the World Language program is to prepare students for effective communication with speakers of a different language, an understanding of how different cultures affect language, and to provide skills to further academic language study. These life-long skills are important in the workplace and in the global society of the 21st century. Language study brings many academic and personal benefits; including increased success on standardized test scores, strengthened critical thinking, improved reading, writing and speaking skills, including in students’ own language, an enhanced cultural respect and awareness, and a competitive edge in career and personal life. Instructional goals reflect the “5Cs”: Communication, Cultures, Connections, Comparisons, Communities as outlined in Washington State K-12 World Language Learning Standards and the National Standards for Foreign Language Education. When communicating, students will demonstrate an understanding of the Culture(s), incorporate interdisciplinary topics (Connections), make comparisons between the native language and the target language and between cultures (Comparisons), and use the target language in real-life settings (Communities).

Stanwood High School offers German I-IV and Spanish I-IV and American Sign Language I and II. It is highly recommended that students complete two or more consecutive years of a foreign language in high school, and many competitive colleges recommend 3+ years. Students considering a language class need to be prepared to study outside of class and participate actively during class. Students should be aware that these classes require speaking aloud, singing, acting out vocabulary, writing, team game participation, as well as other movement and modal activities to meet communication goals in reading, writing, speaking, listening, communities, and cultures.

American Sign Language also fulfills the college entrance language requirement.

GERMAN

SPANISH

AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE

GERMAN

GERMAN I (GER101/GER102)

Grade Level: 9, 10, 11

Length of Class: Year-Long

Credit: 1 Credit

Prerequisite: None

Transcript Designation: B

German is an international language of literature, science, medicine, music, philosophy, technology, history, and art. This course is an introduction to the German language and its culture and customs. The development of all four communication skills, listening, speaking, reading, and writing, is stressed although the first two will be emphasized. Furthermore, students will be able to reinforce their knowledge of other disciplines and compare the German language and culture to their own. Students will practice basic conversations about such topics as family and friends, hobbies and interests, food, school, clothing, colors, weather, calendar, and celebrations. Class will be conducted in German as much as possible.

GERMAN II (GE201/GER202)

Grade Level: 10, 11, 12

Length of Class: Year-Long

Credit: 1 Credit

Prerequisite: Completion of German I with a recommended C grade or higher

Transcript Designation: B, C

College in the High School: 5 Credits at EvCC

The ability to read the literature published in the German language and to converse with considerable fluency and accuracy is the focus of the second year’s study. Furthermore, level two will continue to develop cultural understanding, master essential grammatical concepts, and practice all four communication skills by presenting and obtaining information, interpreting written and spoken language, and exchanging opinions. Topics include sports, travel and transportation, animals, hobbies, and entertainment. Class will mainly be conducted in German.

GERMAN III (GER301/GER302)

Grade Level: 11, 12

Length of Class: Year-Long

Credit: 1 Credit

Prerequisite: Completion of German II with a recommended C grade or higher

Transcript Designation: B, C

College in the High School: 5 Credits at EvCC

In third year German, students are expected to master more complex grammatical patterns while practicing new vocabulary and conversing in German. Emphasis is placed on the students’ independent production of spoken and written responses to given situations. Students will continue to learn about different aspects of German culture, such as everyday life, grocery shopping and cooking, festivals and holidays, health, traffic situations and driver’s education, environmental issues and future challenges. All activities in the classroom will take place in German. Students have the option to take the German AP language test in May for possible college credit.

GERMAN IV (GER401/GER402)

Grade Level: 12

Length of Class: Year-Long

Credit: 1 Credit

Prerequisite: Successful completion of German III with a recommended C grade or higher

Transcript Designation: B

College in the High School: 5 Credits at EvCC

In this course, all four communication skills will be equally stressed while students study vocabulary and grammatical structures from previous years’ AP tests. Students will continue to study cultural aspects of German-speaking countries. Each quarter, students will work on a variety of research projects and presentations related to relevant and current German topics, such as European geography, history, and economy. Students will read, study, and analyze literature by noted German authors, such as Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Friedrich Schiller, Thomas Mann, and Bertolt Brecht. All activities in the classroom will take place in German. Students are encouraged to take the AP German exam in May for possible college credit.

SPANISH

SPANISH I (SPA101/SPA102)

Grade Level: 9, 10, 11

Length of Class: Year-Long

Credit: 1 Credit

Prerequisite: None

Transcript Designation: B

Spanish is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world as well as the U.S. This romance language is reflected through the rich history and cultures of the people who speak it. Spanish I will introduce students to the Spanish language and culture using the four basic communication skills, listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Students will acquire vocabulary and structures for basic communication over common familiar topics at Novice level. The class is conducted in Spanish as much as possible and strong listening skills, speaking and active participation are expected. Discussions, stories, reading, songs, videos and games will support acquisition of alphabet, numbers, colors, and topics such as getting to know you, describing self and others, common activities, family, friends, calendar, weather, food, and a variety of cultural aspects.

SPANISH II (SPA201/SPA202)

Grade Level: 10, 11, 12

Length of Class: Year-Long

Credit: 1 Credit

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Spanish I with a recommended C grade or higher

Transcript Designation: B

Spanish II builds on knowledge gained in Spanish I and continues to emphasize all four communication skills through projects, discussions and interpreting the written and spoken language of text, songs, media and presentations. Students will expand their vocabulary and will be introduced to more advanced verb tenses and grammatical structures as they work toward Novice High proficiency. The class will be taught primarily in Spanish. Students are expected to actively participate and communicate in Spanish for class discussions and daily activities. Topics of study include: daily routine, health, shopping, holidays, and tourist activities. Students will also further explore and understand cultural aspects of the Spanish-speaking world.

SPANISH III (SPA301/SPA302)

Grade Level: 11, 12

Length of Class: Year-Long

Credit: 1 Credit

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Spanish II with a recommended C grade or higher

Transcript Designation: B, C

College in the High School: 5 Credits at EvCC

Spanish III continues to build on skills acquired in Spanish 1 and 2. Students work toward Intermediate proficiency using a variety of communication skills through discussions, songs, media and interpreting the written and spoken language of stories, text, videos and presentations. Students will continue to expand their vocabulary and improve grammatical structures. The class will be taught primarily in Spanish. Students are expected to participate and communicate in Spanish for class discussions and daily activities and look for ways to connect Spanish outside of the classroom. Students will also further explore and understand cultural aspects of the Spanish-speaking world.

SPANISH IV (SPA401/SPA402)

Grade Level: 12

Length of Class: Year-Long

Credit: 1 Credit

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Spanish III with a recommended C grade or higher

Transcript Designation: B

We continue improving our language acquisition working toward an Advanced proficiency. Students take an active role in class discussions and presentations as they read, write, explore media and songs and continue to expand vocabulary and use advanced grammatical structures. The class will be taught primarily in Spanish. Students are expected to communicate in Spanish for class discussions and daily activities, and use Spanish beyond the classroom. Students will also further explore and understand cultural aspects of the Spanish-speaking world.

AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE

AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE I (CTS121/CTS122)

Grade Level: 9, 10, 11

Length of Class: Year-Long

Credit: 1 Credit World Language or CTE

Prerequisite: None

Transcript Designation: B

Beginning class of American Sign Language offers an opportunity to learn to communicate with the deaf. Finger spelling, basic vocabulary, as well as some grammatical aspects of ASL will be covered. In addition, this course will provide an introduction to the deaf culture, signing systems used other than ASL, and the psychological aspects of deafness.

AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE II (CTS221/CTS222)

Grade Level: 10, 11, 12

Length of Class: Year-Long

Credit: 1 Credit World Language or CTE

Prerequisite: ASL I

Transcript Designation: B

Students will continue to work on the grammar and structure of sentences in ASL, finger spelling and vocabulary. Emphasis will be placed on developing expressive vocabulary. Students will modify stories to ASL and will sign the story. This will be videotaped for others to watch. The class will only be taught in ASL. Students will be required to communicate in ASL.

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