Modern Foreign Language Level 1A
French 1A
Spanish 1A

Students begin to learn to communicate orally and in written form. They learn to understand and produce simple expressions. The emphasis is on vocabulary development, although simple grammatical structure is taught as a means to understanding and producing meaningful utterances. Throughout the course, students apply language skills to real-life communication. Students in this course learn to exchange information in simple terms about family members, leisure activities, personal identification, schoolrooms and schedules, classroom expressions, clothing, weather, months, and seasons. Students also learn the foreign language alphabet and numbers to 100. Students are introduced to the culture of the people whose language they are studying in relationship to the contexts or situations in which they might find themselves expected to communicate. They learn to identify countries where the language is spoken. Current events in countries where the target language is spoken are discussed.

Modern Foreign Language Level 1B
French 1B
Spanish 1B

Building on what was learned in Level 1A, students continue to develop the skills to communicate in oral and written form. The emphasis on vocabulary development is continued. Students also acquire additional simple grammatical structures as needed for meaningful communication. In Level 1B, students learn to understand and produce simple language related to identifying parts of the body; describing health; identifying basic foods, food groups, and food preferences; expressing quantities up to 1,000; identifying modes of transportation and use of the 24-hour clock; describing future travel plans; identifying common household animals/pets; naming rooms in a house and their basic furnishings; identifying places in the community. Students learn about contributions of major artistic, literary, and/or historical figures of the target culture and discuss relevant current events. Students continue to learn about the culture of the people whose languages they are studying in relation to each of the contexts, or situations, in which students might find them selves expected to communicate.

Modern Foreign Language Level 2B
French 2B
Spanish 2B

Building on material teamed in Level 2A, students continue to grow in their ability to communicate in oral and written form. As in Level 2A, vocabulary development is emphasized. Students also learn increasingly complex expressions and grammatical structures. In this course, students are enabled to describe and exchange information about health conditions; comprehend a simple menu; comment on or inquire about menu selections; compare past and present school classes and activities: describe daily household routines and chores; describe and summarize past or future travel activities; identify and name furnishings in a residence. Students continue to learn about the culture of the people whose language they are studying including contributions of major artistic, literary and/or historical figures of the target culture. Current events in countries where the target language is spoken are discussed.

Modern Foreign Language

At Level 3, students continue their development of oral and written communication skills. Increased emphasis is placed on reading and writing in the foreign language. Beginning with Level 3, and continuing through Level 5, students work with an increasing number of authentic listening and reading materials as selected by the teacher. These may include broadcasts, videos, films, cassette tapes, songs, newspaper and magazine articles, or different forms of literature (poetry, short stories, biographies, plays, novels, etc.) Students may take these courses at the honors level.

Modern Foreign Language Level 3A
French 3A
Spanish 3A

In Level 3A, students learn to describe and evaluate personality and physical characteristics of a fictional or a prominent personality; summarize characteristics, skills, and daily responsibilities of a given occupation; follow, provide, clarify and/or restate detailed directions to different locations: describe ingredients and preparation of regional dishes found in the target culture; and state and support opinions relating to an educational setting. Students continue to learn about the culture of the people whose language they are studying, stressing culturally appropriate communication. Students describe, compare, and summarize important aspects of major holidays and traditions in the target culture; identify major geographical features in target culture countries, and discuss relevant current events.

Modern Foreign Languages Level 3B
French 3B
Spanish 3B

Students in this course continue to build on skills developed in Levels 1,2, and 3A. Students learn to comprehend, describe, explain, and request advice regarding health and physical concerns and complications. The student will support a personal opinion of a film, broadcast or leisure time activities; express satisfaction/dissatisfaction with a product or service; exchange information on past and future travel plans derived from authentic tourist information; and describe clothing and accessories with highly descriptive vocabulary. Students continue to learn about the culture of the people whose language they are studying in relationship to each of the contexts or situations in which they might find themselves expected to communicate. Students will continue to discuss current events.

Modern Foreign Languages Levels 4, 5, and 6

Instruction in Levels 4 and 5 is based on a broad range of interdisciplinary content and themes with increasing emphasis on refining language use appropriate to various socio-cultural contexts. At each level of language instruction, students learn to communicate using the following content spheres: music, art, architecture, film, and theater, literature and philosophy; history, geography, public institutions, politics and economics; social conditions and everyday life; career awareness and contributions to science and technology; and current events and contemporary issues. Students at this level work with an increasing number of authentic listening and reading materials selected by the teacher. Students continue to expand and refine their ability to communicate in both oral and written form and to understand as well as to produce language and do so in ways that reflect an understanding and appreciation of the target culture. Increasingly, literature may serve as a vehicle for attaining course objectives. Students may take level 4 at the honors level. Level 5 and 6 courses are designated advanced level courses in the honors program.

Modern Foreign Languages Level 4A
French 4A
Spanish 4A

In Level 4A, students learn to understand main ideas from authentic edited materials. They participate in extemporaneous conversations on familiar topics; are able to narrate present, past and future events', and take notes in the target language. They are expected to demonstrate knowledge of specific topics and information that form the course content.

Modern Foreign Languages Level 4B
French 4B
Spanish 4B

By the end of level 4B, students are able to use listening, speaking, reading, writing skills to provide details and supporting statements to explain main ideas and express ideas and opinions with limited supporting statements. They write short compositions using a variety of tenses and structures, increase their ability to initiate and sustain conversations with increasing complexity of expression, and learn how to make simple adjustments in language appropriate to their audience. They are expected to demonstrate knowledge of specific topics and information that form the course content.

Modern Foreign Languages Level 5A
French 5A
Spanish 5A

Students in this course continue to increase their proficiency in understanding others and expressing themselves in a foreign language. They paraphrase information from authentic edited or unedited materials, make predictions based on background knowledge and textual information, express ideas and justify opinions, and comprehend and exchange detailed information. They are expected to demonstrate knowledge of specific topics and information that form the course content.

Modern Foreign Languages Level 5B
French 5B
Spanish 5B

In Level 5B students learn to use their listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills to summarize an authentic article or broadcast. They seek and give advice on a course of action, compare and evaluate different points of view, analyze and draw conclusions based on relevant details, and continue to learn to modify their language to reflect their audience. They are expected to demonstrate knowledge of specific topics and information that form the course content.

Modern Foreign Languages Level 6A
French 6A

Students continue to work at a highly advanced level of language development and cultural knowledge. As in Levels 4 and 5, authentic materials are used extensively for development of listening and reading skills. Students participate extensively in activities that involve extemporaneous use of oral skills. Writing skills continue to be refined. Culture is closely aligned with communication skills as students continue to develop skills in understanding and producing communications in a culturally appropriate manner. Students critique a film, event, work of art, or literature. They also learn to infer a native speaker's/writer's intended message, present a persuasive argument, and analyze and explain both sides of an issue. They are expected to demonstrate knowledge of specific topics and information that form the course content.

Modern Foreign Languages Level 6B
French 6B

Building on Level 6A students continue to work at a highly advanced level of language development and cultural knowledge. Authentic materials are used extensively for the development of listening and reading skills. Students participate in activities that involve extemporaneous use of oral skills. Writing skills continue to be refined. Culture is closely aligned with communication skills as students continue to develop skills in understanding and producing communications in a culturally appropriate manner. In Level 6B, students learn how to identify how the author/speaker uses language to influence the reader/listener; infer motives of a writer; speaker of fictional character; elicit and respond to divergent points of view; and tailor their language to suit their audience. They are expected to demonstrate knowledge of specific topics and information that form the course content.

Spanish for Native Speakers
1A & 1B
2A & 2B
3A & 3B

This course is designed for native speakers of Spanish who wish to improve their Spanish skills, particularly in reading and writing. Each student's program will be determined on a basis of his/her background and ability in Spanish. A student may continue to course for a three-year cycle. Students develop oral and written skills through reading, writing, speaking, listening, and viewing activities which focus on the themes of heritage, identity, family relationships, and community.