FOREIGN LANGUAGE
The Foreign Language Department focuses instruction so that students will:
- Communicate at a level-appropriate ability in the areas of reading, writing, speaking, and understanding spoken language. (Communication)
- Gain knowledge and understanding of other cultures to the extent that general patterns of behavior and ways of life are recognized and new insight into how language and culture shape world views. (Culture and Comparisons)
- Connect with other disciplines as they develop the ability to acquire information and recognize distinctive viewpoints only available through foreign language and culture. To gain knowledge of and acceptance of diversity within our community and the world. (Connections)
- Use level appropriate language within and beyond school setting while using language for personal enjoyment and enrichment, all while enhancing career options. (Communities)
FRENCH
1400 French I (Grades 9-11; 2 semesters; 1 credit)
French I teaches the basic skills of speaking, understanding, reading, and writing the French language. The course is also designed to acquaint the student with the customs and daily life of French-speaking people as well as lead them to an understanding of the French-speaking world.
Prerequisite: None
1401 French II (Grades 10-12; 2 semesters; 1 credit)
French II is designed to further develop the student’s skills in speaking, understanding, reading, and writing the French language. More emphasis is given to grammar and vocabulary expansion. Students are exposed to more of the culture of the people who speak the language and to their history.
Prerequisite: Minimum of "C" in French I
Incentives for Advancing to Levels III and IV in Foreign Language
- Many universities waive a foreign language requirement when four years of the same language are successfully completed in high school.
- Students are better prepared for the Klepp Examination upon entrance into college. When a student scores highly enough, he may earn a number of credit hours of A on his college transcript, allowing him to be advanced in the Freshman year before actually attending class. For example, should he earn eighteen credit hours of A, he may possibly have enough hours to qualify for a minor in the target language, which saves time and money. (It should be pointed out that currently a small number of colleges charge a nominal fee to award “free” credit hours of A.)
- With regard to most universities requiring a possible twelve hours in foreign language for some degrees or major areas of study, another advantage for continuing with III and IV is that dual credit for these hours may be applied toward both high school and college.
- Dual credit may also transfer to another area such as humanities, eliminating the need to enroll in further courses such as philosophy, drama, et. al. Students are eligible to earn up to twenty-four college credit hours prior to entrance.
- Foreign travel enhances the language educational experience. The more training the student receives in the target language before a trip, the more confident he should be in attempting to speak to natives. A variety of chaperoned trips is offered to interested students.
1402 French III (Grades 10-12; 2 semesters; 1 credit)
French III is designed to expand the student’s knowledge and use of the language in the four skill areas of speaking, understanding, reading, and writing. Grammar becomes more complex.
Prerequisite: Minimum of "C" in French II Grade 12; 2 semesters; 1 credit)
French IV continues to develop the grammatical knowledge of the student and the application of that knowledge in the four skill areas. Special emphasis is given to reading and composition. Students begin to do daily writings in journals. Prerequisite: Successful completion of French III
1404 French V (Grade 12; 2 semesters; 1 credit) Special emphasis on literature, grammar and teaching the lower levels of French. This course is independent study.
SPANISH
1405 Spanish I (Grades 9-11; 2 semesters; 1 credit) Both Spanish I and II are designed to prepare students for college work. The Vistas textbook is a college freshman review text and is used in both levels. Vocabulary and structure are emphasized to build a foundation for later. The focus of the course is on the reading, writing, speaking and interpreting of Spanish. All skills are enhanced throughout the year, as well as a study of the culture of various Hispanic countries. Spanish I covers Lecciones 1-7 in the Vistas textbook.
No prerequisite for Spanish I
1406 Spanish II (Grades 9-11; 2 semesters; 1 credit) Both Spanish I and II are designed to prepare students for college work. The Vistas textbook is a college freshman review text and is used in both levels. Vocabulary and structure are emphasized to build a foundation for later. Focus is on reading, writing, speaking and interpreting which are enhanced throughout the year, as well as the culture of various Hispanic countries. Spanish II covers Lecciones 8-12 in the Vistas textbook.
Prerequisite for Spanish II: Minimum "C" average in Spanish I
1407 Spanish III (Grades 11-12; 2 semesters; 1 credit)
Spanish III is designed to continue to develop the four skills of communication in language; that is listening, reading, writing, and most importantly, speaking. The goal of this course is to communicate using Spanish in several tenses; the subjunctive will be studied throughout the year. Cultural knowledge such as holidays, dances, foods, music, and politics as well as current issues will be expanded.
Prerequisite for Spanish II: Minimum "C" average in Spanish II
1408 Spanish IV (AP Spanish) (Grades 11-12; 2 semesters; 1 credit)
Spanish IV (AP Spanish) expands upon the listening, speaking, reading and writing skills learned in levels I, II, and III. The content of the course explores advanced grammar structures and usages and well as Latin American literature, history, current issues, art, culture and colloquial language (slang) in a Spanish language format. This is done through a variety of methods and the course follows the AP Guidelines as determined by the AP College Board. The intent of the course is to advance the student in every aspect of the target language in order to better prepare that student for more advanced college courses.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Spanish III
1409 Spanish V (AP Spanish Literature) (Grade 12; 2 semesters; 1 credit)
Spanish V (AP Spanish Literature) is a class designed to offer the advanced Spanish student the opportunity to continue their Spanish studies leading to a more advanced placement in college level courses. The primary focus on the course is the completion of the AP College Board’s Spanish Literature reading list. In order to better understand the literature a variety of other topics will be explored from the history of the country and literature analysis techniques to the author’s lives. Students will continue their analysis of the structure of language and be asked to express themselves more in verbal and written contexts. AP Spanish Literature is a college level course.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of AP Spanish 4 and Instructor's approval
Criteria for Independent Students of French and Spanish:
- Student must be in the third year of the first language studied.
- Student must have approval from both French and Spanish instructors.
- Student must be aware of the fact that he/she will work completely independently and understand what independent study is.
- Student will be required to sign a contract stating conditions of study.
- Criteria for Fifth Year Students of French and Spanish: Student must have cumulative 3.0 GPA average in third and fourth year levels of the foreign language.Student must have approval of the language instructor.
- Student must be aware of the fact that he/she will work completely independently and understand what independent study is. Student will be required to establish a program of study with the instructor.
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