Modern Languages

French

Department Members

Mrs. Chantal Bencze, Dept. Head
Mrs. Monique Enos

French I

This is the entry-level course for high school French. It is for students who did not take French A and French B in middle school, and prepares students for taking the French AP in three years. This is a conversational class and which requires outside reading and reviews of French language movies to acclimate the student's ear to the written and spoken language.

Prerequisite: None
Text: Bon Voyage, Glencoe

French II

In this class students continue the study of French grammar, vocabulary, and culture. The class also introduces students to selections from French literature and some history. Students have opportunities to interact in French and to give occasional oral reports on topics related to our curriculum. One French film is shown each semester for cultural enrichment and listening comprehension.

Prerequisite: French I with C or better average or department approval
Text: Bon Voyage, Glencoe

French III

Instruction for this class is conducted mostly in French. We study the subjunctive mood and the passe simple tense used in literature. We continue our program of intensive vocabulary building which includes idioms and colloquial expressions. We supplement our reading with stories from Le Petit Nicolas by Sempe-Goscinny. We also continue our study of French history and civilization. Films are shown occasionally to acquaint students with French culture.

Prerequisite: French II
Text: En Bonne Forme, accompanied by CDs and workbook

French IV

This class continues our multi-faceted program of listening and reading comprehension, conversation, writing proficiency, vocabulary, and structure building through the study of French literature and civilization. The class intensifies the development of a solid grammar base. We use whole language instructions, a functional approach which emphasizes meaningful verbal and written communication based on the study of whole texts instead of isolated words and syntax. Students read Internet articles on Francophone sites and prepare written and oral reports about these articles as well as personal journals.

Prerequisites: French III
Texts: En Bonne Forme
Tresors du Temps
Le Petit Prince by Saint-Exupery

French AP

This course follows the objectives for French AP as set out by the College Board. The course emphasizes the use of language for active communication and helps students develop:

  • the ability to understand spoken French in various contexts

  • a French vocabulary sufficiently ample for reading newspapers and magazine articles, literary texts, and other non-technical writing

  • the ability to express themselves coherently, resourcefully, and with reasonable fluency and accuracy in both written and spoken French

The course seeks to develop language skills (reading, writing, and speaking) that may be used in various activities and disciplines rather than to cover any specific body of subject matter. Extensive training in the organization and writing of compositions are also emphasized. In addition, we read a work of literature each semester, which as Pagnol's Marius or Sarte's No Exit.

Prerequisite: French IV
Text: A variety of literary works

Spanish

Department Members

Mrs. MariCarmen Wiedemann, Dept. Head

Spanish I

This is a beginning level class for students with no previous knowledge of Spanish. It is offered on an as-needed basis only for students who have not taken Spanish in middle school. Students study grammar in the present and present progressive tenses, adjectives, adverbs, and pronouns. Vocabulary  is thematic and changes with each chapter.

Prerequisite: None
Text: Puntos de Partida (includes a workbook and the Quia online lab)

Spanish II

This is a beginning level class for students who have taken Spanish I or its equivalent. (A placement test may be given for new students or Hispanic students.) Students study grammar in the preterite, imperfect, imperative, and present subjunctive tenses as well as comparatives, superlatives, interrogatives, relative pronouns, expressions of time, and prepositions. Vocabulary is thematic and changes with each chapter.

Prerequisite: Spanish A and B (in middle school) or Spanish I, with a C or better average
Texts: Puntos de Partida (includes a workbook and the Quia online lab)
Easy Spanish Reader
Destinos video series

Spanish III

This is an intermediate level class. (A placement test may be given for new students or Hispanic students.) Students study grammar in the future, conditional, present and imperfect subjunctive, present perfect, and present perfect subjunctive tenses as well as conjunctions, more usages of adjectives and pronouns. Vocabulary is thematic and changes with each chapter.

In the second semester, after completing the text, Puntos de Partida, the class will begin the pre-AP text, En Contacto: Gramatica en Accion and En Contacto: Lecturas Intermedias.

Prerequisite: Spanish II, with a C or better average
Texts: Puntos de Partida (includes a workbook and the Quia online lab)
Easy Spanish Reader
Destinos video series
En Contacto: Gramatica en Accion (includes workbook and manual lab)
En Contacto: Lecturas Intermedias

Spanish IV

This is the pre-AP class for students who have successfully completed Spanish II or its equivalent.  (A placement test may be given for new students or Hispanic students.) The focus is on grammar, writing, reading, and verbal skills.

Students in this class have already studied Spanish grammar and have been exposed to all levels of grammatical usage throughout both the text and the reader. In this class, all aspects of grammar are studied more intensively and in-depth as a preparation for the AP exam. Students begin to write essays of 250 words or more.

Vocabulary is thematic and changes with each chapter. Students are required to use vocabulary more actively, both in writing and orally. They are expected to have a much higher level of comprehension of the spoken language, as much more of the class is taught exclusively in Spanish.

Prerequisite: Spanish III, with a B or better average
Texts: En Contacto: Gramatica en Accion (includes workbook and manual lab)
En Contacto: Lecturas Intermedias
Destinos video series

This is an advanced, college-level course. Spanish AP prepares students to take the Advanced Placement exam. Students record oral presentations and directed dialogs. They also write essays and read excerpts from Spanish literature. They also undertake an intensive review of Spanish grammar.

Students continue to write essays of 250 words or more. In addition, they research different topics and make PowerPoint presentations in Spanish to the class. Vocabulary is thematic and changes with each chapter. Students must speak only Spanish in class. Students in this class are required to take the AP exam.

Prerequisite: Spanish IV with a A average both semesters (and the AP teacher's approval)
Texts: Triangulo: A Proposito
Harcourt Brace College Outline Series: Spanish Grammar
El Cuento Hispanico (a graded literary anthology)

Chinese

Department Members

Mrs. Shu-Hua Lee

Chinese I

This course is offered to students who have little or no Mandarin Chinese language background. The course provides instructions in all four language skills of aurally understanding, speaking, reading, and writing. It also covers the Chinese pinyin romanization systems, simplified character writing, and grammar. Students learn basic conversational skills via situational activities and tasks in class. In addition, students are required to use Chinese typing skills as a means of learning Chinese.

Prerequisite: None

Chinese II

This course emphasizes development of vocabulary, grammar, and sentence patterns in a meaningful context. Students develop language competency ranging from simple expressions to complex structures. The integrated activities in class provide students time to practice communication skills as well as to build knowledge of Chinese culture. Students are required to construct narrative writings and orally perform in a variety of situations.

Prerequisite: Chinese I or pass Chinese I placement test

Chinese III

In Mandarin Chinese III students do more sophisticated reading and writing about various cultural topics. Chinese idioms, proverbs, and colloquial usages are implemented into the curriculum to enhance comprehension. Students are expected to reach higher levels of proficiency in terms of all language skills.

Prerequisite: Chinese II or pass Chinese II placement test

Chinese IV

Students further develop knowledge of and proficiency in the Chinese language and culture. Class instruction is in Chinese only, except for some grammar explanations. The course objectives align with National Standards for Foreign Language Learning - the five Cs (communication, culture, connections, comparisons, and communities). Class materials and activities engage students in the exploration of various cultural issues and language learning, which prepares students for SAT Chinese and AP Chinese exams.

Prerequisite: Chinese III or pass Chinese III placement test