World Languages

The Spanish 1 course has been designed to reflect the philosophy and goals found in the Standards for Foreign Language Learning in the 21st Century (ACTFL). In Spanish 1, students begin their language journey towards proficiency by developing basic listening, speaking, reading and writing abilities. As part of the course, students will be provided with developmentally-appropriate opportunities to communicate within and beyond the classroom setting. A wide variety of technology resources and engaging, authentic activities will be utilized throughout the course to facilitate and foster interpretive, interpersonal and presentational communication skills.

Prerequisite : None 

The Spanish 2 course has been designed to reflect the philosophy and goals found in the Standards for Foreign Language Learning in the 21st Century (ACTFL). Students continue their study of Spanish by further expanding their knowledge with features and strategies tailored specifically to build students’ language and cultural competencies. Students not only begin to comprehend listening and reading passages more fully, but they also start to express themselves more meaningfully in all three modes of communication. Students will be actively engaged in their own language learning, understand common vocabulary terms and phrases, use a wide range of grammar patterns in their speaking and writing, participate in conversations and respond appropriately to conversational prompts. They will build connections with other disciplines while using Spanish to develop critical thinking and to solve problems creatively. They will access and evaluate information and diverse perspectives that are available through Spanish and its cultures.

Prerequisite : Spanish 1 

The Spanish 3 Honors course has been designed to reflect the philosophy and goals found in the Standards for Foreign Language Learning in the 21st Century (ACTFL). This course expands the student's knowledge of the Spanish language through communication, cultures, connections, comparisons and communities. The goal of Spanish 3 Honors is to provide students with an opportunity to acquire a more advanced level of communication in the Spanish language and to better understand Spanish-speaking cultures. Through the use of authentic resources and engaging activities, students will amplify their ability to communicate in more complex structures and utterances and to express themselves in all three modes of communication. Materials covered in Spanish 3 Honors present an educationally-sound and developmentally-appropriate early connection to future AP Themes, interdisciplinary topics and current, global issues: Nature, Environment, Recycling, Conservation and Renewable Energies -City Life, Money, Banking, Daily Chores -Wellness, Exercise Health and Nutrition -Professions and Occupations, the Workplace, Job Interviews and Benefits. Prerequisite : Spanish 2 and departmental approval

The Spanish 4 Honors course has been designed to reflect the philosophy and goals found in the Standards for Foreign Language Learning in the 21st Century (ACTFL ). This is an accelerated Spanish course designed to strengthen further the language skills acquired through the intermediate levels of Spanish. All four language skills (speaking, writing, reading and listening) are rigorously trained through a full range of engaging and interactive activities. Basic grammar is reviewed to a degree, but there is a special emphasis on the more complex structures of the language. The development of topic vocabulary continues, but the course also ushers students into a more expansive acquisition of idiomatic expressions. Moreover, the course has a clearly defined cultural component, with an eye toward the AP Spanish Language and Culture course. Students study a good selection of cultural readings and do written and oral cultural comparisons in which they juxtapose particular cultural products, perspectives and practices of the Spanish-speaking world with those of the U.S. The course is conducted entirely in Spanish, and students are required to communicate in the target language exclusively. Spanish 4 Honors serves as a pre-AP course for qualified students from the Spanish 3 Honors class needing an additional year of linguistic fortification.

Prerequisite : Spanish 3 Honors and departmental approval 

French 1 is an introductory level course designed to enable students to begin to acquire proficiency in French through a linguistic, communicative and cultural approach to language learning. Basic listening, speaking, reading and writing skills are developed. Oral communication is the focus and students express themselves and engage in simple conversations in French within the limits of their knowledge of vocabulary and structure. Dialogues, skits, songs, games, films and projects are used to help students build their communication skills and learn about the distinct cultures of the Francophone world. Educational technology is also used to provide authentic cultural material and travel beyond the classroom. Cross-cultural understanding is fostered and real-life applications are emphasized throughout the course. For example, students will watch videos of native French speakers before creating their own conversational dialogues within a similar context. The goal is for students to be able to compare their own culture with the cultures they are studying. No prior knowledge of French is required. Prerequisite : None

In French 2, students continue their advancement of proficiency in French through a linguistic, communicative and cultural approach to language learning. Intermediate listening, speaking, reading and writing skills are developed in both present and past tenses. Oral communication, reading comprehension and development of writing skills are the main focus of the second year of learning. In order to facilitate a greater level of acquisition, the majority of instruction is delivered in the target language. Students express themselves and engage in more detailed conversations in French by applying new concepts and vocabulary to skills learned in French I. Dialogues, skits, songs, games, films and projects are used to help students build their communication skills and learn about the distinct cultures in the Francophone world. Cross-curricular research projects are also used to provide authentic cultural material and travel beyond the classroom. Cross-cultural understanding is fostered and real-life applications are emphasized throughout the course. For example, students read authentic texts and watch clips from francophone countries before creating their own verbal and written responses. Short stories, poetry, and music are also used to reinforce daily usage of the language and a deeper cultural understanding of francophone communities and their products and perspectives.

Prerequisite : French 1 or equivalent