World Languages Department

Grade Level: 9-12

Graduation Credit: Languages other than English

CSU/UC: Language other than English (LOTE)(e), Electives(g)

French 2 students continue their study of the five communication skills: Listening, speaking, reading, writing, and cultural awareness of french. Students are able to understand simple questions related to personal interests and to initiate simple conversations. They develop the ability to read short texts and write short paragraphs dealing with everyday life.

Grade Level: 10-12

Graduation Credit: Languages other than English

CSU/UC: Language other than English (LOTE)(e), Electives(g)

French 3 students expand upon and enrich the base of knowledge acquired in French 1 and 2. As students enter into the intermediate level of language proficiency, they learn to discuss and write about personal experiences and their lives at home and school. They learn to communicate their needs using more complex verb tenses and grammatical structures. Students are also introduced to short literary texts and other authentic documents.

Grade Level: 11-12

Graduation Credit: Languages other than English, General Elective

CSU/UC: Language other than English (LOTE)(e), Electives(g)

Mandarin Chinese 2 is a second year course for students who have finished Mandarin 1 or have prior equivalent Mandarin Chinese experience. In this course, students will continue to develop a mastery of the four language skills: speaking, listening, reading, and writing.  They will further develop their basic oral skills, their knowledge of Chinese culture/history, and the skills needed to communicate effectively. They will become more confident using target language vocabulary and practice conversational use of sentence patterns. Students will develop skills needed to read for content and begin to acquire basic writing skills in composition. They will demonstrate understanding of the general meaning, key ideas, and some details in authentic texts. Students will learn both simplified and traditional Chinese characters.

Grade Level: 10-12

Graduation Credit: Languages other than English

CSU/UC: Language other than English (LOTE)(e), Electives(g)

Mandarin/Chinese 3 is designed to bring the students to a level where they are able to satisfy many complex social demands. Students are able to gain a more concentrated study of grammar and vocabulary and an in-depth approach to the culture of Chinese society. They will create sophisticated sentence structures in both formal and informal situations. Students will be able to produce, interpret, exchange and compose personal opinions, and state the various topics beyond survival needs. They will demonstrate understanding of the main idea and details in authentic texts. They are able to manipulate and articulate while using grammatical structures of the language. This course is conducted primarily in Mandarin. 

Grade Level: 11-12

Graduation Credit:  Languages other than English

CSU/UC: Language other than English (LOTE)(e), Electives(g)

At this level, students have a higher degree of competency in all four-language skills: speaking, reading, writing and 

listening. Students engage in an exploration of both contemporary and historical Chinese culture through a wide array of authentic sources while they further refine and expand their knowledge of the Chinese language and culture. Students read in class and independently interpret selected literary works; discuss contemporary issues as presented through literature, magazines, newspapers, videos and online resources; have an understanding and appreciation of the history and culture of the people using the language; and interact comfortably with native speakers. This course is conducted in Mandarin/Chinese. Students who enroll will also prepare to take the Advanced Placement Chinese Literature Exam.

Grade Level: 12

Graduation Credit:  Languages other than English

CSU/UC: Language other than English (LOTE)(e), Electives(g)

Grade Level: 9-12

Graduation Credit:  Languages other than English

CSU/UC: Language other than English (LOTE)(e), Electives(g)

Spanish 2 students continue their study of the five communication skills: Listening, speaking, reading, writing, and cultural awareness of Spanish. Students are able to understand simple questions related to personal interests and to initiate simple conversations. They develop the ability to read short texts and write short paragraphs dealing with everyday life.

Course Term: Yearlong 

Grade Level: 10-12

Graduation Credit:  Languages other than English

CSU/UC: Language other than English (LOTE)(e), Electives(g)

Spanish 3 students expand upon and enrich the base of knowledge acquired in Spanish 1 and 2.  As students enter into the intermediate level of language proficiency, they learn to discuss and write about personal experiences and their lives at home and school. They learn to communicate their needs using more complex verb grammatical structures. Students are also introduced to short literary texts and other authentic documents.

Grade Level: 11-12

Graduation Credit: Languages other than English

CSU/UC: Language other than English (LOTE)(e), Electives(g)

This course is designed to help native speakers improve their oral, listening, reading, and writing skills in Spanish. Native speakers learn about Latino culture and history through themes including identity, family, and community. They are encouraged to share their own traditions and experience. Students should have adequate knowledge of the language to complete this course.

*Successful completion of this course equates to two years of LOTE.

Grade Level: 9-12

Graduation Credit:  Languages other than English

CSU/UC: Language other than English (LOTE)(e)

This course is designed to further reinforce language skills through the reading and discussion of a wide range of literary works, cultural themes, and current events. Students read Spanish novels, poetry, short stories, plays, and essays, and write analytical compositions and essays. Students have the opportunity to prepare for the Advanced Placement Spanish Literature Exam.

Prerequisite: Spanish for Spanish Speakers 1 or adequate knowledge of the language.      

Grade Level: 9-12

Graduation Credit: Languages other than English

CSU/UC: Language other than English (LOTE)(e), Elective(g)

The AP Spanish Language course should help prepare students to demonstrate their level of Spanish proficiency across three communicative modes: (Interpersonal [interactive communication], Interpretive [receptive communication], and Presentational [productive communication]), and the five goal areas outlined in the Standards for Foreign Language Learning in the 21st Century (communication, cultures, connections, comparisons and communities). The course is meant to be comparable to third year  (fifth or sixth semester) college and university courses that focus on speaking and writing in the target language at an advanced level.

Grade Level: 12

Graduation Credit:  Languages other than English

CSU/UC: Language other than English (LOTE)(e), Electives(g)

School: Branham, Leigh, Prospect, Westmont

The AP Spanish Literature course is designed to provide students with a learning experience equivalent to that of a third-year college course in Peninsular and Latin American literature. The course is designed to introduce students to the formal study of a representative body of Peninsular and Latin American literary texts. The AP Spanish Literature course more closely approximates an introductory literature course typically taught at the college level, in 2003 the reading list was changed from five authors to a more comprehensive and inclusive list. The expanded reading list introduces students to the diverse literature written in Spanish and thus helps them reflect on the many voices and cultures included in this very rich literature.

Grade Level: 12

Graduation Credit:  Languages other than English

CSU/UC: Language other than English (LOTE)(e), Electives(g)