Spanish I

Spanish I is a student-centered introductory course designed to teach the student conversational Spanish. The course promotes communication in the target language. The focus areas are communication, comprehension, reading, writing and understanding the basics of Hispanic culture. The course provides a variety of small and large group interactive activities such as: dialogues, games, internet searches and innovative cultural projects and presentations. Student input and prior knowledge is included in the teachings of Spanish I. Upon satisfactory completion of this course, the student will have acquired a novice high proficiency level. They will be able to handle successfully a variety of basic communicative tasks necessary for survival in a Spanish speaking context. Students will have gained a deeper knowledge and understanding of the cultures of the Spanish-speaking world.

Spanish II

Spanish II will be open to students who have successfully completed Spanish I. Students will use the Spanish language to engage in conversation, understand and interpret spoken and written language, present information, concepts and ideas while making connections with other disciplines, and compare the language/culture studied with their own. students expand their vocabulary related to their daily lives in predictable settings and also explore the target cultures related to themes at the Novice High level and steadily moving towards the Intermediate low level in the ACTFL proficiency guidelines. Students are comparing and contrasting cultures and becoming more aware of global challenges and perspectives using culturally authentic resources. Upon satisfactory completion of this course, the student will have developed the skills to distinguish between past and present, analyze and compare cultural practices, products, and perspectives, participate in expanded conversations and respond appropriately to a variety of conversational prompts, and communicate more meaningfully using correct vocabulary and grammatical structures. *For grade 9 students, enrollment may be dependent upon a placement exam.

Spanish III    (World Language Elective)    (Dual Credit)

Spanish III will be open to students who have successfully completed Spanish II. The course of study will continue to build on vocabulary, reading and writing. Students will progress through the Intermediate-Mid range in the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines. Spanish III will continue to familiarize the student with the culture, geography, customs, holidays, and economies of Spanish-speaking countries while engaging in activities designed to develop the student's proficiency in the interpretive, interpersonal and presentational modes. Students express themselves and participate in conversations on familiar topics using sentences and series of sentences in various tenses and make comparisons. They handle short social interactions in everyday situations by asking and answering a variety of questions as well as communicate about self, others and everyday life.

Spanish IV    (World Language Elective)    (Dual Credit)

Spanish IV is a continuation of study in the Spanish Language and culture using situational conversation, technology, literature, art, and music to develop the student's ability to communicate. The student will be able to converse with even more detail in a variety of tenses. Spanish IV continues to use thematic units based on real-life situations related to themes at the Intermediate Mid level and steadily moving towards the Intermediate High level in the ACTFL proficiency guidelines. Assessments vary from oral, written, and listening tests, quizzes, and projects.

French I

French I is a student-centered introductory course designed to teach conversational French. Students will both speak and comprehend the French language, the culture of France, as well as other French speaking countries. Direct hands-on creative projects that incorporate writing in French and exploring French culture will be performed. In addition, authentic French music and literature will be implemented as learning tools. The world of the French speaking countries will also be explored via the Internet through various projects. At the completion of this course the students will be able to engage in basic conversations, provide and obtain information, express feelings and emotions and question and exchange opinions in the target language.

French II

French II will be a continuation of French 1, where the instructional emphasis remains placed on actual communicative skills. Students will explore various topics of interest to them via the French language while receiving in depth instruction regarding speaking, listening/comprehending, writing, reading, and culture. At the completion of this course the students will be able to communicate in French using formal and informal vocabulary in multiple sentence strings. They will comprehend complex spoken French, while acquiring new knowledge and information from comprehensive and authentic texts and projects. *For grade 9 students, enrollment may be dependent upon a placement exam.

French III    (World Language Elective)

French III will be a continuation of French 1 and 2, where the students will continue to converse and query in the French language on a daily basis. Increased emphasis is now placed on the basic mastery of the target language through complex instructional delivery. Conversational and project activities are now accomplished on an advanced level with the intent to accelerate the students’ acquisition of knowledge of the language and culture. All students are brought up to the experience of French 3 by the end of the academic year. At the completion of this course, the students will be able to converse successfully in complex sentences and queries expressing their thoughts and opinions to others. They will be able to comprehend intelligent discourse between others in the language and as well as procuring a deep understanding of the culture of French speaking countries.

French IV    (World Language Elective)

French IV is a continuation of French 3, where the students continue to develop their acquisition of the language through speaking, listening/comprehending, writing, reading, and culture. Heightened emphasis is now placed on the students’ self expression. Possessing the fundamentals of basic language tools, the students now acquire the mechanisms that will allow them to express themselves in a realm of real world situations geared inherently to their contextual arena. All students are brought up to the experience of French 4 by end of the year. At the completion of this course the students will be able to communicate in French using formal and informal vocabulary in advanced, multiple sentence strings. They will be able to query on a variety of subject matter and respond to such questioning . They will comprehend complex spoken French, while continuing to acquire new knowledge and information from comprehensive and authentic texts and projects.

ASL I

ASL I is an introductory course in a total voice-off environment. The use of body language, posture, facial expressions, signing space, and fingerspelling will be strongly emphasized. In this course, students will learn concrete concepts in applicable role playing activities and continue to gain an in-depth understanding of Deaf Culture. This will be done through meet and greets with presenters (members of the Deaf community), and field trips (if applicable). Students will be introduced to common ASL practices, perspectives, and behavior patterns of the Deaf community.

ASL II

The ASL level 2 course is a continued study of ASL in a total voice-off environment. The use of body language, posture, facial expressions, signing space, and fingerspelling will be strongly emphasized. In this course, students will learn how to move from concrete concepts to more abstract concepts; as well as more complex grammatical structures of ASL. Students will participate in role playing activities and continue to gain an in-depth understanding of Deaf Culture. This will be done through meet and greets with presenters (members of the Deaf community), field trips (if applicable), and ASL chats at various locations. Students will also be able to demonstrate fluency in ASL, understand the common practices, perspectives, and behavior patterns of the Deaf community.