Course Descriptions
International Languages Department
Title: Spanish I
Grade: 9, 10
Credits: 2.0
This introductory Spanish language course presents the learner with activities that practice the four language skills: speaking, reading and writing, as well as culture. Students will build a strong foundation in the comprehension and productions of vocabulary, conjugation and other basic grammatical structures via a communicative style. Students will learn to communicate in the present tenses using regular and irregular verbs as well as idiomatic structures. Students will use the above skills to communicate about: meeting other people, likes and dislikes, description of people and things, classes and related classroom objects, schedules, making plans, places feelings, weather, sports, ordering food, purchasing gifts, and daily routine. This course is taught with a strong textbook program, En Espanol 1. This program includes a tutorial web-site, workbook, video/DVD component and CDs using native speakers from across the Hispanic world who visually and orally demonstrate the usage of the concepts being studied.
Title: Spanish II
Grade: 10, 11
Credits: 2.0
Second year Spanish is a continuation of the En Español program with an emphasis on acquiring vocabulary while studying the past tenses. Students will learn how to communicate about travel, leisure activities, food, art, childhood experiences, health, home and family. Again, there will be an emphasis on using the four language skills; listening, speaking, reading and writing, as well as culture to acquire Spanish. The second year curriculum demands that the student builds upon his knowledge of vocabulary and concepts learned in the first year. Students will use the En Español 2 textbook and workbook.
Title: Spanish III Honors
Grade: 11, 12
Credits: 2.0
In this course students will complete the En Espanol 2 program and will continue with the En Espanol 3 workbook. Students will be challenged to think critically within the language as they learn to analyze and express their thoughts using present, past, future, conditional, progressive, perfect, subjunctive and command verb forms. Students will communicate in all four skill areas (reading, writing, listening and speaking) regarding travel plans, the home, giving directions and suggestions, shopping, nature and geography, the environment, searching and applying for jobs, career choices, and interviewing. Students will learn to practice the art of persuasion in Spanish. .
Title: AP Spanish Language
Grade: 12
Credits: 2.0
AP Spanish is a college level course that follows a curriculum established by the College Board. Students in this course will review, refine, and master grammar concepts that have been previously introduced. They will demonstrate a high level of proficiency in the target language through speaking and writing. The course emphasizes more complex verb structures and sophisticated vocabulary while providing a more in-depth analysis of literature and culture of the Spanish-speaking world. The course will be taught explicitly in Spanish through spoken instruction, text activities, authentic texts, videos, radio broadcasts, and presentations completely in Spanish. Therefore, students will be expected to engage, speak, and read only in Spanish. It is imperative that students have a basic knowledge of the language and cultures of Spanish-speaking peoples. Students must be willing to work diligently and independently; willing to work outside of the classroom to gain extra practice as this course is the equivalent of a third-year college course. Finally, all students enrolled in this course will be strongly encouraged (but not required) to take the AP Spanish Language Exam in May.
Title: Latin I
Grade: 9, 10
Credits: 2.0
The primary goal of the Latin sequence is to develop a student’s ability to read Latin authors in the original language. The Latin I course introduces basic vocabulary and sentence structure. All five declensions are presented along with their basic case functions. All four conjugations are also given, including all six tenses in both the active and passive voices. Students are introduced to the indicative, imperative, infinitive and participial forms of verbs. Students practice concepts through translation and composition exercises. In addition to studying the language, students learn about ancient history (classical civilization and mythology) through Latin readings and other resources. Connections to English vocabulary and grammar as well as to modern culture are also emphasized throughout.
Title: Latin II
Grade: 10, 11
Credits: 2.0
Students in Latin II continue to practice and increase their knowledge of Latin vocabulary and grammar as well as ancient history (classical civilization and mythology). More sophisticated concepts are introduced such as: the subjunctive mood, conditional sentences, gerunds, and gerundives. In addition to translation and composition exercises, students will have opportunities to read authentic selections from Roman authors.
Title: Latin III Honors
Grade: 11, 12
Credits: 2.0
Latin III is designed to reinforce and expand the students’ understanding of the ancient Roman world. This will be accomplished as students apply their knowledge of the Latin language to reading both prose and poetry written by Roman authors. Throughout the year, the readings become more sophisticated in vocabulary, structure and depth of meaning. The cultural component of this series will be continued through discussions about the reading content. Students may read such authors as Caesar, Catullus, Cicero, Horace, Martial, Ovid, Vergil, etc.
Title: AP Latin Vergil
Grade: 12
Credits: 2.0
This course follows the syllabus outlined by the Advanced Placement Program for studying Vergil’s Aeneid. The primary objective of this course is for students to progress in reading, translating, understanding, analyzing, and interpreting Latin in its original form. Students enrolled in this course may elect to take the Latin – Vergil Advanced Placement exam in late spring.
Title: Japanese I
Grade: 9, 10
Credits: 2.0
This course is a comprehensive program embracing the four skills associated with language: reading, writing, listening and speaking. Students learn the hiragana and katakana syllabaries (the two phonetic writing systems), along with some basic kanji (Chinese character). The conversational focus is on everyday activities such as meals, school, sports and hobbies. Students are introduced to the geography of Japan and to some current Japanese popular culture. Students will be able to discuss all of these things in the target language. The course is supported with the Ima I text and recordings of native speakers to aid in authentic assessment activities, and to build students' confidence in their ability to converse with a native speaker.
Title: Japanese II
Grade: 10, 11
Credits: 2.0
A continuation of Japanese I, this course builds on information taught in Japanese I, expanding the students’ ability to converse about everyday subjects. Students learn more kanji (Chinese characters) and at a more intense pace than in level I. Students will expand their knowledge of verb forms and particles. Students will continue to develop confidence listening and speaking, and will feel much more confident in their reading and writing abilities at the end of this course. A section about feudal Japan and the samurai dispels some myths and helps students begin to understand the intricate history of Japan. This course is supported with the Ima II text and recordings of native speakers to aid in authentic assessment activities, and to build students' confidence in their ability to converse with a native speaker.
Title: Japanese III Honors
Grade: 11, 12
Credits: 2.0
Japanese III Honors is a grammatical leap into the various hierarchical levels of Japanese language. Students will be doing more authentic reading and will cover most of the verb forms and tenses at the social-polite and plain levels. We will touch briefly on the Keigo (polite) forms. Students will be introduced to Japanese Haiku, sayings, and proverbs as an introduction of Japanese literature. The focus on Kanji is intense in this year.
Title: Japanese IV Honors
Grade: 12
Credits: 2.0
This course is a continuation of Japanese III Honors. The focus on Kanji is intense in this year as well. Students should be fairly proficient in the language since they do have some input in directing their own learning at the beginning of the course. This course uses a more challenging textbook, Adventures in Japanese III, which is supported by many authentic reading selections and cultural studies. Students will do cultural surveys of Japanese history, geography, industry and traditional festivities. Students will view Japanese films to hone their listening skills. They will be expected to converse in the target language during class and to give two to three oral presentations each quarter. Students will survey Japanese literature, with the students selecting their own books from a list of contemporary authors. They will also be responsible for researching the authors. At the end of this course, students should be quite confident of their command of the four language skills: reading, writing, speaking and listening.