World Language Department

Mr. Kevin Carey, Chairperson
kcarey@sjcadets.org
378-9378, Ext. 203

Department Philosophy

The primary purpose of the World Language department is to educate the whole student. Emphasis is placed on cultural themes, topics, and issues of Hispanic countries as well as grammar. To promote respect and diversity is inherent in the discipline. We provide activities/events which invite the entire community to share in this respect for the diversity in all cultures. The department members maintain classroom environments which are sensitive to the needs of all students and which foster community and respect. Each class is begun with a prayer in the target language. The various traditions and customs of the Roman Catholic faith are taught as integral components of the world cultures being studied in the classroom. Roman Catholic family values are reinforced through respect for each individual in a multicultural society. The programs, by virtue of their structure and components, demand that students look beyond their own community to make comparisons which fosters creativity by going beyond the known and looking at familiar situations from another’s point of view. The World Language faculty employs diverse strategies and techniques, which address the learning style of the individual student, thus allowing the student to feel confident in his learning, and providing opportunities for changing interaction through different partners, groups, and teams.

The following five National Standards for World Language learning will be applied in each of the elementary, intermediate and advanced courses. Progression from level to level will be based upon the individual language course syllabus and the student’s ability to fulfill these standards as indicated by GPA. Students enrolled in Level I and II of the College Enrichment Program will follow these same language standards at a pace which is compatible with their needs.

COMMUNICATION: Communicate In Languages Other Than English

Standard 1.1: Students engage in conversations, provide and obtain information, express feelings and emotions, and exchange opinions.

Standard 1.2: Students understand and interpret written and spoken language on a variety of topics.

Standard 1.3: Students present information, concepts, and ideas to an audience of listeners or readers on a variety of topics.

CULTURES: Gain Knowledge and Understanding of Other Cultures

Standard 2.1: Students demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the practices and perspectives of the culture studied.

Standard 2.2: Students demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the products and perspectives of the cultures studied.

CONNECTIONS: Connect with Other Disciplines and Acquire Information

Standard 3.1: Students reinforce and further their knowledge of other disciplines through the foreign language.

Standard 3.2: Students acquire information and recognize the distinctive viewpoints that are only available through the foreign and its cultures.

COMPARISONS: Develop Insight into the Nature of Language and Culture

Standard 4.1: Students demonstrate understanding of the nature of language through comparisons of the language studied and their own.

Standard 4.2: Students demonstrate understanding of the concept of culture through comparisons of the cultures studied and their own.

COMMUNITIES: Participate in Multicultural Communities at Home and Around the World

Standard 5.1: Students use the language both within and beyond the school setting.

Standard 5.2: Students show evidence of becoming life-long learners by using the language for personal enjoyment and enrichment.

In addition to the above descriptions the following information must be considered for advanced level courses. In all College Prep and Honors Level World Language courses, students who wish to continue study beyond Level II of the target language must have the approval of the current teacher and must meet the following requirements: a weighted GPA of 80 to move from Level II to Level III, a weighted GPA of 85 to move from Level III to Level IV, and a weighted GPA of 90 to move from Level IV to AP.

Students who take a Non-Continuing course end their study of the language with that course and may not continue to a higher level of study in that language. They may however begin a different language.

Students in CEP Spanish are mainstreamed into CP Spanish II after completing two years of study in CEP Spanish.

All transfer students entering any level of the St. Joseph High School World Language Program must take a placement test in order to be placed properly. Freshmen wishing to enter at any level higher than Level I must also take a placement test. The final exam will be considered such a placement test for those students already matriculated within the St. Joseph World Language Program.

French 510 French I (1 Credit; Grades 9-12; Academic Level: CP) 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.    

French 520 Continuing French II (1 Credit; Grades 9-12; Academic Level: CP) Prerequisites: French I. 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.

French 531 Continuing French III (1 Credit; Grades 10, 11, 12; Academic Level: H2) Prerequisites: Continuing French II with an average of 80; approval by current French teacher and Department Chair. 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.

French 541 Continuing French IV (1 Credit; Grades 11, 12; Academic Level: H1) Prerequisites: Continuing French III with an average of 85; approval by current French teacher and Department Chair. 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. Most 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.

French 501 Advanced Placement French Language--Provisional to acceptance by ETS. (1 Credit; Grade 12; Academic Level: AP) Placement Prerequisites: Continuing French IV with an average of 90; Approval by current French teacher and Department Chair. 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. Additional work beyond class time is required for aural-oral skills proficiency.  Placement will be made by Guidance and the current AP French teacher.

French 551 French V (1 Credit; Grade 12; Academic Level: H1) Placement Prerequisites: Continuing French IV with an average of 90; Approval by current French teacher and Department Chair. Due to scheduling restraints, AP French Language may be replaced by this semi-independent course of study in which case it would be called French V. Students would be able to take the AP French Language Exam, if desired. The term AP must only apply to a specific class dedicated to its program of study and not to students working independently nor in combination with another level.

Italian 512 Italian I (1 Credit; Grades 9-12; Academic Level: CP) 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.

Italian 522 Continuing Italian II (1 Credit; Grades 9-12; Academic Level: CP) Prerequisites: Italian I. 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.

Italian 533 Continuing Italian III (1 Credit; Grades 10, 11, 12; Academic Level: H2) Prerequisites: Continuing Italian II with an average of 80; approval by current Italian teacher and Department Chair. 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.

Italian 543 Continuing Italian IV (1 Credit; Grades 11, 12; Academic Level: H1) Prerequisites: Continuing Italian III with an average of 85; approval by current Italian teacher and Department Chair. 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.

Spanish 514 Spanish I (1 Credit; Grades 9-12; Academic Level: CP) 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.

Spanish 519 College Enrichment Spanish I (1 Credit; Grade 9; Academic Level: CEP) 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.

Spanish 524 Continuing Spanish II (1 Credit; Grades 9-12; Academic Level: CP) Prerequisites: Spanish I or 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.

Spanish 529 College Enrichment Spanish II (1 Credit; Grade 10; Academic Level: CEP) Prerequisites: College Enrichment Spanish I. 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.

Spanish 535 Continuing Spanish III (1 Credit; Grades 10-12; Academic Level: H2) Prerequisites: Continuing Spanish II with an average of 80; approval by the World Language Department Spanish teachers; current weighted GPA of 80 in Spanish II. 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.

Spanish 537 Spanish III (1 Credit; Grades 10-12; Academic Level: CP) Prerequisites: Continuing Spanish II with an average of 70; approval by current Spanish teacher and Department Chairman. This course is not available to students with the prerequisite score for Continuing Spanish III. This course is for the student who wishes to continue the study of Spanish for only one more year. Its purpose is to continue the study begun in Continuing Spanish II by completing the Level II text. It is a review of the work covered in the 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. Within the course and beyond the reach of the textbook used, the student is offered a number of lectures in the target language. This course is meant to be a final course from which continued study is not possible at St. Joseph.

Spanish 539  College Enrichment Spanish III (1 Credit; Grade 11; Academic Level: CEP) Prerequisites: College Enrichment Spanish II with an average of 80; approval by current CEP Level I & II teachers and Department Chairman. 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 that is compatible with student needs.

Spanish 545 Continuing Spanish IV (1 Credit; Grades 11, 12; Academic Level: H1) Prerequisites: Continuing Spanish III with an average of 85; approval by current Spanish teacher and Department Chair. This course is conducted almost entirely in Spanish. Students will cover the first half of the text Imagina and ancillary materials of this intermediate college level program. Students will provide their email address in order to participate in an on-line website where they will complete much of the homework. This is an interactive communicative approach which focuses on real communication in meaningful context that develop and consolidate student’s speaking, listening, reading, writing, and viewing skills as well as their cultural competencies. Thematic, cultural, and grammatical concepts are integrated in context within every section of the text and on line workbook. Essential thought provoking questions introduce each lesson followed by real-life vocabulary in directed and open-ended communicative activities. Students will view authentic short-subject films by award winning Hispanic filmmakers which serve as a springboard for exploring themes and concepts of each lesson. This is a voyage through the Spanish-speaking world which ties language learning to other disciplines and highlights important cultural figures. There are cultural readings of relevant high-interest topics which provide insight to the various regions represented and give students a taste of authentic literary selections chosen for their brevity, comprehensibility, and thematic relevance. Engaging writing topics allow students to synthesize and expand upon what they have learned in each lesson.

Spanish 549 Spanish IV (1 Credit: Grades 10-12; Academic level: CP) Prerequisites: Continuing Spanish III with an average of 70; approval by current Spanish teacher and Department Chairman. This course is not available to students with the prerequisite GPA for Continuing Spanish IV. This course is for the student who wishes to continue the study of Spanish for only one more year. The purpose of this course is to continue study begun in Continuing Spanish III by completing the Level III text. This course consists of a brief review of the previous year and continues to introduce the student to increasingly difficult oral and listening comprehension skills with higher level grammatical concepts and vocabulary. Selections from Spanish literature as well as authentic Hispanic publications are also incorporated into the program. This course is meant to be a final course from which continued study is not possible at St. Joseph.

Spanish 550 Spanish V (1 Credit; Grade 12; Academic Level: H1) Prerequisite: Continuing Spanish IV with an 80 average; Approval of the current Spanish teacher. This course is meant for the student who wishes to continue the study of Spanish. Its purpose is to continue study begun in Continuing Spanish IV. This course and its syllabus will be created by the instructor. This course is conducted almost entirely in Spanish. The main purpose is to increase oral and listening comprehensions skills, while introducing the student to higher level grammatical concepts and vocabulary. Students will be exposed to the similarities and differences within the various cultures of the people who speak Spanish. Grammatical structures are taught through contextual exercises stimulated by the reading selections. Selections from Hispanic literature and authentic Hispanic publications are incorporated into the program. This course is not meant to prepare the student for the AP Spanish Language exam. This course is meant to be a final course from which continuing study is not possible.

Spanish 503  Advanced Placement Spanish Language--Provisional to acceptance by ETS. (1 Credit; Grade 12; Academic Level: AP) Prerequisites: Continuing Spanish IV with an average of 90; approval by current Spanish teacher, Guidance, and Department Chair. This course is conducted entirely in Spanish. Students will cover the second half of the text Imagina and ancillary materials of this intermediate college level program. Students will provide their email address in order to participate in an on-line website where they will complete much of the homework. This is an interactive communicative approach which focuses on real communication in meaningful context that develop and consolidate student’s speaking, listening reading, writing, and viewing skills as well as their cultural competencies. Thematic, cultural, and grammatical concepts are integrated in context within every section of the text and on line workbook. Essential thought provoking questions introduce each lesson followed by real-life vocabulary in directed and open-ended communicative activities. Students will view authentic short-subject films by award winning Hispanic filmmakers which serve as a springboard for exploring themes and concepts of each lesson. This is a voyage through the Spanish-speaking world which ties language learning to other disciplines and highlights important cultural figures. There are cultural readings of relevant high-interest topics which provide insight to the various regions represented and give students a taste of authentic literary selections chosen for their brevity, comprehensibility, and thematic relevance. Engaging writing topics allow students to synthesize and expand upon what they have learned in each lesson. This is a college level course which will follow the standard syllabus approved by the ETS. The required AP exam will be administered in May. This exam will cost the standard ETS fee. Placement will be made by Guidance, the current AP Spanish teacher, and the Department Chair.

Mandarin 516 Mandarin I   (1 Credit; Grades 9-12; Academic Level: CP) 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 examines the Mandarin speaking community while introducing the four above skills through the examination of cultural themes, topics and issues. 

Latin 518 Latin I—An Elective Only—VHS Distance Learning  (1 Credit; Grades 11-12; Academic Level: CP) Enrollment is limited and approval is required. See specific requirements for placement in VHS courses. This course is an on-line course offered through VHS services and is open to students as an elective only. Prerequisites: The student must be highly self-motivated, technologically skilled and dedicated to working alone in a rigorous on-line environment. There are two primary goals of Latin 1. On the one hand, Latin 1 focuses on pronunciation, vocabulary acquisition, and the grammar of the simple Latin sentence, so that the successful student will gain a rudimentary ability to comprehend Latin. On the other hand, Latin 1 enables the successful student to better understand and use English or other languages. A secondary goal is to introduce the student to Roman history and culture, which so heavily influence our own. The student will need to purchase a copy of Ecce Romani I ISBN: 0-13-116370-1, Pearson Prentice Hall, Brush P., Davis S et al., 2005 Edition, Replacement Value: $62. For all other information please consult www.govhs.org