World Languages

In Spanish A students will use the target language daily in reading, writing, and speaking. Students learn about Spanish cultural likenesses and differences. Technology is used to enhance the acquisition of language.

Topics studied in Spanish A include:

• Vocabulary – physical characteristics, family and home, school and activities, food, sports, well-being.
• Grammar - article, noun, and adjective agreement, regular present tense verbs, irregular present tense verbs, contractions, subject pronouns, object pronouns

In Spanish B, students continue to use the language daily in reading, writing, and speaking. Technology continues to enhance the acquisition of language. Students in Spanish II delve even deeper into cultural likenesses and differences.

Topics studied in Spanish B include:

• Vocabulary – greetings, numbers, currencies, seasons, physical descriptions, shopping, after school activities, current events, music, museums, art, weather
• Grammar – nouns, adjectives, verbs (study of tenses), indirect object pronouns, comparatives

In Spanish C, classes are conducted mostly in Spanish. Although the study of vocabulary continues, there is an even greater emphasis on correct grammatical usage. Culture studies continue to be a cornerstone of the course.

Topics studied in Spanish C include:

• More sophisticated vocabulary
• Grammar – present tense regular and irregular verbs, preterite tense regular and irregular verbs, imperfect tense regular and irregular verbs, reflexive verbs, object pronouns
• Repaso and minor illnesses, Personality, emotions, literary genres
  •Music, museums, art
  •Honing of tenses and  comparatives

Chinese A is designed for non-Chinese language educated or experienced students. The class focuses on Chinese Pinyin, radicals and character writing. Focus is also on Chinese reading, writing, speaking and listening training. Upon completion of Chinese A, students will have the ability to use simple Chinese in daily conversations.

Primary topics or units studied during the course:

• To identify and read all 36 consonants and 21 vowels in Chinese Pinyin
• To use Pinyin to decode Chinese syllables
• To read and speak Chinese using the correct tones
• To identify basic character strokes and radicals alone or in a character
• To communicate basic information in Chinese
• To master basic Chinese grammar
• To write and type short paragraphs in Chinese on certain topics
• To research and present different topics in Chinese culture.

Chinese B will continue to focus on Chinese reading, writing, speaking and listening training. Students will be motivated to understand and appreciate Chinese calligraphy, Chinese painting and paper folding. The course will complement the regular studies with Chinese culture, traditions, customs, festivals and project demonstrations. Upon completion of the Chinese B course, students will have the ability to use Chinese in daily greetings and daily conversations.

Primary topics or units studied during the course:

• Students will read and speak Chinese using the correct four tones.
• Students will identify character strokes and radicals alone or in a character.
• Students will understand the correct order to write Chinese characters.
• Students will communicate information in Chinese.
• Students will correctly write Chinese characters.
• Students will master level 1 & level 2 Chinese grammars.
• Students will research and present different topics in Chinese culture.
• Students will prepare for International Chinese HSK, YCT Level 1 Test.

Chinese C will continue to focus on Chinese reading, writing, speaking and listening training. Students will be motivated to understand and appreciate interest in Chinese calligraphy, Chinese painting and paper folding. The course will complement the regular studies with Chinese culture, traditions, customs, festivals and project demonstrations. Upon completion of Chinese C courses, students will have the ability to use Chinese in daily conversations.

Primary topics or units studied during the course:

• Students will use the correct four tones in reading and speaking.
• Students will identify radicals alone or in a character.
• Students will understand the correct order to write Chinese characters.
• Students will communicate information in Chinese.
• Students will correctly type Chinese characters on computer.
• Students will write essays in Chinese.
• Students will master level 1, level 2 & level 3 Chinese grammars.
• Students will research and present different topics in Chinese culture.
• Students will prepare for International Chinese HSK, YCT Level 1 & Level 2 Test.

In French A, students use French daily in reading, writing, and speaking. Students have opportunities to dialogue about everyday interactions, such as greetings and casual conversation. The course introduces students to French culture by incorporating cultural events such as movies, research projects about famous French people and countries where French is the official language. French A students will apply what has been learned in class to real life situations.

Topics studied in French A:

• Vocabulary - Greetings and basic French, family and home, physical characteristics, school and activities, food, clothing
• Grammar – Article, noun, and adjective agreement, regular present tense verbs, irregular present tense verbs, possessive adjectives, verbs in near future, and comparing.

The French B course is a continuation of skills learned in French A. Goals of the course include development of listening, reading, writing and speaking skills; moving from advanced beginner to intermediate level; and communicating in the classroom almost exclusively in French.  Students in French B will work to master the grammar skills of regular present tense verbs (Third group), irregular present tense verbs, regular and irregular past tense, reflexive verbs in present tense and past tense, imperative tense, negative, interrogative, demonstrative adjectives and pronouns through the following topics:  rain and train station, sports, seasons, cultural activities, health, and everyday life.

In French C students continue development of listening, reading, writing, and speaking skills. They move from low intermediate to advanced intermediate. Communication in the French C classroom is conducted almost exclusively in French.

Topics studied in French C include:

• Vocabulary - Cultural activities, travel, health, banking and mailing, modern communication, health, and gastronomy.
• Grammar – Pronouns, imperative tense, relative pronoun, future tense, reciprocal action, conditional tense, irregular present tense verbs, past tense (Imparfait/P.composé)

The study of Latin has two main components: the study of Roman history and culture and the study of the Latin classical language used. Both have important benefits to modern students. A study of Roman history and culture gives students the opportunity to see many origins of our modern culture and to analyze historical events and practices as they relate to and differ from our society. The study of the Latin language increases a student’s understanding of language structure across spoken languages, increases their English vocabulary, solidifies their understanding of grammar, and requires the development of critical thinking. Immediate benefits of increased verbal scores combined with understanding deeper themes of classical literature make the study of Latin invaluable.

In Latin I, students are introduced to the language of the ancient Romans through a combination of grammar, reading comprehension, and verbal/ oral exercises. Students will also discover the Latin roots of English words in order to improve their vocabulary. Finally, students will learn about the ancient world by looking at its mythology and religion, law, government, politics, literature and art, and daily life.