Foreign Language

This course includes emphasis on vocabulary, structure, dialogue, narratives, written exercises, and oral resumes. Students are given the opportunity to speak as if they were in every day situations in the French-speaking world. Additional facets of French culture are presented, including slides, films, and guests from French speaking countries. In addition, students receive handouts from various sources on culture and vocabulary not covered in the text.

This course is designed to build upon basic grammatical concepts of the French language learned in the first year. The cultural focus of the course is on basic French institutions and ordinary aspects of life in France. The course is organized in short segments to help students acquire skills quickly. It strives to develop the four language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing.

This course reviews and builds upon the grammatical concepts learned in French 2. The course focuses on the development of reading and oral skills and on independent writing. Special emphasis is placed on conversation. The course also teaches basic dictionary skills necessary for the effective use of a bilingual dictionary. The cultural focus this year is on contemporary French life and problems. French will be the primary language of instruction in this class.

This course is designed to prepare students who either plan to take the AP Examination in French Language in May, or who wish to continue their study of French in preparation for college studies. Speaking, listening, reading, and writing activities emphasize development of the student's active communication in French. Resources include a grammar textbook, authentic radio and television broadcasts, newspapers and magazines, films on video, and a selection of novels, short stories and poems. Increased fluency and accuracy are stressed. French will be spoken exclusively in this class.

Students will advance their skills learned in the first three years and study more detailed grammar structures. Students will focus on sustained language production and comprehension in the four areas of speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Major cultural trends will be researched and presented with examples from the French-speaking world. Students will be expected to use French exclusively and French is the language of instruction in this class.

This course is designed for students who have begun their French study at Level 2 or higher as a freshman, and who plan to either take the AP Examination in French Literature in May, or who wish to continue their study of French in college. Students will become familiar with various movements of French literature through reading, class discussions, oral and written critical analyses. The required AP reading list will be supplemented with excerpts as needed. This course is comparable to a third year college-level literature course. French will be spoken exclusively in this class.

Students learn the basics of German grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation through such audio‑visual devices as films, recordings, pictures (photos and drawings), text and accompanying workbooks, and language games. Oral communication is stressed and plays a major role in making this first year an enjoyable learning experience. Also, the first year is one of cultural enrichment. Students learn not only about the language, but also about people who speak it, the places they live and the customs they practice.

German 2 continues to build on the concepts practiced in German 1. Life in modern Germany and holidays are the cultural focus. Resources include listening-cassettes, films on video, workbooks, and language games. The emphasis is on conversational Germany while striving to develop the four language skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing.

This course will challenge students to use the basics of grammar and vocabulary learned in the first two years of study through extensive reading not only of textbook material but also short story books. In addition, students will continue the study of grammar and vocabulary and will write paragraphs and short essays. A variety of audio-visual resources and lectures offer a look at German culture, literature, and history. Students will have ample opportunities to practice speaking through situational dialogues and skits. German will be the primary language of instruction in this class.

This course has the same content as German 4. However, students who enroll in German 4-AP are expected to have a higher mastery of all of the material. They receive specific instruction in reading, composition, and advanced grammar to prepare for the AP German Language Exam. Because this course is taught concurrently with German 4, students will meet with the instructor periodically outside of class to discuss supplementary materials.

Students refine the skills acquired in the first three years and study more advanced grammar and vocabulary structures. Students concentrate on sustained language production, both orally and written, and will further develop reading skills through short stories, poems, short news articles, and a novel or play. Major literary trends will be discussed with examples read from various eras. Group projects will also allow students to research in depth various aspects of culture and the language. Students will be expected to use German exclusively and German is the language of instruction in this class.

This course is a continuation of German 4-AP. However, students who enroll in German 5-Honors are expected to have a higher mastery of all of the material. They receive specific instruction in reading, composition, and advanced grammar to further prepare for the AP German Language Exam. Because this course is taught concurrently with German 4 and German 4-AP, students will meet with the instructor periodically outside of class to discuss supplementary materials.

This course is designed to help the student develop the four language skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Emphasis is placed on oral proficiency, pronunciation and rhythm using everyday situations and conversations. In addition to the vocabulary presented in the text, commonly used idioms and basic vocabulary will be supplemented. Beginning readings in Spanish will be augmented by insights into Spanish culture and traditions. Basic concepts of Spanish grammar and syntax are introduced and reinforced through a wide variety of written and oral exercises.

This course is a continuation of course work covered in Spanish 1. Students will complete a thorough study of Spanish language, grammar and syntax. Knowledge of cultural backgrounds and customs of the various Spanish-speaking communities is reinforced with supplemental materials. Emphasis is placed on all four language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Students will begin reading excerpts of Spanish literature.

The text, accompanying workbook, supplementary reader, and a Spanish/English dictionary are required. Language and literature selections from Spain and Latin America are incorporated into the study of Spanish at this level. The addition of new grammatical points, grammar reviews, literature, and cultures are combined so as to appeal to students who have mastered the basics of the language. The major emphasis at this level will be on the acquisition of new vocabulary and increasing conversational skills. All four language skills (reading, writing, listening, and speaking) are emphasized daily. Spanish will be the primary language of instruction in this class.

This course is designed to help students achieve the intermediate level of proficiency in the four skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. This intensive honors course at Level III is conducted in Spanish and students are expected to use only Spanish in class. The students’ listening and speaking skills are further developed with an emphasis on original and spontaneous self-expression. Students are introduced to literature in Spanish and engage in oral and written discussion based on their reading. They continue to refine their knowledge and understanding of the target language and culture and their own by examining the interrelationship of other cultures to their own. Students enrolled in this honors course are expected to have a deep interest in Spanish language, literature and culture.

This course is designed for students who either plan to take the AP Examination in Spanish Language in May, or who wish to continue their study of Spanish in preparation for college studies. Activities stress speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills that focus on active communication in Spanish. Course materials will include recordings, films, newspapers, magazines, and selected literary works by major authors. Training in the organization and writing of compositions is an integral part of the course. Students will be expected to use Spanish exclusively and Spanish is the language of instruction in this class.

This course is designed for students who plan to continue their study in upper division Spanish, who wish to refine the skills acquired in the first three years and study more advanced grammar and vocabulary structures. Students concentrate on sustained language production, both oral and written, and will develop their critical thinking skills in reading and writing, as well as listening and conversational skills. Students will be expected to use Spanish exclusively and Spanish is the language of instruction in this class.

This course is designed for students who have begun Spanish study at Level 2 or higher as a freshman, and who either plan to take the AP Examination in Spanish Literature in May, or who wish to continue their Spanish studies in college. Students will read, discuss, and analyze Hispanic literature of all genres, using required AP reading lists as well as supplementary selections as needed. This course is comparable to a third year college literature course. Spanish will be spoken exclusively in this class.

This course is designed for students who have begun the study of Spanish at Level 3, or higher, as freshmen. This is a survey course of literature as a major influence on the politics of the Spanish and Latin American nations. Students will further their literary analysis of authors studied in Spanish 5-AP. Students are expected to engage in independent reading, present analytical papers and demonstrate a high level of oral proficiency in the language. The course will be taught concurrently with Spanish 5-AP.

Chinese 1 introduces students to the four basic skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing in Mandarin Chinese. The students will also be introduced to the customs and life of the modern Chinese. Emphasis is placed on developing accurate pronunciation using everyday situations and conversations, and reading and writing Chinese characters. Cultural activities are arranged to provide each student with opportunities to enhance language and cultural learning.