World Languages

(2) Semester Course  2.5 credits/semester  

Open to: Grades 9-12              

Prerequisites: French I  

Proficiency Target: Intermediate Mid

The goals of this course are continuing to develop proficiency in French and increasing students’ cultural knowledge of France and other regions and countries where French is spoken. Through newly acquired vocabulary, students are better able to express their ideas and opinions in French writing and conversation about a variety of real-life situations. Students learn to narrate in the present, the past, and the future. With this knowledge, students are able to communicate in French at a basic, but functional level. Daily practice and developing accuracy in spoken and written French are emphasized.

Curriculum Units and Learning Outcomes:

Who Am I?
It’s finally the weekend!
Bon appetit!
Entertainment
Sports!

(2) Semester Course  2.5 credits/semester    

Open to: Grades 10-12            

Prerequisites: French II

Proficiency Target: Intermediate Mid

The goal of this course is to develop a stronger foundation in reading, writing, speaking and listening skills. Students add significantly to their vocabulary, to their understanding of the language, and to their writing skills by reading progressively more difficult works, discussing these works, and writing about the readings. The readings are thematically based on history, culture, customs, and everyday life in France and other French-speaking countries. Oral communication is a significant part of the course and students are expected to converse in French, both with each other and with the teacher, during all class activities.  

The French III honors curriculum is designed to reinforce and extend the skills that will prepare the learner for French IV honors. Students successful in this level III honors course demonstrate higher-level critical thinking skills in reading, writing, speaking and listening in the target language. Study at this level focuses on developing mastery of more advanced grammatical structures, significantly expanding vocabulary in the target language, gleaning meaning from context, and the use of French in all classroom activities.

Curriculum Units and Learning Outcomes:

At Home
Fashion, Clothing, and Accessories
Vacation Travel
Rites of Passage: Driving and Graduating

(2) Semester Course   2.5 credits/semester

Open to: Grades 11-12               

Prerequisites: French III

Proficiency Target: Intermediate High

The goals of this course are for students to become more confident in their use of all facets of communication in French. Students discuss in French ideas of a non-technical nature; comprehend the essential points of discussion in presentations that use standard French; read with comprehension most forms of non-technical prose in French; and express in writing, in a sequential manner, complex ideas using simple language. Daily practice and developing accuracy in spoken and written French are emphasized.

Students successful in this course demonstrate an understanding of the similarities, differences, and culturally determined behaviors of French speakers. They use French during all class activities and they are able to read selected texts independently in French. They add significantly to their vocabulary and use more advanced grammatical structures with ever improving accuracy.

The French IV CP curriculum is designed to reinforce and extend the skills that will prepare the learner for enrollment in French V Honors.

Curriculum Units and Learning Outcomes:

Health and Tolerance
Technology and Teens
Rites of Passage
Marriage, Love, and Friendship
Humor, Jokes, and Little Nicholas
Identity in the French-Speaking World

(2) Semester Course   2.5 credits/semester    

Open to: Grades 11-12             

Prerequisites: French III and/or teacher recommendation

Proficiency Target: Intermediate High

The Honors French IV course prepares students to enroll the following year in Advanced Placement French Language or French V Honors. Further development of the accurate use of advanced grammatical concepts, understanding of syntax, and the acquisition of a wide variety of vocabulary words and idiomatic phrases are the fundamental goals of this course.  Materials used in this course come from a variety of authentic texts and authentic audio. Listening exercises are longer, more complex, and feature different accents from different French speaking countries. Students who are successful in this course are competent grammarians, read selected texts independently in the target language, and they are comfortable with inference. They are also become comfortable discussing a wide variety of topics in the target language. Daily practice and developing accuracy in spoken and written French are emphasized.

Curriculum Units and Learning Outcomes:

Health and Tolerance
Technology and Teens
Rites of Passage
Marriage, Love, and Friendship
Humor, Jokes, and Little Nicholas
Identity in the French-Speaking World

(2) Semester Course 2.5 credits/semester  

Open to: Grade 12              

Prerequisites: French IV

Proficiency Target: Intermediate High

French V Honors serves as an appropriate capstone course for all French IV students (including French IV CP) who have an interest in the language and culture of the French-speaking world.

Students integrate their high school language learning experiences to make connections between the language and culture studied and international affairs, career paths and other disciplines. Students refine their language skills as they explore current events, history, literature, film, and art in order to gain insights into the culture of various French speaking countries. Daily practice and developing accuracy in spoken and written French are emphasized. French V students will take the AAPPL exam and may qualify for the state Seal of Biliteracy, if their scores on all parts of the exam meet state requirements, and if they meet English MCAS requirements.

Curriculum Units and Learning Outcomes:

Current Events of the French-Speaking World
Art and Artists
Animals Rights and Preservation of the Environment
Technology and Its Effects on Society
Why Give Gifts?
La Martinique, the Island of Flowers
Why Immigrate?
Independent Study

(2) Semester Course   2.5 credits/semester

Open to:  Grade 12 

Prerequisites:  French IV (H) and/or teacher recommendation

Proficiency Target: Intermediate High/Advanced Low

This course is an appropriate capstone for students completing French Language IV Honors and is taught at the college level. Willingness to do substantial work relating to the further development of  grammatical accuracy, the study of history, current events, and cultures of the French-speaking world will contribute to overall achievement. The successful course participant actively engages in the exclusive use of French in a total immersion environment. Authentic materials used for the course encompass a variety of topics. Students investigate these topics in breadth and depth, so that students better understand native speakers, develop excellent self-expression, and read for comprehension without dependence on the dictionary.

Following the Advanced Placement French Language curriculum, the course is designed to develop communicative language skills in accordance with the National Standards for Foreign Language Learning.  Students enrolled in the course are expected to take the AP French Language examination that emphasizes acquiring proficiency across the three communicative modes: interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational.  A successful result on the AP French Language exam may allow students to be awarded credit or course waivers in college. AP French students will also take the AAPPL exam and may qualify for the state Seal of Biliteracy, if their scores on all parts of the exam meet state requirements, and if they meet English MCAS requirements. To prepare for the course, students will complete a summer work packet.

Curriculum Units and Learning Outcomes:

Beauty and Aesthetics
Global Challenges
Contemporary Life
Family and Community
In Search of Self
Science and Technology

(2) Semester Course   2.5 credits/semester

Open to:  Grades 10-12 

Prerequisites:  Mandarin Chinese I

Proficiency Target: Intermediate Low

Topics of Chinese II include school life, extracurricular activities, shopping, food, colors, holidays and daily routines. Grammar is further developed using supplemental materials. By the end of the course, the students will be able to read and write commonly used Chinese characters, give basic information, give simple commands and requests, write short personal journals, and perform short dialogues. They will also be able to identify some customs, traditions, and viewpoints of the target culture. Daily practice and developing accuracy in spoken and written Chinese are emphasized.

Curriculum Units and Learning Outcomes:

Making Phone Calls & Setting up Appointments
Studying Chinese
Daily School Life & Writing a Chinese Letter
Shopping
Transportation

(2) Semester Course  2.5 credits/semester

Open to:  Grades 11-12 

Prerequisites:  Mandarin Chinese II

Proficiency Target: Intermediate Mid

Topics of Chinese III include transportation, food and drink, weather and travel, shopping, offering help and asking for help.  Students will improve their skills in reading, writing, speaking and listening in Chinese. They will continue to learn about cultural topics by exploring the practices, products, and perspectives associated with various customs and traditions, as well as by making comparisons with their own culture. Daily practice and developing accuracy in spoken and written Chinese are emphasized.

Curriculum Units and Learning Outcomes:

Talk About Weather
Food
Where am I and where am I going?
Birthday Party

(2) Semester Course  2.5 credits/semester

Open to:  Grade 12   

Prerequisites:  Mandarin Chinese III

Proficiency Target: Intermediate Mid

Topics of Chinese IV include sports, travel, housing, and life at school. Students will continue to improve their skills in reading, writing, speaking and listening in Chinese. Presentation skills will be emphasized. They will continue to learn about cultural topics by exploring the practices, products, and perspectives associated with various Chinese customs and traditions, as well as by making comparisons to their own culture. Students will explore the effect that recent economic growth has had on the country of China. Daily practice and developing accuracy in spoken and written Chinese are emphasized.

Curriculum Units and Learning Outcomes:

Seeing a Doctor
Dating
Renting an Apartment

(2) Semester Course  2.5 credits/semester

Open to:  Grades 9-12 

Prerequisites:  None

Proficiency Target: Novice High -- Intermediate Low

This course is for students who have never taken a prior foreign language class. This course is taught at a pace that is suitable for students learning a second language for the first time. The goals of this course are to develop beginning communicative proficiency and cultural awareness. Course content will help students develop mastery of basic categories of everyday, commonly used vocabulary. Students will begin to develop mastery of the most frequently used verbs in their basic forms and basic commonly used grammatical structures.  

Students are provided with a variety of materials about high-interest topics and situations found in daily living, with attention given to presenting material using instructional techniques appropriate for a variety of learning styles. The study of the cultures of different Spanish speaking countries and regions is also an important component of this class. Daily practice and developing accuracy in spoken and written Spanish are emphasized.

Curriculum Units and Learning Outcomes:

Let’s Get it Started
We Are Family
What Not to Wear!
Eat this, Not that!
It’s a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
#FollowMe

(2) Semester Course    2.5 credits/semester

Open to:  Grades 9-12 

Prerequisites: None

Proficiency Target: Intermediate Low

Students are expected to have had to have had some experience in the learning of a second language before taking this course. This course is for students who need the repetition and reinforcement of concepts taught in Spanish I in the middle school before continuing to Spanish II (CP). Students are expected to have some mastery of basic Spanish phrases and vocabulary.  Course content will include an accelerated review of basic categories of everyday vocabulary. Students will continue to develop mastery of the most frequently used verbs in their basic forms and basic commonly used grammatical structures.

Students are provided with a variety of materials about high-interest topics and situations found in daily living, with attention given to presenting material using instructional techniques appropriate for a variety of learning styles. The study of the cultures of different Spanish speaking countries and regions is also an important component of this class. Daily practice and developing accuracy in spoken and written Spanish are emphasized.

Curriculum Units and Learning Outcomes:

Let’s Get it Started
We Are Family
What Not to Wear!
Eat this, Not that!
It’s a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
#FollowMe

(2) Semester Course   2.5 credits/semester

Open to:  Grades 9-12 

Prerequisites:  Spanish I            

Proficiency Target: Intermediate Mid  

This course is intended only for those students who have successfully completed Spanish 1 in middle school. The goals of this course are to continue to develop proficiency in Spanish and to continue to increase students’ cultural knowledge of the Hispanic world within the United States and in other nations. Through newly acquired vocabulary, students are able to express their ideas and opinions in Spanish writing and conversation about a variety of real-life situations. Students learn to narrate in the present, the past, and the simple future.  With this knowledge, students are able to communicate in Spanish at a basic, but functional level. Daily practice and developing accuracy in spoken and written Spanish are emphasized.

Curriculum Units and Learning Outcomes:

Let’s Get to Know Each Other
Life of a Student
Sports and Health
Let’s Take a Trip!
Time for a Vacation!
What Makes a Culture?

(2) Semester Course   2.5 credits/semester

Open to:  Grades 10-12

Prerequisites:  Spanish I or Intro. to Spanish I  

Proficiency Target: Intermediate Low -- Intermediate Mid

This Spanish course is designed to follow Global Spanish I or Spanish I taken at the high school. Like the Spanish Global I class before it, this class is taught at a pace suitable for students who have had only one year of prior Spanish learning. The goals of this course are to continue to develop proficiency in Spanish and to continue to increase students’ cultural knowledge of the Hispanic world within the United States and in other nations. Through newly acquired vocabulary, students are able to express their ideas and opinions in Spanish writing and conversation about a variety of real-life situations. Students learn to narrate in the present, the past, and the simple future.  With this knowledge, students are able to communicate in Spanish at a basic, but functional level. Daily practice and developing accuracy in spoken and written Spanish are emphasized. Due to the slower pace of this class, students who successfully complete this class and wish to continue their study of Spanish should enroll in Spanish II unless given permission by their current teacher to enroll in Spanish III. Students enrolling in Spanish III have had an additional two years of middle school Spanish that Global Spanish students do not have.

Curriculum Units and Learning Outcomes:

Let’s Get to Know Each Other
Life of a Student
Sports and Health
Let’s Take a Trip!
Time for a Vacation!
What Makes a Culture?

(2) Semester Course   2.5 credits/semester

Open to:  Grades 10-12

Prerequisites:  Spanish II

Proficiency Target: Intermediate Mid

Students successful in this course learn to read with greater facility and with greater understanding than in Spanish II.  They read skill-appropriate authentic texts, such as magazine articles, short stories, poems, and songs, and they learn to discuss and write about these works in the target language. They continue to expand their vocabulary. Daily practice and developing accuracy in spoken and written Spanish are emphasized.

The Honors Spanish III curriculum is designed to reinforce and extend the skills that will prepare the learner for Honors Spanish IV. Students successful in this level III honors course demonstrate higher-level critical thinking skills in reading, writing, speaking and listening in the target language. Study at this level focuses on developing mastery of some advanced grammatical structures, significantly expanding vocabulary in the target language, gleaning meaning from context, and the use of Spanish in all classroom activities.

Curriculum Units and Learning Outcomes:

Immigration: What does it take?
What do you know about food?
Nurturing Nature
Let’s volunteer!
On to the Future!
Let’s Plan a Service Trip!

(2) Semester Course   2.5 credits/semester

Open to:  Grades 11-12 

Prerequisites:  Spanish III

Proficiency Target: Intermediate High

The goals of this course are for students to orally communicate ideas in Spanish of a non-technical nature confidently; to comprehend the essential points of discussion in presentations that use standard Spanish; to read with good comprehension many forms of non-technical prose in Spanish; and to express their ideas in writing. Daily practice and developing accuracy in spoken and written Spanish are emphasized.

Students successful in this course further develop confidence in their use of Spanish. They demonstrate an understanding of the similarities, differences, and culturally determined behaviors of Spanish speakers. Successful students use Spanish during all class activities, they are able to read many authentic sources independently in Spanish, they add significantly to their vocabulary,  and they continue to develop accuracy in their use of more advanced grammatical structures.

The Spanish IV CP curriculum is designed to reinforce and extend the skills that will prepare the learner for enrollment in Spanish V Honors.

Curriculum Units and Learning Outcomes:

Beauty and Love
Immigration
Why Travel?
Do You Want to Live Forever?
Life After High School

(2) Semester Course   2.5 credits/semester

Open to:  Grades 11-12

Prerequisites:  Spanish III (H) and/or teacher recommendation

Proficiency Target: Intermediate High

The Honors Spanish IV course prepares students to enroll the following year in Advanced Placement Spanish Language or Honors Spanish V. Further development of the use of advanced grammatical concepts, understanding of syntax, and an acquisition of a wide variety of vocabulary words and idiomatic phrases are the fundamental goals of this course.  Materials used in this course come from a variety of authentic texts and authentic audio. Listening exercises are longer, more complex, and feature different accents from different Spanish speaking countries. Students who are successful in this course are competent grammarians, read selected text independently in the target language and are comfortable with inference. They are also comfortable discussing a wide variety of topics in the target language only. Daily practice and developing accuracy in spoken and written Spanish are emphasized.

Curriculum Units and Learning Outcomes:

Beauty and Love
Immigration
Why Travel?
Do You Want to Live Forever?
Life After High School

(2) Semester Course  2.5 credits/semester

Open to:  Grade 12 

Prerequisites:  Spanish IV

Proficiency Target: Intermediate High

Spanish V Honors serves as an appropriate course for all Spanish IV students (including Spanish IV CP) who have an interest in the language and culture of the Spanish-speaking world. Students integrate their high school language learning experiences to make connections between the language and culture studied and international affairs, career paths and other disciplines. Students refine their language skills as they explore current events, history and culture, literature, film, and art in order to gain insights into the culture of various countries. Daily practice and the continued development of accuracy in spoken and written Spanish are emphasized. Spanish V students will take the AAPPL exam and may qualify for the state Seal of Biliteracy, if their scores on all parts of the exam meet state requirements, and if they meet English MCAS requirements.

Curriculum Units and Learning Outcomes:

Current Events of the Spanish-Speaking World
Art and Artists
Animal Rights and Preservation of the Environment
Technology and Its Effects on Society
Why give gifts?
Horror - Why?
Conquest and Colonization: Their Effects on Indigenous People
Independent Study

(2) Semester Course 2.5 credits/semester

Open to:  Grade 12 

Prerequisites:  Honors Spanish IV and/or teacher recommendation

Proficiency Target: Intermediate High, Advanced Low

This course is an appropriate capstone for students completing Honors Spanish Language IV, and is taught at a college level. Willingness to do substantial work relating to the further development of grammatical accuracy and the study of the history, current events, and cultures of Spanish-speaking countries will contribute to overall achievement. The successful course participant actively engages in the exclusive use of Spanish in a total immersion environment.   Authentic materials used for the course encompass a variety of topics. Students investigate these topics in breadth and depth, so that the students better understand native speakers, develop excellent self-expression, and read for comprehension without dependence on the dictionary.

Following the Advanced Placement Spanish Language curriculum, the course is designed to develop communicative language skills in accordance with the National Standards for Foreign Language Learning. Students enrolled in the course are expected to take the AP Spanish Language examination, which emphasizes acquiring proficiency across the  three communicative modes: interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational. A successful result on the AP Spanish Language exam may allow students to be awarded credit or course waivers in college. AP Spanish students will also take the AAPPL exam and may qualify for the state Seal of Biliteracy, if their scores on all parts of the exam meet state requirements, and if they meet English MCAS requirements. To prepare for the course, students will complete a summer work packet.

Curriculum Units and Learning Outcomes:

Families in Different Societies
The Influence of Language and Culture on Identity
Factors That Impact the Quality of Life
Giving Gifts and Rites of Passage
Environmental, Political, and Societal Challenges
Influences of Beauty and Art