MODERN LANGUAGES

A-G: P, HP and AP VPA courses qualify for UC/CSU credit in area e.

State Seal of Biliteracy  REQUIREMENTS

Modern Language

The California State Seal of Biliteracy is a recognition conferred by the State Superintendent of Public Instruction for graduating high school students who have attained a high level of proficiency in speaking, reading, writing, and listening in one or more languages in addition to English.

All courses within this Program are UC A-G Approved

Required Classes by grade level:

9th Grade

English 9

French/Spanish 1 Or French/Spanish 2P or 2H 

Or Spanish for Spanish Speakers 1

10th Grade

English 10

French/Spanish 2P or 2H Or French/Spanish 3P or 3H

Or Spanish for Spanish Speakers 2

11th Grade

English 11

French/Spanish 3P or 3H Or French/Spanish 4P or 4H 

Or Spanish for Spanish Speakers 3

12th Grade

English 12

French/Spanish 4P or 4H Or French/Spanish AP Language and Culture

Or

Passing the SAT II world language examination with a score of 600 or higher

Students who complete these requirements with a 2.0 GPA in their English classes and a 3.0 GPA in their French or Spanish classes, as well as passing the English Language Arts Assessment (CAASPP) their junior year with a score of “standard met” or above will earn the following benefits:

• Special designation on transcripts sent to colleges or workplaces
• A special seal on diploma
• List the recognition on college and/or job application

French 1 P  (9-12) UC/CSU A-G Area E

Prerequisites:  ‘C’ in English

In the first year of French, students will be exposed to the communication skills of the language through a variety of activities in listening, speaking, reading and writing. Students will learn to invite, inform, inquire, exclaim, agree, disagree, compliment, express emotions and so on. The first year emphasizes learning a new sound system and the basic grammatical patterns of the language, as well as gaining an insight, understanding, and appreciation of the many cultures of the French-speaking world.

French 2 P  (9-12) UC/CSU A-G Area E

Prerequisites:  ‘C’ in French 1 or 2 years of French in middle school with a C or higher

This class reviews, reinforces, and builds on previous knowledge and experience to continue the development of communicative functions in culturally authentic situations. Vocabulary and grammatical structures of increasing complexity are introduced throughout the year. Reading selections and cultural units will be included to help students increase understanding and appreciation of the French-speaking countries and their respective cultures.

French 2 HP  (9-12) UC/CSU A-G Area E

Prerequisites:  ‘A 95% average in test scores in French 1 or 2 years of French in middle school with an A and instructor’s approval. Recommended completion of optional summer assignment.

French 2 Honors is a course that requires a high level of self-motivation, self-discipline and academic dedication. Students will be held to an extremely high level of academic performance. More attention is paid to usage of grammar in writing, fluency in speaking and reading of literary material. Students will also increase their vocabulary and grammar knowledge in culturally authentic situations. This course is embedded within the French 2P class.  Students will have additional assignments, projects and assessments. Students must also complete a summer assignment as their review of first year French.

French 3 P   (10-12) UC/CSU A-G Area E

Prerequisites:  ‘C’ in French 2

The third year is a bridge between the elementary and advanced levels.

Throughout the year, students will participate in an in-depth review of all aspects of French grammar to increase their ability to communicate complex ideas and concepts. Oral proficiency remains the focal point while reading and writing play an increasing role. French literature is used to expand vocabulary acquisition. Cultural units about French history, geography, literature, art, and current events are integrated in the course through project activities.

French 3 HP  (10-12) UC/CSU A-G Area E

Prerequisites:  Completion of French 2 with a 95% test average or Instructor's approval. Recommended completion of optional summer assignment.

Students will have an additional 1-2 hours of work per week (than French 5-6 P).

French 4 P  (10-12) UC/CSU A-G Area E

Prerequisites:  C in French 3

This course seeks to enhance French fluency and language acquisition to increase the student’s ability to comprehend and communicate complex ideas in both oral and written form at an advanced level. Students will study contemporary issues of the French-speaking world through films, related articles, and literature. Students will lead and participate in class discussions, write critical essays, and work with audio-visual materials.

AP French Language  (10-12) UC/CSU A-G Area E

Prerequisites: C in French 4 and Instructors Approval. Recommended completion of optional summer assignment.

This course seeks to perfect the students’ proficiency in French, and to increase the ability to understand and communicate complex ideas in both oral and written form. Emphasis will be placed on form, content, and grammar in writing, verbal use and command of the language during discussions and presentations.

Students will practice a careful reading of literary texts as well as a comparative analysis of works read. Students who do well are encouraged to take the AP Language exam. 

Spanish 1 P  (9-12) UC/CSU A-G Area E

Prerequisites:  C in English

The emphasis in Spanish 1 is on communication. Using the communicative approach, the students learn to invite, inform, inquire, exclaim, agree, disagree, compliment, express emotion and opinions and so on. These communicative purposes, or functions, in turn, determine the selection and the amount of vocabulary and grammar that the students need to learn. A variety of activities is used to promote learning and application of the language, ultimately leading students’ application of the language, ultimately leading students to function with increasing proficiency in many new situations.

Spanish for Spanish Speakers 1 P  (9-12) UC/CSU A-G Area E

Prerequisites:  Be a Native Spanish Speaker. Level placement to be based on testing done in spring

This course is designed for students who are from a Spanish-speaking background with limited to no study of the language and interrupted formal education.  Students should be proficient in spoken Spanish.  Literacy development in Spanish with emphasis on building vocabulary, plus reading and writing skills. Students will work on basic academic skills including: study skills, library skills, and note-taking. The course is designed to enrich reading and writing skills with integrated instruction in history, geography, culture, and literature.

Spanish 2 P  (9-12) UC/CSU A-G Area E

Prerequisites:  C in Spanish 1 P or 2 years of middle school Spanish with a C or better

After a comprehensive review of the material presented in the first year of Spanish, the students will continue their development of speaking, listening, reading and writing skills. Students will also increase their vocabulary and grammar knowledge in culturally authentic situations.

Spanish for Spanish Speakers 2 P  (9-12) UC/CSU A-G Area E

Prerequisites:  C or better in Spanish for Native/Heritage Speakers 1, Be a Native or Heritage Spanish Speaker. Level placement to be based on testing done in spring

This course is designed for students who are from a Spanish-speaking background and who have some formal training in Spanish, and/or the ability to read and write in the language.  Students will continue to develop their language skills while integrating the history, geography, culture, and literature of the Spanish –speaking world, while giving students a global perspective of their culture and heritage. Successful completion of this course allows students to enroll in AP Spanish with teacher referral.

Spanish 2 HP  (9-12) UC/CSU A-G Area E

Prerequisites:  95% test average in Spanish 1 or two years of middle school Spanish and Instructor’s approval. Recommended completion of optional summer assignment.

Spanish 2 Honors is a course that requires a high level of self-motivation, self-discipline and academic dedication. Students will be held to an extremely high level of academic performance. More attention is paid to usage of grammar in writing, fluency in speaking and reading of literary material. Students will also increase their vocabulary and grammar knowledge in culturally authentic situations.  This course is conducted mainly in Spanish and moves at a pace significantly faster than that of a non-honors course. Students must complete a summer assignment as their review of first year Spanish.

Spanish 3 P  (10-12) UC/CSU A-G Area E

Prerequisites:  C in Spanish 2 P

The purpose of this course is to provide students the opportunity to advance from beginning to intermediate levels of proficiency in Spanish. Through constant practice of real life cultural and linguistic situations, students will gain confidence and increase fluency when speaking, writing, listening and reading Spanish.

Students will strengthen their written and spoken command of Spanish through review of previous basic structures and the study of new and advanced structures. A large amount of vocabulary will be further developed, and an even larger quantity of new vocabulary will be part of the foundation for transitioning to a higher level of Spanish fluency. The course seeks to improve reading skills through the study of several short stories by recognized Spanish language authors.

Spanish for Spanish Speakers 3 P  (9-12) Pending UC/CSU A-G Approval Area E

Prerequisites:  C or better in Spanish for Native/Heritage Speakers 2, Be a Native or Heritage Spanish Speaker. Level placement to be based on testing done in spring

This course is designed for students who are from a Spanish-speaking background and who have some formal training in Spanish, and/or the ability to read and write in the language.  Students will continue to develop their language skills, with a focus on reading, writing and oral presentation skills.  In this course, students will learn about the history and culture of both Spain and Latin America, read literature from the Spanish-speaking world, discuss current events and explore issues with race and indigenous peoples, and have the opportunity to do a passion project at the end of the year.  The goal of this course is to provide a global perspective of the culture and heritage of our native and heritage speakers.  This course develops the skills desired at the AP level and upon successful completion of the course, students are encouraged to enroll in AP Spanish Language and Culture. 

Spanish 3 HP  (10-12)       UC/CSU A-G Area E

Prerequisites: A 95% test average in Spanish 2 and instructor’s recommendation. Recommended completion of optional summer assignment.

The purpose of this course is to provide students the opportunity to advance from beginning to intermediate levels of proficiency in Spanish. Through constant practice of real life cultural and linguistic situations, students will gain confidence and increase fluency when speaking, writing, listening and reading Spanish.

Students will strengthen their written and spoken command of Spanish through review of previous basic structures and the study of new and advanced structures. A large amount of vocabulary will be further developed, and an even larger quantity of new vocabulary will be part of the foundation for transitioning to a higher level of Spanish fluency. The course seeks to improve reading skills through the study of several short stories by recognized Spanish language authors. The pace of this class will be significantly faster than that of a non-honors Spanish 3 course, and includes a summer assignment. Students will also study several additional readings in Spanish.

Spanish 4 P  (10-12) UC/CSU A-G Area E

Prerequisites:  C in Spanish 3 P

This course seeks to enhance Spanish fluency and language acquisition to increase the student’s ability to comprehend and communicate complex ideas in both oral and written form at an advanced level. Students will study contemporary issues of the Spanish-speaking world through films, related articles, and literature. Students will lead and participate in class discussions, write critical essays, and work with film, art, literature and audio files.  The course will stress cultural competency and the ability to make connections with the Spanish-speaking world.

Spanish 4 HP  (10-12)     UC/CSU A-G Area E

Prerequisites:  Completion of Spanish 3 HP with an A or a 95% testing average in Spanish 3P with instructor’s approval.  Recommended completion of optional summer assignment.

This course seeks to enhance Spanish fluency and language acquisition to increase the student’s ability to comprehend and communicate complex ideas in both oral and written form at an advanced level. Students will study contemporary issues of the Spanish-speaking world through films, related articles, and literature. Students will lead and participate in class discussions, write critical essays, and work with film, art, literature and audio files.  The course will stress cultural competency and the ability to make connections with the Spanish-speaking world. Additionally, each quarter there will be a guided essay for vocabulary and grammar assessment

AP Spanish Language & Culture  (10-12) UC/CSU A-G Area E

Prerequisites:  A C in Spanish 4P or 4H or an A in Spanish 3 HP and teacher recommendation or completion of Spanish for SpanishSpeakers 3 with a C and instructor’s approval. 

Spanish Language AP is a course designed to further develop students’ proficiency in speaking, listening, reading comprehension, and writing Spanish. It is also a course designed to prepare students for the AP Spanish Language exam. Students are expected to have acquired a high-level Spanish proficiency in their previous classes as the course will be taught almost entirely in Spanish. Students will be given a summer assignment to help them prepare for this rigorous, college-level course. Students will demonstrate their ability to communicate complex ideas in both oral and written form in Spanish. They will continue to study advanced grammar through real life cultural and linguistic situations, class discussions and presentations. They will write essays for vocabulary and grammar assessment.  Students will read several excerpts from novels, numerous short stories, news articles, cultural essays, and several poems. They can expect to have up to an hour of homework daily.

For more information (including any updates since this information was posted) please check our Course Catalog