|
Language choice is Spanish, French, Chinese, and Latin. Students
must complete through Level III of one language, with most going
beyond. Course selection depends on placement, with many courses
available in regular and honors sections. Honors classes cover
the same topics but in greater breadth and depth, heading to AP
exam preparation.
Spanish
Spanish I
introduces the basic language skills: listening, reading,
writing, speaking. Students are exposed to geographical and
cultural aspects of Spanish-speaking countries.
Spanish II
reviews basic grammatical concepts and improves students' basic
skills in listening, reading, writing and speaking.
Spanish III
raises students’ mastery to a level of communicative competence.
Students learn new vocabulary and grammar through a
variety of themes, and write guided compositions.
Spanish IV AP Language
is conducted entirely in Spanish.
Current topics of interest are discussed daily.
Vocabulary and grammar study plays a major role.
Students prepare formal compositions.
Literary readings are authentic and unabridged.
Spanish IV
improves speaking, writing, listening, and reading proficiency
through the exploration of different content areas pertinent to
Latin America and Spain.
It is conducted primarily in Spanish, and students begin
to use primary sources.
AP Spanish Literature
introduces various genres of Hispanic Literature. Students read
entirely from original works and write essays in Spanish.
Many electives are options for upper-level students: Cinema
of Spain; Creative Writing in Spanish; Service
Learning in Spanish; Spanish in the Metroplex;
ABC's of South America: Argentina, Brazil, and Chile.
French
French I
emphasizes listening comprehension and speaking, with grammar
taught through usage as well as oral and written exercises.
Reading and writing are introduced.
French II
continues the emphasis on the spoken language with greater
vocabulary and speech patterns. Grammar continues to be
developed in conjunction with reading selections.
French III
is for students
with moderate ability to speak French.
The course further develops that speaking ability and
reinforces grammar while expanding vocabulary, with frequent
exercises in listening and reading comprehension. Some guided
composition is required.
French IV Honors
students
analyze reading material, write meaningful papers in French, and
give articulate oral reports.
Grammar reinforcement continues and students learn
additional vocabulary and idioms.
French AP
is conducted entirely in French.
Current topics are discussed.
Literature, grammar and idiomatic usage play a major
role. Students
present papers and oral reports.
Special emphasis is given on spoken French, with the goal
being able to communicate with native speakers.
Many electives are options for upper-level students: The
French Cinema, French-speaking Canada and Louisiana;
Written and Oral Communication in French;
Literature and Culture of French-Speaking Africa;
French Music and Poetry;
and
French as the Official Language.
Chinese
Chinese I
initiates training in listening, speaking, reading,
and writing, as well as in the foundational study skills
necessary for competence in Chinese. Students learn pinyin
Romanization, Zhuyin fuhao, and traditional characters.
Special emphasis is given to the acquisition of tones.
Various aspects of Chinese culture, geography, and
history supplement the formal study of language.
Chinese II
increases fluency with a greater number of sentence-patterns and
a broader vocabulary. Students become more familiar with
cultural issues as they expand the range of their ability to
communicate in and about Chinese.
Chinese III
involves
more explicit analysis of grammar, greater exposure to the
history of the language, and increasingly intensive training in
all aspects of the language.
At the same time, work continues in general culture and
history.
Chinese IV
strengthens fluency in writing and speaking through student
essays and oral reports.
Independent work on topics of individual interest is
required.
Discussions based on readings in culture and current events
extend the work in pronunciation and grammar.
Chinese V
continues work in Modern Standard Mandarin with a primary focus
on Literary Chinese. This discussion-based course involves
training and close reading and syntactic analysis.
Upper-level electives include Selected Readings in East Asian
Literature
and
East Asian Cultures: China, Japan, Korea.
Latin
Latin I
focuses on reading Latin; covers fundamentals of morphology,
grammar, and syntax; and considers Latin’s role in the
development of English, Romance languages, and Western
civilization.
Finally, students gain a working knowledge of early Roman
history.
Latin II
expands students’ grammatical training and vocabulary base, and
integrates more cultural aspects of ancient Romans.
Students survey Roman history from the late Republic to
the Roman Empire of the 2nd century.
Latin III
facilitates the transition from adapted to unadapted Latin as
students aim to complete their grammar acquisition in the first
half of the year.
Then the course focuses on prose or poetry.
Latin IV Honors
studies poetry with selections from Ovid, Catullus, Horace, and
Vergil. The process
of writing analytical essays will be stressed. Students
translate the poetry accurately from Latin, demonstrate a grasp
of grammatical structures and vocabulary, and discuss each
selection.
AP Vergil
reviews Vergil’s life and his political and literary influences
before students read the
Aeneid in English, as well as selections in Latin. Students
translate the poetry accurately from Latin, demonstrate a grasp
of grammatical structures and vocabulary, and discuss passages
in the context of the whole work.
Upper level electives in Latin include: Julius Caesar and His
Military Conquest;
Cicero’s First Oration against Catiline;
I, Claudius: Roman
culture from the Julio-Claudian Era; Roman Comedy &
Satire; Fact or
Fiction?;
Ovid; Poetry of Catullus; and Selections
from Vergil’s Aeneid.
|