World Languages

The World Languages Department promotes linguistic proficiency and cultural literacy in foreign languages while developing lifelong appreciation for languages and the cultures they represent. The Department offers five levels of Spanish including IB Spanish, four levels of French and four levels of Chinese and challenges students to gain both oral and written proficiency.

Spanish

Spanish 1

Spanish 1

Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12

Credit: 1.0

Prerequisite: None

Course Description: This beginning course is appropriate for students who have no previous knowledge of the Spanish language and its associated cultures. The principal aim is to provide the student with a panoramic survey of the language through speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Special emphasis will be placed on oral communication and will be reinforced through the development of vocabulary, combined with the fundamentals of grammar, pronunciation, reading, and writing. By developing basic speaking and comprehension skills, students will develop a foundation in the Spanish language. Additionally, the study of the geography and culture of the countries where the language is spoken will be an integral part of the course. Strategies will be taught in order for students to become effective language learners.

Spanish 2

Spanish 2

Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12

Credit: 1.0

Prerequisite: Completion of Spanish 1 with a minimum grade of C- or teacher recommendation based on placement test and transcript review.

Course Description: This course is a continuation of Spanish 1 and is appropriate for students who have acquired a basic foundation in the language. The principal aim is to further develop the student’s confidence in oral expression while paying close attention to the use of grammatical structures, style, pronunciation, and cultural cues. The student will engage in a variety of speaking, listening, reading, and writing activities that will serve to develop the ability to authentically and effectively communicate about school activities, city life, daily routines, and other real-life topics.

Spanish 3 (Honors)

Spanish 3 (Honors)

Grade: 10, 11, 12

Credit: 1.0

Prerequisite: Completion of Spanish 1 & 2 with a grade of B or better and recommendation of Spanish 2 instructor.

Course Description: This accelerated, honors-level course is appropriate for students who have acquired a solid foundation in Spanish, and who have a long-term goal of becoming proficient or fluent in the language. Students will develop deeper ability and confidence in oral and written expression, as well as literacy skills through the reading of selections from Spanish literature. Students will continue to learn about the Spanish-speaking countries and cultures of the world.

Spanish 4 (Honors)

Spanish 4 (Honors)

Grade: 11, 12

Credit: 1.0

Prerequisite: Completion of Spanish 3 with a grade of B or better and recommendation of Spanish 3(H) instructor

Course Description: This advanced course is a continuation of Spanish 3(H) and is appropriate for students who have acquired a strong foundation in the language. Skills in oral and written expression are further developed, leading to mastery of advanced grammatical concepts and structures. Selections from Spanish literature provide the basis for strengthening literacy skills, and films offer insight into Spanish culture. Students explore the history, art, political development, and cultural traditions of Spain, South America, and Central America. The ability to communicate about varied and sophisticated topics in an authentic manner is deeply enhanced, and the foundations for fluency are established.

AP Spanish 5

Spanish 5 (Advanced Placement)

Grade: 11,12

Credit: 1.0

Prerequisite: Completion of Spanish 4(H) with a grade of B or better and recommendation of Spanish 4(H) teacher.

Course Description: Spanish 5(AP) provides advanced-level students an opportunity to study Spanish at the college level. All students, upon successful completion of the course, will be fully prepared to take the College Board Advanced Placement Test for Spanish. By passing the AP test, students can earn college credit and advanced placement at many colleges and universities in the United States and Canada.

IB Spanish

IB Spanish (Year 1)

Grade: 11

Credit: 1.0

Prerequisite: Recommendation and Acceptance into the IB Diploma Programme or the Individual Course Candidate Programme.

Course Description: *Two year course*
IB Spanish is a language acquisition course designed for students with some previous experience of the target language. Students further develop their ability to communicate through the study of language, themes and texts. There are five prescribed themes: identities, experiences, human ingenuity, social organization and sharing the planet. Students learn to communicate in the target language in familiar and unfamiliar contexts. The language course targets the level of competency the student is expected to develop in receptive, productive and interactive skills.

IB Spanish (Year 2)

Grade: 12
Credit: 1.0

Course Description: *Two year course* See description from Year 1 for details.

French

French 1

French 1

Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12

Credit: 1.0

Prerequisite: None

Course Description: This beginning course is appropriate for students who have no previous knowledge of the French language and its associated cultures. The principal aim is to provide the student with a panoramic survey of the language through speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Special emphasis will be placed on oral communication and will be reinforced through the development of vocabulary, combined with the fundamentals of grammar, pronunciation, reading, and writing. By developing these skills, students will develop a foundation in the French language. Additionally, the study of the geography and culture of the countries where French is spoken will be an integral part of the course. Strategies will be taught in order for students to become effective language learners.

French 2

French 2

Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12

Credit: 1.0

Prerequisite: Completion of French 1 with a minimum grade of C- or teacher recommendation based on placement test and transcript review.

Course Description: This course is a continuation of French 1 and is appropriate for students who have acquired a basic foundation in the language. The principal aim is to further develop the student’s confidence in oral expression while paying close attention to the use of grammatical structures, style, pronunciation, and cultural cues. The student will engage in a variety of speaking, listening, reading, and writing activities that will serve to develop the ability to authentically and effectively communicate about school activities, city life, daily routines, and other real-life topics.

French 3 (Honors)

French 3 (Honors)

Grade: 10, 11, 12

Credit: 1.0

Prerequisite: Successful completion of French 1 and 2 with a grade of B or better and recommendation of French 2 instructor.

Course Description: This accelerated, honors-level course is appropriate for students who have acquired a solid foundation in French, and who have a long-term goal of becoming proficient or fluent in the language. Students will develop deeper ability and confidence in oral and written expression, as well as literacy skills through the reading of selections from French literature. Students will continue to learn about the French-speaking countries and cultures of the world.

French 4 (Honors)

French 4 (Honors)

Grade: 11, 12

Credit: 1.0

Prerequisite: Successful completion of French 3 with a grade of A or B

Course Description: This advanced course is a continuation of French 3(H) and is appropriate for students who have acquired a strong foundation in the language. Skills in oral and written expression are further developed, leading to mastery of advanced grammatical concepts and structures. Selections from French literature provide the basis for strengthening literacy skills, and films offer insight into French culture. Students explore the history, art, political development, and cultural traditions of the French-speaking world. The ability to communicate about varied and sophisticated topics in an authentic manner is deeply enhanced, and the foundations for fluency are established.

IB French

IB French (Year 1)

Grade: 11

Credit: 1.0

Prerequisite: Recommendation and Acceptance into the IB Diploma Programme or the Individual Course Candidate Programme.

IB French (Year 2)

Grade: 12
Credit: 1.0

Course Description: *Two year course* See description from Year 1 for details.

Chinese

Chinese 1

Chinese 1

Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12

Credit: 1.0

Prerequisite: None

Course Description: This beginning course is appropriate for students who have no previous knowledge of the Mandarin Chinese language and its associated cultures. The principal aim is to provide the student with a panoramic survey of the language through speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Special emphasis will be placed on oral communication and will be reinforced through the development of vocabulary, combined with the fundamentals of grammar, pronunciation, reading, and writing. By developing basic speaking and comprehension skills, students will develop a foundation in Mandarin Chinese. Additionally, the study of the geography and culture of the countries where the language is spoken will be an integral part of the course. Strategies will be taught in order for students to become effective language learners.

Chinese 2

Chinese 2

Grades: 10, 11, 12

Credit: 1.0

Prerequisite: Completion of Chinese 1 with a minimum grade of C- or teacher recommendation based on placement test and transcript review.

Course Description: This course is a continuation of Chinese 1 and is appropriate for students who have acquired a basic foundation in the language. The principal aim is to further develop the student’s confidence in oral expression while paying close attention to the use of grammatical structures, style, pronunciation, and cultural cues. The student will engage in a variety of speaking, listening, reading, and writing activities that will serve to develop the ability to authentically and effectively communicate about school activities, city life, daily routines, and other real-life topics.

Chinese 3 (Honors)

Chinese 3 (Honors)

Grades: 10, 11, 12

Credits: 1.0

Prerequisite: Completion of Chinese 1 & 2 with a grade of B or better and recommendation of Chinese 2 instructor.

Course Description: This accelerated, honors-level course is appropriate for students who have acquired a solid foundation in Mandarin Chinese, and who have a long-term goal of becoming proficient or fluent in the language. Students will develop deeper ability and confidence in oral and written expression, as well as literacy skills through the reading of selections from Chinese literature. Students will continue to learn about the Mandarin Chinese -speaking countries and cultures of the world.

Chinese 4 (Honors)

Chinese 4 (Honors)

Grade: 11, 12

Credit: 1.0

Prerequisite: Completion of Chinese 3 with a grade of B or better and recommendation of Chinese 3(H) instructor

Course Description: This advanced course is a continuation of Chinese 3(H) and is appropriate for students who have acquired a strong foundation in the language. Skills in oral and written expression are further developed, leading to mastery of advanced grammatical concepts and structures. Selections from Chinese literature provide the basis for strengthening literacy skills, and films offer insight into Chinese culture. Students explore the history, art, political development, and cultural traditions of China. The ability to communicate about varied and sophisticated topics in an authentic manner is deeply enhanced, and the foundations for fluency are established.