WORLD LANGUAGES

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

134  |   SPANISH I HONORS      1.0 credit

This course is similar to Spanish 135 in that the content will be similar, however, the depth at which the content is presented and assessed comes at a deeper level. One of the main goals of the course is to prepare the student for the AP Spanish Language course. The student will be expected to work confidently within all three modes of communication – interpersonal, presentational and interpretive. The course is conducted mainly in Spanish, while reinforcing concepts and ideas in English.

» A fee is charged for the National Spanish Assessment.


135  |   SPANISH I     1.0 credit

In the first level of Spanish, the student will learn how to meet and greet other people, describe people, say where they are going and what they will do when they get there. They will be able to discuss a range of topics such as their favorite pastimes, their family and friends, celebrations and vacation plans. They will be able to participate in conversations, present information, and understand essential written and audio texts. It will also be important to learn Spanish in terms of the cultures where it is spoken so as to learn the practices, products and perspectives of the Spanish-speaking world as the student learns the language.

» A fee is charged for the National Spanish Assessment.


138  |   LATIN I      1.0 credit

Latin I offers a similar course experience to Latin I Honors but is geared for a student who may not place into the honors level. The student will develop Latin reading, speaking and translation skills learned at a pace that offers more chances for remediation and practice than the honors class. Elements of Roman culture, history and classical mythology are included. In this course, the student will enhance his language skills and broaden his knowledge of English vocabulary which is in large part derived from Latin. This usually aids the student in preparation for the SAT and ACT exams. Students are required to take the National Latin Examination. Students may also be involved in the Latin Honors Society, which is a chapter of the National Junior Classical League, for an additional fee of $3 for the year.

» A fee is charged for the National Latin Exam.


139  |   LATIN I HONORS     1.0 credit

This is an introductory Latin course in which the student will develop Latin reading skills and translation skills. Elements of Roman culture and history, as well as classical mythology are included. In this course, the student will enhance his language skills and broaden his knowledge of English vocabulary, which is in large part derived from Latin. This course is also available to qualified juniors as an elective course as part of their preparation for the SAT and ACT exams. Students are required to take the National Latin Examination.  

» A fee is charged for the National Latin Exam.


234  |   SPANISH II HONORS     1.0 credit

Prerequisites: 80% in Spanish I Honors (or 90% in Spanish I).

This course takes the next big step after Spanish 134. The student maintains the ability and desire to work confidently within the language and these traits are evident. While he is still working through similar content of 235, the application of skills is more pronounced and complex. There is more content within the course that mirrors the content of the AP exam including reading and listening interpretation, writing and speaking from various prompts, and recall of products, practices and perspectives of the Hispanic world. The course is conducted largely in Spanish.

» A fee is charged for the National Spanish Assessment.


235  |   SPANISH II     1.0 credit

Prerequisites: Successful completion of Spanish I.

The course continues from Spanish 135 continuing to add vocabulary, grammar concepts and deeper dives into the products, practices and perspectives of places where Spanish is spoken. The student will leave the course with a broader understanding of complex word organization, a deeper understanding of Hispanic culture and geography, and the necessary vocabulary to function and communicate within the target language.

» A fee is charged for the National Spanish Assessment.


238  |   Latin II      1.0 credit

Prerequisites: Successful completion of Latin I.

Latin II will offer a student who may not be in the honors track of courses to enjoy a similar richness and depth as the Honors Latin II student, yet at a slower pace, with more opportunity for remediation, and more chances to connect Latin to English grammar, syntax and vocabulary. The course should help raise test scores for a student who tends to score lower on standardized tests by improving literacy skills in reading comprehension and vocabulary acquisition. Course topics include, but are not limited to, Roman history, mythology, culture, geography and literature. Students will learn to read, speak and write on a novice mid level, using a communicative approach that reinforces vocabulary and language acquisition through comprehensible input. The course is open to Latin I students or Latin I Honors students who don’t meet prerequisites for Latin II Honors. This second course meets the two year language requirement.

» A fee is charged for the National Latin Exam.


239  |   LATIN II HONORS     1.0 credit

Prerequisites: 80% in Latin I Honors or 75% on placement exam and teacher recommendation.

This course is intended for students taking Latin to meet the language requirement for graduation. Similar in scope and goals to Latin I, this course allows the student to continue the program begun in Latin I. The student is expected to do the reading of more difficult selections in Latin. The study of advanced grammatical structures as well as some Latin composition work is included. The goals of this course include the development of the student’s intellect through organized study, logical thought and the critical evaluation of written Latin.  Students are required to take the National Latin Examination.

» A fee is charged for the National Latin Exam.


334  |   SPANISH III HONORS      1.0 credit

Prerequisites: 80% in Spanish II Honors (or 90% in Spanish II).

This Pre-AP course is a warm up for the AP course coming next year. The student will be expected to work confidently within all three modes of communication – interpersonal, presentational and interpretive. Students will be exposed to additional readings, cultural themes, grammar and advanced supplemental activities. Authentic print, visual and audio materials are integrated. Course is taught primarily in Spanish.

» A fee is charged for the National Spanish Assessment.


335  |   SPANISH III      1.0 credit

Prerequisites: 70% in Spanish II or successful completion of Spanish II Honors.

A third year course designed to help students begin applying their previous knowledge of the language to certain tasks, situations and prompts. There is the expectation that these moments are more extemporaneous. The course aims to build confidence in the language and seeks to use the language in everyday settings. By means of authentic text as well as audio and video, students will be able to recognize, participate and understand more of the Spanish-speaking world.

» A fee is charged for the National Spanish Assessment.


434  |   SPANISH IV HONORS      1.0 credit

Prerequisites: 80% in Spanish III Honors (or 90% in Spanish III)

This course, conducted in Spanish, further develops the skills gained during the first three years of Spanish. This course is designed to increase the student’s proficiency in all four skill areas while also expanding their understanding of the Spanish speaking world. Students will participate in classroom discussion, oral presentations, role-play, and written activities. Students will read and analyze a variety of texts including fiction, short story, poetry, journalism as well as Spanish language music and film. As in previous Spanish courses, all four skills of reading, writing, speaking, and listening, are tested


339 LATIN III HONORS     1.0 credit

Prerequisites: 80% in Latin II Honors or 90% in Latin II and teacher recommendation.


439 LATIN IV HONORS     1.0 credit

Prerequisites: 80% in Latin III Honors.

The student learns Latin prose and Latin poetry in alternating years. In the Latin prose year, works of Cicero, Caesar and other selected Roman writers are studied. Some excerpts from the New Testament are read in Latin as well. In the Latin poetry year, selected works of Virgil, Martial, Horace, Ovid and Catullus are read. In this two-year sequence, the study of advanced grammar, advanced vocabulary, and English words derived from Latin continues. The course is intended to prepare the student for literary studies on the university level and to challenge and develop the student’s critical and logical skills.  Students are encouraged to take the National Latin Examination.

» A fee is charged for the National Latin Exam.


435  |   AP SPANISH     1.0 credit

Prerequisites: 80% in Spanish III Honors.

AP Spanish Language and Culture is equivalent to an intermediate level college course in Spanish. Students cultivate their understanding of Spanish language and culture by applying interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational modes of communication in real-life situations as they explore concepts related to family and communities, personal and public identities, beauty and aesthetics, science and technology, contemporary life, and global challenges. The student is required to take the AP Exam. The course is conducted in Spanish.

   A fee is charged for the AP exam.


438  |   Classical Greek Honors     1.0 credit

Prerequisites: 80% in two years of an Honors Language course (or 90% in College Prep Language course).

A one year elective primarily for high achieving seniors who wish to investigate the classical era in all its facets. Possible topics for the course include: Greek mythology, history, culture, philosophy, politics, rhetoric and also translation of certain Bible passages from the original Greek. Classical Greek is generally easier to learn for a student who has had Latin in the past, given a comparable morphology and grammar. Though the class is primarily for seniors the instructor may admit a junior who has demonstrated high academic achievement and has good grades in previous foreign language classes.


709  |   GERMAN I     1.0 credit      

This course is an introduction to the structure of the German language using the four basic language skills:  listening, speaking, reading, and writing for the early mastery of grammar techniques and conversational patterns.  


710  |   GERMAN II     1.0 credit     

Prerequisite: 70% in German I.

This course is a continuation of the four basic skills acquired in German I.  This course includes a selection of cultural readings and selections in German which contribute to the student’s comprehensive understanding of the German-speaking countries.  Students are required to take the National German Exam.


715  |   GERMAN III      1.0 credit     

Prerequisite: 70% in German II.

This course presents advanced components of grammatical structure and is devoted to increasing the student’s oral and written command of the language.  The reading of literary and cultural texts is used to introduce the student to textual analysis and exposition.  Students are required to take the National German Exam.  This course is conducted solely in German.


720  |   GERMAN IV      1.0 credit     

Prerequisite: 80% in German III.

This is an advanced course with emphasis on contemporary German issues reflected in critical articles and modern literary selections.  It also includes the study of advanced aspects of grammar.  Students are required to take the National German Exam.  This course is conducted solely in German.


721  |   GERMAN V     1.0 credit     

Prerequisites: 80% in German IV AND teacher recommendation.

This course is designed for the advanced German student.  The course will provide in-depth and intensive instruction of the four basic skills: reading, writing, speaking and comprehension.  Audio recordings of native speakers, videos, internet projects and weekly writing and speaking assignments will enrich the study.  Advanced texts will be used to study literary topics.  This course will be conducted solely in German.  Students will also be required to take the National German Exam.

FLOWCHART

WORLD LANGUAGES DEPARTMENT DIRECTORY

Reed DeMarco, Chair – Ex. 2263

Nicole Battista – Ex. 2267

Katharine Christie – Ex. 2262

Colleen Grant – Ex. 2264