Foreign Language Department

0.5 Credit Level 2  NCAA

Open to Juniors and Seniors-this one semester course is taught in English.  The goal of the course is to scrutinize, discover and explore the cultures of all countries where Spanish and Italian are spoken. Foreign Language instruction consists of 5 skills; reading, writing, speaking, listening and culture.  In this class the culture skill is developed.  All aspects of the cultures are studied including history, geography, sports, music, literature, art, theater, cinema, cuisine, famous people, modern society and the presence of these cultures in the US.  Technology will play a vital role in the course as constant interaction with the studied cultures is essential.

Requirements for placement: completion of the first two levels of a foreign language.

Credit Level 2 NCAA

This elective French course focuses on providing the student with a basic knowledge of French.  All language skills (reading, writing, listening, speaking, and culture) will be explored in the course.  By the end of the course, the student will have a basic knowledge of conversational French, be able to write simple paragraphs, and be able to read basic readings.  

1 Credit Level 2 NCAA

This elective Chinese course provides the student with the basic beginning knowledge of Mandarin Chinese.  The course focuses on all aspects of Chinese including pinyin and Chinese character writing.  All language skills (reading, writing, listening, speaking and culture) will be explored in the course.  By the end of the course, the student will have a basic knowledge of Chinese vocabulary, character writing, and basic listening, reading, conversation and writing skills.

Requirements for placement: 80 average in the first two or three levels of a foreign language; signature of the foreign language teacher.

1 Credits Level 4 NCAA

This two semester course is for students who are interested in completing studies comparable in content and difficulty to a full-year course at the college level. The curriculum is flexible, allowing for independent projects, constant written, oral, and aural practice, and an intense, structural review of grammar. The Spanish V is an UConn ECE approved course. It will follow the guidelines established by the College Board for the Advanced Placement test, which students can take in May.

Requirements for placement: completion of the fourth level of the language course with an 80; signature of the foreign language teacher.

1 Credit Level 3     NCAA

This fourth year language course is conducted entirely in the target language and build upon the reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills developed in previous levels.  This course explores all aspects of culture. Topics include: history, literature, cuisine, music, art, everyday life as well as a variety of other pertinent topics. A review of grammar in context is given. Effective communication leading to proficiency is the main goal.  A major work of literature is also reviewed.   Spanish IV is an UConn ECE approved course.

Requirements for placement: completion of the third level of the language course with a 80; signature of the foreign language teacher.

Credit Level 3     NCAA

This fourth year language course is conducted entirely in the target language and build upon the reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills developed in previous levels.  This course explores all aspects of culture. Topics include: history, literature, cuisine, music, art, everyday life as well as a variety of other pertinent topics. A review of grammar in context is given. Effective communication leading to proficiency is the main goal.  A major work of literature is also reviewed. Italian IV is an UConn ECE approved course.

Requirements for placement: completion of the third level of the language course with a 80; signature of the foreign language teacher.

1 Credit Level 3     NCAA

This course introduces the student to the challenge of translating Latin poetry.  Selections from the great Roman poets Virgil, Catullus, and Horace will be the focus of the course.  Students will learn how to scan Latin poetry, and they will study the Age of Augustus, the “golden age” of Latin literature.  To further enrich the students’ cultural understanding, presentations on various topics are assigned.  Latin IV is a UConn ECE approved course for three college credits.

Requirements for placement: completion of third level of Latin with a 80; signature of the third level teacher

1 Credit Level 2 NCAA

This course introduces the student to the challenge of translating “real” Latin prose.  The Millionaire’s Dinner Party is an adaptation of the Cena Trimalchionis by Petronius, a Latin author who lived during the time of the Emperor Nero.  The text, which contains ample notes and vocabulary, also provides a quick revision of basic syntax.  In the second half of the course, students will translate selections from the great Roman statesman and orator Marcus Tullius Cicero. To further enrich the students’ cultural understanding, presentations on various topics are assigned.  

Requirements for placement: completion of second level of Latin with a 75; signature of the second level teacher.

1 Credit Level 2     NCAA

The third year of language study is designed to improve the student’s knowledge in all language skills:  reading, writing, listening, and speaking.  Oral and written communication skills are stressed. The third year language course is conducted in the target language.  Grammar review plays an important role in the course.  This course teaches the language skills necessary to function in an environment where the target language is spoken.   

Requirements for placement: completion of the second level of the language course with a 75; signature of the second level teacher.

1 Credit Level 2     NCAA

The third year of language study is designed to improve the student’s knowledge in all language skills:  reading, writing, listening, and speaking.  Oral and written communication skills are stressed. The third year language course is conducted in the target language.  Grammar review plays an important role in the course.  This course teaches the language skills necessary to function in an environment where the target language is spoken

Requirements for placement: completion of the second level of the language course with a 75; signature of the second level teacher.

1 Credit Level 2 NCAA

After some review of first year material, this two-semester course will continue to introduce the student to the structure of Latin and complete the study of basic Latin grammar. Emphasis is placed on grammar, syntax, and reading.  The primary concern is to present the forms, vocabulary, and syntax in an orderly, cumulative fashion, so that the student can advance in a systematic and efficient manner.  Additional emphasis is placed on the influence of Latin on other languages.  To further enrich the students’ cultural understanding, presentations on various cultural topics are assigned.  

Requirements for placement: completion of the first level of Latin.

1 Credit     Level 1               

This intermediate course reviews the concepts covered in Spanish 1 and develops further speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills in the foreign language.  More advanced grammatical structures are studied, and a student’s vocabulary is enhanced.  Cultural units continue to play a major role in these courses.  This course is conducted in the appropriate foreign language as much as is feasibleThis course does NOT fulfill the requirement for future Spanish study. 

Requirements for placement: completion of the first level of the foreign language and signature of the school counselor.

1 Credit Level 2 NCAA

These intermediate course reviews the concepts covered in level 1 and develop further speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills in the foreign language.  More advanced grammatical structures are studied, and a student’s vocabulary is enhanced.  Cultural units continue to play a major role in these courses.  The courses are conducted in the appropriate foreign language as much as is feasible. 

Requirements for placement: completion of Spanish I

1 Credit Level 2 NCAA

These intermediate course reviews the concepts covered in level 1 and develop further speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills in the foreign language.  More advanced grammatical structures are studied, and a student’s vocabulary is enhanced.  Cultural units continue to play a major role in these courses.  The courses are conducted in the appropriate foreign language as much as is feasible. 

Requirements for placement: completion of Italian I.

1 Credit       Level 2 NCAA

This beginning course introduces the student to reading, writing, speaking, and understanding the target language. Basic functional vocabulary and fundamental grammatical structures are stressed.  Students are also introduced to Spanish/Hispanic culture as it exists in the country where the target language is spoken.   

1 Credit       Level 2         NCAA

This course introduces the student to the structure of Latin.  Emphasis is placed on grammar and syntax.  The primary concern is to present the forms, vocabulary, and the syntax in an orderly, cumulative fashion so that the student can advance in a systematic and efficient manner.  Additional emphasis is placed on the influence of Latin on other languages. To further enrich the student’s understanding, presentations on various cultural topics are assigned to students. Students will demonstrate proficiency in technology in their presentations.

1 Credit       Level 2  NCAA

This beginning course introduces the student to reading, writing, speaking, and understanding the target language. Basic functional vocabulary and fundamental grammatical structures are stressed.  Students are also introduced to Italian culture as it exists in the country where the target language is spoken.