World Languages

AP French Language and Culture is equivalent to an intermediate level college course in French. Students cultivate their understanding of French language and culture by applying interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational modes of communication in real-life situations as they explore concepts related to family and community, personal and public identity, beauty and aesthetics, science and technology, contemporary life, and global challenges. 
 
Topics to be studied include vocabulary related to health, hobbies, and travel and the past tenses. Assessments include class participation, homework, projects, compositions, and final exams. By the end of French II, students are expected to demonstrate a low-intermediate level of proficiency in all four skills as characterized by the ACTFL. 

To take this elective, students must have the recommendation of the teacher and World Language department chair.

AP Spanish Language and Culture is designed for students who have successfully completed Spanish IV or who can demonstrate that they have achieved the Intermediate-High level of proficiency in all four skills (reading, writing, speaking, and listening) according to the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL).  
The focus of this course is communication using the four skills within the cultural norms of the Spanish- speaking world. The AP Spanish Language and Culture course is approximately equivalent to an upper-intermediate college or university Spanish course. This elective strives to promote both fluency and accuracy in language use and not to overemphasize grammatical accuracy at the expense of communication. However, students are expected to enter the course with a solid grasp of grammar, as well as an extensive vocabulary, enabling them to communicate at higher abstract levels. Major gaps in knowledge of thematic vocabulary and grammar study are addressed. Because this course is designed as a test preparation course, we follow the AP curriculum guide where students will communicate about global challenges, beauty and aesthetics, science and technology, contemporary life, personal and public identities, and families and communities. These topics, as well as literature, film, and Latin American and Spanish history and culture in both contemporary and historical contexts, are the contexts for analysis, comparison, conversation, translation, interpretation, and much of the vocabulary that students study during this course.  

The three modes of communication (Interpersonal, Interpretive, and Presentational) defined in the Standards for Foreign Language Learning in the 21st Century are foundational to the AP Spanish Language and Culture course. Assessments include exams, tests, compositions, presentations, and projects. CATS AP Spanish students are expected to take the Spanish AP examination. Students who are successful in this course and exam may continue their study of college- level Spanish by also taking the AP Spanish Literature and Culture course and exam.  

To take this course, students require ESL Level 3, the approval of their teacher and evidence of strong work habits, solid study skills and self-motivation. Students must also have completed Spanish IV, have a minimum of 3 years study at a previous school or evidence of skills and knowledge as demonstrated by suitable placement test results. 

French I is a year-long general introduction to the French language for students first starting to learn the language. It follows the rigor, as well as the scope and sequence, of a regular ACTFL-based high school language course. Students communicate across the four skills of reading, writing, speaking, and listening using basic French vocabulary and simple grammatical structures within the cultural norms of French-speaking societies.  

Some vocabulary themes are numbers, school, shopping, food, family, and the home. The major grammatical concepts are present tense verbs and gender. Activities and assignments utilize interpersonal, presentational, and interpretive modes of communication. Assessments include, but are not limited to, class participation, homework, comprehensive unit tests, short compositions, a variety of projects, and final exams. Students are frequently given assignments to be completed outside of class, as well as nightly homework. By the end of French I, students achieve a proficiency level of high-novice in all four communicative skills (reading, writing, speaking, listening) as described by the American Council of Teachers of Foreign Languages (ACTFL).  

To take this elective, students require ESL Level 3 and the approval of their teacher. 

French II, a year-long course, is a continuation of French I.  Students communicate across the four skills of reading, writing, speaking, and listening in the interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational communicative modes within the cultural context of French-speaking societies. This course is based on the American Council of Teachers of Foreign Language (ACTFL) standards and requires nightly homework and assignments to be completed outside of class.  

Topics to be studied include vocabulary related to health, hobbies, and travel and the past tenses. Assessments include class participation, homework, projects, compositions, and final exams. By the end of French II, students are expected to demonstrate a low-intermediate level of proficiency in all four skills as characterized by the ACTFL.  

To take this elective, students require ESL Level 3, the successful completion of French I or approval from their teacher. 

French III, a year-long course, is a continuation of French II. Students communicate across the four skills of reading, writing, speaking, and listening in the interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational communicative modes within the cultural contexts of France and the other Francophone countries. This course is based on the ACTFL standards and requires nightly homework and assignments to be completed outside of class.  

Topics studied include vocabulary related to health, technology, art and culture, and the environment, as well as the imperative and subjunctive modes. Assessments include class participation, homework, projects, compositions, and final exams. By the end of French III, students are expected to demonstrate an ACTFL mid-intermediate level of proficiency in all four skills.  

To take this elective, students require ESL Level 3, the successful completion of French II or approval from their teacher. 

French IV, a year-long course, is a continuation of French III. Students communicate across the four skills of reading, writing, speaking, and listening in the interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational communicative modes within the cultural contexts of France and the other Francophone countries. This course is based on the ACTFL standards and requires nightly homework and assignments to be completed outside of class.  

Topics studied include vocabulary related to relationships, social issues, politics, government, history, and work, as well as the past subjunctive and conditional modes. This course also explores authentic literature, film, and the histories of French-speaking countries. Assessments include class participation, homework, projects, compositions, and final exams. By the end of French IV, students achieve an ACTFL intermediate-high level of proficiency in all four skills.  

To take this elective, students require ESL Level 3, the successful completion of French III or approval from their teacher. 

Develop an understanding and appreciation of the French and Francophone people, history, and culture. Topics examined include geography, literature, politics, foods, religion, fashion, music, art, architecture, sports, and holidays. This course is offered in two parts, one during each semester. You may sign up for both semesters or take only one or the other. Semester 1 begins with an overview of the Francophone world and then delves into France’s history from its beginnings to the Revolution. Semester 2 covers the Napoleonic years to modern France and ends with a more in-depth look into the Francophone world. 
 
To take this elective, students must have achieved ESL Level 3. 

Spanish I is a year-long general introduction to the Spanish language for students starting to learn the language. It follows the rigor as well as the scope and sequence of a regular ACTFL-based high school language course. Students communicate across the four skills of reading, writing, speaking, and listening using basic Spanish vocabulary and simple grammatical structures within the cultural norms of Spanish or Latin American society. 

Some vocabulary themes are numbers, school, shopping, food, family, and the home. The major grammatical concepts are present tense verbs and gender. Activities and assignments utilize interpersonal, presentational, and interpretive modes of communication. Assessments include, but are not limited to, class participation, homework, comprehensive unit tests, short compositions, a variety of projects, and final exams. Students are frequently given assignments to be completed outside of class, as well as nightly homework. By the end of Spanish I, students should have achieved a proficiency level of high beginner. 

To take this elective, students require ESL Level 3 and approval from their teacher.

Spanish II, a year-long course, is a continuation of Spanish I. Students communicate across the four skills of reading, writing, speaking, and listening in the interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational communicative modes within the cultural context of Latin America or Spain. This course is based on the ACTFL standards and requires nightly homework and assignments to be completed outside of class. Topics to be studied include vocabulary related to health, hobbies, and travel and the past tenses. Assessments include class participation, homework, projects, compositions, and final exams. By the end of Spanish II, students are expected to demonstrate a low-intermediate level of proficiency in all four skills as characterized by the American Council of Foreign Language.  

To take this elective, students require ESL Level 3, the successful completion of Spanish I or approval from their teacher. 

Spanish III is designed for students who have successfully completed Spanish II or who can demonstrate that they have achieved the low-intermediate level of proficiency in all four skills (reading, writing, speaking and listening) according to the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL). Students communicate about topics that are meaningful to them such as friendship, relationships, life goals, jobs, finances, politics, social issues, and entertainment, as well as popular culture and the fine arts. These topics, as well as Latin American and Spanish history and culture, are the contexts for analysis, comparison, conversation, interpretation, and much of the vocabulary at this level. Students use a textbook and online video to participate in listening and practice activities. They begin to read literary fragments and watch and listen to native speakers from recordings and films. Students also research and present about the arts and social issues. Any major gaps in knowledge of thematic vocabulary and grammar study are addressed. Students are assessed through exams, tests, projects, compositions, homework, and skits.  

To take this elective, students require ESL Level 3; Spanish II or approval from their teacher. 

Spanish IV is designed for students who have successfully completed Spanish III or can demonstrate that they have achieved the Mid-Intermediate level of proficiency in all four skills (reading, writing, speaking and listening) according to the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL). Students improve their communication skills through the study of the cultures of Latin America and Spain. They read and analyse literature and films, as well as explore the histories of the Spanish-speaking countries beginning with the re-conquest of Spain from the Moors and the Spanish conquest of the Americas. Vocabulary is generated from the literature and films – both consisting of authentic resources – and the history textbook, while grammar study is generated according to and depending on student work. Students are assessed through exams, tests, projects, compositions, homework, and participation. 

To take this elective, students require ESL Level 3, the successful completion of Spanish III or approval from their teacher. 

Spanish Culture is a year-long course to develop an understanding of the Spanish langue and culture. Topics examined include people, foods and music and politics. This course is offered in two parts, one for each semester.

To take this elective, students must have achieved ESL Level 3.