World Language Department
Students may pursue a World Language Pathway in Chinese, Spanish, or both. Students who take Chinese and/or Spanish will develop cultural and linguistic proficiency in that language and culture through focus on communication, cultures, connections with other disciplines, insight into linguistic and cultural comparisons, and knowledge and participation in multilingual communities at home and around the world. As students study the language and culture from the novice level through the intermediate and advanced levels, they will refine their communicative and cultural abilities, converse in diverse situations, engage with authentic texts, and develop a deeper understanding of the world in which the target language is spoken.
Spanish:
Spanish 1A:
This introductory course is designed for students with little or no previous study of Spanish. This course teaches basic language patterns and vocabulary. Repetition and comprehensible input are important components of this course. The focus is on all four language skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. Culture is an integral part of the course and is introduced via the use of media, games, adapted readings and class discussions. In addition to written tests and quizzes, students may also be assessed by means of oral activities.
Spanish 1B:
Students continue to further develop and improve listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. Emphasis is placed on comprehension of Spanish, as well as, reading and writing practice in the target language using a variety of activities incorporating familiar vocabulary and structures. The students will learn how to speak about their daily routines including hobbies and sport preferences. Emphasis is placed on learning how to speak about past actions and events. Culture is an integral component of our program, in this course the students will learn about the people, customs and influence of Spain, the United States, Argentina and Chile.
Spanish 2A:
Students continue to further develop and improve listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. In this course the student builds on their acquired knowledge. Oral practice is heightened, and the student expands into more complex grammatical structures. The students will learn how to speak about personal and familial relationships, how to describe their home and belongings and how to describe food. The students will be introduced to irregular forms of the past tense and will learn how to give commands and instructions. Culture is an integral component of our program, in this course the students will learn about the people, customs and influence of Central America, The Antilles, The Central Andes and North America.
Spanish 2B:
Students continue to further develop and improve listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. In this course the student builds on their acquired knowledge. Focus is on strengthening the student’s oral fluency. The students will learn about the body and personal hygiene. They will learn how to talk about travelling, geography and modes of transportation. They will also learn about nature and their environment. The student will be introduced to additional ways to speak about past experiences and will learn how to make comparisons. They will also learn how to speak about future actions. Culture is an integral component of our program, in this course the students will learn about the people, customs and influence of Spain, the Continental Caribbean, Rio de la Plata and the Pan-American region.
Spanish 3 Honors:
Students continue to further develop and improve listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. In this course the student builds on their acquired knowledge. Focus is on making connections among different disciplines, communities and cultures. The students are actively speaking in Spanish and are engaging in more colloquial conversations. The student will learn terminology for extended family members, personal relationships and personal belongings. The students will learn how to speak about recently completed actions. They will learn time expressions for narration, how to make impersonal statements and additional ways to speak of past actions. Writing becomes more complex and detailed. Culture is an integral component of our program, in this course the focus is on cultural practices found predominantly in Spanish speaking countries such as current events and common festivities.
Spanish 4 Honors:
Students continue to further develop and improve listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. Emphasis is placed on comprehension of Spanish, as well as, reading and writing practice in the target language using a variety of activities incorporating familiar vocabulary and structures. Supplementary materials are introduced to enhance language use. Aspects of contemporary Spanish culture are introduced using media, games, and adapted readings and in small or large group discussions. In addition to written/oral tests and quizzes, students are assessed using a variety of formats: oral dialogues, presentations, written compositions and other means. Homework assignments are an integral part of this course as they not only reinforce concepts and skills that are introduced in class, but also enable students to participate in class discussions. Completion of homework assignments is essential to success in this course. To better prepare students for further honor classes and the Advanced Placement Course, it is imperative that students in Level 4 exhibit diligence regarding attitude and work ethic. A continuous effort to use the target language is essential. Active participation is expected!
Chinese:
Chinese 1A:
Students learn to communicate, using everyday vocabulary, elementary grammar, and basic syntax. Through individual, pair, and group exercises, we encourage students to express themselves in typical situations and everyday activities. Students acquire the speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills necessary for basic communication in Mandarin Chinese. The curriculum addresses cultural topics and enables students to make connections and comparisons between Chinese and other languages and cultures. This course also encourages students to use their knowledge of Chinese culture in the wider community.
Chinese 1B:
At this level, students continue to expand their knowledge of vocabulary, grammatical structures of graduated difficulty, Chinese characters, and general communication. The emphasis is on advancing and integrating listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Students demonstrate more accuracy in tones and continue to build basic to intermediate skills in reading and writing.
Chinese 2A:
Students continue to develop their communicative competence in reading, listening, speaking, and writing. They approximately double their knowledge of vocabulary words and characters. Units of Chinese history and culture help students develop a broader understanding and appreciation of this civilization.
Chinese 2B:
Students continue to develop their communicative competence in reading, listening, speaking, and writing. They approximately double their knowledge of vocabulary words and characters. Units of Chinese history and culture help students develop a broader understanding and appreciation of this civilization.
Chinese 3:
Students will be able to engage in communicative tasks in three modes: interpretive communication, interpersonal communication, and presentational communication. Students will be able to understand the main ideas and facts from texts and rad consistently with increased understanding. They will be able to demonstrate increased ease and accuracy in pronouncing Chinese sounds and tones and to handle successfully a variety of communicative tasks and social situations.
Chinese 4:
This course is designed for students who are prepared and motivated to participate in the extensive and intensive study of language and culture. Students will have the opportunity to engage in classroom discussions and research projects in order to allow then to use the language to explore in depth topics related to Chinese literature, history, education, traveling, music, entertainment, and technology in school.