FOREIGN LANGUAGE

French and Spanish classes have developed a course sequence to better prepare foreign language students for the Advanced Placement language tests and college entrance.   Students can earn from one to five or six credits depending on the language chosen.  Since the advent of block scheduling, students have the opportunity to be better prepared for A. P. tests and college entrance, as well as, to take more than one foreign language during high school.

FRENCH I

Credit:  l  

Grade:  9, 10, 11, 12                                                                             Course Length:  Term  

 Guidelines:  Grade of ‘C’ or better in current English class.Note:  It is recommended that French I and French II be scheduled in consecutive terms.

 This course is a study of the basic principles of the language through grammar with emphasis on oral practice through the use of tapes, records, CDs and computer software.  The vocabulary consists of everyday vocabulary such as greetings, days, months, holidays, weather, time, clothes and colors.  The student will also participate in field trips to French plays, films, art exhibits and restaurants.  Other aims of this course are good pronunciation and a thorough knowledge of grammar and verbs.  Reading, writing and conversational skills are further developed.  Cultural studies include French cuisine, customs of historical significance, outstanding people, historical events, French speaking countries, the regions of France, daily lives of the French (meals, etiquette, work, sports, vacations), and a detailed study of French teenagers and famous people.  Students will see filmstrips and videos in class to reinforce the cultural studies.  Students will learn about French food through the preparation of French dishes.

 FRENCH II

Credit:  l  

Grade:  9, 10, 11, 12                                                                              Course Length:  Term  

Guidelines:  Grade of ‘C’ or better in French I and/or French teacher recommendation.  

 Note:  It is recommended that French I and French II be scheduled in consecutive terms.

 Students continue to expand their knowledge of the French language and its people.  The four skills continue to be developed.  Emphasis is placed on vocabulary study and expansion of verb tenses.

 FRENCH III

 Credit:  l  

Grade:  10, 11, 12                                                                                    Course Length:  Term  

 Guidelines:  A grade of ‘B’ or better in French II and/or French teacher recommendation.

 This course emphasizes development in conversation, listening, reading, and writing skills.  More advanced grammar is studied.  Cultural studies include French speaking countries, social divisions, government, and outstanding people.  Several literary works and readings are introduced.

FRENCH IV

Credit:  l  

Grade:  10, 11, 12                                                                                                          Course Length:  Term

Guidelines:  A grade of ‘B’ or better in French III and/or French teacher recommendation.

French IV is a continuation of the study of French emphasizing listening, speaking, writing, reading, and preparation for the A. P. examination.

FRENCH V (A. P. OPTION)

Credit:  l  

Grade:  11, 12                                                                                                                                Course Length:  Term

Guidelines:  A grade of ‘B’ or better in French IV and/or French teacher recommendation.

 This course presents an intensive study of selected writers, a broad survey of masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the present, continued study of French history and culture, current affairs, advanced conversation, and writing and advanced listening comprehension.


*Internet access is vital to the course.

 SPANISH I

Credit:  l

Grade:  9, 10, 11, 12                                                                              Course Length:  Term

 Guidelines:  Grade of ‘C’ or better in current English class.

 Note:  It is recommended that Spanish I and Spanish II be scheduled in consecutive terms.

The basic premise of this course is that language is a primary system of communication because people are social beings.  No individual, county, state or nation can be a completely independent entity in our highly interdependent world.  Knowledge of the native language alone may not suffice in our increasingly multicultural society.  The study of Spanish helps students improve their native vocabulary and related verbal skills.  It makes them more aware of structural features of their own language.  This course will bridge the gap from practice to meaningful, creative utilization of a new language.  Listening and speaking are the foundation skills with less emphasis on reading and writing.  Also emphasized are the culture, customs, and traditions of the Spanish-speaking people.

SPANISH II

Credit:  l

Grade:  9, 10, 11, 12                                                                              Course Length:  Term

 Guidelines:  Grade of ‘C’ or better in Spanish I and/or Spanish teacher recommendation. 

Note:  It is recommended that Spanish I and Spanish II be scheduled in consecutive terms. 

This course continues the study of the Spanish language and its people as begun in Spanish I.  Students continue to develop the four basic skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing.  However, more emphasis is placed on reading and writing.  Student-centered activities are utilized to develop conversational skills and cultural awareness.  Many opportunities for authentic use of the language are provided such as correspondence with native speakers, visiting people who speak Spanish, and celebrations of holidays and other ethnic traditions. 

SPANISH III

Credit:  l

Grade:  10, 11, 12                                                                                    Course Length:  Term

 

Guidelines:  Grade of  ‘B’ or better in Spanish II; Spanish teacher recommendation.

 Students continue to expand their knowledge of the Spanish language and its people.  The four basic skills continue to be developed.  Emphasis is placed on vocabulary study and expansion and verb tenses.

 SPANISH IV

Credit:  l

Grade:  10, 11, 12                                                                                    Course Length:  Term

 Guidelines:  A grade of ‘B’ or better in Spanish II; Spanish teacher recommendation.

 Continued study of vocabulary, additional verb tenses, idiomatic expressions, and culture are presented.  Students enhance their proficiency levels in speaking, listening, reading and writing. 

SPANISH V

Credit:  l

Grade:  11, 12                                                                                           Course Length:  Term

 Guidelines:  Grade of ‘B’ or better in Spanish IV; Spanish teacher recommendation.

 This course is recommended for those students who desire to become proficient in Spanish.  More intensive work is done with the four basic skills.  Vocabulary and grammatical structures become more complicated.  At this level, students read the literature of the Spanish-speaking people in the target language.

A. P. SPANISH

Credit:  l

Grade:  11, 12                                                                                           Course Length:  Term

 

Guidelines:  Grade of ‘B’ or better in Spanish IV; Spanish teacher recommendation.

This course is the culmination of the high school Spanish program.  Students who enroll in A. P. Spanish already have a very good knowledge of Spanish.  Therefore, this course provides intensive practice and opportunity for the student who wants to achieve greater proficiency.  The student investigates the language and its people by means of native literature, newspapers, magazines, and television programs.  Because of the intensive nature of this course it is not recommended as an independent study.