High School Level Courses
First Year Language Course
Full Year, 1 credit
In the first year of language study, emphasis is placed on understanding and speaking through the development of communicative skills. The imitation of good pronunciation and intonation is stressed. In this early stage of language learning, structure is taught primarily in the framework of new vocabulary which is limited to the most essential words and phrases for effective communication of topics directly related to the student's own environment. The cultural content of the course includes a brief survey of the geography and history of the countries in which the foreign language is spoken. In addition, attention is devoted to developing an awareness of some fundamental values, beliefs, and practices in the foreign culture, especially as they pertain to the home and family, cultural preferences and customs, the educational system, holidays and festivals, and leisure time activities, and other aspects of daily life. Class participation and homework are 20% of the student's grade.
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Second Year Language Course
Full Year, 1 credit
In the second year of language study, the communicative skills attained in the first level course are further developed while greater emphasis is placed on developing reading proficiency. New vocabulary will be introduced and reinforced by means of conversations and discussion, based on reading assignments. Emphasis is placed on building vocabulary, recognition of word families and the development of more efficient reading skills by means of inference through context, association and cognates. Writing skills are developed through guided composition, dialogue, letters, and free response on topics of personal interest and culture. The structural and cultural content of the course includes expansion and enrichment of the material introduced in the first level course. Class participation and homework are 20% of the student's grade.
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Regents Level Third Year Language Course
Full Year, 1 credit
The third year language course will continue to stress the goals and objectives of the first two levels. Listening comprehension and speaking skills will be developed further with intensive reading. In addition, writing skills will be emphasized through letter writing as well as through directed and controlled composition. Structure and vocabulary are expanded to facilitate reading which will progress from relatively simple reading selections to unedited texts of moderate difficulty. At the conclusion of this course, students will take the Comprehensive Regents. Class participation and homework are 20% of the student's grade.
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Regents Review Live - Spanish
http://www.regentsreviewlive.net/rrl/courses/spanish.html
Spanish IV
Full Year, 1 credit
This is a course designed for those students who have successfully completed the third year Spanish course and would like to maintain and improve their Spanish language skills without entering the Advanced Placement program. This course will focus on advanced conversation and composition, culture and civilization and exposure to excerpts of selected literary works. Class participation and homework are 20% of the student's grade.
Prerequisite: Spanish III and Regents or Survey of Spanish Literature.
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College Level Courses
Spanish V
Full Year, 1 credit; College credit pending approval
This course is for students who have successfully completed Spanish IV, and who would like to improve their Spanish skills and cultural awareness of the Hispanic/Latino world. This course focuses on advanced conversation and composition, culture and civilization and exposure to excerpts of selected literary works. In addition, this course is designed to develop the language skills necessary to communicate with the Spanish-speaking public in career/work interactions. Practical and contemporary language, situations, and readings are used in a variety of contexts. Class participation and homework are 20% of the student's grade.
Prerequisite: Spanish IV
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Survey of Spanish Literature
Full Year, 1 credit; College credit pending approval
This is the first year in a two-year sequence. In this course students will be engaged in the reading of universally accepted works of literature. This course is comparable tin content to a college level survey course in literature. Literary works of representative authors will be selected from the required reading list and read for aesthetic value. Students will be guided toward the attainment of a high degree of proficiency in the basic language skills and literary analysis and criticism through extensive discussion of reading selections, oral reports, essays, and compositions. Attention will be also given to cultural themes as reflected in the literary works under study. Class participation and homework equal 20% of the student’s grade for Survey of Spanish Literature.
Prerequisite: Passing Spanish III Regents and teacher recommendation or Spanish IV.
Advanced Placement Spanish Literature I
Full Year, 1 credit
This course is a college level course designed for students who have successfully completed Survey of Spanish Literature. Students will be admitted to the course by recommendation of the instructor. The course content will consist of reading representative works of literature from the various genres with an emphasis on literary interpretation. Class discussion will focus on style, imagery, symbolism, literary techniques and other aesthetic qualities in the appreciation of literary works. Students will also consider the historical background and the moral, philosophical, and social ideas and issues involved in those works, which are selected for study. At the conclusion of the course, students may choose to take the AP examination. Class participation and homework are equal to at least 20% of the student's grade for AP Spanish Literature.
Prerequisite: Survey of Spanish Literature.
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