World LanguageS & cultures

• National Language Exam: Offered for all levels of French.

• AP Language Exams: Offered for Chinese, French, and Spanish. Good AP scores may earn college credit.

• Minnesota Bilingual/Multilingual Seal & World Language Certificates: Available in many languages, and you can earn college credit. Testing happens three times each year. Please contact Carrie Berg with any questions.

• More information can be found on our Wayzata World Language Certificate; Bilingual/Multilingual Seal website.

570 - Chinese 1 (Novice Low): 2 Terms / 2 Credits, Grades 9-12

Learn basics—simple questions, everyday topics (family, pets, school, food), and beginner reading and culture.

Student Testimonial:

• "I have taken Chinese classes at Wayzata High School ever since my freshman year and have continued every year since. I have furthered my journey in learning Mandarin and Chinese culture because the classes are enjoyable and a place where I learn a great deal. The class is highly interactive, filled with fun activities such as learning new songs, performing skits, and occasionally watching a Mandarin movie. It is also expected that students will give presentations and read in front of the class in class. The communication skills, along with the language that I have learned in this class, will be very beneficial throughout my later years."

571 - Chinese 2 (Novice Mid): 2 Terms / 2 Credits, Grades 9-12

Prerequisite: Chinese 1

This course is for students who have completed level 1. Continue with everyday topics (classes, food, house, clothes, weather) and expand vocabulary and reading.

572 - Chinese 3 (Novice High): 2 Terms / 2 Credits, Grades 9-12

Prerequisite: Chinese 2

This course is for students who have completed level 2. Learn to ask follow-up questions and talk about school life, activities, travel, and feelings.

573 - Chinese 4 (Intermediate Low): 2 Terms / 2 Credits, Grades 9-12

Prerequisite: Chinese 3

This course is for students who have completed level 3. Discuss researched topics like jobs, the environment, peer pressure, and global citizenship. Strong preparation for AP.

Students are encouraged to test for the Minnesota World Language Certificate if this is the end of their language learning experience. There are opportunities to test in August, February, and May.

574 - AP Chinese (Intermediate Mid): 2 Terms / 2 Credits, Grades 10-12

Prerequisite: Chinese 4

This course is a capstone experience for students who have completed level 4 and/or Chinese Culture and Beyond. Explore broader themes such as identity, technology, art, environmental issues, and global challenges. Students are encouraged to take the AP exam.

509 - French 1 (Novice Low/Mid): 2 Terms / 2 Credits, Grades 9-12

Learn basic questions and everyday topics like introductions, hobbies, family, food, and school.

513 - French 2 (Novice Mid/High): 2 Terms / 2 Credits, Grades 9-12

Prerequisite: French 1

This course is for students who have completed level 1. Talk about traditions, childhood memories, food, shopping, household tasks, and health. 

516 - French 3 (Intermediate Low): 2 Terms / 2 Credits, Grades 9-12

Prerequisite: French 2

This course is for students who have completed level 2. Learn to discuss technology,  jobs, city life, nature, and the arts.

519 - French 4 (Intermediate Mid): 2 Terms / 2 Credits, Grades 9-12

Prerequisite: French 3

This course is for students who have completed level 3. Explore world customs, education, work, technology, the arts, and world issues.

Students are encouraged to test for the Minnesota World Language Certificate if this is the end of their language learning experience. There are opportunities to test in August, February, and May.

520 - French 5 (Intermediate High/Advanced Low): 2 Terms / 2 Credits, Grades 9-12

Prerequisite: French 4

This course can be a capstone experience for students who have completed level 4 and/or AP. Or, students who successfully complete level 5 may sign up for AP to continue their language experience. Communicate in longer, connected sentences and discuss researched topics. Prepares students for AP or the Bilingual Seal.

Students have the opportunity to take the Minnesota Bilingual Seal test at the end of this course.

525 - AP French (Intermediate High/Advanced Low): 2 Terms / 2 Credits, Grades 10-12

Prerequisite: French 4 or French 5

This course can serve as a capstone experience for students who have completed levels 4 and/or 5. Or, students who successfully complete AP may sign up for level 5 to continue their language experience. Advanced communication in different time frames and on deeper topics like culture, technology, relationships, and global challenges. Students are encouraged to take the AP exam.

531 - Spanish 1 (Novice Low/Mid): 2 Terms / 2 Credits, Grades 9-12

This course is for students who have never studied Spanish or have only completed 6th- and 7th-grade Spanish. Level 1 will include basics on everyday topics—self, hobbies, school, family, food, clothing, and your home.

534 - Spanish 2 (Novice Mid/High): 2 Terms / 2 Credits, Grades 9-12

Prerequisite: Spanish 1 or 8th-grade Spanish

This course is for students who have completed level 1 or have successfully completed 6th, 7th, and 8th grade Spanish. Level 2 will continue the cultural themes of neighborhoods/city, travel, childhood memories, and health and well-being.

536 - Spanish 3 (Intermediate Low): 2 Terms / 2 Credits, Grades 9-12

Prerequisite: Spanish 2

This course is for students who have completed level 2. Students who successfully completed the Que Tal program through 8th grade can register for Spanish 3 or Spanish 4 following the recommendation from their Que Tal Program. Level 3 will talk about personality, friendships, digital citizenship, teen life, and friendships' likes/dislikes, travel, skills, abilities & future plans. 

538 - Spanish 4 (Intermediate Mid): 2 Terms / 2 Credits, Grades 9-12

Prerequisite: Spanish 3

This course is for students who have completed Level 3, have successfully completed Que Tal through 8th grade, and have a recommendation from Que Tal to register for Level 4. Students who successfully complete level 4 may sign up for level 5 or AP to continue their language learning or as a capstone language experience. Level 4 students practice exchanging information on familiar and researched topics, communicate about daily life using longer sentences, analyze authentic Spanish texts, and compare cultures to better understand and interact with others.

Students are encouraged to test for the Minnesota World Language Certificate if this is the end of their language learning experience. There are opportunities to test in August, February, and May.

Student Testimonial:

• "I had an amazing time in Spanish 4. We need to take a deeper dive into not just the Spanish language, but also all the amazing countries and cultures that use it. We learned in a variety of ways and became really close with all our classmates. I was able to learn Spanish in a way that allowed me to apply it to real-life topics and events, something I hadn’t really done before. I had so much fun in my class and made friends that I have to this day! I would definitely encourage anyone who wants to learn more about this amazing language to take Spanish 4."

539 - Spanish 5 (Intermediate High/Advanced Low): 2 Terms / 2 Credits, Grades 9-12

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Prerequisite: Spanish 4

This course can be a capstone experience for students who have completed level 4 and/or AP. Or, students who successfully complete level 5 may sign up for AP to continue their language experience. Level 5 focuses on discussing familiar and researched topics, communicating in connected sentences and short paragraphs, analyzing authentic Spanish texts, and comparing cultures. Students may also test for the Minnesota Bilingual Seal at the end of the course.

545 - AP Spanish (Intermediate High /Advanced Low): 2 Terms / 2 Credits, Grades 10-12

Prerequisite: Spanish 4 or 5

This course can serve as a capstone experience for students who have completed levels 4 and/or 5. Or, students who successfully complete AP may sign up for level 5 to continue their language experience. Students who sign up for AP are encouraged to take the AP Exam. College credit and the Minnesota Bilingual Seal may be awarded based on the score obtained on the AP Exam. AP Spanish prepares students to discuss familiar and researched topics—such as family, identity, technology, art, daily life, and global issues—using connected sentences and short paragraphs. Students read and analyze authentic Spanish texts and compare cultural practices.

Student Testimonial:

• "AP Spanish was one of my favorite classes I took during high school! I love learning new languages, and if you do too, this class is for you. The teacher spoke Spanish for most of the time, which allowed me to fully immerse myself in the language and culture. Initially, I was worried about my ability to succeed in this class, but it prepared me very well for the AP Exam. I continue to speak Spanish whenever possible. The curriculum was very engaging, and I strongly recommend this class!"

581 - World Culture & Beyond: 1 Term /1 Credit, Grades 9-12

World Culture and Beyond explores the cultural, philosophical, artistic, and historical traditions of societies worldwide, examining how they shape contemporary identities and foster global connections. Students examine major cultural elements—such as belief systems, art, literature, language, customs, and social and political development—and analyze how cultures influence one another across time and place. Through thematic units focused on fashion, cuisine, architecture, housing, travel, and tourism, students develop a deeper understanding of cultural diversity, global interdependence, and the ways culture both reflects and shapes the human experience.