Chinese 1

Chinese I introduces students to the language and culture of China.  The goal is to develop basic listening, speaking, reading, and writing abilities in Mandarin Chinese and to understand the customs and life of modern China.  

Chinese 2

This course is the continuation of the beginning level course in Chinese.  The purpose of the course is to develop students' oral and written skills using vocabulary and intermediate level grammatical patterns and to acquire proficiency in writing.  Students speak Chinese in every class, refine the tones and pronunciation of Mandarin Chinese, and learn Chinese history, art, and culture.  Students will create, practice and present dialogues collaboratively in class to enhance their reading, speaking and vocabulary skills. Students present reports on culturally related topics and read modern Chinese literature. Individual, small group, and whole class exercises are used. In addition, class outings and excursions that involve visiting places where Chinese can be used in authentic communicative settings are included as part of the course.  Evaluation is based on homework assignments, exams and class participation.

Chinese 3

Chinese 3 is an in-depth continuation of Chinese 2. Chinese 3 strengthens and deepens students’ knowledge of the Chinese language and cultures, while introducing Chinese classical and modern literature.  The course emphasizes the ability to speak and read confidently in Chinese.  Based on the California Content Standards for foreign language this course enables students to write essays, speak fluent Mandarin Chinese and have a deeper perception in Chinese culture.  Students speak Chinese in every class, and will conduct language projects such as performing plays, film making, culture activities, etc.  Evaluation is based on homework assignments, exams, class participation, and daily performance. 

Chinese 3 Honors

Chinese 3 Honors* is an in-depth continuation of the development of listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills from the Chinese 2 course.  Chinese 3 Honors is an intermediate-level course that strengthens and deepens students’ knowledge of the Chinese language and culture, while introducing Chinese Proverbs and modern literature.  The course has higher standards and mastery of the language than Chinese 3.  The course will refine students’ skills in speaking, reading, and writing.  Based on the California Content Standards for foreign language, this course enables students to write paragraph essays, speak fluent Mandarin Chinese and have a deeper perception in Chinese culture, Chinese history, and Chinese geography.  The class is conducted entirely in Chinese.  Students speak Chinese in every class, and will conduct language projects such as performing plays, culture activities, etc.  Evaluation is based on homework assignments, projects, essays, exams, class participation, and daily performance. 

Chinese 4

Chinese 4 is an advanced-level course that strengthens and deepens students’ knowledge of the Chinese language and culture, while introducing various authentic materials.  The course aims to develop students’ interrelated language skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) within an enriched cultural framework.  Based on the Standards for Foreign Language Learning in the 21st Century and three communicative modes (interpersonal, interpretive, presentational) this course enables students to write multi-paragraph essays, speak fluent Mandarin Chinese and have a deeper perception in Chinese culture, Chinese history, and Chinese geography.  The class is conducted entirely in Chinese.  Students speak Chinese in every class, and will conduct language projects such as performing plays, video making, culture activities, etc. Evaluation is based on formative and summative assessments, homework assignments, quizzes, essays, exams, class participation, daily performance, and projects.

Chinese AP Language

The Chinese AP Language course is designed to be the equivalent of a fourth semester of a college course in Mandarin Chinese.  The course is based on the national Standards for Foreign Language Learning in the 21st Century.  It provides students with varied and continuing opportunities to develop and demonstrate their proficiencies across a full range of language modes: interpretive, interpersonal and presentational.  These skills include interpreting a broad range of written and oral texts, participating in two-way interaction in both conversation and writing, and in making presentations both spoken and written.  In addition, students increase their knowledge of Chinese culture, connection to cross-curricular objectives and comparisons of culture and language use within broader communities beyond the traditional school environment.

French 1

This course, conducted for the most part in French, is primarily an introduction to listening and speaking skills in French and, secondarily, a course in reading and writing skills based upon every day life situations.  Students learn to understand and to give commands, to make requests, and to indicate likes, dislikes, needs and obligations.  The student also begins to discover the French culture both formally and informally and how it has so forcibly influenced Western thought and attitude.

French 2

This course is a continuation of the development of listening, speaking, reading and writing skills from French 1.  The emphasis continues to be primarily listening and speaking and secondarily reading and writing.  Additionally, course content is still arranged around the practical needs of an individual living or visiting a French speaking country.  Many of the communicative topics of French 1 are revisited and expanded upon, while others will be completely new.  The student will learn to describe as well as to recount what he has done and what he will do.  Reading becomes slightly more important as we begin a more formal approach to French Culture. The primary means of communication in this course for both student and teacher is French.

French 3

French 3 is a continuation of the development of listening, speaking, reading and writing skills from French 2.  However, there is a change of emphasis this year.  Listening and speaking are still considered to be of primary importance. Course content is still arranged in part around communicative goals that stress the practical needs of an individual living or visiting a French speaking country; and of course, the class is conducted entirely in French.  Reading becomes equally important.  Literary tenses are introduced.  Students begin to read simplified forms of French fairy tales and other literature.  The class begins a formal survey of French history and culture with a specific reading text. Writing becomes slightly more important as we begin to think not only of syntax but organization and style.

French 3 Honors

French 3 Honors is a continuation of the development of listening, speaking, reading and writing skills from French 2.  However, there is a change of emphasis this year.  Listening and speaking are still considered to be of primary importance. Course content is still arranged in part around communicative goals that stress the practical needs of an individual living or visiting a French speaking country; and of course, the class is conducted entirely in French.  Reading becomes equally important.  Literary tenses are introduced.  Students begin to read simplified forms of French fairy tales and other literature.  The class begins a formal survey of French history and culture with a specific reading text. Writing becomes slightly more important as we begin to think not only of syntax but organization and style.

French 4

French 4 continues the development of listening, speaking, reading and writing skills from French 3.  Although listening and speaking are still considered to be of primary importance and are regularly practiced, generally in the AP examination format, reading selections are longer and more sophisticated; composition becomes a major aspect of the course.  Course content is only partially arranged around communicative goals that stress the practical needs of an individual living or visiting a French speaking country.  The class continues a formal survey of French history and culture and reads for the first time several full-length novels from France’s array of great literature.

French 4 AP Language

French 4AP continues the development of listening, speaking, reading and writing skills from French 3.  Although listening and speaking are still considered to be of primary importance and are regularly practiced, generally in the AP examination format, reading selections are longer and more sophisticated; composition becomes a major aspect of the course.  Course content is only partially arranged around communicative goals that stress the practical needs of an individual living or visiting a French speaking country.  The class continues a formal survey of French history and culture and reads for the first time several full-length novels from France’s array of great literature.

French AP Literature

This year-long course features an introduction to representative works of prose, poetry, and drama from different periods.  Emphasis is on (1) proficiency in the fundamental language skills that enable students to read and understand prose and verse of moderate difficulty and mature content; (2) formulation and expression of critical opinions and judgments in correct oral and written French, and (3) the ability to read and analyze critically and to discuss perceptively representative works of French literature.

Spanish 1

This course is an introduction to listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills based on true-life situations.  The student will learn to communicate in Spanish, develop an awareness of the Spanish culture, and develop connections to the Spanish culture.

Spanish 2

This course provides students with a variety of listening, speaking, reading and writing activities, which help the students to continue to develop their skills in those four areas. The activities are communicative in nature and based on real life situations that are of interest to the students.  Students communicate in the target language, while developing an understanding of the relationship between language and culture and in particular the relationship between the practices and perspectives of the Spanish culture.

Spanish 2 MCR

This class is structured for non-native Spanish speakers.  Students will develop basic proficiency skills in the areas of reading, writing, listening and speaking in a culturally authentic context.  This is a continuation of the beginning level course.  Students will further improve their conversation skills using a 1,000-1,200-word vocabulary and appropriate conversation level grammatical patterns.  The study of Hispanic culture will be integrated into the curriculum, providing the student a better understanding of the daily use of the language. This course is designed to meet the high school graduation requirement and is meant for students who plan to attend college with a major not requiring advanced study of Spanish.

Spanish 3

Students continue the practice of communication skills in Spanish at a more advanced level, including listening, speaking, reading, and writing with an emphasis on applications to the real world.  Added technology is incorporated into the curricula.

Spanish 3 Honors

In this third year honors class, students continue honing their skills to develop intermediate level proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing by simulating real-life experiences.  Increased insight into the Hispanic culture in relation to their own is emphasized.

Spanish 3 MCR

This course is designed for students who desire a third year of the language but do not intend on studying foreign language in college.  The pace of the course is somewhat slower than Spanish 3, but essential grammar is presented so the student is able to communicate in oral and written forms.

Spanish 4

In this year-long advanced course, literature, history, geography, and culture of Spanish speaking countries are studied.  In addition, grammar is reviewed and used to facilitate oral communication.  Extensive readings are undertaken for content, comprehension, and communication.

Spanish 5

This course is designed to continue the application and appreciation of the Spanish language and its culture through reading and analysis of the literary selections of the Spanish and Spanish American authors.  Students critique orally and in writing the representative works of prose, poetry, and drama.

Spanish AP Language

The Spanish 4 AP* course is designed to give students a comprehensive linguistic experience with emphasis on refining listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills via teacher-designed thematic units.  In addition, focused preparation for the Spanish Language AP test is incorporated into the curriculum.  The course is comparable in difficulty and content to an advanced-level college class in Spanish composition and conversation.

Spanish AP Literature

This course is designed to continue the application and appreciation of the Spanish language and its culture through reading and analysis of the literary selections of the Spanish and Spanish American authors.  The students will critique orally and in writing the representative works of prose, poetry, and drama.  In addition, focused preparation for the Spanish Literature AP test is incorporated into the curriculum.  The course is comparable in difficulty and content to an advanced-level college-class in Spanish Literature.  The reading list introduces students to diverse literature written in Spanish, assisting students in reflecting on the many voices and cultures.