World Languages
Students must complete coursework through level III, with a minimum of two (2) consecutive years of their chosen language in the high school, to meet the requirements for graduation.
For native speakers wanting to fulfill the language requirement in their native language, they must complete three consecutive years of study through our advanced courses/directed study options.
Honors/Advanced Spanish Placement Test - See Mrs. Coccia for consideration.
World Languages Department Chair
Courses in World Languages
- Chinese
- Latin
- Spanish
- Electives - Only for students who have completed their Level 3 language requirement.
Chinese
Chinese I (1 credit)
The initial course in Mandarin Chinese gives students an introduction to the Chinese language and culture. All aspects of the language—speaking, listening, reading, writing, as well as grammar, are introduced. Students are required to memorize vocabulary, phrases, and dialogues in order to establish a sound foundation. At the end of the course, students are expected to understand pinyin pronunciation and feel comfortable speaking the language. Students learn to conduct conversations and read and write sentences at the high-novice level and to recognize and write approximately 200 Chinese characters in both traditional and simplified formats. In addition, students gain knowledge of selected topics of Chinese culture.
Chinese II (1 credit)
The second year of Chinese builds upon the lessons presented in the first year study. Students improve their command of listening and speaking and learn the reading and writing of 200 additional Chinese characters. Chinese literature is introduced with proverbs and poetry as the focus. At the end of the academic year, students are expected to have mastered the pinyin pronunciation system. The goal is speaking, listening, reading, and writing at the low-intermediate level. Students also master typing in Chinese.
Chinese III (1 credit)
In the third year of Chinese, students have more in-depth exposure to the Mandarin Chinese language and to Chinese culture and literature. An additional 200 Chinese characters are introduced. At the end of the course, students demonstrate their proficiency in speaking, listening, reading, and writing at the mid-intermediate level.
Chinese IV (1 credit)
Chinese IV promotes mastery of the language beyond the three-year requirement and prepares students for further studies in college. Students continue to develop and refine their proficiency in all four language skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) by learning new materials as well as reviewing the materials learned before. An additional 200 Chinese characters are introduced. At the end of the course, students are able to communicate in Chinese by using more complex language structures on a variety of topics at the high-intermediate level. Students will take the Chinese proficiency test (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi-HSK).
Latin
- Latin I (1 credit)
- Latin II (1 credit)
- Latin III (1 credit)
- Latin IV (1 credit)
- Honors Advanced Latin (1 credit)
- Latin V
Latin I (1 credit)
The Latin I course focuses on the basics of the language. The concentration will be on grammar, vocabulary, the influence of Latin on English and other languages, and using Latin to build English skills. Roman and Greek culture, mythology, and history are emphasized. Simple readings in Latin will be presented.
Course Fee: $5 National Latin Exam Fee
Latin II (1 credit)
The second year of Latin begins with a review of material and topics from Latin I. Longer reading passages are introduced and become the goal of the course work. The reading will be used to further the knowledge of Roman history and myth, as well as to introduce the world of the Greeks. Readings include selections from writers such as Livy and Caesar, in addition to the stories of heroes such as Jason and Perseus.
Course Fee: $5 National Latin Exam Fee
Latin III (1 credit)
Latin III is a class that focuses on reading Latin to learn about politics, biography, values, and our own world through the Latin authors. Readings will be predominantly in Latin, but some selections will also be read in English. The majority of the readings will be prose. Authors include Pliny the Younger, Sallust, Cicero, Caesar, and some medieval authors such as St. Jerome. If there is time, a few selections from Ovid’s “Metamorphoses” will be read.
Course Fee: $5 National Latin Exam Fee
Latin IV (1 credit)
This course is designed for students who wish to continue their Latin studies but may not be taking the AP Latin Examination. It is a course in reading from non-prose writers such as Plautus, Vergil, Ovid, and Horace. Students will also read in English from Greek non-prose writers such as Euripides, Homer, Sophocles, and Herodotos.
Prerequisites: A passing grade in Latin III and instructor approval.
Course Fee: $5 National Latin Exam Fee
Honors Advanced Latin (1 credit)
The Honors/Advanced Latin course is designed for students considering college placement tests in Latin. The outline of the class is based on typical Latin syllabi for two semesters: first semester, based on Julius Caesar and the second semester, on The Aeneid by Vergil. Teacher approval is needed for this course and an A or B average for Latin I, II and III. National Latin Exam scores may also be taken into consideration. With instructor permission, this course can replace Latin IV. A student who qualifies for a fifth year of study may take this course, following his fourth year of study. Students will be expected to take the AP Latin or the SAT II subject test in Latin, or some other placement or scholarship test.
Prerequisites: An A- average for Latin I, II, and III as well as the instructor’s approval.
Course Fee: $5 National Latin Exam Fee
Latin V
Latin V is a course designed as a directed study for students who wish to read further in Latin, and either do not want to take Honors/Advanced Latin, or who took Latin IV or the Honors/Advanced Latin class as a junior. Students will meet 2-3 times a week with the instructor, reading a collection of materials provided by the instructor based on pre-selected themes. This course will require the student to read, as well as, do some independent research. There will be a final project in place of an exam at the end of each semester. This project will be a major connection piece of reading, translation, and research on a topic agreed upon by the student and the instructor.
Prerequisites: A passing grade in Latin IV and instructor approval.
Course Fee: $5 National Latin Exam Fee
Spanish
- Spanish I and Spanish II (1 credit each)
- Spanish III (1 credit)
- Spanish IV (1 credit)
- Honors/Advanced Spanish
- Spanish V
Spanish I and Spanish II (1 credit each)
The first two years of the Spanish program are designed to provide students with language skills that will be useful in real-life contact with speakers of Spanish at home or abroad. Classes will encourage interaction in the Spanish language between the teacher and the students, and among the students themselves. Active participation is essential to success. These courses are heavy in vocabulary and grammar and students are expected to spend a lot of time studying and memorizing. All four language skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) are interwoven against authentic backgrounds of contemporary culture in the Spanish-speaking countries of the world.
Spanish III (1 credit)
Students are required to demonstrate their skills through compositions, conversations, and speeches on a variety of topics in the target language. Throughout the year students gain reinforcement in all components of the language (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) through a review of grammar, particularly the verb tenses.
Spanish IV (1 credit)
This is a one-year course designed for the student who enjoys Spanish and has three years of prior study in the language. The student who takes this course is seriously considering continuing his studies at the university level. The course will include -- but is not limited to --grammar, Spanish articles (newspapers and magazines), the short story, film, and other items of cultural interest. Emphasis will be on written and oral communication.
Honors/Advanced Spanish
An intermediate/advanced level of language focusing on increased structural accuracy in speaking, listening, reading and writing. Students will be exposed to unedited authentic materials (i.e., newspapers, books, movies, audio sources, etc.) to improve proficiency in the four skill areas. They will gain an increased appreciation of cultural diversities.
Prerequisites: Recommendation from the Spanish III teacher. In addition, students must successfully pass the Honors/Advanced Spanish writing assessment placement exam which will be given during or after school and graded on a 1-5 scale by the instructor.
The Spanish Honors Advanced Placement Test for the 2020 - 2021 school year will take place on Wednesday, January 15, 2019 at 3 p.m. in Room 139. Contact Mr. Maddox if you have questions.
Taking the A.P. test or SAT subject test are optional for this course. The cost of the test will be charged to the student's billing account.
Course Fee: $94 AP Spanish Language Exam Fee
Spanish V
This course objective is to expand students' knowledge of vocabulary while learning composition, speaking and interpretive skills. Students expand knowledge of literary analytical terminology, apply literary analytical terminology through investigation of a novel, review more complex grammatical structures in Spanish, and practice and improve their Spanish conversational skills.
Electives - Only for students who have completed their Level 3 language requirement.
Roman Life and Society (1.0 credit) NEW
The political and societal history course covers the Romans from their beginnings under the monarchy to the Fall of the Empire in fifth century AD. The course is divided into two semesters. The first half will cover the Roman Monarchy to the Fall of the Roman Republic. The second semester highlights the rise and fall of the Empire, from Augustus to Rome’s revival as the Byzantine Empire. This course is only for students who have completed their three consecutive year study of one language.