Modern Languages & Latin
Northern's Modern Languages & Latin Department is proud to offer rich and exciting full language programs in French, Latin, Spanish, and American Sign Language (ASL).
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overview
Northern’s Modern Languages & Latin Department is proud to offer rich and exciting full language programs in French, Latin, Spanish, and American Sign Language.
French:
In French, grade 9 students can choose between Beginners, Academic, Gifted, or an accelerated placement (for former French Immersion/Extended French or Francophone students). Beyond grade 9, we offer two streams: Academic/University and pre-AP/AP (stands for pre-Advanced Placement/Advanced Placement).
In our program, French is used to explore a wide range of topics, from familiar topics related to daily life and personal interests in grade 9, to global and social justice issues in grade 12. Our goal is to provide students with the tools needed to acquire strong language skills across all four strands (speaking, listening, reading, writing), with a focus on a strong oral foundation and the use of authentic materials. Students explore Francophone cultures from around the world, developing intercultural understanding and global citizenship.
Latin:
The Latin program at Northern emphasizes learning the language of the Romans, but also finds room to accommodate study of both the culture and history of Greco-Roman antiquity, and the influence of Latin on English. In Level 1 Latin, students learn vocabulary and grammatical concepts essential for reading and translating adapted classical texts, while also developing their oral communication, reading, and writing skills in both English and Latin. A grade twelve counterpart to the Latin language program is a course entitled “Classical Civilization”, where students explore ancient Greek and Roman myths, literature, history, philosophy, art, and religion.
Spanish:
Northern’s Spanish program focuses on building strong oral communication skills while learning about Spanish-speaking cultures around the world. In Level 1 Spanish, students can conduct practical conversations related to themselves and daily life. As students move through the grades, their growing proficiency in the language allows them to explore more advanced Latin-American and Spanish literature, culture, sociopolitical issues and history.
American Sign Language (ASL):
Our American Sign Language program provides students the unique opportunity to use the language, or see it in use, right here in the school thanks to our Deaf and Hard of Hearing Department. Our Level 1 ASL course offers hearing students the opportunity to learn basic sign language and learn about Deaf culture. Students learn conversational and cultural behaviours that would enable them to converse in ASL at a beginner’s level with users of ASL who are deaf or hard of hearing.
course listings
french options for grade 9
FSF1D1 - Academic French
Recommended for most students.
FSF1D6 - Gifted French
Must be designated gifted through the IPRC process to take this course.
FSF1O1 - Introduction to French (Beginner's French)
For students new to French or who have not completed 600 hours of instruction in French. This applies to students who started French after grade 4, which is when most students in Ontario's English schools begin learning French.
FSF2D1 - Grade 10 Academic French
Students who have done French Immersion or Extended French may be eligible to proceed directly into Grade 10 French. Conditions apply. Please refer to the information below regarding eligibility and placement.
Students from a Francophone household or a Francophone school may also be eligible for this course. Conditions apply. Please refer to the information below regarding eligibility and placement.
Post French Immersion & Extended French
Grade 8 students who have participated in French Immersion until the end of Grade 6 (or later) or Extended French until the end of Grade 8, and have achieved at the provincial standard/ level 3/ 70% or higher, may proceed directly to Grade 10 French. These students may select the course code FSF2D1 on their course selection sheets. Your middle school approval signature is required to indicate that you have met one of these thresholds.
Students from a Francophone household or a Francophone school
Grade 8 students from a Francophone household or who attended a Francophone school should contact Lori-Ann Moulton, Assistant Curriculum Leader of Modern Languages and Latin, at Lori-Ann.Moulton@tdsb.on.ca to discuss placement.
Questions about placement
If you have any questions related to placement, please contact Lori-Ann Moulton, Assistant Curriculum Leader of Modern Languages and Latin, at Lori-Ann.Moulton@tdsb.on.ca.
co-curricular connections
Contests:
French:
French Public Speaking Contest / Concours d’art oratoire
Ontario Universities’ French Contest
French for the Future National Essay Contest
OSSTF Student Achievement Award - French Category
Latin:
Certamen Contest
Spanish:
Ontario Secondary School Spanish Contest
Clubs:
French Club, Spanish Club, Latin Club
Guest Speakers:
French:
York - Glendon Campus
YMCA Summer Work Student Exchange Program
ASL:
Gary Malkowski (First Deaf MPP East York)
Chris Kanopic (former Canadian Association of the Deaf President)
Mike Cyr from Silent Voice
Extra-help:
via Northern Peer-Tutoring Program
Available with subject teacher
Field Trips:
French:
Cinéfranco French Film Festival
Concours d’art oratoire (participants only)
French for the Future - Local Forum (participants only)
We have gone to see Operas & French Plays as an optional field trip in the evening
Some of our students have participated in the Explore program to Quebec
Some of our students have participated in the YMCA Summer Work Student Exchange Program
Some of our students have participated in international exchanges to Europe
In past years, our department organized French exchanges to France and international trips to Europe
Spanish:
Lunch & Salsa Lesson
Gardiner Museum: Early Societies of the Ancient Americas
Si Si Cine Toronto Latin Film Festival
ASL:
Deaf Culture Centre
Ontario Association of the Deaf
Mayfest