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To become proficient and fluent in speaking, writing, reading
and listening skills of modern language, it is recommended
that
students take a continuous sequence of language study. Proficiency
in a second language enhances career opportunities in fields
such as business, medicine, marketing, government, science,
social work, international sales, banking, law, advertising,
engineering, communications, accounting, secretarial work,
agriculture, bilingual education, translation, and library
science.
Interested students are encouraged to consider the study of
a second or third language during high school.
Continuation in any semester in a French, German, or Spanish
course requires a passing grade in the preceding semester.
Any
student seeking advanced placement and/or credit for a course
because of extensive travel or coursework outside the high
school classroom should contact a foreign language teacher
regarding placement and credit procedures. Native speakers
of a language are encouraged to enroll in a non-native language,
as the coursework is not designed to meet the needs of a native
speaker. AP German is offered to prepare students for the
AP Exam. Advanced language students in French and Spanish
are given the opportunity to prepare for the AP Exam by doing
additional preparation outside of class with their instructor.
The Foreign Language department is extremely concerned about
the high failure rate of students in the beginning level
courses. It is strongly recommended that any student beginning
a foreign language have a “C” or better in English.
Any
student with a grade lower than a “C” in English
is encouraged to enroll in the Introduction to Languages course.
Success
in a foreign language requires consistent attendance, class
participation, homework completion, and use of study skills
including memorization.
Course Descriptions:
INTRODUCTION TO LANGUAGES
One semester, one credit
This semester course is intended for students wanting to learn
about languages, cultures where the language is spoken, and
the
interplay of developing the skills necessary for language
acquisition. Each of the six languages, French, Spanish, German,
Italian, Japanese and Latin, will address the production of
written and spoken basics while examining cultural diversity.
Students interested in exploring these aspects of language
and cultures are encouraged to enroll. NOTE: This course does
not fulfill any sequential language credit in French, German,
or Spanish.
FRENCH 1-2
One year, two credits
Prerequisite: Students required to take ALS I are not permitted
to enroll until successful completion of the ALS graduation
requirement. Refer to bold section for recommendation. Beginning
French - Students are introduced to the French language and
culture. Students begin to express themselves in the target
language by learning pronunciation, vocabulary, basic grammar
and conversational skills. Emphasis is on vocabulary building,
basic communication skills and cross-cultural understanding.
The Language Lab and Computer Lab activities provide
considerable practice in listening and speaking.
FRENCH 3-4
One year, two credits
Prerequisite: French 1-2
Students will review basic material covered in beginning French
and concentrate on the acquisition of vocabulary, basic verb
tenses, and grammatical concepts with an emphasis on improving
speaking and listening comprehension skills. The Language
Lab and Computer Lab activities provide considerable practice
in listening and speaking.
*FRENCH 5-6
One year, two credits
Prerequisite: French 3-4
In this weighted class with increased rigor and expectations,
students will further develop their listening, speaking, writing,
and
reading skills in French. Grammar, vocabulary, more sophisticated
verb usage and tenses through cultural and literary excerpts
are presented within units on contemporary themes. Much of
the class is conducted in French. The Language Lab activities
provide considerable practice in listening and speaking.
*FRENCH 7-8
One year, two credits
Prerequisite: *French 5-6
In this class with substantial rigor and expectations, the
emphasis will be on consolidating grammar, vocabulary, and
upon
improving reading skills (literature), listening comprehension
and self-expression both in speaking and writing. The units
present additional cultural information through contemporary
themes. The majority of the class is taught in French. Students
are expected to use French in class. The Language Lab activities
provide crucial practice in listening and speaking.
*FRENCH 9-10
One year, two credits
Prerequisite: *French 7-8
This French course is college equivalent and has corresponding
rigor and expectations. Students wishing to take the AP Exam
should expect additional work and time outside the realm of
classroom instruction. This class develops conversational
and
listening skills through class discussions, presentations
and a variety of class work that covers the historical, cultural,
artistic and literary development of France as a nation. The
course emphasizes the development of fairly sophisticated
and complex speaking, listening, reading and writing skills.
The class is conducted primarily in French. Students are expected
to use French in class, work responsibly, be self-motivated
and self-disciplined. The Language Lab and Computer Lab activities
provide crucial practice in listening and speaking, specifically
supporting students who are interested in taking the AP French
Exam.
GERMAN 1-2
One year, two credits
Prerequisite: Students required to take ALS I are not permitted
to enroll until successful completion of the ALS graduation
requirement. Refer to bold section for recommendation. Beginning
German – This course provides an introduction to the
German language and culture. Emphasis is on the development
of listening and speaking skills, vocabulary building, and
acquisition of basic grammar, reading, and writing skills.
Computer and Language Lab activities provide additional listening
and speaking practice.
GERMAN 3-4
One year, two credits
Prerequisite: German 1-2
Review of the basics covered in German 1-2. There is a continued
emphasis on the development of listening and speaking skills,
vocabulary building, and acquisition of basic grammar, reading,
and writing skills, and cultural understanding. Computer and
Language Lab activities provide additional listening and speaking
practice, as well as review.
*GERMAN 5-6
Prerequisite: German 3-4
The course provides emphasis on development of listening,
speaking, reading and composition skills and the introduction
of more advanced grammatical structures. It also provides
expansion of vocabulary and cultural understanding. Much of
the class is conducted in German, and the students are expected
to use German in classroom discussions and activities. Computer
and Language Lab activities provide additional listening and
speaking practice, as well as review. Due to the weighted
option of this course, the students should expect increased
academic expectations and rigor.
*GERMAN 7-8
One year, two credits
Prerequisite: German 5-6
Emphasis is placed on the continued development of listening,
speaking, reading and composition skills and of cultural
understanding. Advanced grammatical structures and extensive
vocabulary expansion are continued. Students will also explore
the German-speaking cultures by reading literature, accessing
media (newspapers, the Internet, etc.), and viewing Germanlanguage
films. The majority of the class is conducted in German and
the students are expected to use German in class. Due to the
weighted option of this course, the students should expect
increased academic expectations and rigor.
*AP GERMAN
One year, two credits
Prerequisite: German 7-8
Continued development of speaking and listening skills is
achieved through activities such as class discussion, oral
reports, and
viewing and listening to authentic materials. Consolidation
of grammatical concepts and composition skills, cultural
understanding through reading of authentic materials and viewing
contemporary films are course goals. This class follows the
Advanced Placement (AP) curriculum, and motivated students
are encouraged to take the AP German Exam. The class is
conducted entirely in German. Because this is an AP course,
the students should expect university level academic expectations
and rigor.
SPANISH 1-2
One year, two credits
Prerequisite: Students required to take ALS I are not permitted
to enroll until successful completion of the ALS graduation
requirement. Refer to bold section for recommendation. Students
entering this course have not had any formal experience studying
Spanish or have been recommended to repeat beginning Spanish
due to a grade of D or lower. Beginning Spanish students are
introduced to Hispanic language and culture with a focus on
pronunciation, vocabulary, beginning conversation skills and
basic grammar. An oral-aural approach is used to orient students
to the study of Spanish. Listening, speaking, reading and
writing skills are stressed.
SPANISH 3-4
One year, two credits
Prerequisite: Spanish 1-2
Students entering this course should have a strong foundation
in verb conjugation, question words, and the sound system
of
Spanish. Students will review the basics, learn several new
tenses, and expand vocabulary. Listening, speaking, reading,
and
writing skills are emphasized.
SPANISH 5-6
One year, two credits
Prerequisite: Spanish 3-4
This course is designed for students who desire an extensive
grammar review and vocabulary expansion. Class work is paced
to allow students to acquire a strong skill level in reading,
writing, listening comprehension, grammar and speaking. Language
Lab activities provide additional practice with listening
and speaking skills. Latin cultures are explored through articles,
music,
cultural reading, and class discussions.
*SPANISH 5-6
One year, two credits
Prerequisite: Spanish 3-4
A continuation Spanish class recommended for those students
earning a B or higher in Spanish 3-4. Students are expected
to have a strong foundation in basic grammar: conjugation
of regular and irregular verbs in the present, preterit, imperfect,
future and conditional tenses; adjective/noun agreement; ability
to pose and answer questions both written and verbal. Students
will focus on in-depth vocabulary acquisition, refinement
of already known verb tenses while learning higher-level grammar:
subjunctive and compound tenses. Students will work on developing
advanced skills in listening, speaking, reading and writing
with an emphasis on creative expression in Spanish by the
student. Much of the class will be taught in Spanish. Students
will be expected to answer in Spanish. The pace of the weighted
class will be faster allowing time for more contact with Hispanic
culture including literature.Self-directed study in and outside
of class will be expected for participation in discussion,
oral presentations, etc., by the students.
SPANISH 7-8
One year, two credits
Prerequisite: Spanish 5-6 or *Spanish 5-6
This fourth-year course provides an extensive review of basic
grammar and vocabulary. Introduction of new grammatical
concepts and vocabulary is at a pace that allows student mastery.
Class activities are designed to develop reading, writing,
speaking, and listening skills. Spanish literature and Hispanic
cultures are briefly covered. Students who have completed
Spanish 5-6 or those recommended by Spanish instructors should
take this course.
*SPANISH 7-8
One year, two credits
Prerequisite: Spanish 5-6 or *Spanish 5-6
Emphasis is placed on the development of listening, speaking,
reading, and writing skills, including creative expression
in written and spoken Spanish. Students should expect advanced
grammatical concepts and extensive vocabulary expansion. Language
Lab activities provide practice with listening and speaking
skills. Hispanic cultures are explored through magazine articles,
music, cultural readings, videotapes, and class discussion.
Class is conducted primarily in Spanish.
*SPANISH 9-10
One year, two credits
Prerequisite: Spanish 7-8 or *Spanish 7-8
This is a conversational immersion approach to reviewing and
developing language skills, acquiring vocabulary, and studying
culture. Emphasis is placed on communication and composition
skills, with creative expression in oral and written Spanish.
Hispanic cultures are explored through readings, videotapes,
Language Lab activities, class discussions, and research projects.
Class is conducted entirely in Spanish. AP preparation sessions
are available to students interested in taking the exam.
MANDARIN CHINESE 1-2
Prerequisite: Students required to take ALS I are not permitted
to enroll until successful completion of the ALS graduation
requirement. Refer to bold section for recommendation.
This course was being developed at the time of publication.
It will provide and introduction to Mandarin Chinese language
and
culture, and will be taught by a teacher visiting from China
for the 2007-2008 school year. It is likely that a Mandarin
Chinese 3-4 course will be offered during the 2008-2009 school
year as well.
RUSSIAN 1-2
One year, two credits
Course is taught at University High School. Students must
have transportation to University High School. Further information
is available through Urbana High School counselors.
RUSSIAN 3-4
One year, two credits
Individual arrangements will have to be made through Urbana
High School counselors and University High School.
LATIN 1-2
One year, two credits
Course is taught at University High School. Students must
provide their own transportation to University High School.
Further
information is available through the Urbana High School counselors.
LATIN 3-4
One year, two credits
Individual arrangements will have to be made through Urbana
High School counselors and University High School.
*Weighted Courses
Page Updated 10-17-07
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