SPANISH

Why do I need to learn Spanish?  This is the question of most students when they find themselves with the opportunity or the obligation to take a Spanish class. Why don’t Hispanics learn English? Why did they come to live in this country if they resist getting used to the American way of life? Those Hispanic people...!

For most Americans, Hispanics are strangers who bring spicy food and colorful costumes to their “already defined” American culture, girls with shapely bodies and “macho” workers who like to listen to loud dance music and smile at women.

Let me tell you …
According to the US Census Bureau, the estimated Hispanic population of the United States as of July 1st, 2003 is of 39.9 million. This makes people of Hispanic origin the nation’s largest race or ethnic minority. Hispanics constitute 13.7 percent of the nation’s total population. This estimate does not include the 3.9 million residents of Puerto Rico, who, of course, speak Spanish. According to the same Census, the projected Hispanic population of the United States as of July 1, 2050 is 102.6 million. Hispanics will constitute 24 percent of the nation’s total population on that date. This means that when you start your professional life, if you do not know some Spanish, you might be in trouble.

Now…
What is the Spanish language?   Do you have any idea of the socio-linguistic relations that come together in the Spanish language?  Did you know that the words “astra” in Latin, “estrella” in Spanish and “star” in English, even when they mean the same thing, can each convey a different feeling?  Would you like to know the relationship of the Spanish language with your own language?  Would you like to try to be in the shoes of someone who is learning a different language?  Would you like to know the language of Cervantes?  Are you sure?

We are going to work and work seriously, seriamente. To learn a language requires a method, and we are going to be very strict with ours. Through our process of language study, we are going to get to know some of the most important artists, writers, musicians, politicians and philosophers of Hispanic culture. We are going to learn about real life in the Hispanic countries. We are going to talk, listen, write, read and try to put ourselves closer to the Hispanic way of living and thinking.

All you need to bring is yourself: your openness and your willingness to learn. You don’t need to bring your fear of making mistakes. All of us make mistakes when we are learning, and the more we err, the more we learn. We are all going to be travelers in the adventure of a new language…Bienvenido!

Important Note:  Please do not sign up for Spanish if you are not willing to do your homework carefully and on time on a consistent basis.  You cannot earn credit in Spanish or learn Spanish without doing this, and as it is not required to graduate, you should only take it if you are willing to make this commitment.  While many colleges require you to take foreign language, a grade of no credit in Spanish will not help you get into these colleges.

 

Español 1                                                                                                                   

Ivette Roberts

This class is a continuation of the first trimester of Spanish I.  Students will review and expand on their knowledge of conjugations and vocabulary. This is a grammar class, but students will be introduced to cultural and literary readings. Students are expected to participate in Spanish according to their level. We will also acquire a deeper appreciation for the Latino and Spanish culture through literature, history and video clips.  Students will have the opportunity to use on line activities as a tool to reinforce what has been covered in class. In order to earn credit, students must complete all the assigned work in and outside the class.  Attendance and class participation are very important, and punctuality and observance of regular homework deadlines are essential.

 

Español 2                                                                                                                    

Ivette Roberts

This course is a continuation of the first trimester of Spanish 2.  Students will review and expand their knowledge of conjugations and vocabulary.  However, we will pay special attention to enhancing and strengthening our oral skills in Spanish.  Students will be expected to communicate in Spanish according to their level.  Students will have the opportunity to use on line activities to reinforce what has been covered in class.  Participation in class will be a major requirement to earn credit.  Attendance, punctuality and observance of regular homework deadlines are essential.

 

Español 3                                                                                                                  

Ivette Roberts

This course is a continuation of the first trimester of Spanish 3.  During this trimester we will pay special attention to contemporary Hispanic writers, singers and performers as a way to help us to understand and discuss current events in the Hispanic world.  We will also continue to expand our knowledge of the Spanish grammar.  Students are required to participate in Spanish according to their level.  Participation in class will be a major requirement to earn credit in class. Attendance, punctuality and observance of regular homework deadlines are essential.

 

Español 4                                                                                                                  

Ivette Roberts

This class is exclusively designed for students who are  highly proficient in the target language. This is a class  that offers the opportunity for intensive communication, reading and composition in Spanish.  Students are required to participate solely in Spanish.  Students will read short stories from Latin America and Spain in order to acquire a more complex vocabulary.  Students will continue to deepen their knowledge of current events in the Hispanic world.  Attendance, punctuality and observance of regular homework deadlines are essential

 

French

This year we are pleased to be able to offer third year French for students who are continuing from last year’s French 2 or new students who have had the equivalent of French 2.

 

FRENCH 3                                                                                                       

Corina Best

Welcome to French 3.

This third year of French class is to enable the students to obtain the skills to communicate, inform and coherently produce their ideas. The third level of French is about telling stories and describing. Students will also learn to propose, argue and react. Obviously, students are not allowed to speak English during the French class and should address the teacher in French at all times during the class.

The main book we are going to use is called Tandem 2 by C. Bergeron and M. Albero et M. Bidault.  We are also going to use other books like Et toi? by Marie – José Lopes, Jean - Thierry Le Bougnec et Guy Lewis, Compétences Expression Écrite 2 by Sylvie Poisson – Guinton, Taxi 2  by Guy Capelle et Robert Menand, et Bien Sûr 2 by Fabienne Gallon. We are going to review some themes to bring them to the level we reached before the long vacation.

Grammar rules, oral and written comprehension, oral and written expression, reading, writing, speaking, movies, singing and acting are strategies we will use in class. The responsibility of doing and handing in the homework on time, attendance, punctuality, note taking, a positive attitude and an active participation are going to be important for credit.  Teasing classmates is totally prohibited.  The students will bring pens, notebooks and all material needed for the class as well as a French / French dictionary.  French is hard to learn without study at home, but it’s really awesome when you are able to speak it.
        
    
OTHER LANGUAGES

While it is not possible for School One to offer other languages during school, School One students may take other languages for credit outside of school.  The class/tutor must be appropriately qualified, willing to write a School One evaluation and approved beforehand by the Assistant Head.  Outside classes or tutoring for language credit require at least twenty-five hours of meeting time with additional homework per trimester.  Please contact the Assistant Head with any questions about this beforehand.