World Language

List of 22 items.

  • Chinese I

    This is an introductory course to the official spoken and written language of Mainland China and is designed for students who have had no prior exposure to the Chinese language.  Through this course, students will develop a basic competency in the four language skills: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Students will be introduced to the Pinyin phonetic system as well as Simplified Chinese characters.  They will also gain a basic understanding of grammar usage and conversational Chinese through real-life topics, incorporating social, historical, and cultural contexts. Various projects and hands-on activities will allow students opportunities to explore Chinese culture, holidays, festivals, and calligraphy.
  • Chinese II

    Prerequisite: Chinese I

    Students will continue to develop language skills for everyday communication and will build upon vocabulary and grammar taught in level I.  Students will not only develop the ability to convey nuance through grammatical structures and colloquial expression, they will also cover topics, such as host/guest etiquette, making plans, studying Chinese, and school life. Language study will be complemented by explorations in Chinese culture, art, and history.
  • Chinese III

    Prerequisite: Chinese II

    This course is designed for students who have successfully completed Chinese II and constitutes the intermediate segment of Chinese studies.  The aim of this course is to further develop overall language proficiency. Students will build vocabulary and sentence patterns in communicative contexts as well as solidify pronunciation. There will be an emphasis on conversational fluency, along with a wider range of topics and more complex grammar. Reading and writing will be developed in conjunction with speaking and listening skills, and students will continue to develop cultural awareness through authentic readings and media, conversational activities, and hands-on projects.
  • Chinese IV

    Prerequisite: Chinese III

    The aim of this course is to further develop overall language proficiency and is largely project-based. Students will be introduced to more advanced grammar and idiomatic expressions with an emphasis on strengthening communication skills. Students will continue to refine language skills developed through a variety of activities and projects. Students will also begin exploring more advanced readings from classical Chinese literature, and will be expected to speak, read, and write exclusively in Chinese.  Language study will be complemented by explorations in Chinese history, culture, literature, and film.
  • Advanced Chinese

    Teacher Recommendation Required

    This course is designed to enable students to develop and demonstrate their proficiency in the three modes of communication: Interpretive, Interpersonal, and Presentational. The aim of this course is to strengthen communication skills through an exploration of advanced topics and authentic materials. Since this course is generally offered as an Independent Study, it is tailored to the interests and skills of the student and is largely project-based. Classes are conducted in Chinese. Students must be recommended for this course.
  • AP Mandarin Chinese

    Teacher Recommendation Required

    The AP® Chinese Language and Culture course emphasizes aligning students’ development of language proficiencies in listening, speaking, reading, writing , and typing within five themes: communication, cultures, connections, comparisons, and communities through the three communicative modes: interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational. Implementing content related to China’s history, culture, and contemporary development will enhance students’ learning effectiveness in using the language. Authentic instructional materials include signs, advertisements, posters, books, magazines, e-mails, video clips, films, newspapers, magazines , and contemporary literature. Chinese is the language used to deliver instructions to provide students with an immersive language environment for effective learning.
  • French I

    This introductory course targets Francophone cultures and the sound and spelling of the basic French language. Students attain an entry-level proficiency by practicing the four essential skills of language learning: listening, speaking, reading and writing. The program emphasizes listening and speaking skills in meaningful activities geared to increase one’s command of everyday language. Simple writing and speaking opportunities about one’s life, interests, and activities are abundant.
  • French II

    Prerequisite: French I

    Following a review of material studied in French I, more advanced grammar, syntax, and vocabulary are studied. The emphasis remains on oral/aural skills, but with more attention gradually devoted to reading and writing skills. The study of Francophone cultures in the world is enhanced with a variety of media. Speaking proficiency is developed via structured activities such as skits and role-playing.
  • French III

    Prerequisite: French II

    This course is designed for students who have successfully completed the French II course or its equivalent. Students are expected to have a strong grasp of basic and intermediate grammatical concepts. This course includes a study of intermediate and advanced  French grammar. Students build a rich vocabulary through cultural and literary studies and read one complete work of fiction. The ultimate goal of this course is to develop each student's cultural awareness and to enhance and strengthen speaking, writing, listening, and reading comprehension skills.
  • French IV

    Prerequisite: French III

    his culture-based course is designed for students who wish to strengthen their language skills: listening, speaking, reading, writing, and cultural awareness. Advanced grammar and more sophisticated language skills develop through a variety of activities and projects. In addition to grammar and vocabulary study, students write and perform original skits and prepare projects related to the readings, films, and Francophone culture.
  • AP French

    Teacher Recommendation Required

    This course prepares students to take the French AP Language and Culture Examination administered in May. The course includes a review of advanced grammar, and emphasizes strengthening communication skills. The six AP cultural themes are studied through film, literature, and a variety of media. These themes promote a sophisticated vocabulary and idiom expansion, as well as discussions of current topics. Students practice writing email exchanges and persuasive essays in accordance with the AP exam requirements. They produce practice recordings and complete exercises in preparation for the seven sections of the AP exam. Students must be recommended for this course.
  • Advanced French

    Teacher Recommendation Required

    This course is designed to enable students to develop and demonstrate their proficiency in the three modes of communication: Interpretive, Interpersonal and Presentational. The course includes a review of advanced grammar, but the emphasis is on strengthening communication skills. Cultural themes are studied through film, literature, and media. These themes promote vocabulary expansion as well as discussions of current topics. Students also read a modern work of literature. Classes are conducted in French. Students must be recommended for this course.
  • Latin I

    In this introduction to the Latin language and Roman culture, students acquire basic knowledge of vocabulary and grammar. Through a variety of exercises, they develop skills necessary to read and understand written as well as spoken Latin. English derivatives from Latin are also a part of the course. Thus, students recognize forms and easily understand longer passages of classical Latin prose as well as acquire familiarity with fundamentals of everyday life of the ancient Romans.
  • Latin II

    Prerequisite: Latin II

    Following an intensive review of material studied in Latin I, students are introduced to more advanced Latin grammatical forms and uses. They learn a variety of vocabulary seen in translations and in various Latin sayings. They also make connections between English and Latin vocabulary through the study of cognates. Using grammatical concepts and vocabulary, they develop skills in producing translations of sophisticated passages and expressions. Aspects of ancient Roman religion, mythology, and history are explored.
  • Latin III

    Prerequisite: Latin II

    In the Latin III course, students begin to learn more advanced elements of Latin grammar, including the subjunctive mood and various uses thereof.  In addition, substantial attention is devoted to the history of the late Republic and early Empire. By the end of the year, students will have a solid grasp of most of Latin grammar and will be prepared to move forward to translating unadapted Latin texts.
  • Honors Latin IV

    Teacher Recommendation Required

    In Latin IV, students learn the final advanced elements of Latin grammar that were not covered in Level III.  Students will then begin to read original Roman literary texts, gaining familiarity with major cultural and historical sources of Rome in prose and poetry.  Students develop a fuller understanding of both Latin prose and poetry and become more proficient in the language.
  • AP Latin

    Teacher Recommendation Required

    This course’s goal is to prepare students to excel on the AP Latin exam.  Students will learn to read, translate, understand, analyze, and interpret the lines of Caesar’s De Bello Gallico and Vergil’s Aeneid that are required for the exam.  Students will also be expected to discuss events and themes which arise in untranslated portions of both works; selections in English are therefore also part of the curriculum.
  • Spanish I

    This course enables students to reach a basic level of proficiency in Spanish. Students will be using technology to focus on communication, connections, cultures, comparisons, and communities. This is accomplished through activities that are tailored specifically to build a student's speaking, listening reading, and writing skills.
  • Spanish II

    Prerequisite: Spanish I

    This course enables the student to reach a mid novice or higher level of proficiency in the four primary communicative skills: speaking, listening, reading, and writing.  This is accomplished through a variety of conversational activities, listening tasks, reading selections, and writing assignments, as well as further study of Spanish grammar. Another goal is to increase the student’s knowledge of the diverse cultures in which Spanish is spoken by means of readings, presentations, videos, songs, and other activities.
  • Spanish III

    Prerequisite: Spanish II

    The goal of Spanish III is to enable students to reach a high-intermediate level of proficiency in Spanish. This is accomplished through activities that are tailored specifically to build a student's speaking, listening reading, and writing skills. These will include speaking exercises conversations, reading selections, skits, games, presentations, and writing assignments. In addition to examining selected literary works, students will explore the history, geography, and culture of the Spanish-speaking people of the world.
  • Spanish IV

    Prerequisite: Spanish III

    This course is intended to enable the student to reach an Intermediate Mid or higher level of proficiency in the four primary communicative skills: speaking, listening, reading and writing.  This is accomplished through a variety of creative conversational activities, including original skits; listening tasks of various kinds; articles, poems and short fiction; writing assignments; and study of advanced topics in Spanish grammar. In addition to examining selected literary works, students begin to explore facets of the geography, history, economics, and music of the Spanish-speaking world.
  • AP Spanish

    Teacher Recommendation Required

    This course is designed to prepare students for the AP Spanish Language and Culture exam by enabling them to develop and demonstrate their proficiency in the three modes of communication: Interpretive, Interpersonal and Presentational. The course is based on the integrated use of authentic audio, visual, audiovisual, and printed/written materials. Per College Board requirements, there is also a strong emphasis on the ability to compare and contrast products, practices, and perspectives found in the many cultures of the Spanish-speaking world with those of the student's own culture.

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