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WORLD LANGUAGES

Because there is no tracking in the World Language Department, there are no different levels for students to take within the same course. For this reason, a student who has successfully passed the current level of world language may proceed to the next level. Please note that if the student experienced difficulty in the current level of language study, the student may well experience difficulty in subsequent levels. Once credit has been received for a World Language course, the student cannot “go back” to take a lower-level course in the same World Language and receive credit for it. To receive credit, students must continue to advance through the levels.

CONVERSATIONAL SPANISH
(510) 5 credits - 1-year Grades 9 - 12
Prerequisites: None

This course will develop the study and language acquisition skills to enable the student to begin learning Spanish for communication. Students will begin to learn how to survive in an environment where Spanish is spoken and will also learn about the cultures of several Spanish speaking countries. (Teacher recommendation is required for entrance.)

SPANISH I
(511) 5 credits - 1-year Grades 9 - 12
Prerequisites: None

Spanish I is an introductory course offered to begin students or students who have begun their studies in junior school but need further practice before continuing. This course provides an introduction to the four basic communication skills of language learning: listening, speaking, reading and writing, with an emphasis on the first two skills. Basic grammatical structures and vocabulary are learned in the natural context of dialogues, short picture descriptions, and readings. Spanish culture is presented in conjunction with the various lessons. The approach is multimedia.

SPANISH II
(5l2) 5 credits - 1-year Grades 9 - 12
Prerequisites: Successful completion of Spanish I.

Spanish II is offered to students who have mastered the present tense. This course continues to provide an introduction to the four basic communication skills of language learning: listening, speaking, reading and writing, with emphasis on the first two skills, but more attention is given reading and writing as the course progresses. Basic grammatical structures and vocabulary are learned in the natural context of dialogues, short picture descriptions, and readings. Spanish culture is presented in conjunction with the various lessons. The approach is multimedia.

SPANISH III
(5l3) 5 credits - 1-year Grades 9 - 12
Prerequisites: Successful completion of Spanish II.

Spanish III is offered to students who have mastered the present tense and the past tense. As the year progresses, the students are allowed greater freedom in their oral work. Vocabulary and grammatical structures are taught in various audio-oral exercises and later in written exercises. Students write simple guided compositions. Cultural topics are expanded and dealt with in greater depth.

HONORS SPANISH IV
(5l7) 5 credits - 1-year Grades 10 - 12
Prerequisites: Successful completion of Spanish III and completion of summer work.

Spanish IV is conducted entirely in Spanish and prepares students for the honors level. Further development of the four skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing are stressed. At this point, less emphasis is placed on passive skills and there is more devotion to speaking and writing skills. Grammatical structures introduced at levels I, II and III will be reviewed and presented in greater detail for reinforcement of knowledge and enlargement of scope. Items not previously taught or stressed will be presented to round out the students’ knowledge of the language. Spanish culture will be presented in conjunction with the various lessons and current affairs. The approach is multimedia.

HONORS SPANISH V
(515) 5 credits - 1-year Grades 10 - 12
Prerequisites: Successful completion of Spanish IV and completion of summer work.

Honors Spanish V provides the student with a solid grammar background. Review time is spent to reinforce and perfect previously introduced forms. New tenses are studied. The subjunctive mode is thoroughly explored. New structures are introduced to polish self-expression. Greater emphasis is placed on reading, writing and expanding vocabulary.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT SPANISH LANGUAGE
(516) 5 credits - 1-year Grades 11 - 12
Prerequisites: Successful completion of Honors Spanish V and completion of summer work.

In AP Spanish, grammar study is more individualized. Students with difficulty are given extra help. Already proficient students continue their studies. New structures are introduced to perfect self-expression. There is a continued emphasis on the improvement of Spanish pronunciation. The students are able to understand Spanish when spoken to at normal speed by speakers from various Spanish-speaking countries on a topic within their experience. The reading of literature and civilization materials is intensified, expanding vocabulary. All genres are included. Free composition is increased. (Note: Students enrolled in AP courses are required to take the AP exam.)

FRENCH I
(551) 5 credits - 1-year Grades 9 - 12
Prerequisites: None

French I is an introductory course or for students, who have begun their studies in junior school but need further practice before continuing. This course provides an introduction to the four basic communication skills of language learning: listening, speaking, reading and writing, with an emphasis on the first two skills. Basic grammatical structures and vocabulary are learned in the natural context of dialogues, short picture descriptions, and readings. French culture is taught in conjunction with the various lessons. The approach is multi-media.

FRENCH II
(552) 5 credits - 1-year Grades 9 - 12
Prerequisites: Successful completion of French 1.

French II is a continuation of French I. French II is offered to students who have mastered the present tense. There is continued special emphasis on audio-oral training before instruction in reading and writing. Basic grammatical structures and vocabulary are learned in the natural context of dialogues, short picture descriptions, and readings. French culture is taught in conjunction with various lessons. The approach is multi-media.

FRENCH III
(553) 5 credits - 1-year Grades 9 - 12
Prerequisites: Successful completion of French II.

French III is offered to students who have mastered the present tense and the passe compose with avoir. The skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing are further developed. All classroom activities are conducted in the target language. Grammatical structures are presented in the model approach with the use of a variety of pattern drills, both oral and written. Written work is of necessity still very controlled at this level. All material is presented orally first. The reading selections cover a wide variety of cultural topics and culture is taught in conjunction with the lesson itself.

HONORS FRENCH IV
(557) 5 credits - 1-year Grades 10 - 12
Prerequisites: Successful completion of French III and completion of summer work.

French IV is a continuation of special emphasis on oral-audio-presentation before reading and writing instruction. More advanced grammatical structures, a variety of tenses and mood, and sophisticated vocabulary are presented through a variety of methods to prepare students for the honors level. The reading selections from two main texts and supplementary readers cover a wide variety of cultural topics and some current affairs. The approach is consistently multi-media.

HONORS FRENCH V
(555) 5 credits - 1 year Grades 11 - 12
Prerequisites: Successful completion of French IV and completion of summer work.

Honors French V provides continued practice and sharpening of the communication skills of language learning; listening, speaking, reading, and writing with the emphasis still on the first two skills. Grammatical structures and vocabulary are reviewed and learned in the structural context of reading selections from 20th-century French authors. French culture is taught in conjunction with this elementary sampling of contemporary French literature. The approach is multi-media, and communication is in French.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT FRENCH LANGUAGE
(556) 5 credits - 1-year Grades 11 - 12
Prerequisites: Successful completion of Honors French V and completion of summer work.

During this final year of the six-year sequence, the linguistic accomplishments of the previous years are integrated and extended. The students’ appreciation and enjoyment of French literature and civilization are deepened, their knowledge in these areas is increased, and their ability to communicate in French is extended. The students are able to understand French when spoken at normal speed on a topic within their experience. This is the “Language” course of the Advanced Placement Program. Rapidity of oral comprehension is stressed. There is continued emphasis on French pronunciation. Writing activities are advanced and free composition is increased. The study of grammar is determined by the needs of the class; structures taught previously, but not mastered, are re-taught. (Note: Students enrolled in AP courses are required to take the AP exam.) 

ITALIAN I
(560) 5 credits - 1-year Grades 9 - 12
Prerequisites: None

Italian I is an introductory course offered to beginning students and to students who have begun their studies in junior school but need further practice before continuing. This course provides an introduction to the four basic communication skills of language learning; listening, speaking, reading and writing, with emphasis on the first two skills. Italian culture is taught in conjunction with the various lessons.

ITALIAN II
(56l) 5 credits - 1-year Grades 9 - 12
Prerequisites: Successful completion of Italian I.

Italian II is offered to students who have mastered the present tense. It continues developing the reading, writing, speaking and listening skills begun in the first year. The readings will be stories, history, and culture of Italy. Audiovisual aids, will be used to develop an understanding of the spoken language and an appreciation of Italian culture.

ITALIAN III
(562) 5 credits - 1-year Grades 9 - 12
Prerequisites: Successful completion of Italian II.

Italian III is offered to students who have mastered the present tense and present perfect with avere. This course emphasizes continued refinement in the four language skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing. Students begin to expand their readings into short stories and begin to write more open-ended compositions. Additional grammar is taught and oral comprehension skills are developed through tapes. The approach is multi-media and communication is in Italian.

HONORS ITALIAN IV
(566) 5 credits - 1-year Grades 10 - 12
Prerequisites: Successful completion of Italian III and completion of summer work.

Further study of Italian literature, art, music, history, and science is included in this course and prepares students for the honors level.

HONORS ITALIAN V
(564) 5 credits - 1-year Grades 11 - 12
Prerequisites: Successful completion of Italian IV and completion of summer work.

Honors Italian V provides the student with a solid grammar background. Review time is spent to reinforce and perfect previously introduced forms. New tenses are studied. The subjunctive mode is thoroughly explored. New structures are introduced to polish self-expression. Greater emphasis is placed on reading, writing and expanding vocabulary.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT ITALIAN LANGUAGE AND CULTURE
(567) 5 credits – 1-year Grades 11 -12
Prerequisites: Successful completion of Honors Italian V and completion of summer work.

AP Italian is divided into two distinct areas of study. During the first semester all previously learned grammar and vocabulary are introduced and practiced, while students enjoy samples of Italian literature. During the second semester, students concentrate on preparing for the Italian Language AP exam. (Note: Students enrolled in AP courses are required to take the exam.)

CHINESE I
(597) 5 credits - 1-year Grades 9 - 12
Prerequisites: None.

Chinese I is an introductory course offered to begin students. In the first year of foreign language study, the emphasis is on basic communication using learned material and phrases. Students will learn the vocabulary and patterns necessary to express common courtesies and meet basic needs. Attention is paid to pronunciation, the development of listening comprehension and simple conversational skills. Reading and writing are limited as students need time to build their core vocabulary and learn basic grammar structures. The practice of basic patterns in context contributes to the development of elemental proficiency.

CHINESE II
(598) 5 credits – 1-year Grades 9 - 12
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Chinese I.

Chinese II continues to provide an introduction to the four basic communication skills of language learning: listening, speaking, reading and writing. The course begins with an emphasis on the first two skills, but as the course progresses more reading and writing are studied. Basic grammatical structures and vocabulary are learned within the natural context of dialogues, short picture descriptions, and readings. Chinese culture is presented in conjunction with various lessons. The approach is multimedia and includes interpretive, interpersonal and presentational modes.

CHINESE III
(599) 5 Credits – 1-year Grades 9 - 12
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Chinese II.

This course is designed for students who have successfully completed two years of Chinese. Students will continue to develop their skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Topics will include schools and classes, hobbies, sports, and families. In addition, students will be exposed to the Chinese culture by introducing the major Chinese holidays, popular songs, movies, and sports.

HONORS CHINESE IV
(568) 5 Credits – 1-year Grades 10 -12
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Chinese III and completion of summer work.

In this course, students will continue to develop the four language skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. At this level, students are challenged to communicate with a high level of accuracy and have an opportunity to gain extensive cultural knowledge as well. Through the whole year, students will practice communications using interpretive, interpersonal and presentational modes.