World Languages
The Foreign Language Department offers three languages to our students: French,
Spanish, and Latin. We are a department dedicated to teaching the four skills
of language: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. We are also dedicated
to teaching about the cultures that are represented by our languages in order
to broaden our students’ horizons and their understanding of the world in which
we live.
0410/ FRENCH I
Grades 9-12 Level III
Prerequisite: none 1 credit
French I is an introduction to French language and culture. This course
will give students the ability to discuss themselves, family, friends, school,
and daily life. They will also become acquainted with different aspects
of the culture of France and other French-speaking countries. The textbook,
Discovering French Bleu, is supplemented with a
workbook, video, audio tapes, and various cultural studies.
0415/ FRENCH II
Grades 9-12 Level III
Prerequisite: A final grade of 80 or 1 credit
better in French I and/or teacher recommendation
Students continue to develop their ability to speak, understand, read and write French. The class is conducted primarily in French, oral work is emphasized, and self-initiated conversation is encouraged. Students continue learning vocabulary and will be able to converse and write using present, past, and future tenses. The study of French culture is an integral part of each lesson. Text: Discovering French, Blanc; Valette.
0420/ FRENCH III
Grades 9 - 12 Level II
Prerequisite: A final grade of 80 or 1 credit
better in French II and/or teacher recommendation
Students continue to develop their ability to speak,
understand, read and write French. The course is taught in French. Each
unit of study includes grammar, verb, and vocabulary acquisition which
are applied in assignments. Students are introduced to literature. Cultural
studies including art, music, history, and the French speaking areas of
the world. Text: Discovering French, Rouge; Valette
0425/ FRENCH IV
Grades 10-12 Level II
Prerequisite: A final grade of 80 or 1 credit
better in French III and/or teacher recommendation
This course is conducted in French and students will make use of both literary and cultural texts as well as the Internet to strengthen their French speaking and writing abilities, and to deepen their understanding of French culture and civilization. Students will review previously studied grammar and will be required to write on contemporary issues. Students will also learn about French history, with a concentration on events leading to the French Revolution up to the 2nd Empire of Napoleon III. Students will also prepare for the National French Exam, given to students across the country in early spring. Successful students of French IV can look forward to continuing their studies in French V.
0428/ AP FRENCH
Grade 11- 12 Level I
Prerequisite: A final grade of 80 or 1 credit
better in French IV and/or teacher recommendation
This course is designed as the second part of French IV and as a preparatory
year for both the National French Exam as well as the AP test, both administered
at the school. Students will continue to study contemporary French culture
as well as Modern French Literature. Additionally, students
are expected to use CDs from France to perfect their speaking and listening
skills. Students will read from the French press, via the Internet, and
will be expected to work on grammar and vocabulary exercises in preparation
for the exams. They will also be required to work independently on two projects
concerning French culture, and to present these studies to the class. They
will take the French National Exam in March and the Advanced Placement exam
in May.
0435/ LATIN I
Grades 9-12 Level III
Prerequisite: None 1 credit
Roman daily life (homes, schools, gladiatorial games, baths, mythology and foods) is studied through readings, supplementary materials, projects, and games. The course introduces students to the ancient Romans through their language, which is the basis of the modern Romance languages. It emphasizes the close relationship of Latin to the understanding of English grammar and vocabulary. Reading and translating are stressed.
0440/ LATIN II
Grades 10-12 Level III
Prerequisite: A final grade of 80 or 1 credit
better in Latin I and/or teacher recommendation
Latin II students study the Romans in Britain and Egypt. There is continued emphasis on language, comprehension and vocabulary. Students read about ancient and modern Celts, do an archaeology project, and read the English novel, Swords in the North. The study of Greek history and its influences on Rome ends with the Greek alphabet and art and technology projects.
0445/ LATIN III
Grades 10-12 Level II
Prerequisite: A final grade of 80 or 1 credit
better in Latin II and/or teacher recommendation
Students move on to more challenging reading. In addition to language and vocabulary preparation for the SAT, there are 3 main areas of study: Roman history from the end of the Republic, the events leading up to the end of the Empire, and European history up to the Crusades. The reading of selections from Caesar’s Gallic War is supplemented with lectures, map-making, simulations and tapes. Students do independent research on the development of the Romance languages from Latin and church Latin from Classical Latin. As part of this unit, students create their own illuminated letters.
0450/ LATIN IV
Grade 12 Level II
Prerequisite: A final grade of 80 or 1 credit
better in Latin III and/or teacher recommendation
Latin IV students use their knowledge to develop an
appreciation for various Classical authors through readings in Latin
and supplemental materials in translation. Study includes Virgil’s Aeneid,
Tacitus’ Annals. By the end of the year, students will be comfortable
reading extended passages of real Latin poetry and prose, and will be
familiar with Roman political and literary culture of the early imperial
period and beyond. Based on student interest and enrollment, this course
may be taken in preparation for the Advanced Placement Virgil examination
and may count as a Level I course.
0455/ SPANISH I
Grades 9-12 Level III
Prerequisite: none 1
credit
This beginning course introduces students to the language
and culture of the Hispanic world. A vocabulary base is built to facilitate
basic conversations with the present tense of regular and irregular verbs
taught. While class time focuses on listening and speaking, homework develops
spelling, writing, and memorization. Grammatical concepts to understand
the structure of the language are regularly
presented. A basic text is used, as well as audio and visual materials.
Students will be active participants in this communication-based course.
0460/SPANISH II
Grades 9-12 Level III
Prerequisite: A final grade of 80 or 1 credit
better in Spanish 8/Spanish I, and/or teacher recommendation.
This course continues to develop the four language skills of speaking,
understanding, reading and writing in Spanish. Conversation in Spanish is
emphasized. The course is con-
ducted in Spanish and students are expected to use the language in class
to the best of their ability. Students continue to acquire practical vocabulary
through content specific units and will be able to use and understand different
tenses of verbs including present and several forms of past. The study of
the Spanish culture is also integrated throughout the curriculum. Students
will expand their reading comprehension using short stories and their speaking
through spontaneous conversations. Major class- room projects, group and
individual, are done in each unit.
0465/ SPANISH III
Grades 9 - 12
Level II , 1 credit
Prerequisite:
A final grade of 80 or better in Spanish II, and/or teacher recommendation
This course strives to reinforce and amplify the four language skills of listening comprehension, speaking proficiency, reading comprehension and writing. Students will work together in groups to learn about the history, literature and culture of the Spanish speaking world. Students are expected to speak Spanish in the classroom and the class is conducted primarily in Spanish. Students will be introduced to all nine indicative tenses of Spanish verbs with review of grammatical structures. A final project will be presented as a culmination of speaking, writing and comprehension skills gained during this course.
0470/ SPANISH IV
Grades 10-12 Level II
Prerequisite: A final grade of 80 or 1 credit
better in Spanish III, and/or teacher recommendation
In this course students will expand their command and
knowledge of Spanish and of Hispanic cultures. Through short stories,
articles, videos and classroom discussion, students will continue to
acquire and improve the four skills of reading, writing, listening
and speaking. Students will write several essay papers, read short literature
pieces and use Spanish almost exclusively in class. Students also use
the language in a variety of more advanced ways including analyzing
art work and debating social issues.
0475/ SPANISH V
Grade 12 Level II
Prerequisite: A final grade of 80 or 1 credit
better in Spanish IV, and/or teacher recommendation
In this course, students will strive to achieve as much
proficiency in Spanish as possible. Through short stories,
text books, articles, music, videos and television programs, students
will improve their skills in reading, writing, speaking and listening. Students
will be expected to write a number of papers, to do regular homework assignments,
and to speak Spanish in class. Students will read some of the following
selections: La mirada, Una grieta en la nieve helada, Los ojos azules, El
embrollon, El gran vacio, and El papel de Plata.
0432/ Accelerated Spanish I/II
0431 / Accelerated French III
Grades 9-12 Level III
Prerequisite: none 1 credit
Students with a background in foreign language study, as well as students interested in a challenging course may enroll in Accelerated Spanish I/II or Accelerated French I/II. The class will be conducted in two parts, with one half being teacher directed and the other half being independent study. These courses allow students to develop communication skills equivalent to two years of foreign language study in one year. The class time will focus on listening and speaking skills, while the independent time and homework develops spelling, writing and memorization. Students will acquire a practical vocabulary through content specific units and will be able to communicate using the past, present and future tenses, as well as prepare directed writing assignments. At the end of the course students will be prepared to dvance to level III in the language, having successfully met the expectations for two years of language study in one year.
0433 / AP Spanish Language
Grade 12 Level 1
Prerequisite: A final grade of 80 or 1 credit
better in Spanish IV, and/or teacher recommendation
This course is designed to prepare the advanced Spanish language student for the Advanced Placement test in Spanish Language. We will use a wide variety of approaches in the classroom: aural/oral practice, written practice, and reading practice. The students must strive to acquire the four skills: reading, writing, speaking and listening. At the end of this course the student will be expected to take and complete the Advanced Placement Exam in Spanish Language. Only students who are truly interested in expanding their skills in Spanish and in taking the Advanced Placement exam will be encouraged to sign up for this course.