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AP French Language and Culture

Course No: 4043
Subject: French
Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12
Course Length: Year
Course Type: AP/Honors, Elective
UC/CSU Subject Approval: E
Prerequisite: French 3 or 3H
Criteria for Enrollment: See criteria for Honors Enrollment. Students are required to take the Advanced Placement exam in May.
Fulfillments: Meets one year of language graduation requirement

Important Language Department Information

French 4AP is a two-semester advanced language course designed for students who have excelled in French 1, 2H, and  3H  and who are interested in pursuing a more rigorous course of study in the language and cultures of the francophone world.  Students will have the opportunity to demonstrate and improve proficiency in the three modes of communication—Interpersonal, Interpretive, and Presentational—defined as foundational in the Standards for Foreign Language Learning in the 21st Century. This course will enhance the student’s cognitive, analytical, and communicative skills while emphasizing both fluency and accuracy in French. Authentic materials from the francophone world will be used to enhance student exploration of culture in both contemporary and historical contexts. There are 6 primary themes presented throughout the year: Beauty and Aesthetics, Global Challenges, Science and Technology, Contemporary Life, Personal and Public Identities, Family and Community.  These themes, which also parallel the content of the AP exam, will be addressed through literature, art, music, poetry, politics, and world events. The class is conducted entirely in the target language and students are expected to speak in French at all times.

*This class will be offered pending adequate enrollment.

**Class receives honors weighting in SI weighted GPA and UC/CSU GPA calculations

French 3

Course No: 4030
Subject: French
Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12
Course Length: Year
Course Type: Elective
UC/CSU Subject Approval: E
Prerequisite: French 2 or 2H or placement by written and oral examination
Criteria for Enrollment: Minimum semester grade of C+ in French 2 or 2H or placement by written and oral examination
Fulfillments: Meets one year of language graduation requirement

Important Language Department Information

French 3 is an intermediate level language course designed for those students who have acquired satisfactory competency during their first two years of language study.  The course builds upon the skills and material covered in French 1 and 2.  It reviews all major grammatical structures and introduces a broader scope of grammatical knowledge.  Emphasis is placed on improving oral skills, broadening the range of grammatical structures the student can effectively use in writing and conversation, enriching the student’s vocabulary, and deepening his/her awareness of present day social justice issues within the French-speaking world.  This class is conducted in French, except when complex grammar concepts require a clearer explanation in English. Through a variety of cultural activities, the course will enhance students’ knowledge and appreciation of the incredible diversity of the French–speaking world and will encourage and enable the student to broaden his/her  “French life.” Students are expected to speak in French at all times.

French 3H

Course No: 4033
Subject: French
Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12
Course Length: Year
Course Type: AP/Honors, Elective
UC/CSU Subject Approval: E
Prerequisite: French 2 or 2H or placement by written and oral examination
Criteria for Enrollment: See criteria for Honors Enrollment
Fulfillments: Meets one year of language graduation requirement

Important Language Department Information

French 3H is an advanced language course designed for students identified during their first two years as superior French students, who wish to become fluent in French and prepare themselves for French 4 AP. Students will practice the major grammar structures previously studied, as well as more complex grammar concepts, including expanded uses of the subjunctive mood.  Considerable emphasis will be given to enriching the students’ active vocabulary and increasing their ability to comprehend and express themselves in spoken and written French.  Students will be required to speak in French in a variety of situations ranging from class discussion to oral presentations and situations.  Students will be able to read with comprehension selected short stories and newspaper and magazine articles. Through a variety of cultural activities the course will enhance students’ knowledge and appreciation of the incredible diversity of the French–speaking world, will encourage and enable the student to broaden his/her “French life,” and will prepare the student for French 4AP.  This class is conducted entirely in French, and students are expected to speak French at all times.

 

*Class receives honors weighting in SI weighted GPA and UC/CSU GPA calculations

Latin 1

Course No: 4310
Subject: Latin
Grade Level: 9, 10, 11
Course Length: Year
Course Type: Elective
UC/CSU Subject Approval: E
Prerequisite: None
Criteria for Enrollment: None
Fulfillments: Meets one year of language graduation requirement

Important Language Department Information

The Cambridge Latin Course, Units 1 and 2, open the door to the Latin language and literature for the beginning student through adapted readings about a Roman family living in Pompeii. Students will engage in the following activities: reading Latin aloud and silently; asking and answering Latin questions about the readings; translating Latin sentences into English and vice-versa; memorizing and using vocabulary; developing listening and speaking skills; studying the history and origin of English words derived from Latin; and learning about the customs, history, and mythology of the ancient Romans, especially as they have affected our own culture today. The aims of the course are: to teach students to read Latin accurately and confidently; and to familiarize students with life in the early Roman Empire.

Mandarin 1

Course No: 4610
Subject: Mandarin
Grade Level: 9, 10, 11
Course Length: Year
Course Type: Elective
UC/CSU Subject Approval: E
Prerequisite: None
Criteria for Enrollment: None
Fulfillments: Meets one year of language graduation requirement

Important Language Department Information

Mandarin 1 is a two-semester course designed for beginners.  No background in Mandarin is presumed or required.  Mandarin 1 introduces students to the four basic skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing in Mandarin Chinese.  As students gain knowledge, understanding and fluency, the communication in class will be conducted in Mandarin only. By the end of the year, students are expected to pronounce the sound of Mandarin with reasonable accuracy, and to understand and sustain simple conversations in Chinese. Students will be exposed to Chinese culture in order to develop an understanding of and appreciation for different cultures and people, customs, behavior and traditions.

Mandarin 2

Course No: 4620
Subject: Mandarin
Grade Level: 9, 10, 11
Course Length: Year
Course Type: Elective
UC/CSU Subject Approval: E
Prerequisite: Mandarin 1 or placement by examination
Criteria for Enrollment: Satisfactory completion of Mandarin 1 or placement by written and oral examination
Fulfillments: Meets one year of language graduation requirement

Important Language Department Information

Mandarin 2 is a two-semester course that continues the study and development of Mandarin. This course will have combination of acquiring elementary to low intermediate level of Mandarin language use along with Chinese culture information. Students will continue developing skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing, and expanding knowledge of grammatical structures. Instruction in written Chinese will be a combination of simplified and traditional characters. The transcription of Mandarin sounds will be in Hanyu Pinyin.

Mandarin 2H

Course No: 4623
Subject: Mandarin
Grade Level: 9, 10, 11
Course Length: Year
Course Type: AP/Honors, Elective
UC/CSU Subject Approval: E
Prerequisite: Mandarin 1 or placement by examination
Criteria for Enrollment: See criteria for Honors Enrollment or placement by examination
Fulfillments: Meets one year of language graduation requirement

Important Language Department Information

Mandarin 2H is an accelerated course designed to challenge the student who, during his/her first year, has actively participated in class, mastered the grammar and vocabulary presented in level one and/or demonstrated the ability to advance more rapidly than the average college preparatory student. The teacher will aid students in acquiring the following skills: increased oral proficiency on a variety of topics, an expanded vocabulary, the ability to read selections appropriate to low intermediate level students and increased ability to write essays. The course materials are designed to stimulate conversation and to perfect that skill, striving to imitate the native speaker’s pronunciation, accent, and rhythm, as the student’s abilities increase. Students will also become more informed about some of the contemporary problems and difficulties affecting Chinese communities. Students will further develop their ability to express themselves in spoken and written Mandarin Chinese.

*Class receives honors weighting in SI weighted GPA

Mandarin 3H

Course No: 4633
Subject: Mandarin
Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12
Course Length: Year
Course Type: AP/Honors, Elective
UC/CSU Subject Approval: E
Prerequisite: Mandarin 2/2H or placement by written and oral examination
Criteria for Enrollment: See criteria for Honors Enrollment
Fulfillments: Meets one year of language graduation requirement

Important Language Department Information

Mandarin 3H is an advanced language course designed for students identified during their first two years as superior Mandarin students, who wish to become fluent in Mandarin and prepare themselves for Mandarin 4 AP. This course broadens the range of grammatical structures the students can effectively use in communication. Considerable emphasis will be given to enriching the students’ active vocabulary and increasing their ability to comprehend and express themselves in spoken and written Mandarin. The students will be required to speak in Mandarin in various situations ranging from class discussions to oral presentations and skits. Students will be able to read with comprehension selected short stories and various articles. This course includes a closer look at the classic and modern Chinese culture, enriching the student’s vocabulary and deepening his or her awareness of the Mandarin-speaking world. This class is conducted mainly in Mandarin and students are expected to speak in Mandarin at all times.

*Class receives honors weighting in SI weighted GPA and UC/CSU GPA calculations

Spanish 1

Course No: 4110
Subject: Spanish
Grade Level: 9, 10, 11
Course Length: Year
Course Type: Elective
UC/CSU Subject Approval: E
Prerequisite: None
Criteria for Enrollment: None
Fulfillments: Meets one year of language graduation requirement

Important Language Department Information

Spanish 1 is designed for the beginning Spanish student.  No background in Spanish is expected.  Comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing skills are developed simultaneously from simple to more complex sentence structures.  The language skills are presented in a logical progression so that the student learns by practice both in the classroom and at home with the help of on-line tutorials.  The learning process is based on the active participation of each student in a variety of formats.  Students learn essential vocabulary, basic structures of the language, and cultural aspects of Latin America and Spain.  By the end of the course, each student has the ability to do the following:  ask questions and answer  them affirmatively  or  negatively  using  present tenses; arrange proper word order; speak and write clearly; write short compositions; and use common idiomatic expressions.

Spanish 1 Accelerated

Course No: 4111
Subject: Spanish
Grade Level: 9
Course Length: Year
Course Type: Elective
UC/CSU Subject Approval: E
Prerequisite: Some background experience in Spanish
Criteria for Enrollment: Oral and written placement examination
Fulfillments: Meets one year of language graduation requirement

Important Language Department Information

This course is designed for incoming freshmen who have some experience in Spanish but did not place in Spanish 2 Honors at St. Ignatius. Since these students already have some basic skills in Spanish, they will review and/or learn, at an accelerated pace, the vocabulary and grammar structures taught in a regular level one course. Significant emphasis will be placed on improving students’ speaking and writing skills. They will acquire an expanded vocabulary, a deeper understanding of grammatical concepts, increased reading proficiency, improved oral expression, increased aural proficiency, the ability to write short compositions, and further knowledge of Spanish and Latin American cultures.