WORLD LANGUAGE
Students who study a world language generally score better on the ACT and SAT than students who do not. There is a direct correlation between how long a student studies a world language and how well they score on the ACT and SAT.
If you are anticipating attending college, you are strongly encouraged to take a world language for at least two years, especially if you are interested in the following careers: theater, music, art, mass communication (TV, radio, journalism), business, social work, education and others that require a Bachelor of Arts degree.
All Regent universities in Kansas offer retroactive credit for foreign language that students are able to “test out of.” This means that you have the opportunity to skip lower levels of language in college, but still receive credit for them without paying for that credit. As a result, it is recommended that you take as many years of the same language as you can in high school.
In addition, all Level III and IV language classes are weighted classes.
French I
One year
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Credits: 1
Prerequisite: None
French I students will learn the basics of the French languages as well as the lifestyles and customs of French and Francophone people. A textbook with a video component, complimentary workbook, listening CD’s, computer program and question cards provide for a variety of learning styles. Students will participate in games, songs, videotaped skits and presentation, and small group activities. Grades will be based on written and oral work and class participation. Sixty percent of the grade consists of tests and participation. Extra equipment needed: A 3-ring binder and loose-leaf paper.
French II
One Year
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit: 1
Prerequisite: A “C” or better in French I
French II is a more in-depth study into listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills learned in French I. A thorough review of French I will take place early in the school year. Students will continue learning about Francophone cultures and lifestyles. A textbook with video component, complimentary workbook, listening CD’s and question cards provide for a variety of learning styles. Students will participate in games, songs, videotaped skits and presentation, and small group activities. Extra equipment needed: A 3-ring binder and loose-leaf paper.
French III
One Year
Grades: 10, 11, 12
Credit: 1 (weighted)
Prerequisite: A “C” or better in French II
This is a more intense study of the language. Oral communications is emphasized. A textbook with a video component, complimentary workbook/CD manual, listening CD’s and a computer program will provide for a variety of learning skills. Students will read and discuss short stories, literature excerpts, magazine articles, recite prose and poetry, express themselves in writing, participate in songs and skits, and film various projects and presentations. The student will be graded on enthusiasm, class participation, written and oral work and the use of class time. The extra equipment needed: Loose-leaf paper and a 3-ring binder. This course prepares students to enter the second or third semester of college French.
French IV
One Year
Grade: 12
Credit: 1 (weighted)
Prerequisites: A “C” or better in French III
This course represents college-level learning. It provides an opportunity for the student to apply the objectives learned in the first three years of the language. A textbook with a video component, complimentary workbook/CD manual, listening CD’s and a computer program will provide for a variety of learning skills. The major emphasis in French IV is vocabulary acquisition, oral proficiency, cultural understanding, and writing skills. Students will read and discuss short stories, literature excerpts, magazine articles, recite prose and poetry, express themselves in writing, participate in songs and skits, and film various projects and presentations. The student will be graded on enthusiasm, class participation, written and oral work and the use of class time. Students will need to furnish a 3-ring notebook with dividers and loose-leaf paper. This course prepares students to enter the third or fourth semester of college French.
TRADITIONAL GERMAN COURSES
German I
One Year
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit: 1
Prerequisite: None
Students in this course will learn listening, speaking, reading, writing, and culture skills for real life situations. German I focuses on obtaining a basic knowledge of daily life, the cultures, and the written and spoken language of these countries. Students will be graded on class participation, written and oral test results, and most importantly, on individual improvement. NOTE: Independent Study is NOT possible at this level. Placement testing is recommended for students with previous knowledge of German.
German II
One Year
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit: 1
Prerequisite: A “C” or better in German I or placement testing
Students will increase their general and specific knowledge of the customs and language of the German speaking peoples. Understanding, speaking, reading, and writing skills will be strengthened and broadened. Students will be graded on class participation, written and oral test results, and individual improvement. Students will take the National Exam in Jan. NOTE: Independent Study is NOT possible at this level.
German III
One Year
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit: 1 (weighted)
Prerequisite: A “C” or better in German II or placement testing
Students will review the vocabulary and grammar learned in German II and will continue to improve correct listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Activities and assessments include; oral interview, reading comprehension, cultural understanding, recitations, skits, role-play, grammar manipulations, creative writing, journals, research, geographical understanding, and interpretations of authentic literature, videos, radio plays and programs, songs, magazines, and newspapers. This course can prepare students to enter the second or third semester of college German. Students will take the National Exam in Jan. Note: Independent Study is possible at this level. Placement will be determined by testing and teacher evaluation.
German IV
One Year
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit: 1 (weighted)
Prerequisite: A “C” or better in German III or placement testing
Students will continue to improve their skills in German with more and more authentic materials. This course prepares student to enter the third or fourth semester of college German. NOTE: Independent study is possible at this level. Placement will be determined by testing and teacher evaluation.
GERMAN CONVERSATION LABS I and II and GERMAN CONSEVERSATION AND COMPOSITION LABS I and II are designed for students who have a real interest in learning to speak German, but who may not plan to study German in college. Also, these courses are for students already enrolled in German I, II, III, or IV, who want to improve or accelerate their mastery of spoken German. These courses do NOT meet Regents scholarship requirements for world language.
German Conversation Lab I
One Semester
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Credits 1/2
Prerequisite: None
This course is designed for non-speakers who want to explore learning to speak German, for students interested in improving the German they learned at home, and for students already enrolled in any level of German who want to improve their speaking and listening skills and cultural knowledge in German. All students will work together to create culturally-correct skits and plays to perform and video-record for class. Students will learn authentic German songs and games and songs for language learning. Instructions will concentrate almost totally on teaching students to comprehend and speak German in real-life situations. Ninety percent of the grade is determined by in-class participation, effort, and improvement in speaking German; therefore, excellent attendance is required. Very little homework will be assigned. Students will do very little writing for a grade and will not take the National German Exam unless they are enrolled in Level II, III, or IV German class. This course does NOT meet Regents scholarship requirement for world language. NOTE: Independent study is not possible for this class.
German Conservation Lab II
One Semester
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit: 1/2
Prerequisites: German Conversation I or be enrolled in German I
This course is a continuation of German Conversation I. Ninety percent of the grade is determined by in-class participation, effort, and improvement in speaking in German; therefore excellent attendance is required. Very little homework will be assigned for a grade. Students will do very little writing for a grade and will NOT take the National German Exam unless they are enrolled in Level II, III, or IV German class. This course does NOT meet Regents scholarships requirement for world language. NOTE: Independent study is NOT possible for this class.
German Conversation and Composition Lab I
One Semester
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit: 1/2
Prerequisites: German Conversation I and II or one semester of German I
This Course is designed for any students who have taken German Conversation I and II and for students who have completed at least one semester of German I. The intent of this course is to improve conversation skills in German and to introduce and practice writing skills in German. Skits, plays, songs, and games will continue and writing in German will now be evaluated. Ninety percent of the grade is determined by class participation, effort, and speaking in German; therefore, excellent attendance is required. Some written homework will be a necessary aspect of this course. These students will NOT take the National German Exam unless they are enrolled in Level II, III, and IV German class. This course does NOT meet Regents scholarship requirement for world language. NOTE: Independent Study is NOT possible for this class.
German Conversation and Composition Lab II
One Semester
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit: 1/2
Prerequisites: German Conversation and Composition I or German I
This course is a continuation of German Conversation Labs I and II. Assessment will include grammar and spelling. Seventy percent of the grade is determined by class participation, effort, and speaking in German; therefore, excellent attendance is required. Some written homework will be necessary in this course. Students enrolled in this course will NOT take the German National Exam unless they are enrolled in a higher German class. This course does not meet Regents scholarship requirement for world language. NOTE: Independent Study is NOT possible for this class.
Spanish I
One Year
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit: 1
Prerequisite: None
Spanish I is designed to encompass the areas of reading, writing, and listening comprehension, as well as speaking in the target language. Class participation is a must. Students are graded on written and oral work, as well as class participation. Students will also learn about lifestyle and customs of the Hispanic people.
Spanish II
One Year
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit: 1
Prerequisite: A “C” or better in Spanish I
Spanish II is a more in-depth study into the reading, writing, listening and speaking skills learned in Spanish I. Students are graded on written and oral work as well as class participation. Students will continue studying the lifestyles and customs of the Hispanic peoples.
Spanish III
One Year
Grades: 10, 11, 12
Credit: 1 (weighted)
Prerequisite: A “C” or better in Spanish II
In Spanish III all the skill learned in Spanish I and II are perfected. Students will be introduced to Hispanic literature and see movies in Spanish. Spanish will be used in the classroom. This course prepares students to enter the second or third semester of college Spanish.
Spanish IV
One Year
Grades: 10, 11, 12
Credit: 1 (weighted)
Prerequisite: A “C” or better in Spanish III
Spanish IV is a continuation of Spanish III. Students will complete their grammar study with the focus on the subjunctive mood. Writing and reading in the Spanish language will be emphasized, and students will read more Hispanic literature. Students will work on using Spanish at all times in the classroom. This prepares students for third or fourth semester of college Spanish.