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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

AP Mandarin Language and Culture

Course No: 4644
Subject: Mandarin
Grade Level: 10, 11, 12
Course Length: Year
Course Type: AP/Honors, Elective
UC/CSU Subject Approval: E
Prerequisite: Mandarin 3 or 3H or placement by examination
Criteria for Enrollment: See criteria for Honors Enrollment
Fulfillments: Meets one year of language graduation requirement

Important Language Department Information

AP Mandarin 4 is a two-semester advanced language course designed for students who have excelled in their previous Mandarin study and who are interested in pursuing a more rigorous course of study in Mandarin language and Chinese culture. 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 Mandarin. Authentic materials will be used to enhance student exploration of culture in both contemporary and historical contexts. The class is conducted mostly in Mandarin and students are encouraged to speak in Mandarin at all times.

*This class will be offered pending adequate enrollment.

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

AP Spanish Language & Culture

Course No: 4143
Subject: Spanish
Grade Level: 10, 11, 12
Course Length: Year
Course Type: AP/Honors, Elective
UC/CSU Subject Approval: E
Prerequisite: Spanish 3 or 3H or 4
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

AP Spanish language covers the equivalent material of a third-year college course in advanced Spanish composition and conversation.  The aims of this two-semester course are: to improve dramatically the student’s speaking ability; to review systematically grammar previously studied; to master — orally and in writing — new and more complex grammar concepts; to expose students to the literary use of Spanish and to increase both their literal and critical reading skills; to prepare students for the Advanced Placement Spanish Language Examination; and to enhance the students’ knowledge of the cultural diversity of the Spanish-speaking world.  Students will be required to speak Spanish in a variety of situations ranging from class discussions to oral presentations and debates.  Students will read newspaper and magazine articles, short stories, poems, and excerpts from novels or plays by peninsular and/or Latin American authors.  The selected class materials are designed to stimulate and perfect conversation and to assist students in the imitation of the native speaker’s pronunciation, rhythm, moods and humor as their abilities increase. This class is conducted in Spanish, and students are expected to speak Spanish at all times.

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

Artesania de las Americas: Handicrafts of the Americas

Course No: 4146
Subject: Spanish
Grade Level: 10, 11, 12
Course Length: Semester
Course Type: Elective
UC/CSU Subject Approval: G
Prerequisite: Spanish 3, 3H, 4 or 4AP
Criteria for Enrollment: Minimum semester grade of C+ in Spanish 3, 3H, 4 or 4AP, plus recommendation of Language Department Chair
Fulfillments: Meets one semester of language graduation requirement

Important Language Department Information

This one semester course will explore the origin, cultural value, and materials used to create a variety of Latin American handicrafts. Students will make their own craft for each unit. Scheduling approximately 9 class meetings per handicraft project would allow for 5-6 different units during a semester course.  The class would be conducted in Spanish. Students would also learn new vocabulary and review a major grammar point per project.

 Each craft project would be accompanied by:

    1. historical background of object
    2. cultural value and meaning of object
    3. vocabulary list related to current topic
    4. at least one main grammar review point
      • formal and informal commands
      • preterite & imperfect
      • present subjunctive
      • future & conditional
    5. at least 2-3 reading comprehension activities
    6. music/videos/visuals

*This class will be offered pending adequate enrollment.

Cine Mexicano

Course No: 4147
Subject: Spanish
Grade Level: 10, 11, 12
Course Length: Semester
Course Type: Elective
UC/CSU Subject Approval: E
Prerequisite: Available to students who have completed Spanish 3, 3H, 4 or 4AP
Criteria for Enrollment: Minimum semester grade of C+ in Spanish 3H, 4 or 4AP. Students who have completed only Spanish 3 must have recommendation of Language Department Chair.
Fulfillments: Meets one semester of language graduation requirement

Important Language Department Information

Students will explore Mexico through the lens of film for one semester in this advanced Spanish course designed for students who wish to improve their Spanish language skills and cultural knowledge.  In class, students will view full-length feature films, shorts, and documentaries.  Students will learn about the Golden Era of Mexican Film during the 1940’s and 1950’s. Students will focus on New Mexican Cinema with films from the 2010’s.  Students will learn to appreciate Mexican directors, like Luis Buñuel & Claudia Saint-Luce, and actors, like Pedro Infante, Mario Moreno “Cantinflas”, Blanca Estela Pavón, Karla Souza, Eugenio Derbez. Students will gain perspective on the Mexican experience, taking a critical look at poverty and wealth, gender issues, music as a tool for change, migration, and the family unit amongst other themes.  Students will be asked to view a brand new Mexican movie at a film festival.  In-class discussions will provide a forum for students to think critically and trade ideas with each other.  Writing assignments will include movie critiques and alternative final scenes.  Students will get to make their own short films as well.  In order to immerse students, the class will be conducted in Spanish and students are expected to speak Spanish in class.

*This class will be offered pending adequate enrollment.

Español Moderno

Course No: 4145
Subject: Spanish
Grade Level: 10, 11, 12
Course Length: Semester
Course Type: Elective
UC/CSU Subject Approval: G
Prerequisite: Spanish 3, 3H, 4 or 4AP
Criteria for Enrollment: Minimum semester grade of C+ in Spanish 3H, 4 or 4AP. Students who have completed only Spanish 3 must have recommendation of Language Department Chair.
Fulfillments: Meets one semester of language graduation requirement

Important Language Department Information

This is an advanced, semester-long course designed for students who wish to improve their Spanish language skills and cultural knowledge, with particular emphasis on the improvement of oral communication skills.  Students will gain a better understanding of the culture, history and traditions of Latin America and Spain by watching films and participating in class debates and discussions.  New vocabulary and expressions will be taught to allow the students a better understanding of the authentic materials used in class.  The class will review some of the advanced grammar structures learned in previous classes, but no new grammar structures will be covered. This class will be conducted in Spanish, and students will be expected to speak Spanish at all times.

*This class will be offered pending adequate enrollment.

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

French 4

Course No: 4040
Subject: French
Grade Level: 10, 11, 12
Course Length: Year
Course Type: Elective
UC/CSU Subject Approval: E
Prerequisite: French 3 or 3H
Criteria for Enrollment: Minimum semester grade of C+ in French 3 and recommendation of third-year teacher
Fulfillments: Meets one year of language graduation requirement

Important Language Department Information

French 4 is a two-semester course for students who have received an A, B or C+ in French 3 and/or teacher approval.  This course is designed for students who are interested in using their foundation in French to explore in greater depth the cultures of the francophone world through art, film, literature, history, current events, and social justice issues. The primary aim of this course is to improve the student’s ability to speak, read, write and comprehend French in more sophisticated social, historical and political contexts.  The student will review vocabulary and grammar, master new advanced language concepts, and enhance his/her knowledge of the cultural  diversity of the French-speaking world.  The class is conducted entirely in French except for complex grammatical explanations and students are expected to speak in French at all times.

 

*This class will be offered pending adequate enrollment.

Language Teaching Assistant

Grade Level: 10, 11, 12
Course Length: Semester
Course Type: Elective
Prerequisite: None
Criteria for Enrollment: Permission of instructor or Department. Enrollment is via roster submitted by instructor. Students should not list this course on their Schedule Request Forms.

Important Language Department Information

Language Teaching Assistants provide support for the Language faculty for 1 hour/week.  Teaching Assistants fulfill the following duties:

      1. checking homework
      2. grading objective sections of tests
      3. doing Internet or other research
      4. decorating bulletin boards
      5. peer tutoring

Normally, the student will help before school or after school. There will be times when some of the correcting may be taken home for delivery on the following day. Interested students may apply by requesting and completing a Teaching Assistant Contract from their teacher.