The Philosophy of the World Language Department is to provide a learning environment conducive to intercultural understanding and respect through language acquisition and the exploration of world cultures. Through an atmosphere of academic discipline aligned with Christian values, the World Language Department strives to cultivate individuals who are global citizens intent on promoting a caring, diverse community.
Modern Foreign Language students incorporate the Five C’s of Foreign Language Education into their studies: Communication, Cultures, Connections, Comparisons, and Communities. Currently offered languages include French, Spanish, and Latin.
Language Requirement
All students must complete two courses of a world language. Additional courses may be taken as electives.
Advanced Placement Exams
Students may select to take the Advanced Placement tests for French or Spanish during their senior year for possible college credit.
Course Descriptions
FRENCH
French I – High Honors (HH)/Honors (H)
This course targets the development of speaking, reading, writing, and oral comprehension skills. In addition to teaching grammar and vocabulary, students explore French culture and civilization in France and Francophone countries through supplementary materials. This course is designed to move at an accelerated and challenging pace. Prerequisite: no prior study of French and admission to the HH, H, or Distinguished Scholar Program (DSP) level of study.
French I – College Prep (CP)
This course targets the development of speaking, reading, writing and oral comprehension skills. In addition to teaching grammar and vocabulary, students explore French culture and civilization in France and Francophone countries through supplementary materials. The rigor and pace is level appropriate and allow for extended time per unit as needed. Prerequisite: no prior study of French and admission to the CP level of study.
French II – High Honors (HH)/Honors (H)
This course furthers the development of speaking, reading, writing and oral comprehension skills. Lessons are geared toward the mastery of grammatical structures, syntax, and effective vocabulary use. Cultural topics of the French-speaking world are also explored in detail. The rigor and pace is level appropriate while being accelerated and challenging. Prerequisite: French I or equivalent study at the junior high level and admission testing.
French II – College Prep (CP)
This course furthers the development of speaking, reading, writing and oral comprehension skills. Lessons are geared toward the mastery of grammatical structures, syntax, and effective vocabulary use. Cultural topics of the French-speaking world are also explored in detail. The rigor and pace is level appropriate but challenging and allow for extended time per unit as needed. Prerequisite: French I
French III – High Honors (HH)/Honors (H)
This course targets the mastery of more complex grammatical structures and effective vocabulary use. In addition to the continuation of the study of French and Francophone culture and civilization, students are introduced to French literature. Proficiency in listening, speaking, and writing skills is emphasized. This course is designed to move at an accelerated and challenging pace while preparing the student for AP IV studies and the AP exam. Prerequisite: French II
French IV - High Honors (HH)/Advanced Placement (AP)
This course is designed to prepare the student for the French AP Exam. The primary course objective is to emphasize active communication via written compositions and oral/aural presentations in the six (6) AP sanctioned areas of study: families in different societies, the Influence of Language and culture on Identity, the influences of beauty and art, how science and technology affect our lives, factors that impact the quality of life, and environmental, political, and societal challenges. French history is also examined through various literary excerpts, moving from the Middle Ages through the 20th century. This course is designed to move at a challenging pace. Prerequisite: French III
French 5 – Advanced Placement (AP)
This directed independent study is designed specifically for the student who started his/her high school French studies at the French II level during freshman year. A look at the oldest and largest pioneer of European national motion pictures, the course has the ultimate goal of increasing the students’ oral/aural command of more difficult French through the appreciation of the history of the French film Industry via the study of select French films.
SPANISH
Spanish 1 – High Honors
This course targets the development of listening, speaking, reading and writing comprehension skills. In addition to the teaching of grammar and vocabulary, the student explores the cultures and civilizations in Spain and throughout the Hispanic world. This course is designed to move at an accelerated and challenging pace.
Spanish 1 – Honors
This course targets the development of listening, speaking, reading and writing comprehension skills. In addition to the teaching of grammar and vocabulary, the student explores the cultures and civilizations in Spain and throughout the Hispanic world. This course is designed to move at a steady yet challenging pace.
Spanish 1 – College Prep
This course targets the development of listening, speaking, reading and writing comprehension skills. In addition to the teaching of grammar and vocabulary, the student explores the cultures and civilizations in Spain and throughout the Hispanic world.” The rigor and pace is level appropriate.
Spanish 2 – High Honors
This course furthers the development of listening, speaking, reading and writing comprehension skills. Lessons are geared toward the mastery of grammatical structures, syntax, and effective vocabulary use. Cultural topics of the Spanish-speaking world are also explored in detail. This course is designed to move at an accelerated and challenging pace.
Spanish 2 – Honors
This course furthers the development of listening, speaking, reading and writing comprehension skills. Lessons are geared toward the mastery of grammatical structures, syntax, and effective vocabulary use. Cultural topics of the Spanish-speaking world are also explored in detail.. This course is designed to move at a steady yet challenging pace.
Spanish 2 – College Prep
This course furthers the development of listening, speaking, reading and writing comprehension skills. Lessons are geared toward the mastery of grammatical structures, syntax, and effective vocabulary use.. Cultural topics of the Spanish-speaking world are also explored in detail. The rigor and pace are level-appropriate..
Spanish 3 – High Honors
This course targets the mastery of more complex grammatical structures and effective vocabulary use. As part of answering the essential question “What are the concepts of ‘self’ in Hispanic cultures and in diverse societies?” students will be able to participate in conversations about familiar topics, ask and answer a variety of questions, as well as describe themselves and their everyday lives. In addition to the continuation of the study of Spanish and Hispanic cultures and civilizations, students are introduced to Spanish and Hispanic literature. Proficiency in listening, speaking, and writing skills is stressed. This course is designed to move at an accelerated and challenging pace.
Spanish 3 – Honors
This course targets the mastery of more complex grammatical structures and effective vocabulary use. Students continue their study of Spanish and Hispanic cultures and civilizations, and in addition, they are introduced to Spanish and Hispanic literature. Proficiency in listening, speaking, and writing skills is stressed. This course is designed to move at a steady yet challenging pace.
Spanish 3 – College Prep
This course targets the mastery of more complex grammatical structures and effective vocabulary use. Students will be able to participate in short social interactions and everyday situations, as well as be able to present basic information on familiar themes.
In addition to the continuation of the study of Spanish and Hispanic cultures and civilizations, students are introduced to Spanish and Hispanic literature. Proficiency in listening, speaking and writing skills are stressed. The rigor and pace is level appropriate.
Spanish 4 – High Honors*
This course is designed in conjunction with a level three college course at UConn or Sacred Heart (students not taking the course for college credit may be eligible to take the Advanced Placement Exam). The primary objective of this course is to emphasize active communication via written compositions and oral presentations. Appreciation of Spanish and Hispanic culture and civilization is also enhanced through key literary works. This course is designed to move at an accelerated and challenging pace. Spanish 4 – High Honors is a UConn and Sacred Heart-certified course. Students may earn up to three college credits upon completion of either ECE program they choose.
*UConn/Sacred Heart University Partnership
A student who successfully takes and passes Spanish 4 High Honors may earn three college credits from Sacred Heart University or the University of Connecticut.
Spanish 4 – Honors
This course is designed to prepare the student for the Advanced Placement Exam in the Spanish language. The primary objective of this course is to emphasize active communication via written compositions and oral presentations. Appreciation of Spanish and Hispanic culture and civilization is enhanced through key literary works. This course is designed to move at a challenging pace.
LATIN
Latin 1
Latin 1 focuses on vocabulary enhancement and grammar skills. It enables the successful student to better understand and use English or another Romance language through the introduction to Roman history and culture.