Foreign Languages Department
Each Foreign Language curriculum is viewed as a six-semester continuum. The primary goal is oral proficiency: the ability to communicate effectively in the target language in real-life situations. Additional goals include acquiring a substantial vocabulary, a solid grammatical foundation and a broadened cultural awareness, while enjoying the learning experience. Elements of each of these goals are found throughout the six semesters of study. Each language offers opportunities for foreign travel on a biennial basis.
FRENCH LANGUAGE
FRENCH I
1 credit Level 2
Students are exposed to the French language from the first day and find themselves, very quickly, speaking and understanding French. They watch French people “in action” and imitate their interactions. Oral proficiency (being able to speak and understand French) is clearly the focus, but grammatical foundations and written exercises are also important. The curriculum is adapted from the Yale University program French in Action. We use its films, online programs, CDs, workbook and textbook. The reduced emphasis on the film script, and the use of English to explain linguistic, cultural and grammatical differences, turn this immersion program into an easier approach for Burr and Burton students. Weekly compositions and oral presentations help students monitor their progress. Students also research a cultural aspect of a French speaking country each month.
FRENCH II
1 credit Level 2
A continuation of French I, the emphasis is still on oral proficiency but more attention is paid to written accuracy. Materials used are Liberté, an online textbook, and for a few lessons, French in Action. Students are no longer limited to the present, near past and near future verb tenses as in French I. We start with past tenses: passé compose and imparfait and finish with the future tense. Communicating in French is stressed. Weekly compositions and oral presentations help students monitor their progress. Students also research a cultural aspect of a French speaking country each month.
PREREQUISITE: A grade of C+ or better in French I (C does not qualify). A placement test or permission of the instructor is required for students who did not take French I.
FRENCH III
1 credit Level 2
French III covers “intermediate” structures of the language, including the pluperfect, conditional and subjunctive. This course is conducted mainly in French but the grammatical explanations are still in English. The workbook French Third Year helps the class study or review the most important grammatical and lexical points of French and provides basic cultural readings. Feeling comfortable using French in discussions, situations, and compositions is the main focus of the class. Improving cultural understanding is an important aspect. Weekly compositions and oral presentations help students monitor their progress. Students also research French cultural, historical, and social topics each month. Students may complete a project based on personal interest, such as a movie or in-depth research.
PREREQUISITE: A grade of C+ or better in French II (C does not qualify). A placement test or permission of the instructor is required for students who did not take French II.
FRENCH IV
1 credit Level 2
Conducted mainly in French, this course allows students to improve their intermediary oral, aural, written and cultural skills. The workbook French Third Year and/or En Bonne Forme carries the class through a complete review of important grammatical, lexical and cultural points. We also explore some of the subtleties of the French language. More time is spent on literary and cultural readings. Weekly compositions and oral presentations help students monitor their progress. Students also research French cultural, historical, and social topics each month. Students complete a project based on personal interest, such as a movie or in-depth research, in order to showcase their skills. PREREQUISITE: A grade of B- or better in French III. A placement test or permission of the instructor is required for students who did not take French III.
FRENCH V
1 credit Level 2
French V provides students who have reached the advanced-intermediate proficiency level with an opportunity to improve their linguistic and cultural fluency, to concentrate on advanced and artistic means of oral and written expression and to achieve a broad understanding of French history, literature and culture. French V uses Trésors du Temps, the Internet and handouts to complement lexical, literary and cultural explorations. Weekly oral presentations and daily explorations allow students to understand French culture from prehistoric times through the present. Students successfully completing French V should expect to be placed, and succeed, in language courses at the literary level in college.
PREREQUISITE: A grade of B- or better in French IV. A placement test or permission of the instructor is required for students who did not take French IV.
FRENCH BEYOND LEVEL V
Any student who has completed French V with a grade of B- or better may continue to study French the following year as an Independent Study or possibly as an AP course. A placement test or permission of the instructor is required for students who did not take French V.
GERMAN LANGUAGE
Every second year, we have an exchange with our sister school in Stuttgart, Germany.
GERMAN I
1 credit Level 2
German I is designed to acquaint the new language student with the sound, look, and feel of what studying a foreign language is all about. German I develops listening comprehension and speaking skills, as well as reading and writing, with an emphasis on oral skills. Vocabulary acquisition is important, as is learning to express elementary ideas orally. Text: Deutsch
Aktuell 1.
GERMAN II
1 credit Level 2
From German II through the rest of the German curriculum, much of the class is conducted in German with the exception of grammar explanations, which are given in English. German II is a vocabulary-building year. Through active participation in physical demonstrations and oral German expression, students increase their vocabulary base dramatically. Additionally, grammar acquisition begins to play a larger role in the learning. Students begin to express original thoughts in writing. Text: Deutsch Aktuell 1; Deutsch Aktuell 2.
PREREQUISITE: A grade of C+ or better in German I (C does not qualify).
GERMAN III
1 credit Level 2
In German III the tools of language, verbs and grammatical constructions are stressed, with the goal of enriching the students’ abilities to express themselves orally and in writing. Cultural and historical elements are studied both for their inherent interest and importance, and to provide the students with a springboard for expressing new and different ideas in German. Text: Deutsch Aktuell 2.
PREREQUISITE: A grade of C+ or better in German II (C does not qualify).
GERMAN IV
1 credit Level 2
German IV puts the pieces from three previous courses of study together. Students use the language as a tool for learning the language. By reading and discussing German literature, students discover the need for a word, or a construction, lending more meaning and relevance to the learning. Ideas are the focus of German IV, with the German language becoming a familiar and comfortable means of expression, rather than a “foreign” language. Text: Deutsch Aktuell 3.
PREREQUISITE: A grade of B- or better in German III
GERMAN V
1 credit Level 2
In German V, students take an intermediate-advanced level language course. This course includes an intense grammar review while focusing on the literature of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Cultural information is acquired through a variety of sources, using authentic language. Text: Deutsch Aktuell 3; Kaleidoskop.
PREREQUISITE: A grade of B- or better in German IV.
GERMAN VI
1 credit Level 2
AP GERMAN VI
1 credit Level 1
Conducted primarily in German, this course is designed to prepare students for the Advanced Placement Language examination. The different sections of the examination are reviewed, practice exams are given, and each section is carefully analyzed. A thorough review of difficult grammar and vocabulary is undertaken, and test-taking strategies are discussed. Contemporary short stories are read and analyzed, as well as a full-length novel. Students are required to take the AP exam and are responsible for the exam fee of $88. Text: Kaleidoskop
PREREQUISITE: A grade of B- or better in German V.
SPANISH LANGUAGE
SPANISH I 1 credit Level 2
Spanish I is designed to develop listening comprehension and speaking skills, as well as reading and writing, with an emphasis on oral skills. Development of an extensive basic vocabulary and basic grammar is also emphasized. Cultural activities include Hispanic customs, and geography. TEXT: En Español I (Part 1) (McDougal Littell)
SPANISH II
1 credit Level 2
Spanish II reviews and builds upon the skills acquired in Spanish I. This course emphasizes oral proficiency in order to build conversational skills and confidence. It also strives to refine the basic grammar from the previous course. Cultural subjects continue to play an important role. Much of the class is conducted in Spanish. TEXT: En Español I and II (Part 1) (McDougal Littell)
PREREQUISITE: A grade of C+ or better in Spanish I (C does not qualify).
SPANISH CONVERSATION, DRAMA AND CULTURE
1 credit Level 2
Spanish Conversation, Drama and Culture is designed as an alternative to the conventional Spanish II course. Although equally difficult, the course differs by using a conversational approach to language learning. Travel themes are introduced, as well as a 15 episode soap opera in Spanish. This course is not recommended for those students intending to continue their study of Spanish, as it does not cover the same material as the conventional Spanish II class. Much of the class is conducted in Spanish.
PREREQUISITE: Spanish I
SPANISH III 1 credit Level 2
In Spanish III, we complete the study of Spanish grammar. Our primary goal is to be able to converse comfortably in Spanish by the end of the year. Reading and writing play an increased role in learning. The class is conducted primarily in Spanish. TEXT: En Español (McDougal Littell)
PREREQUISITE: A grade of C+ or better in Spanish II (C does not qualify).
SPANISH IV
1 credit Level 2
Conducted entirely in Spanish, this course is an introduction to Spanish literature. Extensive reading and writing provides students opportunities to practice grammar and vocabulary learned in Spanish I-III. In-class discussions and debates further students’ oral proficiency.
PREREQUISITE: A grade of B- or better in Spanish III
SPANISH V
1 credit Level 2
Oral proficiency is the focus of Spanish V. Discussions, debates, and free time to converse with classmates offer students ample opportunities to practice speaking Spanish. Students read twentieth-century literature at the introductory college level, which begins to prepare them for the Advanced Placement examination. This class is conducted entirely in Spanish.
PREREQUISITE: A grade of B- or better in Spanish IV
SPANISH VI
1 credit Level 2
AP SPANISH VI
1 credit Level 1
Conducted entirely in Spanish, this course is designed to prepare students for the Advanced Placement Language examination and the SAT II examination. The different sections of the two examinations are reviewed, practice exams are given, and each section is carefully analyzed. A thorough review of difficult grammar and vocabulary is undertaken, and test-taking strategies are discussed. Contemporary short stories and a novel are read and analyzed. Students are required to take the AP exam and are responsible for the exam fee of $88.
PREREQUISITE: A grade of B- or better in Spanish V.
