Curriculum Guide - World Language

World Language Courses Course Guide

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World Language Department Philosophy and Placement World language students at Windward will be proficient communicators—in various formats and registers—in the target language of their choice, demonstrating the ability to explore a variety of topics while displaying sensitivity to the nuances of cultural difference. Students will develop higher level analytical skills, including but not limited to critical thinking, problem solving, and adaptability within the language. They will be linguistic risk-takers and confident in their ability to be creative with the language in real-world situations. Through exposure to a variety of experiences designed to bring language outside the classroom and into the world, our students will graduate as participating citizens of the global community.

In World Language, placement in the honors sections is determined by testing, performance and teacher recommendation. It should be noted that the honors sections of world language courses are significantly different from the regular sections, and strong performance in a non-honors class is not -- by itself -- an indication that a student should be placed in the honors section. Movement from the regular to honors section is possible with a teacher’s recommendation, but in most cases such a shift requires summer work and a placement test.

Requirements Middle School students are required to take a world language in both 7th and 8th grades. In the Upper School students are required to complete three years of the same language. Alternately, a student may take two languages, both through level two. Students have the opportunity to continue into a level five or Advanced Placement course with the approval of the department chair. The University of California requires two (and recommends three) years of study of the same language other than English.

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Course Descriptions French 1A (Middle School)

French 1

Honors French 2

This course, designed for those with little or no prior exposure to French, introduces students to the French language and Francophone culture. French 1A aims to build a solid foundation for the future study of French language by teaching our students everyday vocabulary and essential grammar. Course instruction and assignments addresses all four aspects of language acquisition: oral communication, listening comprehension, written proficiency and reading comprehension, and exposes students to Francophone culture. At the end of French I, students use the present and near future tenses. Their vocabulary includes words related to school, family, friends, sports, leisure, going out to eat, running errands, telling time, nationality and travel situations.

They are able to discuss everyday situations, to use adjectives and adverbs correctly, to ask questions, and to make statements.

This course introduces Upper School students to the French language and Francophone culture and is designed for those with little or no prior exposure to French. French 1 aims to build a solid foundation for the future study of French language by teaching our students everyday vocabulary and essential grammar within a real-life context. Course instruction and assignments address all four aspects of language acquisition: oral communication, listening comprehension, written proficiency and reading comprehension, and expose students to Francophone culture. This course is taught in French as much as possible.

Prerequisite: French 1B and departmental recommendation, French 1 and departmental recommendation, and/or placement test

French 2

Prerequisite: French 2 or placement test

French 1B (Middle School) Prerequisite: French 1A The continuation of French 1A, this course allows students to continue their focused study of the underpinnings of the French language in a creative way. Course instruction and assignments continue to address all four aspects of language acquisition: oral communication, listening comprehension, written proficiency and reading comprehension, and expose students to Francophone culture. The course is conducted primarily in French.

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Prerequisite: French 1B, French 1, or placement test A continuation of French 1, French 2 concentrates heavily on oral language skills but simultaneously develops reading, writing, and listening abilities.

Students learn many new irregular verbs, how to use two verbs together, direct and indirect object pronouns, the passĂŠ compose and imparfait, the future, additional negative formations, the pronominal verbs, and the order of personal pronouns.

In addition, students are introduced to the Francophile world by means of reading selections and participating discussions.

In French 2 Honors, students continue to develop the four skills: speaking, reading, writing, and listening.

They work at an accelerated pace, emphasizing rapid acquisition of new material and more in-depth examination of grammatical concepts.

They read more challenging texts, and they are expected to write longer and more well-developed paragraphs/ essays.

French 3

This course is a continuation of French 2 with an increasing emphasis on contextual conversation, reading, writing, and vocabulary acquisition.

At the end of the third year, students know the relative and demonstrative pronouns as well as the pluperfect and the tenses of the conditional and subjunctive moods. At this level, students are also made aware of the nuances of French grammar and usage, both oral and written.

Students read a simple literary text and compare and contrast it to a film based on that text.

Honors French 3

Honors French 4

Prerequisite: French 2 - Honors and departmental recommendation or French 2 with departmental recommendation and placement test

Prerequisite: French 3 - Honors and departmental recommendation or French 3 with departmental recommendation and placement test

The French 3 Honors course is a continuation of French 2 Honors with an in-depth review of the grammatical concepts learned in the first two years of the study of French. Students communicate in the target language.

At the end of this year, students have learned the relative, demonstrative, and possessive pronouns as well as expressions of time, the verb tenses in “if clauses,� the pluperfect, and the tenses of the conditional and subjunctive moods. Students are also made aware of nuances of French grammar and usage, both oral and written. Students read and analyze two literary texts and compare and contrast at least one of them to a film based on that text.

The French 4 Honors course emphasizes conversation, reading, and writing, and provides a complete review of the grammar, stressing the nuances of both its structure and function. The continual reinforcements of previously learned vocabulary (active and passive) and the acquisition of new words are of primary importance. Students are also exposed to a variety of literary genres, and write essays very frequently.

French 4 Prerequisite: French 3 or placement test French 4 emphasizes conversation, reading, and writing. Texts survey French history, culture, and literature from pre-history to the present, and also provide a thorough review of grammar. Skills are reinforced through the use of interactive computer activities. The acquisition of a broad active and passive vocabulary is of primary importance at this level.

Students are exposed to a variety of literary genres, and write essays frequently. They keep abreast of current events in the francophone world by watching and discussing French TV5 news broadcasts.

French 5 Prerequisite: French 4 or placement test French 5 places an emphasis on the continued development of the four language skills through an in-depth analysis of the important cultural issues of our time. In particular, there is more stress placed on reading original French texts and analyzing them by means of classroom discussions, presentations, and essays. The review of grammar and the acquisition of new vocabulary are two ancillary activities included in this course.

AP French Language and Culture Prerequisite: French 3 - Honors with departmental recommendation and placement test, French 4 - Honors and departmental recommendation, or French 4 with departmental recommendation and placement test This course emphasizes the acquisition of a high level of general language skills rather than a predetermined content. By gaining advanced linguistic proficiency in their speech and writing, the student to use the language in a variety of activities and contexts. Readings include novels, plays, poetry, essays, and newspaper articles. French films are also shown to provide cultural, aesthetic, and historical enrichment as well as linguistic challenge. Students registered in Advanced Placement French Language and Culture must take the Advanced Placement exam.

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Course Descriptions Mandarin Chinese 1A (Middle School) This is a beginning course designed for students with no prior Mandarin language background. The course objective is for students to develop basic listening, speaking, reading and writing skills using both the Pinyin system and Simplified Chinese characters. The course helps to lay a solid foundation for further Mandarin study. Students will participate in short conversations, sing Chinese songs, do art projects, write notes, create dialogues, and perform skits in Mandarin. Upon completion of the course, students will be able to communicate in simple Mandarin in everyday conversations about such topics as their family and holiday celebrations. Students will also be able to talk about Chinese culture, customs and events in the Chinesespeaking community.

Mandarin Chinese 1B (Middle School) Prerequisite: Mandarin Chinese 1A A continuation of Chinese 1A, this course allows students to continue their focused study of the underpinnings of Mandarin in a creative way. Course instruction and assignments continue to address all four aspects of language acquisition: oral communication, listening comprehension, written proficiency and reading comprehension using both the Pinyin system and Simplified Chinese characters. The course helps to lay a solid foundation for further Mandarin study.

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Mandarin Chinese 1 In this course, Upper School students learn the foundation of the Chinese language. They develop the ability to express themselves on a basic level about their family and friends and about everyday life. The course is taught in Mandarin as much as possible. Students learn about cultural aspects of life in China.

Mandarin Chinese 2 Prerequisite: Mandarin Chinese 1B, Mandarin Chinese 1, or placement test In Mandarin Chinese 2, students continue to cultivate their Mandarin Chinese language skills while deepening their knowledge of Chinese culture. They work to improve their speaking and listening skills as well as their ability to read, type, and write 250 to 300 Chinese characters.

Students also participate in at least two Chinese cultural events in the greater Los Angeles area.

Mandarin Chinese 3 Prerequisite: Mandarin Chinese 2 or placement test Expanding on the foundation built throughout the introductory sequence of Mandarin Chinese, this course serves as a bridge to future upperlevel study. Students will continue to strengthen their speaking and listening skills at the same time that they go even more in-depth in their writing. Exploration of authentic Chinese print and multimedia materials allows students to make important cultural connections and comparisons with their own culture.

Spanish 1A (Middle School) This course introduces students to the Spanish language and the culture of the Hispanophone world and is designed for students for little to no prior exposure to Spanish. Our curriculum provides an opportunity for students to learn Spanish by listening, speaking, reading, and writing, and it exposes them to the traditions, customs, and culture of Spanishspeaking countries. The course is conducted primarily in Spanish and provides a solid foundation for further Spanish study. Students develop basic grammatical concepts through practice of useful structures, forms, and vocabulary. At the end of Spanish IA, students use the present and immediate future tenses. Their vocabulary include words related to school, family, friends, sports and pastimes, travel and weather, and shopping. They are able to discuss everyday situations, use adjectives and adverbs correctly, ask questions and make statements.

Spanish 1B (Middle School) Prerequisite: Spanish 1A The continuation of Spanish 1A, this course allows students to continue their focused study of the underpinnings of the Spanish language in a creative way. Course instruction and assignments continue to address all four aspects of language acquisition: oral communication, listening comprehension, written proficiency and reading comprehension, and expose students to Hispanic culture.

By the end of Spanish 1B, students have begun their study of one of the past tenses in Spanish (the preterite).

The course is conducted primarily in Spanish.

Spanish 1

Honors Spanish 2

This course introduces Upper School students to the Spanish language and the culture of the Hispanophone world and is designed for students for little to no prior exposure to Spanish. Our curriculum provides an opportunity for students to learn Spanish by listening, speaking, reading, and writing, and it exposes them to the traditions, customs, and culture of Spanish-speaking countries. Oral and written communication is the basis of Spanish 1. In this course, students develop the ability to communicate on a basic level. Spanish is used as much as possible in the classroom.

Grammar is learned principally by the inductive method, and many cultural lessons are presented. Students are encouraged to draw inferences about Hispanic culture and compare it to their own. Students also discuss the geography and current events of Latin America and Spain, but not necessarily in Spanish.

Prerequisite: Spanish 1B and departmental recommendation, Spanish 1 and departmental recommendation, or placement test

Spanish 2 Prerequisite: Spanish 1B, Spanish 1, or placement test The Spanish 2 Honors course continues to concentrate on oral language skills and simultaneously develops reading, writing, and listening skills. Students are introduced to the Hispanic culture by the use of reading selections, lectures, and films.

The Spanish 2 Honors course continues to concentrate on oral language skills and simultaneously develops reading, writing, and listening skills. Students are introduced to the Hispanic culture by the use of reading selections, lectures, and films.

Spanish 3 Prerequisite: Spanish 2 or placement test Spanish 3 involves a review of grammatical concepts of the language presented in Spanish 1 and 2 and a presentation of the past subjunctive mood and the conditional tense.

Emphasis is placed on students’ advancing ability to understand and to use the spoken and written language.

Students read a variety of narrative texts and write compositions.

Honors Spanish 3 Prerequisite: Spanish 2 - Honors and departmental recommendation or Spanish 2 with departmental recommendation and placement test The Spanish 3 Honors course involves a review of grammatical concepts presented in Spanish 1 and 2.

Students express themselves in the target language virtually all of the time.

Frequent written compositions are required. Students read short stories and novelettes as well as Hispanic newspapers and magazines.

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Course Descriptions Spanish 4

Spanish 5

AP Spanish

Prerequisite: Spanish 3 or placement test

Prerequisite: Spanish 4 or placement test

Spanish 4 emphasizes conversation, reading, and writing. The acquisition of a broad active vocabulary is of primary importance at this level.

In addition, the course further develops and consolidates all of the grammatical concepts introduced in Levels 1-3. Students read short stories and novelettes and write frequent compositions.

This course, taught entirely in Spanish, focuses on different aspects of Latin American and Spanish history, art, poetry, and culture. Students discuss a variety of subjects and do extensive research on the Internet and in the library. Students make frequent presentations and write reaction papers, newspaper articles, and analytical essays. Making comparisons between the target culture and the heritage culture is a key ingredient in this course. This course is an advanced Spanish language and culture class, the overriding goal of which is to help broaden both students’ language skills and their historical sensibility for Latin America and Spain. Students perfect their Spanish speaking, listening, and writing skills through an in-depth study of culture and heritage.

Prerequisite: Spanish 3 - Honors with departmental recommendation and placement test, Spanish 4 - Honors and departmental recommendation, or Spanish 4 with departmental recommendation and placement test

Honors Spanish 4 Prerequisite: Spanish 3 - Honors and departmental recommendation or Spanish 3 with departmental recommendation and placement test The Spanish 4 Honors course emphasizes all of the same skills as Spanish 4, but does so in greater depth, and also prepares students for an Advanced Placement class in the fifth year. Students write frequent compositions of 200 to 250 words and read a variety of literary genres in their original form as well as newspaper articles from Latin American sources.

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This course emphasizes the acquisition of a high level of general language skills rather than a predetermined content. The advanced linguistic proficiency, which is demanded, enables students to use the language in a variety of activities and academic fields. A review of grammar is done as needed, although students are expected to have mastered the major tenses by this time. Students’ vocabulary is expanded through reading and the study of a large number of new expressions. Students registered in Advanced Placement Spanish Language and Culture must take the Advanced Placement exam.

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