• Home

Foreign Languages Department

Foreign Language classes are beneficial to all students and an obligation for those who wish to go to college. There are 4 levels of classes offered in French and Spanish and students are encouraged to apply for exchange programs for more intensive language immersion. The curriculum is aligned with the National Foreign Language Standards. It emphasizes communication in a non-native language, knowledge and understanding of other cultures, connections with other disciplines and awareness of the cultural diversity of our communities. Along with linguistic instruction, students may spend some time discovering new foods, games, a famous artist or filmmaker, researching a holiday, paying tribute to French Canadians or Hispanics in our area, etc.

French I - 1 credit
This class emphasizes speaking, listening, reading and writing skills in order to conduct simple conversations. Level I vocabulary, grammar and syntax allow students to greet people, talk about friends and family members, time, food, money, weather, daily activities and more. Homework and class participation are as important as quizzes and tests and are graded accordingly. Students should have a minimum average of 80-85 to consider continuing to French II.

French II - 1 credit
Students review concepts learned the previous year, the vocabulary is richer and the conversations are more complex. Level II vocabulary, grammar and syntax allow students to speak and write about past and future events, describe a person, order food, talk about weekend activities and more. Homework and class participation are as important as quizzes and tests and are graded accordingly. Students should have a minimum average of 80-85 to consider continuing to French III. Prerequisite: French I.

French III - 1 credit
A minimum of 3 years is recommended to be conversant in a non-native language. At that level, expectations in speaking and writing are more precise. Students read longer stories and use French regularly when asking questions and interacting with others in class. French III students are able to grasp the difference between different past and future tenses and use prepositions and different types of pronouns appropriately. Level III vocabulary, grammar and syntax allow students to talk about sports and health, their home, plan a vacation and more. Homework and class participation are as important as quizzes and tests and are graded accordingly. Students should have a minimum average of 80-85 to consider continuing to French IV. Prerequisite: French II.

French IV - 1 credit
Introduction to French Art, History, Music, Geography and Literature are part of the academic instruction and done mostly in French. The students are expected to speak and write in French at an understandable level and be able to sustain conversations about various subjects. Homework and class participation are as important as quizzes and tests and are graded accordingly. The level of grammar, conjugation, vocabulary and syntax mastered will lay the ground work for a future 5th year/AP class. Prerequisite: French III.


Spanish I - 1 credit
Students in Spanish I will learn the basic elements of speaking, writing and reading Spanish. They will write and read simple texts in Spanish including personal letters, class schedules, menus and descriptions. Communicative activities are emphasized through dialogues, skits and listening activities. Students will develop an understanding of pronunciation, spelling, basic language structure and social and cultural activities in Spain, Latin America and U.S. Spanish speaking communities. VT Field of Knowledge Standards addressed in this course include: expression of personal ideas and feelings; use of correct vocabulary and structure, reading for understanding and writing simple descriptions. This course will address VT Vital Results Standards in the areas of: writing postcards, reading, listening and responding to conversation in Spanish; thinking abstractly and creatively, assessing learning strategies; learning cultural expressions; effects of prejudice.

Spanish II - 1 credit
Students will progress in their understanding and use of Spanish. Expanding on skills learned in Spanish I, students will develop stronger abilities for listening and speaking comprehension, writing and reading. Spanish II students will keep a weekly journal in which they use Spanish to reflect on specific topics, personal information, and learning progress. Spanish II addresses the VT Field of Knowledge Standards and VT Vital Results Standards detailed in Spanish I above. Homework and class participation are as important as quizzes and tests and are graded accordingly. Students should have a minimum average of 80-85 to consider continuing to Spanish III. Prerequisite: Spanish I.

Spanish III - 1 credit
Students will deepen their understanding of grammatical structure, conversational Spanish and literature, art and culture of the Spanish speaking world. They will write paragraphs, short research essays, and a weekly journal. They will teach pronunciation and basic Spanish phrases through GlobalKat, a community service learning project in partnership with the local elementary schools. VT Field of Knowledge Standards addressed in this course include: expression of personal ideas and feelings; applying knowledge obtained from reading a variety of texts; vocabulary structure and usage, and expressing opinions through speaking and writing. This course will address VT Vital Results Standards in the areas of: expressing opinions and interpreting events; formulating meaningful questions, demonstrating respect for self and others; thinking abstractly and creatively, assessing learning strategies; learning cultural expressions; effects of prejudice. Prerequisite: Spanish II.

Spanish IV - 1 credit
Students will speak Spanish in class at least 80% of the time. In addition to deepening skills in language structure, pronunciation, reading and writing, students will develop abilities to discuss and explain their views on literature from Spain, Latin America, and Spanish-speaking U.S. Spanish IV addresses all of the VT Field of Knowledge Standards and VT Vital Results Standards described for Spanish III. In addition, students will learn to express themselves, speak about abstract concepts, and understand their relationship, roles and responsibilities as members of an increasingly diverse country. Grades are based on homework, class participation are as important as quizzes and tests and are graded accordingly. Proficiency achieved in spoken Spanish, vocabulary and syntax will lay the groundwork for a future 5th year/AP class. Prerequisite: Spanish III.

Spanish V - 1 credit
Intermediate Spanish Conversation and Culture. Emphasis in this new course will be on culture and conversation, with an historical and cultural focus on Spain and Latin America and including an overview of modern Hispanic civilizations. Students will undertake periodic cultural investigations/presentations in areas which particularly interest them. The course will include readings at the appropriate level, but not novels. Approximately 25% of time will be spent continuing to build proficiency in the area of grammar. Content may include presentation of current events in Spanish, student-led discussions and projects/investigations. For those students desiring to take Spanish V AP (Advanced Placement) in the following year, this course will serve as an appropriate preparation past the Spanish IV level. Taught in Spanish. Prerequisite: Spanish IV or Placement Test.

AP Spanish V - 1 credit
Advanced Placement Spanish Language is designed to prepare highly motivated students for success on the AP Spanish Language exam. AP Spanish Language is intended for students who wish to develop proficiency in all four language skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. Students who enroll should already have a basic knowledge of the language and culture of Spanish-speaking peoples and should have attained a reasonable proficiency in the four skill areas (above). Following the College Board™ syllabus, students in AP Language will study all tenses of the indicative and subjunctive moods, will express present, future and potential activities and plans and will be able to narrate past actions as well as possessing a basic knowledge of reflexive constructions or direct and indirect object pronouns and their placement. Spanish language skills, measured by the AP Exam in May, should demonstrate an intermediate command of the language in speaking spontaneously, in writing a good essay without help on an everyday topic, and in reading and understanding prose literature and drama. Upon successful performance on the Advanced Placement Exam, students may earn up to three college credits and/or advanced placement in college Spanish. Parallel to AP Spanish Language, Spanish V (non-AP) is offered. Please see course description.

Latin American Civilization and Culture - 1/2 Credit
(This course is taught in English and there is no foreign language prerequisite)
Students will increase their understanding of the historical background, traditions and practices of Latin American civilization through reading, classroom, lecture, discussion of current issues, supervised research, hands-on projects and presentations. They acquire knowledge, recognize ethical values, are able to compare and contrast fundamental aspects of the cultures studied, and express themselves orally and in writing. Course content may be organized by regions: Mexico, Argentina and Chile, Andean countries, the Caribbean, Venezuela and Colombia, Central America; and is enhanced by a field trip and film segments.