• World Language Department

    Mrs. Lorraine Minotti, Department Coordinator 241-6185

    The World Language Department offers courses in French, Italian and Spanish. A seven-year sequence is available in French, Spanish and Italian for students who start their language studies in middle school. A four-year sequence in French, Spanish, and Italian is available to students who start their study of these languages at the high school level. 

     Graduation requirements: Students must earn 1 credit of world language study by the completion of ninth grade in order to meet graduation requirements for Languages Other than English. For students pursuing an Advanced Regents Diploma, successful completion of three levels and a passing grade on the locally developed assessment are required. 

     MODERN WORLD LANGUAGES 

    The course content in all languages has been developed in accordance with the New York State syllabus: Modern Languages for Communication. Using the communicative approach, with emphasis on oral proficiency, efforts are devoted to developing the four basic language skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. Using culturally authentic materials based on everyday situations, students develop the ability to communicate with increasing proficiency. 

     LEVEL ONE (SPANISH ONLY)

    (1unit) The emphasis in Spanish 1 is on understanding and speaking the language. Students work toward the mastery of these skills at an elementary level and are supported by reading and writing activities. The goal of all activities is to develop the ability to communicate in the world language. Structure of the language, vocabulary mastery, and culture of the countries in which each language is spoken are the basic components of course content. 

     LEVEL TWO  

    (1 unit) The development of the basic skills is continued: reading, writing, and culture areas are expanded. 

     LEVEL THREE  

    (1 unit) While maintaining emphasis on oral skills, reading and writing are given particular additional attention at this level. Students take the locally developed Checkpoint B Examination at the end of Level Three. Successful completion of this level and a passing grade on the locally developed assessment fulfill a requirement and are necessary for an Advanced Regents Diploma. 

     LEVEL FOUR HONORS  

    (1 unit) All four language skills are expanded as students begin their advanced level of study. Reading and writing competencies receive increased emphasis. Readings may include short stories, short novels, selections from periodicals, and short plays. A survey of art, history and contemporary society (in the target countries) is an integral part of the course content. A major goal at this level is a substantive increase in the students’ oral proficiency and the target language is used almost exclusively in class. 

     LEVEL FIVE HONORS  

    (1 unit) All four language skills continue to be expanded at an advanced level of study. Readings may include full-length novels, plays, short stories, and poetry, as well as periodicals which stress current aspects of cultural studies. Increased attention is given to the development of fluent oral communication, as well as expository writing in the language. This course is the culmination of high school level work for seniors and acts as preparation for juniors who plan to take the college level Advanced Placement course in their senior year. 

     ADVANCED PLACEMENT LANGUAGE AND CULTURE

    (1 unit) The Advanced Placement Course in French, Italian and Spanish is open to seniors who have been recommended by their teacher and wish to pursue college-level studies in high school. The course will stress development of comprehension of spoken French/Italian/Spanish in conversational situations, mastery of vocabulary necessary to comprehend contemporary literature and periodicals, and the fluent expression of ideas orally and in writing. Students in this course will take the Advanced Placement Examination given by the College Board in May. 

    Prerequisites: French 5H/Italian 5H/Spanish 5H or special permission from the World Language Dept. based on an evaluation of previous course work and the completion of summer studies. 

    SPANISH LANGUAGE ARTS PROGRAM  

     Spanish Language Arts 2 (SLA 2) 

    (1 unit) This course is designed to meet the needs of those students who are native Spanish speakers and heritage Spanish speakers, but who have had little or no formal education in the Spanish language. The goal of the course is to impart literacy skills in Spanish, all of which are easily transferable to the development of skills in the area of English Language Arts. The course is taught through a combination of the whole language approach and phonics. Grammar and vocabulary will be taught in context through the reading of short stories, periodicals, thematic essays and poetry. Students will work to improve their reading and writing skills, and upon completion of this course will be prepared to enroll in the more advanced and demanding Native Language Arts sequence, beginning with the Latin American Studies course and ending with the Advanced Placement Spanish Language course. 

    Spanish Language Arts 3 (SLA 3) 

    (1 unit) This is a full year class recommended for students who have successfully completed the SLA 1-2 course in middle school. All four language skills continue to be expanded at an advanced level of study. Readings may include novels, plays, short stories, and poetry, as well as periodicals which stress current aspects of cultural studies. Increased attention is given to the development of fluent oral communication, as well as expository writing in the language. 

    Spanish Language Arts 4 (SLA 4) 

     (1 unit) This is a full year course recommended for students who have successfully completed the SLA 3 course at the high school. Students will explore the literature of Spain, Central and South America, as well as the culture, history, geography, politics and economics of these countries. They will also develop their skills in expository writing and will master the more sophisticated and complex grammatical structures of the Spanish language. Attention will be given to public speaking, preparing oral presentations and reports, and to overall communications skills.  

    ADVANCED PLACEMENT SPANISH LANGUAGE and CULTURE (SLA Program)

     (1 unit) This is a full year course recommended for Spanish students who have successfully completed both Spanish Language Arts levels 3 and 4. Students will continue to explore and analyze the literature of Latin America while advancing their knowledge of Hispanic culture. Students will develop their skills in creative writing, analytical writing, expository writing, reading comprehension and listening comprehension. They will continue to improve oral communication skills through a focus on the 6 AP themes of study.  All advanced and complex grammatical structures will be mastered. Students will take the AP Spanish Language and Culture Exam in May. 

    Suggested guidelines: Successful completion of SLA 3, SLA 4 and summer work

    ADVANCED PLACEMENT SPANISH LITERATURE (SLA Program)

    (1 unit) This is a full year course available to all Spanish students who have successfully completed the Spanish Language Arts courses as described above, and have the recommendation of their teachers. Students will read authentic editions of selected works from the literatures of Spain and Spanish America during the Medieval and Golden Ages as well as the 19th and 20th centuries. Although the course will be taught as a college level survey course, the principal authors read will include Cervantes, Juan Manuel, Tirso de Molina, Garcilaso de la Vega, Bécquer, Darío, Martí, Pardo Bazán, Allende, Borges, Cortazar, Lorca, García Márquez, Machado, Neruda, Ulibarrí, and Unamuno. Students will read and analyze the literature orally and in writing. Students will learn to comprehend college-type lectures; to participate actively in discussions on literary topics; to do close readings of literary texts of all genres; to analyze critically the form and content of literary works orally and in writing using appropriate terminology. Students will take the AP Spanish Literature exam in May. 

    Suggested Guidelines: Successful completion of AP Spanish Language and Culture (SLA program) and summer work

    INTRODUCTION TO LATIN & GREEK  

    (1 unit) This course is an alternative to a traditional Latin program. It is designed for sophomores, juniors, and seniors who would like to improve their linguistic skills and gain cultural and historical background about the Ancient World. Students will study Latin and Greek bases, prefixes and suffixes, with the goal of improving their reading comprehension skills and increasing their knowledge of English vocabulary. Students will use their newly expanded vocabulary to explore the more specialized vocabularies of science, math, history, geography, English and classical literature, business, government, sports, art, medicine and other modern languages. They will also be introduced to the culture and history of the ancient, classical societies of Rome and Greece through a study of celebrated literary works of the time. 

    WORLD CITIZENSHIP & CULTURE THROUGH CINEMA  

    (1 unit) In this full-year course designed for seniors, students will develop an understanding of World Cultures through the exploration of French, Spanish, and Italian current events, media, and cinema. The goal of this course is to extend and further establish the language student’s appreciation for global diversity and promote higher level thinking aligned with current AP language themes. Students will be exposed to authentic Romance language films, news media, and videos, investigate language etymology, identify linguistic connections, and make cross-cultural comparisons while complementing their modern language education.

    Prerequisite: Successful completion of Checkpoint B in the student’s modern language.

    ACCELERATED FRENCH, ITALIAN AND SPANISH  

    (1 unit) Accelerated language courses in new languages are available to students who have excelled in their current modern language.  The emphasis is on building foundational skills and understanding and speaking the language.  The goal of all activities is to develop the ability to communicate in the world language. Structure of the language, vocabulary mastery, and culture are the basic components of course content.  The pace is quick, as students are learning a great deal of new material within a short period of time, with classmates who have a more extensive background in the particular language.  These courses are recommended for tenth, eleventh, and twelfth grade students who wish to pursue a second language. Special teacher recommendation will be based upon department evaluation of the student’s performance in his/her first modern language class. Students who are recommended for this course demonstrate superior language aptitude and have performed at the highest level in their previous language studies at Fox Lane. Note: Students are required to maintain their enrollment in their first modern language course in order to be accepted into these accelerated programs.

    Prerequisite: Department approval required.