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. The 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. Students should obtain proficiency in the use of the present indicative tense by the end of the year. Completion of homework assignments that reinforce skills and meaningful engagement are 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 as producing content in the target language incorporating familiar vocabulary and structures. Students in Spanish II will be introduced to the preterite and imperfect tenses. Aspects of contemporary culture of the Spanish-speaking world are explored throughout the year using a variety of resources. Integrated Performance Assessments are used to track the progress of every student. Completion of homework assignments that reinforce skills and meaningful engagement are 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 spontaneous production in the target language incorporating familiar vocabulary and structures. Aspects of contemporary culture of the Spanish-speaking world are explored throughout the year using a variety of resources. Integrated Performance Assessments are used to track the progress of every student. Spanish will be the primary language of instruction and students will be expected to express themselves in Spanish. Completion of homework assignments that reinforce skills and meaningful engagement are required.
SP332 Spanish III
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 spontaneous production in the target language incorporating familiar vocabulary and structures. Aspects of contemporary culture of the Spanish-speaking world are explored throughout the year using a variety of resources. Integrated Performance Assessments are used to track the progress of every student. Spanish will be the primary language of instruction and students will be expected to express themselves in Spanish. Completion of homework assignments that reinforce skills and meaningful engagement are required.
SP331 Spanish III Honors
Students in Spanish III Honors will obtain proficiency in the use of present indicative as well as the preterite and imperfect tenses. Emphasis is placed on comprehension of Spanish as well spontaneous production in the target language incorporating familiar vocabulary and structures at an accelerated pace in order to become confident and capable speakers of Spanish. Students will actively engage in the study of language structures and vocabulary through all three modes of communication (Interpersonal, Interpretive, and Presentational). Aspects of contemporary culture of the Spanish-speaking world are explored throughout the year using a variety of resources. Integrated Performance Assessments are used to track the progress of every student. Spanish will be the primary language of instruction and students will be expected to express themselves in Spanish. Completion of homework assignments that reinforce skills and meaningful engagement are required.
SP442 Spanish IV
Students in Spanish IV will continue to practice the use of present and past indicative tenses. They will learn to use the conditional, future and the subjunctive mood. Spanish IV aims at developing and improving students’ oral and written communication. Students are expected to have the ability to converse in Spanish. This course also seeks to improve the students’ ability to read and appreciate texts in Spanish, deepening student’s awareness and understanding of the cultural diversity of the Spanish-speaking world. The course is organized by life-related themes ranging from seeking employment to social activism in the target language.
SP441 Spanish IV Honors
Students in Spanish IV Honors will continue to practice the use of present and past indicative tenses. They will learn to use the conditional, future and the subjunctive mood. Spanish IV Honors aims at developing and improving students’ oral and written communication. Students are expected to have the ability to converse in Spanish and incorporate advanced vocabulary and structures at an accelerated pace in order to become confident and capable speakers of Spanish. This course also seeks to improve the students’ ability to read and appreciate texts in Spanish, deepening student’s awareness and understanding of the cultural diversity of the Spanish-speaking world.
SP552 Spanish V Honors: Interpretation of Personal Histories through Spanish and Latin American Films & Documentaries
Spanish V will take students on a cinematographic voyage! Through the lens of Spanish and Latin American films and documentaries, they will witness the evolution of female roles, the influence of civil wars, stances on euthanasia, the arduous journey for a better life, and how sports influence lives. Students will be expected to hear, learn, and respect others’ truths even if it makes them question their own personal, political, and educational journeys. The movies/documentaries viewed in this class span historical periods between the 20th and early 21st centuries.
Exposure to films will further develop students’ Spanish speaking, listening, and writing skills. They will demonstrate advanced grammar concepts (sequence of tenses, indicative and subjunctive moods, complex sentences) and high-level and regional vocabulary expressions that they will incorporate into their discussions in Spanish. Projects and assignments are an integral part of this course and must be completed; they reinforce the concepts/skills and themes introduced and explored in class. Active participation in the target language is required. This course is not offered every year.
SP662 AP Spanish Language and Culture
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 as seen on the AP exam and include Contemporary Life, Science and Technology, Beauty and Aesthetics, Global Challenges, Personal and Public Identities, and Families and Communities. Assessments mirror the tasks found on the AP exam: Timed conversation, two-minute cultural comparison, email response, persuasive essay and multiple-choice questions. This course is not offered every year.
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. This course is not offered every year.
