This course is designed for grade 9-12 students who did not have the opportunity to begin Spanish in the middle school program or who wish to begin learning a second world language. It should be noted that this program is run at an intensive pace so that the student who successfully completes it will be prepared for Spanish 2 the following year. Two hours of homework will be typically assigned on a weekly basis. The memorization of vocabulary is an on-going daily assignment.

*Grade 9 students should repeat Spanish, grade 8 if they have not met the prerequisite grade of C needed to progress to Spanish II. Spanish, grade 8 is essentially the second half of Spanish I study. Grade 9 students who successfully repeat this level, will be awarded high school credit for Spanish I.

Spanish 2 enhances previously learned skills and emphasizes language proficiency. Computer technology and the Spanish-speaking world via geography, music and art will complement instruction. Selected short readings expose students to Hispanic literature. A cultural research project is expected of all students in the target language. Daily homework is assigned. The memorization of vocabulary is an ongoing daily assignment.

Prerequisites: C in Spanish II and the recommendation of the current world language teacher

Spanish 3 continues to develop the students’ mastery of the communicative proficiencies: reading, writing, speaking and listening. This program places strong emphasis on vocabulary acquisition and on the extension of the students’ knowledge of the highly complex Spanish verb system.

Prerequisites: C+ in Spanish III and the recommendation of the current world language teacher

Students will continue the review, refinement and further application of skills introduced in previous levels with emphasis devoted to accuracy in communicative and written proficiencies. Course components include authentic Hispanic literature, music, art, history and geography. Each student will also create and illustrate a children’s story as a class project. All instruction and interaction is in Spanish.

Prerequisites for AP: B or better in Spanish IV and recommendation of the current world language teacher.
Prerequisites for Honors: C+ and the recommendation of the current world language teacher.

This course is the equivalent of an advanced college Spanish course. Stress will be on the oral skills, literature, composition and grammar. Advanced Placement students will be required to do intensive listening and speaking exercises, write weekly compositions and keep journals. Written and taped assignments are expected of Honors students, but with less frequency. All students are expected to take an active part in classroom discussions. Students electing the course for Advanced Placement credit are expected to take the Advanced Placement Language Test at the end of the course.