FOREIGN LANGUAGE

 

SPANISH I

2 semesters Elective Grades 9-12 2 credits

Prerequisite: "C" or higher in English

 

First year students learn correct pronunciation by listening to tapes and to the teacher. Daily classroom period is spent in oral drill. Practical sentences are memorized and utilized through skits. Much memorization of vocabulary is required, along with work on grammatical structures of the language. The objective of Spanish I is that the student can begin to communicate in the Spanish language. Cultural information is added by means of slides, maps, songs, books, videos, and the instructor.

 

 

Spanish II

 

Credits: 2             

Length: 2 semesters

Recommendation: C or higher in Spanish I

Fee: none

 

Considerations:

A course for further developing basic language skills and the ability to communicate in Spanish.  The course will also introduce cultural information on various Spanish speaking countries.

 

Course Description:

This course is a continuation of Spanish I and is designed to further develop students’ Spanish skills.  Students refine their grammar usage through continued review of basic grammar structures along with learning new grammar.  Vocabulary is essential and must be memorized.  Listening, speaking, reading and writing skills are all targeted through listening to stories and retelling them, recordings, writing assignments, projects, pair and group work.  Cultural information on Spanish speaking countries is covered through reading, DVD’s and projects.

 

Skills needed to be successful: 

Good study skills: study daily, practice saying the Spanish words when you study, make sure you understand the practice sentences you do in homework assignments, and study vocabulary daily, both from Spanish into English as well as English into Spanish.

Participate in classroom activities. 

Regular work habits on daily work. We continually use and build on what you have learned in prior lessons.

 

 

Expectations:

Make regular progress on a daily basis. 

Study vocabulary daily

Participate in class speaking activities.

 

Career Pathways related to content:

Knowing a foreign language broadens your job opportunities.  Spanish can be an asset for a variety of fields such as health, business, education, communication and marketing.

 

 

Course:  Spanish III

 

 

Credits: 2

Length: 2 semesters

Recommendation: C or higher in Spanish II

Fee: none

 

Considerations:

A course for further developing the ability to read, write and speak in Spanish while increasing cultural awareness and knowledge of Spanish speaking countries.

 

Course Description:

This course will continue to develop students’ Spanish language skills in reading, writing, speaking and listening.  New grammatical structures will be introduced.  Memorization of vocabulary is a critical part of the class.  The focus will be on conversation and communication in Spanish with numerous opportunities to speak through pair work, group work and oral reports.  Spanish speaking countries and culture will be studied in depth.  Reading will be practiced using short stories and books.

 

Skills needed to be successful:

Regular work habits on daily work.  We continually use and build on what you have learned in prior lessons.

Good study skills: study daily, practice saying the Spanish words when you study, make sure you understand the practice sentences you do in homework assignments.

A willingness to try to speak Spanish on a daily basis in class.

 

Expectations:

Make regular progress on a daily basis. 

Study vocabulary daily, both from Spanish into English as well as English into Spanish.

Participate in classroom activities.

 

Career Pathways related to content:

Knowing a foreign language broadens your job opportunities.  Spanish can be an asset for a variety of fields such as health, business, education, communication and marketing.

 

Course:  Spanish IV

 

 

Credits:  2 credits

Length:  2 Semesters, year long

Recommendation:  C or better in Spanish III

Fee:  None

 

Considerations: 

This is a course for continuing your knowledge of the Spanish language and improving your speaking, writing, reading, and listening skills.  This is an advanced level course.

 

Course Description:

This class covers the more advanced concepts of grammar in Spanish, such as:  additional tenses, the subjunctive, por vs. para, ser vs. estar and the uses of se.  This class covers the five learning areas of language:  culture, reading, writing, speaking, reading, and listening.   The emphasis is on speaking and reading and the class is conducted almost entirely in Spanish.  Each semester a short book will be read and discussed.

 

Skills needed to be successful:

Good work habits, study skills, and an advanced understanding of grammar concepts.

Self motivation to study the vocabulary daily on your own.  There are weekly unannounced quizzes.

A willingness to try to speak Spanish all the time while in Spanish class.

 

Expectations:

Students will be learning new concepts as well as reviewing concepts from previous years. Activities in the classroom will vary, but include such things as:  listening to stories and retelling them, journals, skits, translating, reading, worksheets, writing stories or papers and cultural projects.

 

Career Pathways related to content:

Spanish is a growing language in our country and there is a high demand for people who are able to converse in Spanish.  Spanish can enhance your employability in a variety of fields such as health, business, education, communication and marketing.