Foreign Language Courses, News, and Information

see also: Foreign Language faculty; Chinese, offered through the Marshall Academy

Course Offerings

French

FRENCH 1 (511000 )
Grades: 9-12 Credit: one
Students develop the ability to communicate about themselves and their immediate environment using simple sentences containing basic language structures. This communication is evidenced in all four language skills - listening, speaking, reading and writing - with emphasis on the ability to communicate orally and in writing. Students begin to explore and study the POS themes of Personal and Family Life, School Life, Social Life, and Community Life.

FRENCH 2 (512000 )
Grades: 9-12 Credit: one
Prerequisite: Level 1 or equivalency test
Students continue to develop proficiency in all four language skills - listening, speaking, reading, and writing - with emphasis on the ability to communicate orally and in writing. They learn to function in real-life situations using more complex sentences and language structures. They read material on familiar topics and produce short writing samples. Students continue to explore as they study the POS themes of Home Life, Student Life, Leisure Time, and Vacation and Travel.

FRENCH 3 (513000 )
Grades: 9-12 Credit: one
Prerequisite: Level 2 or equivalency test
Students continue to develop and refine their proficiency in all four language skills - listening, speaking, reading and writing - with emphasis on the ability to interact orally and in writing. They communicate using more complex language structures on a variety of topics, moving from concrete to more abstract concepts. At this level, students comprehend the main ideas of the authentic materials that they read and hear and are able to identify significant details when the topics are familiar. Students gain a deeper understanding of the world around them while studying the POS themes of Rights and Responsibilities, Future Plans and Choices, Teen Culture, Environment, and Humanities.

IB FRENCH, Part 1 (514208 )
Grades: 10-12 Credit: one (weighted +.5)
Prerequisite: Three years of French or equivalency test and permission of instructor
In this course students continue their development of proficiency in listening, speaking, reading and writing in French. Students will develop a range of styles and registers for communicative purposes . Emphasis is placed on using these skills in realistic contexts utilizing authentic materials, to include recordings, films, newspapers and magazines, in addition to selected literary works. Classwork is organized around themes relevant to the cultures of the francophone world . Examples and questions from past IB exams are used as learning tools at appropriate times throughout the course. IB French, Part 1 together with IB French, Part 2 prepares students to take the IB French examinations.

IB FRENCH, Part 2 (515208 )
Grades: 11-12 Credit: one (weighted +.5)
Prerequisite: Four years of French or equivalency test and permission of instructor. IB French I is preferred immediately prior to this course
IB French, Part 2 is the second segment of a two-year series that prepares students to take the IB French Exam. Students expand their listening, speaking, reading and writing skills, with emphasis on adapting their language to their audience in a subjective or objective mode. The course will address more complex themes related to the francophone world, through authentic materials, including films, recordings, newspapers and magazines. Selected literary works are included. Examples and questions from past IB exams are used as learning tools at appropriate times throughout the course. Students are required to take the standard level or higher level examination. Students with greater language experience are encouraged to take the higher level exam.

Latin

LATIN 1 (531000 )
Grades: 9-12 Credit: one
Students study basic grammar and learn the essential elements of Latin pronunciation in order to be able to read simple passages in Latin. They read aloud Latin passages that have been modified for comprehension. They also translate passages from Latin to English and English to Latin. The relationship of English to Latin is emphasized in vocabulary building, word derivation, and meanings of prefixes and suffixes. Points of grammar and syntax are developed through the study of literary passages. The geography, history, government, and culture of the Roman Empire are studied.

LATIN 2 (532000 )
Grades: 9-12 Credit: one
Prerequisite: Level 1 or equivalency test
Students learn additional vocabulary and new points of grammar and syntax in order to read more complex sentences and paragraphs. The active voice is review and students begin to learn the passive voice. Emphasis is placed on translation and students will begin to tranlsate a large number of passages. They study Roman life and Rome 's contribution to our civilization and language.

LATIN 3 (533000 )
Grades: 10-12 Credit: one
Prerequisite: Latin 2 or equivalency test
Latin 3 offers the student the opportunity to improve reading skills through the study of the Latin literature. Emphasis is placed on the writings of prose authors. Students translate the ancient authors and prepare a poetic interrpetation from the orignial work. Through translation and interpretation, the student gains a greater understanding of the foundation of Western government and civilization.

IB LATIN (537008 )
Grades: 11-12 Credit: one (weighted +.5)
Prerequisite: Four years of Latin or equivalency test and permission of instructor
This course focuses on the work of Ovid, Catullus, Horace, and Vergil, with emphasis placed on refining the student's ability to comprehend and interpret Latin poetry. It includes the study of literary techniques and poetic devices used by Roman authors, the life and times of Vergil, his influence on later writers, and the literary importance of the Aeneid. (Students are required to take the standard level exam.)

Spanish

SPANISH 1 (551000 )
Grades: 9-12 Credit: one
Students develop the ability to communicate about themselves and their immediate environment using simple sentences containing basic language structures. This communication is evidenced in all four language skills - listening, speaking, reading and writing - with emphasis on the ability to communicate orally and in writing. Students begin to explore and study the POS themes of Personal and Family Life, School Life, Social Life, and Community Life.

SPANISH 2 (552000 )
Grades: 9-12 Credit: one
Prerequisite: Level 1 or equivalency test
Students continue to develop proficiency in all four language skills - listening, speaking, reading, and writing - with emphasis on the ability to communicate orally and in writing. They learn to function in real-life situations using more complex sentences and language structures. They read material on familiar topics and produce short writing samples. Students continue to explore as they study the POS themes of Home Life, Student Life, Leisure Time, and Vacation and Travel.

SPANISH 3 (553000 )
Grades: 9-12 Credit: one
Prerequisite: Level 2 or equivalency test
Students continue to develop and refine their proficiency in all four language skills - listening, speaking, reading and writing - with emphasis on the ability to interact orally and in writing. They communicate using more complex language structures on a variety of topics, moving from concrete to more abstract concepts. At this level, students comprehend the main ideas of the authentic materials that they read and hear and are able to identify significant details when the topics are familiar. Students gain a deeper understanding of the world around them while studying the POS themes of Rights and Responsibilities, Future Plans and Choices, Teen Culture, Environment, and Humanities.

IB SPANISH, Part 1 (554208)
Grades: 10-12 Credit: one (weighted +.5)
Prerequisite: Three years of Spanish or equivalency test and permission of instructor
In this course students continue their development of proficiency in listening, speaking, reading and writing Spanish. The class is conducted entirely in Spanish. Emphasis is placed on using these skills in realistic contexts utilizing authentic materials; to include recordings, films, newspapers and magazines in addition to selected literary works. A significant portion of the class will reinforce and refine the grammar learned in the first three years. Class work is organized around the course themes as designated by the IBO. Examples and questions from past IB exams are used as learning tools at appropriate times throughout the course. IB Spanish, Part 1 together with IB Spanish, Part 2 prepares students to take the IB Spanish examinations. (Seniors taking this course are encouraged to take the standard level IB exam.)

IB SPANISH, Part 2 (555208)
Grades: 11-12 Credit: one (weighted +.5)
Prerequisite: Four years of Spanish, including IB Spanish B, Part One are required or equivalency test and permission of IB instructor.
IB Spanish, Part 2, is the second segment of a two-year series that prepares students to take the IB Spanish Exam. Students continue to address the IB-designated themes introduced in IB Spanish, Part 1. The development of all language skills—listening, speaking, reading, writing—continues, with emphasis on using the language in realistic contexts with authentic materials, to include films, recordings, newspa pers, magazines and selected literary works. Students are expected to monitor their refinement of grammatical structures in the context of their readings and in their writing. Students are expected to produce original ideas in various debates, projects and essays that demand individual research and preparation. Examples and questions from past IB exams are used as learning tools and are used each quarter to simulate the exam experience. (Students are required to take either the standard level or higher level examination. Students with greater language experience and proficiency are encouraged to take the higher level exam.)