World Language

WORLD LANGUAGE

Are you interested in preparing yourself for robust and dynamic post secondary jobs?  Want to improve your creativity and communication skills while gaining an appreciation for a different culture?  The Whitehall High School World Language Department provides opportunities for students to reach various levels of proficiency in a second language while connecting to the world around them.  Research shows that students benefit academically from the study of a World Language while gaining a positive attitude about other cultures and languages.  We offer classes in Spanish and German.  Check out our course descriptions below. 

RECOMMENDED WORLD LANGUAGE COURSE SEQUENCE

GERMAN

*30301E  GERMAN 1

(Grade 9,10,11 and 12) (1.0 Credit)

(Prerequisite:  Language Arts teacher recommendation)

Welcome to German 1!  Through cooperative activities, technology-based exercises, and traditional assessments, students will speak, read and write to function successfully in a world language environment.  Topics of study include: numbers and the alphabet, simple greetings and farewells, families, school schedules and the German education system, weather, cities and geography, shopping, making plans, German cuisine, and describing preferences and interests.  Some basic grammar, such as verb conjugation, will also be covered.

*30302E  GERMAN 2

(Grade 10,11,12) (1.0 Credit)

(Prerequisite:  Course 30301E and teacher recommendation)

In German 2, students will begin by reviewing and expanding upon the knowledge and basic skills gained in German 1.  As the course progresses, focus will fall upon the strengthening of those skills as well as the development and application of new skills in a variety of contexts.  Students will consistently have an opportunity to develop their communication skills through interpreting spoken dialogues, reading selected passages and texts, creating their own conversations, and many other activities aimed to further proficiency with the target language.  Culture and grammar are also both important aspects of the course, and topics of study include: shopping, birthdays and holidays, leisure time activities, travel, sports and music. 

*30303H  HONORS GERMAN 3

(Grade 11,12) (1.0 Credit)

(Prerequisite:  Course 30302E and teacher recommendation)

This advanced level course is designed for motivated and/or college-bound students who want to learn the target language in depth at an accelerated rate. This course provides continued development of cultural awareness and the four language skills (reading, writing, speaking and listening) with an emphasis on active student participation in the learning process.  Students are expected to demonstrate a higher level of communication in the target language through the use of authentic resources and real world scenarios. There is a high expectation to communicate in the target language daily.

*30304H  HONORS GERMAN 4  

(Grade 11,12) (1.0 Credit)

(Prerequisite:  Course 30303E and teacher recommendation)

In German 4, students will demonstrate their control of almost all aspects of German grammar.  They will also enhance their understanding of culture through reading short stories and authentic texts.  Students will maintain a journal in this course.  Assessment will include traditional testing of all four language skills and grading of journals and projects.  Among the topics to be covered are the following: relationships with others, rights and responsibilities, German films and the media, advertising, prejudices, the environment, the art of living well, and plans for the future.

SPANISH

*30311E  SPANISH 1  

(Grade 9,10,11 and 12) (1.0 Credit)

(Prerequisite:  Language Arts teacher recommendation)

Come along to a world of new experiences where students will learn the language spoken by millions of people around the world, including right here in the Lehigh Valley!  Students will use a variety of hands on and technology based resources to see, hear, understand, and use the language.  Students will also gain a basic understanding of the Hispanic culture.  The activities included will develop listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills that students can apply in the real world.  

30305H  HONORS SPANISH 1 & 2  

(Grade 9,10) (1.0 Credit)

(Prerequisite: teacher recommendation)

Note: Honors Spanish 1 & 2 is designed to cover levels 1 and 2 at an accelerated pace in one year 

Achieving proficiency in speaking, listening, reading, and writing as well as developing an appreciation for and understanding of the Hispanic culture are the primary goals of this advanced paced course.  This course is designed to cover levels 1 and 2 at an accelerated pace, allowing for further progression with the language. Upon successful completion of this course and a teacher recommendation, students may advance on to Honors Spanish 3.   Activities are included in the course to develop listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Students will demonstrate their achievement through oral conversation, speaking assessments, group work, writing, reading, projects, and cooperative learning activities.

*30312E  SPANISH 2 

(Grade 10,11,12) (1.0 Credit)

(Prerequisite:  Course 30311E and teacher recommendation)

Students will continue to learn and develop extensive language skills needed to engage in Spanish conversations related to daily activities in the present and the past tenses.  Students will also strengthen all prior concepts learned and build upon understanding the basis of the Spanish language.  They will continuously demonstrate their knowledge and understanding by confidently expressing themselves in Spanish through speaking assessments, cooperative learning activities, and written exercises.

*30313H  HONORS SPANISH 3  

(Grade 11,12) (1.0 Credit)

(Prerequisite:  Course 30312E and teacher recommendation)

This advanced level course is designed for motivated and/or college-bound students who want to learn the target language in depth at an accelerated rate. This course provides continued development of cultural awareness and the four language skills (reading, writing, speaking + listening) with an emphasis on active student participation in the learning process.  Students are expected to demonstrate a higher level of communication in the target language through the use of authentic resources and real world scenarios. There is a high expectation to communicate in the target language daily.  

*30314H  HONORS SPANISH 4  

(Grade 11,12) (1.0 Credit)

(Prerequisite:  Course 30313E and teacher recommendation)

What distinguishes a true Spaniard from a “foreigner”?  As all seasoned travelers will tell you, it is the use of the subjunctive in his speech and writing.  Students in this course will strive to incorporate this mood into their everyday language.  Through class discussions they will use works of Spanish literature to not only refine reading skills but verbal skills as well.  Students will participate in various activities which practice the formal language skills.  These include such things as listening to native speakers, small group oral work, the writing of essays, and projects utilizing technology.  In addition to literature, the following themes will be covered:  medical, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, travel, jobs and professions, and volunteer activities.