SP112 Spanish I
This introductory course is designed for students with little or no previous study of Spanish. Some students in class might have studied Spanish in middle school but have not grasped some of the important structures of the language. This course teaches basic language patterns and vocabulary. Focus is on all three modes of communications (Interpersonal, Interpretive, and Presentational). Students will learn vocabulary and grammar in context and through exposure to the cultures of the Spanish-speaking world. With an emphasis on oral communication, students will participate in simple conversations about familiar topics within their vocabulary and grammatical control. Homework assignments are an integral part of this course; they reinforce concepts/skills introduced and explored in class. Completion of homework assignments is a must. Active participation is required.
SP222 Spanish II
Students continue to further develop skills in all three modes of communications (Interpersonal, Interpretive, and Presentational). Emphasis is placed on comprehension of Spanish as well producing content in the target language incorporating familiar vocabulary and structures. Supplementary materials are introduced to enhance language use. Aspects of contemporary culture of the Spanish-speaking world are introduced through the use of media, games, and adapted readings and in small or large group discussions. Integrated Performance Assessments are used to track the progress of every student. Homework assignments are an integral part of this course; they reinforce concepts/skills introduced and explored in class. Completion of homework assignments is a must. Active participation is required.
SP221 Spanish II Honors
Students continue to further develop skills in all three modes of communications (Interpersonal, Interpretive, and Presentational) at an accelerated pace in order to become confident and capable speakers of Spanish. Emphasis is placed on comprehension of Spanish as well producing content in the target language incorporating familiar vocabulary and structures. Supplementary materials are introduced to enhance language use. Aspects of contemporary Spanish culture are introduced through the use of media, games, and adapted readings and in small or large group discussions. Integrated Performance Assessments are used to track the progress of every student. Homework assignments are an integral part of this course; they reinforce concepts/skills introduced and explored in class. Completion of homework assignments is a must. Active participation is required.
SP332 Spanish III
Students continue to develop and increase their language acquisition in Spanish through the study of language structures in cultural and historical contexts. Students will be engaged in a study of language structures and vocabulary through all three modes of communications (Interpersonal, Interpretive, and Presentational). Aspects of contemporary Spanish and Hispanic methods cultures are emphasized in this class. Integrated Performance Assessments are used to track the progress of every student. Homework assignments are an integral part of this course; they reinforce concepts/skills introduced and explored in class. Completion of homework assignments is a must. Active participation is required.
SP331 Spanish III Honors
Students continue to develop and increase their language acquisition in Spanish through the study of language structures in cultural and historical contexts. Students will be engaged in a study of language structures and vocabulary through all three modes of communication (Interpersonal, Interpretive, and Presentational). Aspects of contemporary Spanish and Hispanic cultures are emphasized in this class. Integrated Performance Assessments are used to track the progress of every student. Homework assignments are an integral part of this course; they reinforce concepts/skills introduced and explored in class. Completion of homework assignments is a must. Active participation is required.
In addition, the following ancillary materials may also be utilized. Total Physical Response storytelling materials, novels, short stories, soap operas, and authentic realia such as but not limited to frequent level-appropriate listening activities that correspond to the textbook as well as music, radio announcements, podcasts, SAT II Spanish, and pre-AP activities, newspapers, magazines, Wiki’s and other online exercises. In an effort to better prepare students for further honor classes and the Advanced Placement Course, it is imperative that students in Level 3H exhibit diligence in regard to attitude and work ethic.
SP442 Spanish IV
Spanish IV aims at developing and improving students’ oral and written communication through the continued study of the language, literature and culture of Spain, Latin America and Hispanic communities in the United States. It also seeks to improve the students’ ability to read and appreciate literary and non-literary texts in Spanish, deepening in this way student’s awareness and understanding of the cultural diversity of the Spanish-speaking world. The course is organized by themes based on contemporary social, political and cultural issues of Spanish-speaking societies such as: cultural identity, the changing roles of women and family, economic development and its effects on cultural heritage and environment, and the individual’s rights in the political system.
SP441 Spanish IV Honors
As in Spanish IV, Spanish IV Honors aims at developing and improving students’ oral and written communication through the continued study of the language, literature and culture of Spain, Latin America and Hispanic communities in the United States. It also seeks to improve the students’ ability to read and appreciate literary and non-literary texts in Spanish, deepening in this way student’s awareness and understanding of the cultural diversity of the Spanish-speaking world. The course is organized by themes based on contemporary social, political and cultural issues of Spanish-speaking societies such as: cultural identity, the changing roles of women and family, economic development and its effects on cultural heritage and environment, and the individual’s rights in the political system.
In the Honors course, students will continue to develop their proficiency in the three modes of communicative competence: interacting with other speakers of Spanish, understanding oral and written messages in Spanish and making oral and written presentations in Spanish. They will show a greater level of accuracy when using language structures and are exposed to more complex features of the Spanish language. Successful completion of this course is a prerequisite for Spanish V Honors and/or AP Spanish.
SP551 Spanish V Honors
This AP Spanish Language and Culture course is conducted in Spanish and utilizes authentic materials from the Spanish-speaking world. This course is designed to provide students with various opportunities to further their proficiency in all areas of communicative competence; Interpretive, Interpersonal and Presentational. This will be accomplished through the exploration of themes and contexts they will see on the AP exam and include Contemporary Life, Science and Technology, Beauty and Aesthetics, Global Challenges, Personal and Public Identities, and Families and Communities.
SP661 SPANISH V Honors, SPANISH AP
This AP Spanish Language and Culture course is conducted in Spanish and utilizes authentic materials from the Spanish-speaking world. This course is designed to provide students with various opportunities to further their proficiency in all areas of communicative competence; Interpretive, Interpersonal and Presentational. This will be accomplished through the exploration of themes and contexts they will see on the AP exam and include Contemporary Life, Science and Technology, Beauty and Aesthetics, Global Challenges, Personal and Public Identities, and Families and Communities.
SP552 SPANISH VI Honors: Advanced Topics in Post-AP SPANISH
As a post-AP offering, this full-year course will build upon the knowledge and understanding of the history and culture of the Spanish-speaking world begun early in the Spanish curriculum, where the focus on comparison of the experience of others to our own fosters empathy and better prepares our boys for the challenges of our multicultural world. Students will complete an in-depth study of an individual Spanish-speaking country (one per student), covering history and culture and including current issues and events. Representative literary works will reflect the major historical, cultural and social movements of the countries under study and will include poems and short stories as well as essays, documentary films, and podcasts. In addition, through visual art, literature, and short films the class will explore topics such as: The other; The immigrant, the exiled and the displaced; The dreamer and the fool; and Men and women in the 21st Century while providing opportunities to enhance written communication through autobiography, letters, reviews, essays and creative writing.
