Academic Resource Team - World Language Coordinator: Ginger Howe
WORLD LANGUAGES
Elementary
In the primary grades foreign language awareness is a program through which children gain the insight that other languages exist besides their own. It is an enrichment program and not intended to lead to proficiency skills in the languages studied. The children will be exposed to several foreign languages through content areas. In the fourth grade students will begin a sequential program of instruction in Spanish. Students will begin to develop communication skills in the language. Emphasis will be on speaking, listening, reading, and writing of Spanish. In the fifth and sixth grades students build on previously learned skills and expand their knowledge of Spanish.
Junior High
Offerings will vary between sites:
Exploratory Foreign Language (1 semester) Grade Level: 8
Each site will determine the language offered.
The Exploratory Foreign Language class is organized around the central theme of visiting a country where the language is spoken, this communicative program is designed to appeal to 8th grade students with emphasis on oral conversation of the language and cultural information.
French I (2 semesters) Grade Level: 9
The first year of French covers skills such as reading, listening and speaking, writing, and grammar. The student will also become acquainted with the culture and customs of France and French speaking countries. The stress is on communication, both written and oral. (Glencoe/McGraw Hill, 2003)
Spanish I (2 semesters) Grade Level: 9
Spanish I introduces basic conversation and grammar. Speaking, listening, reading, and writing are presented in an integrated approach. The student will also become acquainted with the culture of Spanish speaking countries through videos, discussions, and cultural activities. (Scott Foresman, 2003)
High School
American Sign Language I (2 semesters) Grade Level: 11, 12
Course No. 7100
American Sign Language I will give the student a broad vocabulary of signs and introduce the structure of sign language. The student will demonstrate his/her knowledge of the material by writing what is signed and by signing what is said along with participation of classroom activities. The students will learn about the culture of the deaf, as well as come to appreciate the history of sign language. Non-verbal communication and hearing loss will also be covered to some extent to enhance the knowledge of how American Sign Language operates in the world today. At the completion the student will be able to have simple conversations in sign language. (Sign Enhancers Beginning American Sign Language – workbook text)
American Sign Language II (2 semesters) Grade Level: 12
Prerequisite: American Sign Language I
Course No. 7110
American Sign Language II will focus more on the structure of ASL grammar while still introducing new sign language vocabulary. We will continue to learn about the cultural and historical aspects of the deaf. The students apply what was learned in ASL I to conversational signing. Less voicing and more signing can be expected. Videos and teacher/peer interaction will give the student real life opportunities for acquiring this language.
French I (2 semesters) Grade Level: 10, 11, 12
Course No. 7140
The first year of French covers skills such as reading, listening and speaking, writing, and grammar. The student will also become acquainted with the culture and customs of France and French speaking countries. The stress is on communication, both written and oral. (Glencoe/McGraw Hill, 2003)
French II (2 semesters) Grade Level: 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: French I
Course No. 7150
French II develops skills in vocabulary comprehension, oral communication, reading, writing, grammar, and culture. The student is able to expand and improve the knowledge obtained in French I. (Glencoe/McGraw Hill, 2003)
French III (2 semesters) Grade Level: 11, 12
Prerequisite: French II
Course No. 7160
Using the vocabulary and grammar structures from French II, the student learns to communicate in more complex sentences, both in oral and written expressions. The structure of the language is reviewed and new grammar structures are presented. An overview of French history and culture is given. (Glencoe/McGraw Hill, 2003)
French IV (2 semesters) Grade Level: 12
Prerequisite: French III
Course No. 7170
In French IV the student reviews the vocabulary and grammar from the previous years and continues history and literature studies. The conversation is on a more sophisticated level dealing with personal thoughts, ideas, and interests. New vocabulary and grammar are absorbed by reading stories dealing with the daily lives of the French people and various literary genres.
AP French (2 semesters) Grade Level 12
Prerequisite: French III
Course No. 7180
A combination of culture, history, geography, and grammar enhances this college preparatory course of advanced level language study. Students will be exposed to a survey of history from the middle ages to present day with a focus on literature of these periods in the target language. A thorough review of grammatical structures, verb tenses and increasing vocabulary is the backbone of the course. Students will work on listening and speaking skills while developing short essays in the target language.
Latin I (2 semester) Grade Level: 10, 11, 12
Course No. 7220
Latin I includes the intense study of vocabulary, grammar, and word derivations. It also includes an overview in Roman Mythology, Roman History, and Roman Culture. Throughout this course an appreciation for the past is developed and Latin’s relevance to the present is stressed. (Scott Foresman, 2003)
Latin II (2 semesters) Grade Level: 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: Latin I
Course No. 7230
Latin II is a continuation in the study of grammar, vocabulary, and derivatives. Primary emphasis outside grammar is on Roman History. (Scott Foresman, 2003)
Latin III (2 semesters) Grade Level: 11, 12
Prerequisite: Latin II
Course No. 7240
In Latin III a brief summary of grammar is included. Students will then apply their knowledge of grammar by translating passages from various ancient Roman authors. They will also learn more about Roman civilization. (Scott Foresman, 2003)
Spanish I (2 semesters) Grade Level: 10, 11, 12
Course No. 7250
Spanish I introduces basic conversation and grammar. Speaking, listening, reading, and writing are presented in an integrated approach. The student will also become acquainted with the culture of Spanish-speaking countries through videos, discussions, and cultural activities. (Scott Foresman, 2003)
Spanish II (2 semesters) Grade Level: 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: Spanish I
Course No. 7260
Spanish II is a continuation of speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills presented in Spanish I with more emphasis on original oral and written work. Cultural information is again an integral part of the class with more of the information presented in Spanish. (Scott Foresman, 2003)
Spanish III (2 semesters) Grade Level: 11, 12
Prerequisite: Spanish II
Course No. 7270
Spanish III furthers the reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills that students have acquired in Spanish I and II. Cultural material is expanded to include readings in Hispanic and Latin American literature. (Scott Foresman, 2003)
Spanish IV (2 semesters) Grade Level: 12
Prerequisite: Spanish III
Course No. 7280
Spanish IV provides a thorough review of the structure of Spanish. The student reviews composition, conversation, and grammar through stories, poems, and essays in Hispanic and Latin American literature. The student writes original summaries, dialogues, and other information in Spanish. (Scott Foresman, 2003)
AP Spanish* (2 semesters) Grade Level: 12
Prerequisite: Spanish III
Course No. 7290
AP Spanish parallels the skill development of a college Spanish course in advanced composition and conversation. The course focuses on the mastery of listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills, not on the content of specific texts. The course is conducted primarily in Spanish.
