LANGUAGE STUDY
Mr. William Hornick, Chair
NOTE: In order to graduate from high school in New York State, students must complete at least one (1) year of language study. Most 4-year colleges expect to see two (2) or more units of language study on a transcript. In order to receive an “Advanced Regents Diploma” students must pass the language regents Comprehensive given at the end of level 3 of study.
IN ORDER TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN LANGUAGE STUDY:
- You can’t learn a language by spending only 40 minutes a day. You have to use it to develop your understanding. Immerse yourself in it as much as you can.
- Students must learn the vocabulary on the day it is assigned. That vocabulary should be reviewed often until it is a part of the student’s own vocabulary, not just something to be memorized.
- Students need to do the homework when it is assigned, on their own. Some assistance is helpful, but copying homework does nothing to improve the student’s ability to learn how to learn a language.
- Students need to ask the teacher for help before it’s too late. If you have problems with the homework, an incomplete homework is better than doing nothing. See the teacher, point out what your problems were.
- Keep an orderly notebook and vocabulary cards.
- Take as many opportunities as possible to “speak” in class. The more you do it, the easier it gets and the less embarrassed you become.
- Recognize that the best way to learn in a language class is to be there! If you are absent, make up the work as soon as possible. Remember that language is developmental. If you miss parts, the rest will be weak.
- Repeat this to yourself often: The reason I’m studying this language is so that I’ll be able to speak it, read it, and use it.
- Be positive. Learning how to learn a language is a life skill.
- Do whatever you can to learn about and understand the culture. It helps you understand others and it helps you appreciate your own.
ACCELERATION IN LANGUAGE STUDY
Prerequisite: Placement test Reading and Language Arts scores at 90th percentile or above, English and History in the 90’s
Duration: full year
Credit: 1 unit
Weight = 1.00
Students who show high ability in language arts may be invited to begin language study in the 7th or 8th grade, thereby accelerating their study. This is a full year high school course which provides a high school credit for language study. The purpose of acceleration is not so the student will be “done with it” sooner, but rather to enable the student to continue on to the advanced levels of language study or to make room in the student’s schedule so he can take another language.
571 – Spanish 1A
Prerequisite: 90% on the entrance exam, A in English 6
Credit: 1
Weight = 1.00
Spanish 1A is the first year of a two-year in-depth study of level 1 Spanish. Students must have exhibited a strong foundation in grammar and syntax
511 (581) - SPANISH 1 512 (582) - FRENCH 1
Prerequisite: none
Credit: 1
Weight = 1.00
Final examination: department-developed exam
All of the language skills are developed in the first level of language study with major emphasis on listening and elementary speaking skills through the mastery of basic vocabulary used in conversational situations. Grammar is used to support the objective of functional proficiency ‑ being able to understand and use the language in ordinary daily situations such as shopping, asking and giving directions, describing one's likes and dislikes and describing events in the present, past and future.
NOTE: Middle school Level 1 students must pass the NYS Proficiency exam in June in order to earn 1 credit toward high school graduation.
521 - SPANISH 2 524 - FRENCH 2/H
Prerequisite: a grade of 75+ in Spanish 1 (Proficiency shown at Checkpoint A of the NYS Syllabus)
Credit: 1
Weight = 1.00
Grade level: 9/10
Final examination: department-developed exam
This course continues the development of all language skills (grammar, vocabulary, listening, pronunciation and conversation) which were begun in Spanish 1 with attention focused on listening and speaking skills. The students’ knowledge of basic vocabulary and grammatical structures necessary to communicate in specific daily living experiences is extended. The civilization and culture of the Spanish speaking world are further explored at this level to develop an appreciation for or to broaden one’s perspective of another’s way of life.
531 - SPANISH 3/R 534 - FRENCH 3/H
Prerequisite: a grade of 75+ in Level 2 (Proficiency shown at Checkpoint B of the NYS Syllabus)
Credit: 1
Weight = 1.08
Grade level: 10/11
Final examination: NYS Comprehensive Regents Exam
This course is a continuation of the work of the second year with emphasis on grammar, vocabulary, conversation and self‑expression, both oral and written. Oral work includes "situations" in which the student must have enough vocabulary and grammar at his disposal to deal with a situation in which he has been artificially placed. Successful completion of this course completes a major sequence in foreign language towards a NYS Advanced diploma.
At the conclusion of Level 3, the regular language program concludes. Students may continue on to the Advanced Placement level (if available) and the University in High School levels only by meeting or exceeding the prerequisites and with the approval of their language teachers.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT SPANISH
526 – ADVANCED SPANISH 10/H
Prerequisite: teacher recommendation and 90+ on Spanish Comprehensive regents exam
Credit: 1
Weight = 1.08
Grade level: 10
Final examination: teacher-developed exam
This course is taught in selected years only and, when presented, is taught exclusively in Spanish.
Advanced Spanish 10 is taught only when a significant number of students are identified as candidates for Advanced Placement Spanish (language). Taught as an immersion course, students must have a mastery of conversation skills in Spanish as well as advanced Spanish grammar. Classical and contemporary literature, current events and culture are used as content for discussion in the AP preparation course.
536 - ADVANCED PLACEMENT SPANISH (Language)
Prerequisite: Consistent grade of 85+ in the previous levels and teacher recommendation
Credit: 1
Weight: 1.12
Grade level: 11
Final examination: Advanced Placement exam in Spanish Language
This course is taught in selected years only and, when presented, is taught exclusively in Spanish.
“An AP Spanish Language course covers the equivalent of a third-year college course in advanced Spanish writing and conversation. It encompasses aural/oral skills, reading comprehension, grammar, and composition. Students taking such a course, emphasizing the use of Spanish for active communication, have the following objectives: the ability to comprehend formal and informal spoken Spanish; the acquisition of vocabulary and a grasp of structure to allow the easy, accurate reading of newspaper and magazine articles, as well as of modern literature in Spanish; the ability to compose expository passages; and the ability to express ideas orally with accuracy and fluency.
ADVANCED SPANISH
545 - LATIN AMERICAN LITERATURE & CONVERSATION (SPANISH 4)
Prerequisite: Consistent grade of 85+ in the previous levels and teacher recommendation
Credit: 1
Weight: 1.08
Grade level: 11, 12
Final examination: teacher-developed exam, approved by SUNY- Albany
Intensive reading, writing and discussion are used to maintain and enhance students’ skills in the Spanish language. This is accomplished through a survey of the works of critically acknowledged Hispanic authors. A variety of genres are explored and through these means students gain an acquaintance with the social, cultural, historical, religious, and artistic aspects of Latin America.
546 - SPANISH LITERATURE & CONVERSATION (SPANISH 5)
Prerequisite: Consistent grade of 85+ in the previous levels and teacher recommendation
Credit: 1
Weight: 1.08
Grade level: 12
Final examination: teacher-developed exam, approved by SUNY @ Albany
Intensive reading, writing and discussion skills are the means by which this survey of the literature and culture of European Spain is explored in the target language from the Middle Ages to the present. Social, economic, religious, philosophical and artistic developments are studied through the literary works of major Spanish authors. Emphasis is placed on the classic works of Spain. The course provides the students with a synthesis of different disciplines and key concepts in Western Civilization.
ADVANCED FRENCH
543 ADVANCED FRENCH (French Folk Tales and Short Stories)
Prerequisite: Consistent grade of 85+ in the previous levels and teacher recommendation
Credit: 1
Weight: 1.08
Final examination: teacher-developed exam, approved by SUNY- Albany
Intensive reading, writing, and discussion are used to enhance students’ skills in French. This is accomplished through a reading of basic folk tales and short stories from francophone countries. Interdisciplinary perspectives are developed with the Social Studies and English Arts curricula. Fine points of French grammar and structure are explored via stories drawn from two centuries of French oral tradition and literature. Select French film offerings expand students’ appreciation of the cultural contexts of the stories. This course is taught in odd number years (e.g. 2005-2006, 2007-2008).
544 - ADVANCED FRENCH (Survey of French History and Literature)
Prerequisite: Consistent grade of 85+ in the previous levels and teacher recommendation
Credit: 1
Weight: 1.08
Final examination: teacher-developed exam, approved by SUNY- Albany
Intensive reading, analysis and discussion of authentic documents and historical summaries provide the students with interdisciplinary perspectives on critical events from French prehistory through the twentieth century. Students explore timelines, concurrent events and cross-cultural themes in science, philosophy, religion, economics, and the written, visual and performing arts to gain a fuller appreciation of France’s extensive contribution to Western Civilization. The exploration of each period is supplemented with grammar, structure, and vocabulary exercises. Students develop a portfolio by selecting their best work from each period.
This course is presented in even-number years (e.g. 2006-2007, 2008-2009)
