Courses and Placement

All students are required to have at least 1 World Language Credit for graduation.

All high school students have the opportunity to study one or more world languages.

The World Language Department offers 4 modern languages: French, Italian, Mandarin and Spanish and 1 classical language: Latin. The curricula for all languages are based on the ACTFL* competencies for Modern and Classical Languages: Communication, Comparisons, Cultures, Connections, and Communities.

Our program offers two levels of language instruction: Accelerated/College Level Credit and Academic in all languages for all years 1-5. Students are recommended for a particular level based on their formal and informal performance and proficiency assessments. Language instruction at the Accelerated level is for students who demonstrate the appropriate proficiency level. Moreover, students will be expected to demonstrate a high degree of independence in their language studies. One (1) world language credit is required for graduation, however most universities require at least three years of the same language study at the high school level.

Students are encouraged to test for the Seal of Biliteracy at the end of their junior year or the beginning of their senior year. Students who earn a proficiency level of Intermediate Mid in all modes (Interpretive, Interpersonal, Presentational) of the target language, are registered for a World Language class their senior year, and who have completed their high school English requirements will receive the Connecticut Seal of Biliteracy on their transcripts and diplomas. This Seal identifies students with verified multilingual skills and is useful to both employers and universities.

*ACTFL proficiency scale - American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages has developed 5 levels of proficiency: Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, Superior and Distinguished.

Modern Languages: French, Italian, Spanish, Mandarin

Communicating effectively in a second language is a 21st century skill both for college bound students as well as for students who are preparing to enter the global economy workforce. In all our courses at all levels, the target language is the main means for communication among teachers and students. The dynamic use of language to investigate cultural and interdisciplinary global topics, along with grammar and vocabulary study, creates the appropriate environment for language acquisition and accelerates this process. Students work cooperatively on communication-based, real world tasks to develop all 3 communication modes: interpretive: reading, listening and viewing, interpersonal, and presentational: speaking and writing. These 3 modes are integrated in assessments. Through the investigation and study of the respective cultures, students develop cultural understandings through interactions with others, experiencing other cultures, evaluating personal feelings, thoughts, perceptions and realities, and reflecting on their own life and surroundings. There is emphasis on all aspects of culture (film, literature, fables, art, architecture, music, history, daily life, etc.) in all years and at all levels of language study. Each course curriculum covers the following six interdisciplinary themes: Global Challenges, Families and Communities, Personal and Public Identities, Contemporary Life, Science and Technology, and Beauty and Aesthetics.

Language Lab
All language students benefit from the state of the art digital language laboratory. Students' active participation in this setting is meant to develop their listening comprehension and speaking skills as well as increase their overall proficiency in the language(s) they study.

Classical languages: Latin 1-4
Our classical language program focuses on reading, understanding, translating and analyzing Latin prose and poetry. Students work cooperatively to develop the ability to read with critical, historical and literary sensitivity. Students will draw comparisons between the ancient world and today’s world. There is emphasis on all aspects of ancient cultures (mythology, literature, art, architecture, music, daily life, etc.). Students also study English derivatives from Latin to help build their vocabulary in both languages. These skills will enhance a students’ ability to apply them to many other areas of learning and future professional goals. The curriculum for each Latin course focuses on at least four of the following six themes related to ancient societies: Ancient World Challenges, Families and Communities, Personal and Public Identities, Customs and Traditions, Science and Technology, and Beauty and Aesthetics.

*In the event of under-enrollment at a specific level of study (ex. under 10 students enrolled at the Academic level), the class may not be offered or Academic requests that do not meet adequate student enrollment numbers will be combined with Accelerated sections and instruction will be at that proficiency level.

ELECTIVE COURSES - Academic, Accelerated, College Level

Novice High/Novice Mid - Year 1

These courses are intended for students with no or minimal previous experience in the selected language.

Novice High French, Italian, Mandarin, Spanish 1 Grades 9-12 Credit: 1 Accelerated Full Year H Prerequisite: This course is for students who have zero prior experience with the language but have a teacher recommendation.

By the end of this course, students will be at the novice high level proficiency. They will be able to communicate and exchange information about familiar topics using phrases and simple sentences, sometimes supported by memorized language. Students will be able to handle short social interactions in everyday situations by asking and answering simple questions. They will be able to present basic information about familiar topics using simple phrases and sentences. They will be able to write short messages and notes on familiar topics related to everyday life. They will be able to understand spoken and written words, phrases, simple sentences and sometimes the main idea related to everyday life. They will investigate products and practices of the target language cultures in order to better understand diverse perspectives and expand their world view.

Novice Mid French, Italian, Mandarin, Spanish 1 Grades 9-12 Credit: 1 Academic Full Year H

Prerequisite: This course is for students who have zero prior experience with the language.
By the end of this course, students will be at the novice mid level proficiency. They will be able to communicate on very familiar topics using a variety of words and phrases that they have practiced and memorized. They will be able to present information about themselves and some other very familiar topics using a variety of words, phrases and memorized expressions. They will be able to write lists and memorized phrases on familiar topics. They will be able to recognize familiar words and phrases when they hear them. Finally, they will be able to recognize some letters, characters, learned or memorized words and phrases in written texts. They will investigate products and practices of the target language cultures in order to better understand diverse perspectives and expand their world view, however with less depth and varied pacing.

Novice High Latin 1 Grades 9-12 Credit: 1 Accelerated Full Year H

Prerequisite: This course is for students who have zero prior experience with the language but have a teacher recommendation.

By the end of this course, students will be at the novice high level proficiency. They will be able demonstrate overall comprehension of short Latin passages adapted for new learners. They will be able to demonstrate comprehension of a variety of high-frequency Latin words and isolated phrases with an accurate English translation. They will demonstrate an understanding of basic grammatical relationships in sentences with straight forward syntax. They will also be able to identify references to Roman culture, mythology, and history that are most commonly known and that are stated directly in Latin texts. They will demonstrate knowledge of a limited range of terms to identify a few single grammatical and syntactic structures. They will demonstrate knowledge of a limited range of terms to identify grammatical and syntactic structures. They will investigate products and practices of the target language cultures in order to better understand diverse perspectives and expand their world view.

Novice Mid Latin 1 Grades 9-12 Credit: 1 Academic Full Year H

Prerequisite: This course is for students who have zero prior experience with the language.

By the end of this course, students will be at the novice mid level proficiency. They will be able to demonstrate a basic comprehension of short Latin passages adapted for new learners. They will be able to demonstrate comprehension of some high-frequency Latin words and isolated phrases with an accurate English translation. They will demonstrate an understanding of basic grammatical relationships in sentences with straight forward syntax. They will also be able to identify references to Roman culture, mythology, and history that are directly stated in the Latin texts. They will demonstrate a limited range of terms to identify a few single grammatical and syntactic structures. They will investigate products and practices of the target language cultures in order to better understand diverse perspectives and expand their world view, however with less depth and varied pacing.

Intermediate Low/Novice High - Year 2

These courses reinforce skills students acquired during the first year of language study.

Intermediate Low French, Italian, Mandarin, Spanish 2 Grades 9-12 Credit: 1 Accelerated Full Year H

Prerequisite: 90 or better in year 1 (at SHS or Grade 7 & 8) of ACA/ACC and/or recommendation from teacher.

By the end of this course, students will be at the intermediate low level proficiency. They will be able to participate in conversations on a number of familiar topics using simple sentences. They will be able to participate in short social interactions in everyday situations by asking and answering simple questions. They will present basic information and write briefly about most familiar topics using a series of simple sentences and appropriate vocabulary and grammar. They will be able to understand the main idea in short, simple messages, presentations, conversations, and texts on familiar topics.They will investigate products and practices of the target language cultures in order to better understand diverse perspectives and expand their world view.

Novice High French, Italian, Mandarin, Spanish 2 Grades 9-12 Credit: 1 Academic Full Year H

Prerequisite: 80 or better in year 1 (at SHS or Grade 7 & 8) of ACA and/or recommendation from teacher

By the end of this course, students will be at the novice high level proficiency. They will be able to communicate and exchange information about familiar topics using phrases and simple sentences, sometimes supported by memorized language. Students will be able to handle short social interactions in everyday situations by asking and answering simple questions. They will be able to present basic information and write short messages and notes about familiar topics related to everyday life using simple phrases and sentences with appropriate vocabulary and grammar. They will be able to understand words, phrases, simple sentences and sometimes the main idea related to everyday life in oral and printed texts. They will investigate products and practices of the target language cultures in order to better understand diverse perspectives and expand their world view, however with less depth and varied pacing.

Intermediate Low Latin 2 Grades 10-12 Credit: 1 Accelerated Full Year H

Prerequisite: 90 or better in year 1 of ACA/ACC and/or recommendation from teacher

By the end of this course, students will be at the intermediate low level proficiency. They will demonstrate overall comprehension of long Latin passages adapted for intermediate learners. They will have the ability to produce an accurate English translation or paraphrase of simple Latin passages. They will have limited success in more complex, authentic Latin texts. They will demonstrate an understanding of a variety of grammatical relationships in sentences with straightforward syntax, and occasionally with more complex sentences. They will demonstrate a literal comprehension of a wide variety of vocabulary and idiomatic phrases, as well as some understanding of figurative meanings in context. They will be able to identify a variety of commonly known references to Roman culture, mythology, and history that are relevant to understanding the required texts when references are directly stated. They will demonstrate knowledge of terms to identify a variety of simple grammatical and syntactic structures and some more complex structures. They will investigate products and practices of the target language cultures in order to better understand diverse perspectives and expand their world view.

Novice High Latin 2 Grades 10-12 Credit: 1 Academic Full Year H

Prerequisite: 80 or better in year 1 of ACA and/or recommendation from teacher

By the end of this course, students will be at the novice high level proficiency. They will be able to demonstrate overall comprehension of short Latin passages adapted for beginning learners. They will be able to produce an accurate English translation of simple Latin sentences. They will be able to demonstrate comprehension of a variety of high-frequency Latin words and idiomatic phrases with an accurate English translation. They will demonstrate an understanding of basic grammatical relationships in sentences with straight forward syntax. They will also be able to identify references to Roman culture, mythology, and history that are most commonly known and that are stated directly in Latin texts. They will demonstrate knowledge of a limited range of terms to identify a few single grammatical and syntactic structures. They will demonstrate knowledge of a limited range of terms to identify grammatical and syntactic structures.They will investigate products and practices of the target language cultures in order to better understand diverse perspectives and expand their world view, however with less depth and varied pacing.

Intermediate Mid/Intermediate Low - Year 3

These courses reinforce skills students acquired during the second year of language study.

Intermediate Mid Mandarin, French, Italian, Spanish 3 Grades 10-12 Credit: 1 Accelerated Full Year H

Prerequisite: 90 or better in year 2 of ACA/ACC and/or recommendation from teacher

By the end of this course, students will be at the intermediate mid level proficiency. They will be able to participate in conversations on familiar topics using sentences and series of sentences. They will be able to handle short social interactions in everyday situations by asking and answering questions. They will be able to talk about themselves and their everyday life with limited vocabulary. They will present and write on a variety of familiar topics using connected sentences and appropriate vocabulary and grammar. They will be able to understand the main idea in messages, presentations, conversations, and texts on a variety of topics related to everyday life and personal interests and studies. They will use simple and complex phrases. They will investigate products and practices of the target language cultures in order to better understand diverse perspectives and expand their world view.

Intermediate Low Mandarin, French, Italian, Spanish 3 Grades 10-12 Credit: 1 Academic Full Year H

Prerequisite: 80 or better in year 2 of ACC and/or recommendation from teacher

By the end of this course, students will be at the intermediate low level proficiency. They will be able to participate in conversations on a number of familiar topics using simple sentences. They will be able to participate in short social interactions in everyday situations by asking and answering simple questions. They will present information and write briefly about most familiar topics using a series of simple sentences with appropriate vocabulary and grammar. They will be able to understand the main idea in short, simple messages, presentations, conversations, and texts on familiar topics. They will investigate products and practices of the target language cultures in order to better understand diverse perspectives and expand their world view, however with less depth and varied pacing.

Intermediate Mid Latin 3 Grades 11-12 Credit: 1 Accelerated Full Year H

Prerequisite: 90 or better in year 2 of ACA/ACC and/or recommendation from teacher

Intermediate Low Latin 3 Grades 10-12 Credit: 1 Academic Full Year H

Prerequisite: 80 or better in year 2 of ACC and/or recommendation from teacher

By the end of this course, students will be at the intermediate low level proficiency. They will demonstrate overall comprehension of Latin passages primarily by responding correctly to factual questions. They will have the ability to produce an accurate English translation or paraphrase of selections of authentic Latin texts. They will demonstrate an understanding of a variety of grammatical relationships in sentences with straightforward syntax, and occasionally with more complex sentences. They will demonstrate literal comprehension of a wide variety of vocabulary and understanding figurative meanings in context. They will be able to identify a variety of commonly known references to Roman culture, mythology, and history that are relevant to understanding the required texts when references are directly stated. They will demonstrate knowledge of terms to identify a variety of simple grammatical and syntactic structures and some more complex structures. They will use appropriate terms to identify a variety of basic elements of literary style common in Latin prose and in Latin poetry, including scansion. They will investigate products and practices of the target language cultures in order to better understand diverse perspectives and expand their world view, however with less depth and varied pacing.

Intermediate High/Intermediate Mid/Intermediate Low - Year 4

These courses reinforce skills students acquired during the third year of language study

Intermediate High Italian* & Mandarin** 4 Grades 11-12 Credit: 1 College Full Year H

Intermediate High French, Spanish 4 Grades 11-12 Credit: 1 Accelerated Full Year H

Prerequisite: 90 or better in year 3 of ACA/ACC and/or recommendation from teacher

By the end of this course, students will be at the intermediate high level proficiency. They will be able to participate with ease and confidence in conversations on familiar topics. They will be able to talk about events and experiences in various time frames. They will be able to handle social interactions in everyday situations, sometimes even when there is an unexpected complication. They will be able to make presentations and write about school, work, community and topics they have researched in various time frames in a generally organized way with appropriate vocabulary and grammar. They will easily be able to understand the main idea in audio and written messages and texts. They will be able to understand a few details of conversations, even when something unexpected is expressed. They can sometimes follow stories, descriptions, events, and experiences in audio and written texts with various time frames. They will investigate products and practices of the target language cultures in order to better understand diverse perspectives and expand their world view.

*Students have the option to earn 6 college credits with UConn ECE in Italian OR 3 AP credits in Italian for this course. **Students have the option to earn 4 college credits with UConn ECE in Mandarin for this course.

Intermediate Mid French, Italian*, Mandarin, Spanish 4 Grades 11-12 Credit: 1 Academic Full Year H

Prerequisite: 80 or better in year 3 of ACC and/or recommendation from teacher

By the end of this course, students will be at the intermediate mid level proficiency. They will be able to participate in conversations on familiar topics using sentences and series of sentences. They will be able to handle short social interactions in everyday situations by asking and answering questions. They will be able to talk about themselves and their everyday life with limited vocabulary. They will present and write on a variety of familiar topics using connected sentences with appropriate vocabulary and grammar. They will be able to understand the main idea in messages, presentations, conversations, and texts on a variety of topics related to everyday life and personal interests and studies. They will investigate products and practices of the target language cultures in order to better understand diverse perspectives and expand their world view, however with less depth and varied pacing.

*Students have the option to earn 3 college credits with UConn ECE in Italian for this course.

Intermediate High Latin 4* Grades 11-12 Credit: 1 College Full Year H

Prerequisite: 90 or better in year 3 of ACC and/or recommendation from teacher

By the end of this course, students will be at the intermediate high level proficiency. They will have a reading fluency in Latin: the ability to read and translate authentic Latin texts with reference materials as needed. They will demonstrate an overall comprehension of authentic Latin passages by consistently responding correctly to factual and interpretive questions, including questions requiring more advanced interpretive ability. They will demonstrate an understanding of a wide variety of grammatical relationships, even in sentences with complex syntax. They will demonstrate comprehension of a wide variety of vocabulary, including literal and figurative meanings in context. Students will be able to identify a wide variety of references (implied and directly stated) to Roman culture, mythology, and history that are relevant to understanding the required Latin texts. They will demonstrate knowledge of terms by identifying or describing a wide variety of grammatical and syntactic structures, simple and complex. They will use appropriate terms to identify a wide variety of elements of literary style in Latin prose and poetry, including metrical elements. They will investigate products and practices of the target language cultures in order to better understand diverse perspectives and expand their world view.

*Students have the option to earn 3 college credits with UConn ECE in Latin for this course.

Intermediate Mid Latin 4 Grades 11-12 Credit: 1 Academic Full Year H

Prerequisite: 80 or better in year 3 of ACA and/or recommendation from teacher

By the end of this course, students will be at the intermediate mid-level proficiency. They will have a reading knowledge of Latin: the ability to read and translate Latin texts with the use of reference materials. They will demonstrate an overall comprehension of Latin passages by consistently responding correctly to both factual and interpretive questions. They will demonstrate understanding of a wide variety of grammatical relationships, even in sentences with complex syntax with occasional misinterpretations. They will demonstrate comprehension of a wide variety of vocabulary, including literal and figurative meanings in context. They will be able to identify a variety of references to Roman culture, mythology, and history that are relevant to understanding the required Latin texts, with occasional misinterpretations when references are implied. Students will demonstrate knowledge of terms by identifying or describing a variety of grammatical and syntactic structures, including simple and complex structures. They will be able to use appropriate terms to identify a wide variety of elements of literary style common in Latin prose and poetry, including elements of meter. They will investigate products and practices of the target language cultures in order to better understand diverse perspectives and expand their world view, however, with less depth and varied pacing.

Advanced Low/Intermediate High - Year 5

These courses reinforce skills learned in the fourth year of language study

Advanced Low French, Spanish 5* Grade 12 Credit: 1 College Full Year H

Prerequisite: 90 or better in year 4 of ACA/ACC and/or recommendation from teacher

By the end of this course, students will be at the advanced low level proficiency. They will be able to participate in conversations about familiar topics that go beyond everyday life. They will be able to talk about events and experiences and describe people, places, and things in various time frames and in an organized way with some detail. They will be able to handle familiar situations with an unexpected complication. They will be able to share their opinions and contribute to class discussions. They will be able to deliver presentations and write essays in various time frames about topics of general interest as well as academic and professional topics that are well organized and appropriate to their audience with appropriate vocabulary and grammar. They will be able to understand the main idea and some supporting details in audio and written texts on a variety of topics of personal and general interest. They will be able to follow stories and descriptions of some length and in various time frames and genres on familiar topics even when something unexpected is expressed.They will investigate products and practices of the target language cultures in order to better understand diverse perspectives and expand their world view.

*Students have the option to earn 6 college credits with UConn ECE in French or Spanish OR 3 AP credits in French or Spanish for this course.

Intermediate High Perspectives on African/Caribbean Studies French 5* Grade 12 Credit: 1 College Full Year H

Prerequisite: 80 or better in year 4 of ACA and/or recommendation from teacher

By the end of this course, students will be at the intermediate high level proficiency. They will be able to participate with ease and confidence in conversations on familiar topics. They will be able to talk about events and experiences in various time frames. They will be able to handle social interactions in everyday situations, sometimes even when there is an unexpected complication. They will be able to make presentations and write about school, work, community and topics they have researched in various time frames in a generally organized way with appropriate vocabulary and grammar. They will easily be able to understand the main idea in audio and written messages and texts. They will be able to understand a few details of conversations, even when something unexpected is expressed. They can sometimes follow stories, descriptions, events, and experiences in audio and written texts with various time frames. This course offers a unique focus on francophone Africa and its French speaking diaspora of the Caribbean Islands through investigations of the customs and traditions. Students study the African experience through its history, demographics, politics, literature, art, human rights, and development and cooperation with the United States.

*Students have the option to earn 3 ECE UConn credits for this course.

Intermediate High Latin American Studies Spanish 5* Grade 12 Credit: 1 College Full Year H

Prerequisite: 80 or better in year 4 of ACA and/or recommendation from teacher

By the end of this course, students will be at the intermediate high level proficiency. They will be able to participate with ease and confidence in conversations on familiar topics. They will be able to talk about events and experiences in various time frames. They will be able to handle social interactions in everyday situations, sometimes even when there is an unexpected complication. They will be able to make presentations and write about school, work, community and topics they have researched in various time frames in a generally organized way with appropriate vocabulary and grammar. They will easily be able to understand the main idea in audio and written messages and texts. They will be able to understand a few details of conversations, even when something unexpected is expressed. They can sometimes follow stories, descriptions, events, and experiences in audio and written texts with various time frames. This class offers a unique focus on Latin American Studies, particularly the art, literature, customs, traditions and contributions of Latin Americans at home and abroad. *Students have the option to earn 3 ECE UConn credits for this course.

*Students may enroll in the UConn ECE program in Advanced Low French, Intermediate High Italian, and Advanced Low Spanish for three credits in both the fall and spring and will be awarded these six (6) credits if they earn a grade of C or better. Students may enroll in the UConn ECE program in Intermediate High African Studies, Intermediate Mid Italian 4, Intermediate High Latin 4, and Intermediate High Latin American Studies for three (3) credits for the entire year if they earn a grade of C or better. Students may enroll in the UConn ECE program in Intermediate High Mandarin for four (4) college credits if they earn a grade of C or better. Credits can be transferred to other universities and students should research the universities they are interested in to see how the credits will transfer. Students also have the option to take the College Board’s AP exam in the target language. Successful candidates may be awarded up to three credits at select universities.

Accelerator Opportunity

Teaching Assistant Grade 11-12 Credit: 0.5 Half Year H/S

The Teaching Assistant Internship Course supports work related experiences across all of the SHS Pathways by:

Providing students who are interested in the Education Pathway or Human Services career cluster an opportunity to engage in pre-service education/teaching experiences.
Providing students who have a passion for a specific subject, course, or SHS pathway an opportunity to further build their skills and learn more about what education and training would look like in that field/subject.

This internship course will begin with a training session that outlines the roles and responsibilities of a Teaching Assistant and introduces students to the basic components of teaching. Students will support peer learning in assigned classes based on their academic areas of strengths/interests. At the end of the course, students will design and teach one lesson to the class as their culminating project.

Click for more information about the differences between the French 5 and Spanish 5 UCONN ECE Course offerings