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Foreign Languages
The goals of the Foreign Language Department are:
| • |
to help students to acquire the four
language skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing,
at various levels of proficiency; |
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to develop in our students the ability to communicate
with people of another culture in their language; |
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to introduce our students
to the people who speak French and Spanish and their contributions
to history, the arts, literature, and established institutions; |
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to stimulate the curiosity and the imagination
of our students and motivate them to continue the study of the
languages beyond high school to full proficiency. |
A student may meet his/her language requirement (three
years of high school credit) in either French or Spanish. The French
Exchange Program offers students opportunities to deepen their
understanding of French language and culture.
French 1 [402], 2 [403] & 3 [404] or
Spanish 1 [409], 2 [410], & 3 [411]
(full year; 1 credit each; 5 or 6 sessions
per cycle)
The basic program covers three years of either language and goes
from the elementary level (the first two years) to the intermediate
level (the third year). Students are presented vocabulary and language
structures through dialogues and readings depicting everyday life
situations. After mastery of the content, students engage in a variety
of communicative activities in pairs and small groups. Situations
are designed to imitate everyday encounters so that students achieve
a practical level of proficiency, enabling them to communicate efficiently
both in speaking and in writing. Students learn to function appropriately
both linguistically and socially as they gain a thorough knowledge
of the cultures of the French- and Spanish-speaking world. As students
progress through the levels, classes are conducted increasingly
in the target language.
Prerequisite: Advancement to the 2nd or
3rd year of a language requires a second semester grade of C or
higher in the current year.
Combined French 2 [450]/Spanish 1 [451]
(full year; 2 credits; 6 sessions per cycle)
This combined class studies both languages on a rotating schedule.
Students study French 2 one day, Spanish 1 the next, alternating
throughout the year.
Prerequisites: Completion of French 8 with
a second semester grade of A- or higher and the recommendation of
the French 8 teacher.
| Combined French 3
[452]/Spanish 2 [453] |
|
(full year; 2 credits; 6 sessions per cycle)
This combined class continues the study of both languages on a rotating
schedule. Students study French 3 one day, Spanish 2 the next, alternating
through the year.
Prerequisites: Completion of the Combined
French 2/Spanish 1 course with a second semester B+ or higher average
and departmental approval.
French 4 [405] or Spanish 4 [412]
(full year; 1 credit; 6 sessions per cycle)
These upper level courses, conducted primarily in the target language,
develop a thorough and refined knowledge of either French or Spanish,
and an appreciation for a variety of literary texts: journalistic,
scientific, prose, and poetry. They foster a familiarity with the
French- or Spanish-speaking worlds, their social and cultural lives,
institutions, and influences. There is also a general review and
expansion of the grammar learned during the previous three levels.
At the completion of this year, students should be able to read,
speak, write, and comprehend spoken French or Spanish with fluency,
ease, and pleasure.
Prerequisite: Completion of French 3 or
Spanish 3 with a second semester grade of B or higher.
Advanced Placement French [406] or Spanish
[413]
(full year; 1 credit; 6 sessions per cycle)
This course, conducted exclusively in French, is designed to place
considerable stress on vocabulary building and concentrated conversational
activities. Grammar is again reviewed and the various rules are
studied in more detail. Special emphasis is placed on those areas
most troublesome to English speakers. Throughout the year students
read modern novels in French/Spanish and discuss them extensively
and intensively. Weekly compositions are written based on the novels
and other topics. One period a week is spent working on advanced
audio and video programs to reinforce listening skills.
Prerequisites: Completion of French 4/Spanish
4 with a second semester grade of B+ or higher and the recommendation
of the French 4/Spanish 4 teacher.
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May 16, 2002
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