Foreign Language Department

Modern: French, German, Spanish
Classical: Latin
The aim of instruction in French, German and Spanish is to provide increasing competence in listening, speaking, reading, writing and cultural understanding. To attain maximum skill development, students should plan a four-year high school sequence, after having completed Level I by the end of the eighth grade. Concurrent with the development of language skills, instruction will aim to provide cultural insight and understanding of other people, their land and geography, their history, their thought and action.
PLEASE NOTE:
1. To qualify for a New York State Regents Diploma, students must pass the Comprehensive Regents Examination in a foreign language or complete a five-unit sequence in art, music or technology.
2. New York State regulations in place for the Class of 2005 and beyond require one high school credit in Languages Other Than English (LOTE) in order to graduate from high school. This credit may be earned via the Proficiency Examination at the conclusion of grade 8, or by the successful completion of a Level I foreign language course at the high school.

Sequences in Foreign Languages
The sequences of courses in foreign languages have recently been streamlined and reorganized. This will result in the offering of Level I to all students in grade 8. If you have questions, please call the Foreign Language Resource Center, 382-2511, Ext. 4321.

Instruction in modern foreign languages will begin in grade 6 at the middle school. Instruction in Latin and German begins in grade 9. Course offerings at the middle school for 2006-07 include:
French 6
Spanish 6
French 7
Spanish 7
French I (Lang. 8)
Spanish I (Lang. 8)
At the end of eighth grade instruction, teachers will recommend students for Language I, II or II H.
Students who accept the Honors recommendation or elect to pursue Honors under the Open Enrollment Option should plan, with quality achievement, to remain in the Honors grouping during their high school years.

Placement for Freshmen or Beginning Students
Moving into grade 9, students will find the following courses available:
French I
German I
Spanish I
Latin I
French II R
German II R
Spanish II R
Latin Accel. I/II
French II H
German II H
Spanish II H
German Accel. I/II

The Language I course provides an entry level language course for students with no previous foreign language instruction and for those who did not successfully complete middle school Language I. It is also intended for students who want to begin an additional language or to change to a different language. Placement in Language II, as an introductory course, requires the approval of the department.

Courses offered in the high school program include:
French I, II R, II H, III R, III H, IV R, IV H, V PR, V H
German I, II R, Accel I/II, II H, III R, III H, IV R, IV H, V PR, V H
Spanish I, II R, II H, III R, III H, IV R, IV H, V PR, V H
Latin I, II, Accel I/II, III, AP
R=Regents, H=Honors, PR=Post Regents, AP=Advanced Placement
The New York State Regents examination will be administered to all students at the completion of the Language IV and IV H courses in French, German, Spanish and Latin III.

Early Graduates
An early (January) graduate may receive 1/2 credit for the completion of the first semester’s work of his/her final language course.

Courses
MODERN LANGUAGES
4110 FRENCH I
4125 GERMAN I
4140 SPANISH I
1 year, 1 credit, Grade 9-12
This introductory course is organized around the communicative functions of socializing, providing and obtaining information, expressing personal feeling, and persuading. Emphasis will be given to listening and speaking. Reading and writing skills will also be developed. The topics of self, family and community, health and welfare, travel and leisure, meal taking and food, and shopping will be introduced. Grammatical structures, vocabulary and culture consistent with the NYS Syllabus at Checkpoint A will be presented.

4127 GERMAN I/II ACCELERATED
1 year, 1 credit, Grade 9-12
Students will be able to complete two years of German during their first year of study. Successful completion of this course would allow them to register for German III. Communicative function, grammar and verb tenses will be stressed. Authentic materials will be used.

HONORS PROGRAM
Honors courses in modern foreign languages are offered in French, Spanish and German II, III, IV and V. In general, these classes cover basic course materials plus supplementary readings and provide greater opportunity for language usage and enrichment leading to a higher proficiency level. Students are recommended by their teachers for this program. Students who wish to pursue open enrollment for “Honors” after Level II should speak to their classroom teacher and then to the director of foreign language. Recommended preparation may include a study plan designed to facilitate a smooth transition into the Honors class.

4116 FRENCH II R
4131 GERMAN II R
4146 SPANISH II R
1 year, 1 credit, Grade 9-12
Students will continue to develop proficiency skills moving toward Checkpoint B, via the further development of the communicative functions. Topics will be expanded and treated in greater depth. The concept of tense will be developed and differentiated. Authentic materials will be used to increase reading and cultural comprehension.

4121 FRENCH II H
4136 GERMAN II H
4151 SPANISH II H
1 year, 1 credit, Grades 9-12
These are the first courses in the Honors sequence. They are designed for those students who have demonstrated the ability, motivation and work ethic required for a linguistic experience of greater depth and breadth. Basic course materials will be covered with greater expectations for student performance in the areas of speaking and writing. Reading texts and written assignments will be longer and more complex. The study of tenses will be more extensive, and adapted literary works will be introduced.

4211 FRENCH III R
4221 GERMAN III R
4231 SPANISH III R
1 year, 1 credit, Grades 10-12
Students will continue to develop understanding of the structure and the communicative functions of the target language. Additional verb tenses and sequencing will be included. Vocabulary and topics will be expanded. Students will learn to appreciate various aspects of target culture.

4216 FRENCH III H
4226 GERMAN III H
4236 SPANISH III H
1 year, 1 credit, Grades 10-12
Students will continue to explore topics in a more thorough manner. Emphasis will be on more sophisticated comprehension and use of language that will lead to greater proficiency in all communicative skills. Literary topics will be included. Various verb forms will be introduced and students will be expected to manipulate more complex vocabulary and structures. Projects will emphasize a higher skill level.

4311 FRENCH IV R
4321 GERMAN IV R
4331 SPANISH IV R
1 year, 1 credit, Grades 11-12
All four skill areas will continue to be developed and assessed. Presentations and projects in the target language will show more depth and complexity. Authentic materials will be used as the basis for listening, speaking, reading and writing. Speech samples will be longer, more detailed and more complex. All major tenses will be included. Examples from the literature and films of the target culture will be used. The Regents examination will be the final exam for this course, marking the completion of Checkpoint B.

4316 FRENCH IV H
4326 GERMAN IV H
4336 SPANISH IV H
1 year, 1 credit, Grades 11-12
These courses will introduce additional literary topics. All major verb tenses will be presented. Writing and speaking will be of greater depth and complexity. Projects will continue to emphasize higher level skills and enrichment. Speech samples and authentic documents will be longer and more sophisticated. The Regents examination and a final project will be required at the end of this course.

4411 FRENCH V PR
4421 GERMAN V PR
4432 SPANISH V PR
(University in High School Program)
1 year, 1 credit, Grade 12
This post-Regents senior elective will allow students to enhance and maintain their linguistic and cultural skills. Contemporary documents and literature will be used to build skills at Checkpoint C. Emphasis will be given to the preparation of language projects to evaluate the development of Checkpoint C (post-Regents) proficiency. Students enrolled in this program will be able to earn four university credits via cross-registration with SUNY Albany (French, Spanish) or three credits with SUNY Oswego (German). Fees may range from $100-150 per course.

4416 FRENCH V H
4426 GERMAN V H
4436 SPANISH V H
(University in High School Program)
1 year, 1 credit, Grade 12
Students enrolled in this program will be able to earn four university credits via cross registration with SUNY Albany (French, Spanish) or three credits
with SUNY Oswego (German). Fees may range between $100 and $150 per course. A college-level curriculum is followed that includes literature, contemporary language, film and culture. In addition, since learning standards for this level are commensurate with the skills required for success on the AP Examination in Language, students in language V H may register for this exam.

Latin
The course of study in Latin will include audio-lingual work, grammar, reading, writing, translation and simple conversation. The language laboratory will be used occasionally in the Latin class. The course of study will strive to accomplish our stated objectives: (a) to acquire functional control of certain aspects of the Latin language; (b) to read Latin effectively with minimum reference to English; (c) to read Latin literature with understanding and appreciation; (d) to situate the Latin language within the family of languages -- especially with respect to English; (c) to understand the place of Rome in the Ancient World and in subsequent world history; (f) to gain insight into Roman civilization (including the legacy of Greece); and (g) to expand intellectual and esthetic horizons through literary and other experiences.

4155 LATIN I
1 year, 1 credit, Grades 9-12
The structure of Latin as a highly inflected language is introduced. Structure and vocabulary are introduced through readings in Latin drawn from material on everyday life of the Romans, mythology, legends and fables. Topics for study include a brief outline of Roman history, some geography in reference to principal places mentioned in readings, and Roman contributions in various fields such as architecture and government. Stress is placed on word study and on reading for general comprehension, as well as for exact content.

4240 LATIN II
1 year, 1 credit, Grades 10-12
Structure and vocabulary continue to be introduced through reading. Readings, primarily in Latin, cover the periods from the mythological and legendary origins of Rome through the historically documented period of the second century B.C. and later. Students read other supplementary material on related topics as interest and time dictate. Work on word study and comprehension continues.

4245 LATIN ACCELERATED I/II
1 year, 1 credit, Grades 9-12
Selected students would be able to complete two years of Latin during their first year of study. Successful completion of this course would allow them to register for Latin III and the New York State Regents examination. They would then be eligible for Advanced Placement Latin IV or Latin IV H as the post-Regents course. Applications for Accelerated Latin I/II will be available during the course selection process.

4340 LATIN III
1 year, 1 credit, Grades 10-12
Work on structure, vocabulary, word study and Roman civilization continues as students prepare for the Regents examination. A major focus is placed upon analyzing passages in Latin for content and syntax. Students will exhibit their knowledge of the impact of the Latin language and Roman civilization as they relate to the modern world.

4350 LATIN - IV H
(University in High School Program)
1 year, 1 credit, Grades 11-12
Students enrolled in this program will be able to earn four university credits via cross registration with SUNY Albany. A college-level curriculum consisting of authentic materials from ancient authors will be studied. This post-Regents class will allow students to enhance and maintain their linguistic and cultural skills as well as relate the ancient world to that of modern day through projects, art, music and discussion.

Latin AP
Students who have completed the Regents-level Latin (Latin III) are encouraged to register for the AP Latin offerings. Since the inception of the Accelerated Latin I/II course, students who have completed this sequence as ninth graders have the opportunity to have a fifth level of Latin.

4455 LATIN - Vergil AP
1 year, 1 credit, Grades 11-12
This course will focus on the Augustan Age and its leading poet, Vergil. Study of the epic The Aeneid includes a study of principles of literary criticism and the art of poetry. Background, word study, vocabulary and structure of the language continue to be an integral part of the course. Students may elect to register for the "University in High School" program through SUNY Albany, which would allow them to earn additional college credits.

ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE
8405 ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE
1 year, 1 credit, Grades 9-12
All students who come from a family in which a language other than English is spoken will be given an oral screening. Students who score below the “cut score” on The Language Assessment Battery exam will be enrolled in ESL and take another assessment in May to determine continued eligibility. The curricular emphasis, including listening and comprehension, oral expression, and writing for literary and technical purposes, enhances students’ ability to use English, allowing them to fully participate in an academic environment.

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