With the growing Spanish speaking population both nationally and locally, today's students need to be prepared for a global workforce in the future. Spanish I is an introduction to the Spanish language and culture. Through oral, written, listening, reading, and game activities, students will learn grammar, vocabulary and culture. Students will learn the alphabet, colors, numbers and greetings, weather expressions, and telling time, express basic needs and wants, make plans, describe where people and objects are located, describe daily activities and routines, and describe how they feel.  Students will be expected to perform real-life skits in the target language. Most universities require two high school credits in a foreign language; this class satisfies the first of these credits.

Throughout this course, students will be given the opportunity to expand upon the skills learned in Spanish 1 in a variety of modes; interpersonal, interpretive and presentational. Conversation in the language will be emphasized and students will talk about topics such as their family and friends, daily routines, hobbies, making future plans, communicating about food preferences, making suggestions, asking for and giving opinions, discussing past tense occurrences, giving commands, making comparisons, and discussions relative to staying fit and healthy. Students will be given many opportunities to express themselves orally and in writing in the language using interviews, projects and creative writing activities.

 

Grades 11-12

1.00 Credit

Level 2

Course # 2214

Students will continue to create with the language by combining previously learned material with more in-depth grammatical structures. They will use their language skills to read, write, listen, and speak on a variety of familiar topics such as: advanced vocabulary for describing oneself and others; discussing a health or emotional problem with a counselor or doctor; talking about future events; discussing hobbies and pastimes; discussing friendships and relationships; discussing college plans, and using the subjunctive to express hopes and wishes.  Students will also analyze, examine, and interpret various Hispanic muralists and artists and their works of art.  Students will also examine the history, culture, and region of Castilla-La Mancha.

The three modes of communication (Interpersonal, Interpretive, and Presentational) defined in the Standards for Foreign Language Learning in the 21st Century are foundational to the AP Spanish Language and Culture
course. The AP course provides students with opportunities to demonstrate their proficiency in each of the three modes in the Intermediate to Pre-Advanced range as described in the ACTFL Performance Guidelines for K–12 Learners. As such, the AP Spanish Language and Culture course has been designed to provide advanced high school students with a rich and rigorous opportunity to study the language and culture of the Spanish speaking
world that is approximately equivalent to an upper-intermediate college or university Spanish course. It is expected that this course will be offered as the first step in the study of college-level Spanish after
Approximately three to five years of language study for classroom learners.  For native and heritage speakers, there may be a different course of study that leads to the AP Spanish Language and Culture course. Students who are successful in this course and exam may continue their study of college level Spanish by taking the AP Spanish Literature and Culture course and exam, as well.  The AP Spanish Language and Culture course takes a holistic approach to language proficiency and recognizes the complex interrelatedness of comprehension and comprehensibility, vocabulary usage, language control, communication strategies, and cultural awareness. Students should learn language structures in context and use them to convey meaning. In standards-based world language classrooms, the instructional focus is on function and not the examination of irregularity and complex grammatical paradigms about the target language. Language structures should be addressed inasmuch as they serve the communicative task and not as an end goal unto themselves. The AP Spanish Language and Culture course strives to promote both fluency and accuracy in language use and not to overemphasize grammatical accuracy at the expense of communication.
In order to best facilitate the study of language and culture, the course is taught in the target language.  The AP Spanish Language and Culture course engages students in an exploration of culture in both contemporary and historical contexts.  The course develops students’ awareness and appreciation of products, both tangible (e.g., tools, books) and intangible (e.g., laws, conventions, institutions); practices (patterns of social interactions within a culture); and perspectives (values, attitudes, and assumptions that underlie both practices and products).  Students will be required to take the AP Exam or take a final exam at the end of the school year.  Students will be responsible for the cost of the AP Exam.

Grades 9-12

1.00 Credit

Level 1

Course # 2221

Understanding of a world language and culture is necessary for today's youth if they want to be competitive in the future job market. In French I, students will begin their journey into the study of a world language. Students will learn greetings and introductions, numbers, weather expressions, telling time, and how to order in a cafe through the use of oral and written activities in the language. Students will also be introduced to the culture of the French speaking world through a variety of media and activities. Most universities require two high school credits in a foreign language; this class satisfies the first of these credits.

Grades 9-12

1.00 Credit

Level 1

Course # 2222

The opportunity to travel or study in another country is a realistic possibility today. In French II, the students will learn helpful vocabulary to use in French-speaking countries. Through skits and conversational activities in the language, students learn to ask for, understand and give directions, shop, and order in a restaurant. They will also be able to discuss some topics of interest to them. Grammar is learned in small units allowing for the gradual progress from one concept to the next in oral and written form. Students experience the culture of French-speaking countries through reading selections, various media presentations, discussions, and cuisine.

Grades 10-12

1.00 Credit

Level 2

Course # 2223

French III focuses on the expansion of vocabulary and grammar structures, which provide a greater opportunity for self-expression in both oral and written communication in the language. Students will be able to give their opinions on certain topics, discuss their daily activities, and tell stories in various tenses. Reading selections, presentations, and holiday activities give the students insight to the attitudes and culture of French-speaking people. Many colleges and/or majors require students to attain an intermediate level of a world language.

Grades 11-12

1.00 Credit

Level 2

Course # 2224

In today's global economy, many companies search for employees who can speak a world language. French IV allows the students to use the language more proficiently and creatively. The advanced grammar and vocabulary help the student discuss and write about topics of today. Students read magazine articles to be aware of what is current. They read samples from literature, learn about important historical events, and identify various artists and their works in order to increase their cultural awareness of French-speaking countries.

Grades 12

1.00 Credit

Level 3

Course # 2225

The three modes of communication (Interpersonal, Interpretive, and Presentational) defined in the Standards for Foreign Language Learning in the 21st Century are foundational to the CIS French Language and Culture
course. This course provides students with opportunities to demonstrate their proficiency in each of the three modes in the Intermediate to Pre-Advanced range as described in the ACTFL Performance Guidelines for K–12 Learners.  The French 5 course takes a holistic approach to language proficiency and recognizes the complex interrelatedness of comprehension and comprehensibility, vocabulary usage, language control, communication strategies, and cultural awareness. Students should learn language structures in context and use them to convey meaning. In standards-based world language classrooms, the instructional focus is on function and not the examination of irregularity and complex grammatical paradigms about the target language. Language structures should be addressed inasmuch as they serve the communicative task and not as an end goal unto themselves. The course strives to promote both fluency and accuracy in language use and not to overemphasize grammatical accuracy at the expense of communication. In order to best facilitate the study of language and culture, the course is taught in the target language. French 5 engages students in an exploration of culture in both contemporary and historical contexts. The course develops students’ awareness and appreciation of products, both tangible (e.g., tools, books, music) and intangible (e.g., laws, conventions, institutions); practices (patterns of social interactions within a culture); and perspectives (values, attitudes, and assumptions that underlie both practices and products.)