Access the Syllabus which includes classroom expectations and class trajectory:
Van Meter World Language Course Descriptions
Most higher education institutions require world language study prior to admission. Three to four consecutive years of one language fulfills requirements for many post high school institution graduation requirements, however before entering freshman year, students should research any university they are considering attending and begin planning their schedules to ensure proper requirements are met upon graduation.
Instruction of Spanish at Van Meter is delivered through Teaching with Comprehensible Input (TCI) and Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling (TPRS). Using Comprehensible Input, students are exposed to sheltered, repetitive, comprehensible high-frequency structures and vocabulary. To ensure successful language acquisition, interaction in the classroom takes place in the target language. Teachers scaffold instruction adding two to three high frequency structures daily, recycling previously introduced and acquired structures and vocabulary.
Culture is an integral part of language acquisition and is explored through the use of stories, media, music, novels, games, authentic and adapted readings and class discussions. Skills are reassessed every few weeks in the areas of listening, reading, writing and speaking.
Attendance and active participation in the target language in class is vital to successful language acquisition. Students with schedule conflicts must set up an alternate plan in advance to ensure consistent, accurate delivery of comprehensible input.
Incoming high school students including transfers from other schools will be assessed for accurate placement with a proficiency level that matches his/her skill set. A student who receives below a C average at the end of the grading period will not be recommended to continue to the next level unless the instructor grants special permission to advance. It is strongly recommended that students commit to a plan with consecutive years of language.
In order to move to the next proficiency level each year students must achieve a B in all skills without reassessing. The language teachers will place students in the proficiency level of learning. Students with multiple C´s, F´s or Zeros (0) in the skill sets do not demonstrate consistent growth and are at risk of failing. They will not be recommended to proceed to the next proficiency level. Students who achieve B’s in skills by means of reassessment will be recommended to remain in current proficiency. Students who have not mastered skills to move on to the next proficiency may continue a second year in the same proficiency level until mastery at that level counting as a separate year of instruction in all proficiency levels except Novice Low.
Novice Low GRADES 9-12
This course is designed for students with limited to no understanding of Spanish language. Spanish. A Novice-Low student acquires structure of basic language patterns, high frequency structures and vocabulary. At the novice level, students will be able to recognize words they have heard and repeat and/or produce single words and short phrases. Students will begin to answer a variety of questions to which they have been exposed repeatedly.
Exposure to present, past and future (in all persons) with a limited exposure to other tenses using sheltered verbs (Super 7).
Focus on listening, reading and writing. Minimal spontaneous communication.
Novice Mid GRADES 9-12
This course is designed for students with previous study of or successful completion with an A or B average of Novice Low Spanish course. A Novice-Mid student continues to acquire structure of basic language patterns, high frequency structures and vocabulary. Students produce short phrases and connecting words. Students will answer a variety of questions to which they have been exposed repeatedly.
Exposure to present, past and future (in all persons) with a limited exposure to a variety of other tenses using sheltered verbs (Sweet 16).
Focus on listening, reading and writing, broadening and expanding spontaneous communication into complete sentences.
Novice High GRADES 9-12
This course is designed for students who successfully completed Spanish Novice Mid with an A or B average. A Novice High student continues to acquire structure of basic language presented at the Novice level, high frequency structures and vocabulary. As more structures are introduced and recycled, students will begin to provide information using words, phrases and short sentences. They will begin to speak confidently using the high frequency structures introduced and recycled in Novice Low.
Continued exposure present, past and future tenses with more exposure to a variety of tenses using sheltered vocabulary.
Focus on listening, reading and writing. Communication of recycled structures begins to become more spontaneous.
Intermediate Low GRADES 9-12
This course is designed for students who successfully completed Novice High, with a B average or above. An Intermediate-Low student continues to acquire structure of basic language patterns, high frequency structures and vocabulary. As more structures are introduced and recycled, students will continue to provide information using complete sentences and connectors. Students begin to convey complete, comprehensible messages and continue conversations using recycled structures and circumlocution. Students begin to differentiate tenses and refine skills in reading, listening, writing and speaking. Students begin to maneuver among a variety of tenses. They will continue to communicate more confidently using the high frequency structures introduced and recycled in previous courses.
Exposure to all tenses using sheltered vocabulary.
Focus on listening, reading and writing. Communication of recycled structures continues to become more spontaneous.
Intermediate Mid - High GRADE 9-12
This course is designed for students who successfully completed Intermediate - Low with an A or B average or above. An Intermediate Mid-High student has acquired structure of basic language patterns, high frequency structures and vocabulary. As more complex structures are introduced and recycled, students provide information using complete, complex sentences and connectors. Students convey complete, comprehensible messages and continue conversations using recycled structures and circumlocution. Students differentiate tenses and refine skills in reading, listening, writing and speaking. Students maneuver among a variety of tenses. They continue to speak more confidently using the high frequency, complex structures introduced and recycled in previous Spanish courses.
Continued exposure to all tenses using extended vocabulary.
Focus on listening, reading, writing and speaking. Communication of recycled structures is spontaneous.
DMACC concurrent enrollment option is offered at this proficiency level for qualifying students.
This course is designed for students who successfully completed Intermediate - Mid/High with an A or B average or above. Student has acquired structure of basic language patterns, high frequency structures and vocabulary.
Students convey complete, comprehensible messages and continue conversations using recycled structures and circumlocution. Focus moves towards refinement as students differentiate tenses through reading, listening, writing and speaking.
Seal of Biliteracy: Any student that has completed four consecutive high school years of one language has the opportunity to take an assessment during their fourth year, regardless of proficiency level in order to earn scores for placement with the Seal of Biliteracy. This accolade will be honored at graduation with a seal on the diploma for each senior and students who earn the state seal of biliteracy will also have this marked on their transcripts.