World Language

• The world language requirement is fulfilled by earning 2 credits in the same world language at Seton in consecutive years

Chinese Mandarin I (1 credit)

This is a beginning course in Chinese Mandarin. This class offers exciting, practical and hands-on experiences with Chinese Mandarin language and culture. The curriculum’s emphasis and focus is on learning fundamental vocabulary, pronunciation, grammar, conversation, listening, reading, speaking, writing, calligraphy, written characters, songs, games, culture courses, and arts and crafts, all closely related to the learning goal of the day. 

Students have the opportunity to practice the target language through prayer, recitation, dialogue, song, presentations, educational games, films, special activities and computer programs, which will be continued at the next level.

 

Chinese Mandarin II (1 credit) Prerequisite: successful completion of Mandarin 1 or appropriate score on placement test.

This course builds on the vocabulary, course and concept of Chinese Mandarin I and expands and advances to learn more by practicing and utilizing new vocabulary, pronunciation, grammar, conversation, listening, reading, speaking, writing, calligraphy, written characters, songs, games, culture courses, and arts and crafts, all closely 

related to the learning goal of the day. Students will complete the next level textbook and workbook for this course. Students continue to achieve success by studying the target language through prayer, recitation, dialogue, song, presentations, educational games, films, computer programs and special activities and projects.

 

Chinese Mandarin III (1 credit) Prerequisite: successful completion of Chinese Mandarin II or appropriate score on placement test.

This course builds on the vocabulary, course and concept of Mandarin Chinese II and expands and advances to learn more by practicing and utilizing new vocabulary, pronunciation, grammar, conversation, listening, reading, speaking, writing, calligraphy, written characters, songs, games, culture courses, and arts and crafts, all closely related to the learning goal of the day. Students continue to the next level textbook and workbook for this course. Students further achieve success in studying the target language through prayer, recitation, SAT preparation, dialogue, song, presentations, powerpoint presentations, educational games, films, computer programs and special activities and projects.

 

Chinese Mandarin IV (1 credit) Prerequisite: successful completion of Chinese Mandarin III or appropriate score on placement test.

This course builds on the vocabulary, course and concept of Mandarin Chinese III and expands and advances to learn more by practicing and utilizing new vocabulary, pronunciation, grammar, conversation, listening, reading, speaking, writing, calligraphy, written characters, songs, games, culture courses, and arts and crafts, all closely related to the learning goal of the day. Students continue to the next level textbook and workbook for this course. Students further achieve success in studying the target language through prayer, recitation, SAT preparation, dialogue, song, presentations, powerpoint presentations, educational games, films, computer programs and special activities and projects.

 

French I (1 credit)

This is a beginning course in basic French. Emphasis is on learning to communicate in French (speaking and writing) as well as to understand written and spoken French. Students have the opportunity to practice the target 

language through prayer, speaking activities, dialogues, storytelling, games, and by reading and hearing authentic materials from France and French-speaking countries. Students will attend the language lab on a weekly basis to reinforce listening and speaking skills. The course is taught entirely in French with important notes and information written on the board in English and the teacher will use gestures and cognates to facilitate understanding. Students undertake two major projects. In the first semester, students will create a photo album describing their family. In the second semester, students will research a Paris monument. Students will also do a series of writing assignments about themselves, which form a personal album to be continued at the next level. Students participate in Foreign Language Week and the ACTFL Assessment of Performance towards Proficiency in Languages (AAPPL). Students will have the opportunity to participate in the ASU Foreign Language Fair in the Novice Poem Recitation competition.

 

French II (1 credit) Prerequisite: successful completion of French 1 or appropriate score on placement test

This course builds on the vocabulary and concepts of French 1. The emphasis is on putting into practice the vocabulary, grammar, structures and verbs learned through continued listening, speaking, reading and writing. Students continue to practice the target language through prayer, role-play, songs, speaking activities, weekly discussion boards and creating short videos. Students will attend the language lab on a weekly basis to reinforce listening and speaking skills. Students undertake two major projects. The course is taught entirely in French. Students participate in Foreign Language Week and the ACTFL Assessment of Performance towards Proficiency in Languages (AAPPL). Students will have the opportunity to compete at the ASU Foreign Language Fair in the Novice Poem Recitation competition.

 

Honors French II (1 credit) Prerequisite: successful completion of French 1 and Teacher Recommendation

This course builds on the vocabulary and concepts of French 1. Concentration will be on developing the ability to understand written and spoken French as well as the ability to communicate verbally and in writing. At the end of the course, students should be able to maintain a conversation, be able to discuss, verbally and in writing, topics relating to him or herself, family, pets, activities he/she enjoys and does not enjoy, and be able to discuss future plans and talk about past events. Grammar topics include verbs, direct and indirect object pronouns, passé composé and 

l’imparfait. Students will be able to read and discuss infographics, short stories, short articles and descriptions of people and things. The course is taught entirely in French. The goal of this class is for students to be at the Novice High level of performance: speaking in sentences on a range of topics students know well. Students participate in the ACTFL Assessment of Performance towards Proficiency in Languages (AAPPL) and will have the opportunity to compete at the ASU Foreign Language Fair in the spring in the Novice Poem Recitation competition.

 

Honors French III (1 credit) Prerequisite: successful completion of French 2 and Teacher Recommendation

This advanced class requires college level work and commitment. The course is taught entirely in French. Language skills from previous levels are reviewed and more advanced verb tenses are introduced. Students use the most common verb tenses, including literary tenses, and read the newspaper and magazine articles as well as study literary works. Major projects include research of persons, events and monuments of historical and/or cultural importance. Students prepare oral and written stories and write compositions on assigned topics. Students continue to attend the language lab to reinforce listening and speaking skills but will also listen to French news reports and podcasts. Students continue their participation in Foreign Language Week and the  ACTFL Assessment of Performance towards Proficiency in Languages (AAPPL). Students will be participating in the ASU Foreign Language Fair by writing a class a play in French and performing it at ASU.

 

Advanced Placement French IV (1 credit) ) Prerequisite: successful completion of Honors French III and Teacher Recommendation.

This course enhances the student’s ability to understand spoken French in various contexts; to acquire a French vocabulary sufficiently ample for reading newspaper and magazine articles, literary texts, and other non-technical writings; and the ability to express oneself coherently, resourcefully and with reasonable fluency and accuracy in both written and spoken French. The course is taught entirely in French and students are highly encouraged to use 

French in and outside the classroom. The course seeks to develop reading, writing, listening and speaking skills that can be used in various activities and disciplines, and to train in organizing and writing compositions (usually one essay every 2 weeks). During the course of the year students will take at least four practice AP exams so that they know what is expected from them. This includes timed essay writing, listening to questions and recording their answers in the language lab. Students may take the AP exam in May to obtain college credit. Students will also participate in the  ACTFL Assessment of Performance towards Proficiency in Languages (AAPPL).

 

Spanish I (1 credit)

In this course, students are exposed to approximately 1,000 vocabulary words and the basic points of Spanish grammar. They develop skills in reading, writing, listening to and speaking basic Spanish. Students also gain an awareness of Hispanic culture through current articles, videos, internet/CD-ROM sources and parts of the text and workbook.

 

Spanish II (1 credit) Prerequisite: successful completion of Spanish I or appropriate score on placement test

This is a continuation of Spanish 1 in which emphasis is placed on putting into practice the vocabulary, grammar, structures, idioms and verbs learned through increased speaking, reading, writing and listening. Students will also participate in the ACTFL Assessment of Performance towards Proficiency in Languages (AAPPL).

 

Honors Spanish II (1 credit) Prerequisite: successful completion of Spanish 1 or appropriate score on the placement test and recommendation of a Spanish teacher

This is a continuation of Spanish 1 in which emphasis is placed on putting into practice the vocabulary, grammar, structures, idioms and verbs learned through increased speaking, reading, writing and listening. In this accelerated class, the learning proceeds at a faster pace than in a regular class, allowing more time for speaking in the target language and practicing writing skills. The students are also exposed to authentic reading materials. Students will also participate in the  ACTFL Assessment of Performance towards Proficiency in Languages (AAPPL).

 

Spanish III (1 credit) Prerequisite: successful completion of Spanish 2 and teacher recommendation

This course builds on the language skills of Spanish 1 and 2 and introduces new and more complex grammatical structures, and higher level listening and speaking activities. Cultural and literary appreciation is promoted through 

the reading of Spanish and Latin American stories. Students will also participate in the  ACTFL Assessment of Performance towards Proficiency in Languages (AAPPL).

 

Honors Spanish III (1 credit) Prerequisite: successful completion of Spanish 2 and teacher recommendation

This course builds on the foundation established in Spanish 1 and 2. It includes an important cultural component of Latin music and media. Spanish and Latin American literature is introduced and studied as well. There are regular oral presentations and written compositions. The learning experience at this level is more intense than in regular Spanish 3. Students will also participate in the  ACTFL Assessment of Performance towards Proficiency in Languages (AAPPL).

 

Advanced Placement Spanish Language and Culture (1 credit) Prerequisite: successful completion of Spanish 3 or Honors Spanish 3 and teacher recommendation.

This course builds on the foundation established in Spanish 1-3. It reviews all language skills and provides multiple levels of authentic comprehensible input through various types of readings. Students are expected to take the AP exam administered in May. From the AP Central course description: “AP Spanish Language is intended for students who wish to develop proficiency and integrate their language skills, using authentic materials and sources. Students 

who enroll should already have a basic knowledge of the language and cultures of Spanish-speaking peoples and should have attained reasonable proficiency in using the language.” Students will also participate in the ACTFL Assessment of Performance towards Proficiency in Languages (AAPPL).

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