World Languages

World Language Courses

Students earning a standard diploma are not required to complete courses in a world language

Students earning an advanced diploma need to complete three years of one language or two years of two languages

American Sign Language Courses

ASL I

Prerequisite: None

By the end of this course, the students should be able to exchange personal information about themselves in ASL, using the correct vocabulary and grammar. Students are given instruction in basic ASL vocabulary and grammar, fundamentals about Deaf Culture and what it means to be deaf, the history of American Deaf Culture, which is also the history of Deaf Education, and basic rules of social interaction within Deaf Culture.

ASL II

Prerequisite: Successful completion of ASL I

By the end of this course, students should be able to carry on a moderately complex conversation in ASL on a wide variety of topics. Students continue to deepen their understanding of Deaf Culture as well as receive more in-depth instruction in ASL vocabulary and grammar. The students continue to develop their receptive skills, and now begin to focus more on their expressive abilities in ASL. Role playing and video recording are an integral part of the course. Students also study hearing loss, assistive devices, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

ASL III

Prerequisite: ASL II

By the end of this course, students should be able to carry on a moderately complex conversation in ASL on a wide variety of topics. Students will continue to deepen their understanding of Deaf Culture as well as receive more in-depth instruction in ASL vocabulary and grammar. The students continue to develop their receptive skills, and now begin to focus more on their expressive abilities in ASL. Interactions with the Deaf culture will increase. Role playing and video recording are an integral part of the course. Students also study hearing loss, assistive devices, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).


Spanish Courses

Spanish I

Prerequisite: None

Students use the language authentically, communicating in real-life situations from the beginning of the course. They learn the sound system and basic grammar and vocabulary, primarily through use of the language in meaningful contexts. All basic skills of the language are learned: understanding, speaking, reading, and writing. Emphasis is on communication in interpersonal situations. Culture is an integral part of the course.

Spanish II

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Spanish I or teacher recommendation

Students continue to learn the language through its use in realistic contexts with more complex grammatical structures. Additional listening, speaking, writing, and reading skills are acquired through practice with authentic materials and in real-life situations. The study of customs and culture is an integral part of the course.

Spanish III

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Spanish II and Teacher Recommendation

The emphasis for study continues on all four skills of communication: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Students continue to work toward the mastery of the essential elements of grammar and the development of a sufficient vocabulary to use the language proficiently in most situations. Reading skills continue development through use of more challenging authentic materials. Students’ writing skills are expected to be increasingly complex and sophisticated. Students continue to develop a global awareness.

Adv. Spanish III

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Spanish II and teacher recommendation

Advanced Language III is a course designed to develop proficiency in the language for highly motivated students. Students will be expected to master all of the objectives of the Level III course in a more rigorous and accelerated manner. The courses in French, German, and Spanish seek to develop all skills emphasizing language for communication using authentic materials in preparation for further AP study.

Adv. Spanish IV

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Adv. Spanish III and Teacher Recommendation

Advanced Language IV is a course designed to develop proficiency in the language for highly motivated students. Students will be expected to master all of the objectives of the Level IV course in a more rigorous and accelerated manner. The courses in French, German, Russian, and Spanish seek to develop all skills emphasizing language for communication using authentic materials in preparation for further Advanced Placement study.


Native Spanish Speakers

Fluent Speakers I - Beginner

Prerequisite: Native or heritage speakers of Spanish and recommendation based on student's skills

This course is designed for Spanish-speaking students at the high school level. It recognizes the natural skill of native/heritage speakers who were born in the US and never had formal education in a Spanish-speaking country, or students who may have come from a Spanish–speaking country and due to many circumstances may not have had the opportunity to receive formal education, yet are proficient in their understanding and speaking of Spanish for interpersonal purposes. The course will build on these existing listening and speaking skills, and also develop basic reading and writing skills, with an emphasis on grammatical concepts. The course will try to tap the natural potential of native/heritage speakers to focus on enhancement of skill acquisition in general, especially emerging literacy, instill pride in a rich heritage, and allow students to succeed to their full potential.

Fluent Speakers II - Intermediate

Prerequisite: Spanish for Fluent Speakers I or fluent speakers of Spanish and recommendation based on student's skills

This course is designed for Spanish-speaking students at the high school level. This level is for Spanish-speaking native/ heritage speakers who have some proficiency in all skills, to include listening, speaking, reading, and writing, but at a level commensurate with students who have had interrupted or limited formal schooling in a Spanish-speaking school. It also recognizes the natural skill of native/heritage speakers and emphasizes expansion and not replacement of the student’s existing language skills. The course will continue to tap the natural potential of native/heritage speakers to focus on enhancement of skill acquisition, instill pride in a rich heritage, and allow students to succeed to their full potential. The course will also continue to build on existing listening and speaking skills, and especially continue to develop reading and writing skills.

Fluent Speakers III - Advanced

Prerequisite: Spanish for Fluent Speakers II or fluent speakers of Spanish and recommendation based on student's skills

This course is designed for Spanish-speaking students at the high school level who have had formal study of Spanish in a school setting in their native countries or have an advanced level of literacy. The course continues to recognize the natural skill of native/heritage speakers and emphasizes expansion and not replacement of the student’s existing language. The course will continue to tap the natural potential of native/heritage speakers to focus on enhancement of skill acquisition, instill pride in a rich heritage, and allow students to succeed to their full potential. The course will build on existing reading and writing skills and expand authentic readings by authors of the Spanish-speaking world and require advanced compositions and projects.


AP Spanish Courses

AP Spanish

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Adv. Spanish IV or Fluent Speakers III and Teacher Recommendation

AP Language is a course designed to develop proficiency in the language for highly motivated students. Students will be expected to master the advanced curriculum course objectives in a more rigorous and accelerated manner. The course is comparable to the 5th and 6th semester or third year college or university language course and emphasizes language for communication using authentic materials in preparation for the AP Language Exam. Students are required to take the AP Language Examination which is administered in May.

AP Spanish Literature

Prerequisite: Successful completion of AP Spanish or Adv. Spanish IV and Teacher Recommendation

The AP Spanish Literature course is designed to be comparable to a third year college/university course on Peninsular and Hispanic literature. The course will guide students to acquire sufficient proficiency in Spanish language to read, understand, and discuss selected works from both Peninsular and Hispanic literature. Throughout the course students will do close readings from all genres, including poetry, that they will analyze orally and in writing. They will also compose expository essays on related topics. The critical reading of literature develops an understanding not only of linguistic complexity and cultural identity, but also of certain universal human truths. The student will learn and use some practical and necessary strategies to include expressing his/ her ideas through timed writings, identifying the key features and elements of a text, detecting themes, comparing and contrasting, composing one’s thoughts, writing an outline, brainstorming in small groups, and fine-tuning language skills. These skills of critical thinking and writing in Spanish will serve the students not only in their college years, but also in their chosen careers. Student are required to take the AP Language Examination which is administered in May.


French Courses

French I

Prerequisite: None

Students use the language authentically, communicating in real-life situations from the beginning of the course. They learn the sound system and basic grammar and vocabulary, primarily through use of the language in meaningful contexts. All basic skills of the language are learned: understanding, speaking, reading, and writing. Emphasis is on communication in interpersonal situations. Culture is an integral part of the course.

French II

Prerequisite: Successful completion of French I or Teacher Recommendation

Students continue to learn the language through its use in realistic contexts with more complex grammatical structures. Additional listening, speaking, writing, and reading skills are acquired through practice with authentic materials and in real-life situations. The study of customs and culture is an integral part of the course.

French III

Prerequisite: Successful completion of French II and Teacher Recommendation

The emphasis for study continues on all four skills of communication: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Students continue to work toward the mastery of the essential elements of grammar and the development of a sufficient vocabulary to use the language proficiently in most situations. Reading skills continue development through use of more challenging authentic materials. Students’ writing skills are expected to be increasingly complex and sophisticated. Students continue to develop a global awareness.

Adv. French III

Prerequisite: Successful completion of French II and Teacher Recommendation

Advanced Language III is a course designed to develop proficiency in the language for highly motivated students. Students will be expected to master all of the objectives of the Level III course in a more rigorous and accelerated manner. The courses in French, German, and Spanish seek to develop all skills emphasizing language for communication using authentic materials in preparation for further AP study.

Adv. French IV

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Adv. French III and Teacher Recommendation

Advanced Language IV is a course designed to develop proficiency in the language for highly motivated students. Students will be expected to master all of the objectives of the Level IV course in a more rigorous and accelerated manner. The courses in French, German, Russian, and Spanish seek to develop all skills emphasizing language for communication using authentic materials in preparation for further Advanced Placement study.


AP French Courses

AP French Language

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Adv. French IV and Teacher Recommendation

AP Language is a course designed to develop proficiency in the language for highly motivated students. Students will be expected to master the advanced curriculum course objectives in a more rigorous and accelerated manner. The course is comparable to the 5th and 6th semester or third year college or university language course and emphasizes language for communication using authentic materials in preparation for the AP Language Exam. Students are required to take the AP Language Examination which is administered in May.