Colleges and universities require two years of the same world language. A minimum of three years is recommended. Two years of the same world language are required for graduation.
MODERN WORLD LANGUAGES
French 1,2 - Grade 9 - 12
This functions-based, introductory course is open to all students who wish to begin the study of French language and cultures. It is intended to develop novice to mid-novice oral-language proficiency as well as limited facility in reading and writing. Major emphasis is on the development of listening and speaking abilities at the novice level with reasonably accurate pronunciation and intonation. Programmed instruction and technology, under the direction of the French teacher, may be used to facilitate instruction and language practice. The course is not designed for students who are fluent or nearly fluent in French as evidenced by an informal primary language assessment or other language assessments. It is recommended that fluent or nearly fluent students enroll in a higher-level French course.
Portuguese 1,2 - Grade 9 - 12
This introductory course is open to students who wish to begin the study of Portuguese language and cultures. It is intended to develop novice to mid-novice oral-language proficiency as well as limited facility in reading and writing. Major emphasis is on the development of listening and speaking abilities at the novice level with reasonably accurate pronunciation and intonation.
Spanish 1,2 - Grade 9 - 12
This functions-based, introductory course is open to all students who wish to begin the study of Spanish language and cultures. It is intended to develop novice to mid-novice oral-language proficiency as well as limited facility in reading and writing. Major emphasis is on the development of listening and speaking abilities at the novice level with reasonably accurate pronunciation and intonation. Programmed instruction and technology, under the direction of the Spanish teacher, may be used to facilitate instruction and language practice. The course is not designed for students who are fluent or nearly fluent in Spanish. It is recommended that fluent or nearly fluent students enroll in a Spanish for Spanish Speakers course or a higher-level Spanish course.
French 3,4 - Grade 9 - 12
Prerequisites: French 1-2 (P) with a grade of C or higher; recommendation of teacher
This functions-based course is designed for students who have successfully completed French 1-2 (P). It is a continuation of the introductory course and is intended to consolidate students' listening and speaking skills at the mid-novice level, with bridging opportunities to high novice. Reading receives increased attention, although the primary emphasis remains the development of oral-language proficiency. Programmed instruction and technology, under the direction of the French teacher, may be used to facilitate instruction and language practice. The course is not designed for students who are fluent or nearly fluent in French as evidenced by an informal primary language assessment or other language assessments. It is recommended that fluent or nearly fluent students enroll in a higher-level French course if offered.
Portuguese 3,4 Grade 9 - 12
Prerequisites: Portuguese 1,2 with a grade of C or higher; recommendation of teacher
This second-year course is open to all students who wish to continue the study of Portuguese language and culture. It is intended to develop a novice-mid to novice-high oral language proficiency level and expand facility in reading and writing. Major emphasis is on the development of listening and speaking skills at the novice to intermediate-low level with reasonably accurate pronunciation and intonation. Students will demonstrate competency by being able to communicate orally and in writing.
Spanish 3,4 - Grade 9 - 12
Prerequisites: Spanish 1-2 (P) with a grade of C or higher; recommendation of teacher
This functions-based course is designed for students who have successfully completed Spanish 1-2 (P). It is a continuation of the introductory course and is intended to consolidate students' listening and speaking skills at the mid-novice level, with bridging opportunities to high novice. Reading receives increased attention, although the primary emphasis remains the development of oral-language proficiency. Programmed instruction and technology, under the direction of the Spanish teacher, may be used to facilitate instruction and language practice. The course is not designed for students who are fluent or nearly fluent in Spanish as evidenced by the Spanish I.P.T. or other language assessments. It is recommended that fluent or nearly fluent students enroll in a Spanish for Spanish Speakers course or a higher-level Spanish course.
Spanish for Spanish Speakers 3, 4 - Grade 9 - 12
This course is a continuation of the introductory course Spanish for Spanish Speakers 1-2 (P). It is designed to give students further language experiences as outlined in the introductory course. Emphasis is placed on strengthening students' mastery of literacy and language skills. Students read and discuss significant literary works to improve oral and written communication skills. Focus is on using appropriate oral and written language styles in various contexts.
French 5,6 - Grade 9 - 12
Prerequisites: French 3-4 (P) with a grade of C or higher; recommendation of teacher
This functions-based course is designed for students who have successfully completed French 3-4 (P). It is intended to move students' oral proficiency to the intermediate level and to develop both reading comprehension and writing accuracy at that level. As the need for accuracy increases, grammar instruction becomes more significant. Programmed instruction and technology, under the direction of the French teacher, may be used to facilitate instruction and language practice. This course may meet the needs of French-speaking students whose literacy skills are not fully present.
Portuguese 5, 6 Grade 9 - 12
Prerequisites: Portuguese 3-4 (P) with a grade of C or higher; recommendation of teacher
Portuguese 5-6 is a third-year language and culture course intended to move students to an intermediate-low to intermediate-mid level of language proficiency. The acquisition of new vocabulary and grammar structures continues, with more sophisticated words and phrases and complex verb and sentence constructions being introduced. Short literary works written in the target language are also introduced at this level, with students reading short stories, essays, and excerpts from longer works of literature. Writing assignments are frequent and vary in length depending on the topic. Students continue to develop an understanding and appreciation of Portuguese culture, both as an integrated part of the learning process and through targeted cultural topics in the textbook's units of study.
Spanish 5,6 - Grade 9 - 12
Prerequisites: Spanish 3-4 (P) with a grade of C or higher; recommendation of teacher
This functions-based course is designed for students who have successfully completed Spanish 3-4 (P). It is intended to move students' oral proficiency to the intermediate level and to develop both reading comprehension and writing accuracy at that level. As the need for accuracy increases, grammar instruction becomes more significant. Programmed instruction and technology, under the direction of the Spanish teacher, may be used to facilitate instruction and language practice. This course may meet the needs of Spanish-speaking students whose literacy skills are not fully present.
Spanish for Spanish Speakers 5, 6 - Grade 10 - 12
This course is designed for students who have successfully completed Spanish for Spanish Speakers 3-4 (P). The focus of the course is on reading literary works such as plays, novels, short stories, and poetry, as well as other kinds of narrative and expository materials.
Spanish 7,8 Honors - Grade 10 - 12
Prerequisites: Spanish 5-6 (P) with a grade of C or higher; recommendation of teacher
This course is designed for students who have successfully completed Spanish 5-6 (P). It is a continuation of the preceding course and is intended to increase students' ability to communicate in the world language. A limited number of simple literary works, selected articles from periodicals, essays, and other narratives of general interest may be used as the basis for continued development of the students' proficiency in literacy and language skills. Emphasis on fluency with accurate pronunciation and intonation continues, as well as emphasis on cultural awareness and appreciation.
French 7, 8 Honors - Grade 10 - 12
Prerequisites: French 5-6 (P) with a grade of C or higher; recommendation of teacher
French 7-8 Honors is a highly rigorous course designed for students who have successfully completed French 5-6 (P) and wish to continue their language studies with the goals of:
- Passing the SAT subject test in French with a score of 450 or higher
- Preparing to enroll in French Language 1-2 AP (HP)
- Studying French language and literature at an advanced level
Spanish Language 1,2 AP - Grades 9,10,11,12
Prerequisites: Above average achievement in Honors Modern World Language 7,8 with a grade of "B" or better or teacher recommendation.
This course is designed for students who wish to pursue the equivalent of a third-year college-level course in advanced composition and conversation. Course content reflects intellectual interests shared by students and teacher in the arts, history, current events, literature, culture, and sports. The course stresses oral skills, composition, and grammar and emphasizes the use of language for active communication. Language skills are applied to various activities and disciplines rather than to the mastery of any specific subject matter. Extensive training in the organization and writing of compositions is an integral part of the Advanced Placement language course. Multicultural awareness is developed.
Spanish Literature 1-2 AP (HP) - Grade 10 - 12
Prerequisites: Spanish 5-6 (P) or higher; B average or higher; recommendation of teacher.
This course is designed for students who wish to pursue the equivalent of a third-year college-level course in literature. The course stresses proficiency in language skills and the analysis of selected literary works from the countries where the language is spoken. Students read several representative works, including one or more full-length works from each author designated on the Required Authors List published annually in the Advanced Placement Course Description Guide. In addition, students study works by other authors representing a variety of genres, historical periods, and geographical areas. Students read works that are representative of the central themes and preoccupations of each author. Excerpts from longer works should be read in conjunction with, not instead of, a complete novel or play. Students learn to formulate and express critical opinions and judgments orally and in writing. The interrelationship between literature and culture is developed. The major outcomes for the course are based on guidelines from the College Entrance Examination Board.