St. Joseph High School

Mr. Kevin Carey, Chairperson

Course Descriptions

French

Italian

Spanish

French 510 French I

Introduces the student to the sound systems and intonation of French, giving special emphasis to the development of audio-lingual skills.  It also acquaints the student with basic structures easily and correctly within a defined vocabulary range to engage in simple conversation and develop a reasonable ability to read and write French. 
(1 Credit Academic Level 3).

French 520 French II

Strengthens reading and writing skills while maintaining listening comprehension.  Students are exposed to readings which describe some of the highlights of the French civilization.  Grammatical structures and verb forms introduced in the first year are reviewed and new ones introduced. 
1 Credit Academic Level 3).

French 531 French III

Prerequisite: Approval by current French teacher.  Continuation of the advanced structures of the language with ample opportunity for oral work as well as reading various selections in French comprise the basis of this course.  Listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills are strengthened and the basic structures are reviewed as necessary.  On occasion this course is offered, due to enrollment, in combination with French IV; appropriate course adjustments are made.
(1 Credit Academic Level 2)

French 541 French IV

Prerequisite: Approval by current French teacher. This course is offered for students who have successfully completed French 531 and seek to strengthen and develop their language skills.  A variety of readings in French will serve as the basis for improving all four language skills—reading, writing, listening, and speaking.  All work is done in French oral, written, and continuing grammar study.  Full student participation is anticipated.  On occasion this course is offered, due to enrollment, in combination with French III; appropriate course adjustments are made.
(1 Credit Academic Level 1)

French 501 AP French Language

This is a college level course and will follow the suggestions made by ETS.  The required AP exam will  be administered in May.  This exam will cost the standard ETS fee.  Students will be intensely developing all four language skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing, using appropriate literary and conversational materials.  All class work and discussion will be in French, necessitating continuous student participation.  Placement will be made by Guidance and the current AP French teacher.
(1 Credit Academic Level 0).

Return to Top

Italian 512 Italian I

This course consists of an introduction to the basic sounds of the language, vocabulary of frequent usage, basic structures and patterns and the most general rules of orthography geared to achieve a basic level of proficiency.  Listening and speaking are emphasized so that the student acquires appropriate speech patterns and accurate pronunciation previous to the more advanced stages of reading and writing.  The student is exposed to Italian culture through highlights of Italian geography, history, cities and art.  Tapes for pronunciation drills and basic grammar exercises are used, as well as other audio visual material, to illustrate the cultural aspect of this language. 
(1 Credit Academic Level 3).

Italian 522 Italian II

An advanced study of Italian grammar and syntax, designed to continue the student's mastery of the written and spoken Italian, emphasis is on reading, composition and conversation.  Study continues to expose the student to Italian culture by offering highlights of Italian geography, history, and art.  Tapes for pronunciation drills and grammar exercises will also be used along with other audio-visual materials, such as film strips and videos, to reveal the vast Italian culture to the student. 
(1 Credit Academic Level 3).

Italian 533 Italian III

Prerequisite:  Approval of current Italian teacher. At this level the student will be asked to apply the fundamentals of the language to a wide variety of subject areas.  The range of material presented in the textbook develops vocabulary and understanding of many fascinating fields, and provides a sound basis for classroom discussion of these fields in the target language.  Attention is paid to situations dealing with everyday urban life.  Italian history and culture continue to be an important part of the course.  On occasion this course is offered, due to enrollment, in combination with Italian IV; appropriate course adjustments are made.
(1 Credit Academic Level 2).

Italian 543 Italian IV

Prerequisite: Approval of the current Italian teacher. The student is provided with authentic, unabridged reading materials that are both interesting and relevant.  Authentic texts provide the language learner with an invaluable source of culture, rich source of vocabulary and more difficult grammatical structures.  All exercises and activities will focus on the development of reading skills and stimulate students' ability to interact in the target language through meaningful and creative communication.  On occasion this course is offered, due to enrollment, in combination with Italian III; appropriate course adjustments are made.
(1 Credit Academic Level 1).

Return to Top

Spanish 514 Spanish I

This course covers the elementary necessities for intelligent use of the language.  It is aimed at introducing the student to correct pronunciation and the use of conversational patterns.  Emphasis is given to oral comprehension,             speaking, writing, and reading skills.  The student is asked to make comparisons and connections with other cultures and communities using the above communicative skills.  Each unit moves from one Spanish speaking community to another, introducing the four above skills through the examination of cultural themes, topics and issues. 
(1 Credit Academic Level 3).

Spanish 519 College Enrichment Spanish I

This course covers the elementary necessities for intelligent use of the language.  It is aimed at introducing the student to correct pronunciation and the use of conversational patterns.  Emphasis is given to oral comprehension, speaking, writing, and reading skills.  The student is asked to make comparisons and connections with other cultures and communities using the above communicative skills.  Each unit moves from one Spanish-speaking community to another, introducing the four above skills through the examination of cultural themes, topics and issues.  This course will proceed at a pace compatible with student needs.
(1 Credit Academic Level 3).

Spanish 524 Spanish II

This courses consists of a review of the work covered in the first year, and continues to introduce the student to elementary necessities for the intelligent use of the language.  The student is expected to read longer selections             of prose with related questions and exercises.  Continued emphasis is given to oral comprehension, speaking, writing, and reading skills.  The student is asked to make comparisons and connections with other cultures and communities using the above communicative skills.  Each unit moves from one Spanish-speaking community to another, introducing the four above skills through the examination of cultural themes, topics and issues.  Increasingly more difficult oral, written, and grammatical structures are presented. 
(1 Credit Academic Level 3).

Spanish 529 College Enrichment Spanish II

This course consists of a review of the work covered in the first year, and continues to introduce the student to elementary necessities for the intelligent use of the language.  The student is expected to read longer selections of prose with related questions and exercises.  Continued emphasis is given to oral comprehension, speaking, writing, and reading skills.  The student is asked to make comparisons and connections with other cultures and communities using the above communicative skills.  Each unit moves from one Spanish-speaking community to another, introducing the four above skills through the examination of cultural themes, topics and issues.  Increasingly more difficult oral, written, and grammatical structures are presented.  This course will proceed at a pace compatible with student needs. 
(1 Credit Academic Level 3).

Spanish 535 Spanish III

Prerequisite:  Current weighted GPA of 80 in Spanish II, approval by the World Language Department Spanish teachers. This course is conducted almost entirely in Spanish.  The main purpose of this course is to increase oral and listening comprehension skills, while introducing the student of Spanish to higher level grammatical concepts and vocabulary.  Selections from Hispanic literature as well as selections from authentic Hispanic publications are also incorporated into the program. 
(1 Credit Academic Level 2).

Spanish 539 College Enrichment Spanish III

Prerequisite:  Approval of the CEP Level II and CEP Level III teachers.  This course consists of a review of the work covered in second year, and continues to introduce the student to elementary necessities for the intelligent use of the language. The student is expected to read longer selections of prose with related questions and exercises.  Continued emphasis is given to oral comprehension, speaking, writing, and reading skills.  The student is asked to make comparisons and connections with other cultures and communities using the above communicative skills.  Each unit moves from one Spanish speaking community to another, introducing the four above skills through the examination of cultural themes, topics, and issues.  Increasingly more difficult oral, written, and grammatical structures are presented.  This course will proceed at a pace which is compatible with student needs.
(1 Credit Academic Level 3).

Spanish 545 Spanish IV

Prerequisite: Current weighted GPA of 85 in Spanish III, approval of the current Spanish III and IV teachers.   This course is conducted almost entirely in Spanish.  It will present a thematic study of Spanish culture as a Gallery of Art and Life through which one journeys. Students will read selections which focus on aspects of life such as art, humor, heroism, Native Latin-American culture, legends, passion, sentiment, liberty, women, destiny, fantasy, imagination, inspiration and hope.  They will be exposed to the similarities and differences within the various cultures of the people who speak Spanish.  There is strong emphasis placed on reading and writing at this level, however opportunities will be provided for students to maintain and develop their listening and speaking skills.  Grammatical structures are taught through contextual exercises stimulated by the reading selections. 
(1 Credit Academic Level 1).

Spanish 502 AP Spanish Language

Prerequisite: Current weighted GPA of 90 in Level IV.  This is a college level course conducted in Spanish and will follow the standard syllabus prescribed by the ETS.  The required AP exam will be administered in May. This exam will cost the standard ETS fee.  Students will be intensely developing all four language skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing, using appropriate literary and conversational materials.  Class work and discussion will be in Spanish, necessitating continuous student participation.  Placement will be made by Guidance and the current AP Spanish teacher.
(1 Credit Academic Level 0).

Return to Top