World Language
World Language Faculty
Our Mission
The World Language Program at Cheverus guides our students toward linguistic and cultural proficiency in Spanish and French. Students learning to speak in a second language require much repetition, practice, and commitment to develop the skill. Our intention is to create an interactive, safe, risk-taking environment for growth in the language. Students develop their proficiency using a variety of contexts, tools, and techniques that emphasize both oral and written expression.
Learners will refine their abilities in interpersonal communication, interpretive communication, and presentational communication according to American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Language (ACTFL) guidelines. A second language is an important asset in an increasingly diverse society and global economy. Students will encounter different ways of thinking about the world, themselves, and their own culture. We agree with Charlemagne when he said, “To have another language, is to possess a second soul.”
Course Descriptions
Students develop advanced proficiency in listening, speaking, writing, and reading skills. Oral communication (interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational as defined in the ACTFL standards for World Languages) in a variety of contexts is emphasized using the six themes of the College Board. AP Spanish Language & Culture is intended for students who wish to develop proficiency and integrate their language skills, using authentic materials and sources. Students who enroll should already have a basic knowledge of the language and cultures of Spanish-speaking peoples and should have attained a reasonable proficiency in using the language. Dual enrollment credit with St. Joseph’s College is available.
Prerequisites: Spanish 401 Honors or permission of the instructor
Term: Full Year (1 Credit)
In this introductory course, students will first begin to develop listening and speaking skills through oral and written drills, simple conversations, and a variety of audio-visual tools, including online resources. Regular reading and writing assignments emphasize elementary sentence structure, verbs, and vocabulary usage. Students will use predictable language in familiar settings. Students will also start to develop cultural awareness as we journey throughout the French-speaking world through research projects, visual resources, and cultural reading topics. This course is conducted in French and English.
Term: Full Year (1 Credit)
This course is a continuation of French 101. Students build upon their understanding of elementary French to communicate about a variety of topics. They develop their vocabulary and incorporate new grammar themes into their work. Authentic video, audio, and printed material engage students as they communicate with one another through listening, writing, speaking, and reading in French. In addition, students begin to navigate authentic materials and practice communication in real-life contexts. Students will compare their daily lives to the lives of students their age around the world. Cultural topics include: technology and its effects on society, fine arts in the French-speaking community, and African and Canadian folk tales. This course is conducted in French and English. French 201 is eligible for honors credit.
Prerequisites: French 101
Term: Full Year (1 Credit)
This course is a continuation of French 201. Students will continue to deepen their comprehension of vocabulary and grammar concepts in the target language, furthering their skills through the examination of authentic resources. The emphasis of this course is on communicating using the four language skills (reading, writing, speaking, listening) to navigate authentic resources that deepen students’ understanding of the French language and cultures of the French-speaking world. Cultural topics include: heritage and traditions, public personalities, environmental issues and volunteer work, and cultural awareness and travel. This course is conducted primarily in French. French 301 is eligible for honors credit.
Prerequisites: French 201
Term: Full Year (1 Credit)
Speaking and participating in the French language is emphasized in this course. Students will fine-tune their ability to use a variety of tenses to communicate. Emphasis is placed on cultural comparisons of health and wellness, careers and college preparation, and celebrations in the Francophone world. This class is conducted entirely in French and students are expected to use French as the primary means of communication. This is a pre-AP course designed to prepare students to study at an advanced level.
Prerequisites: French 301 Honors or permission of the instructor
Term: Full Year (1 Credit)
Students develop advanced proficiency in listening, speaking, writing, and reading skills. Oral communication (interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational as defined in the ACTFL standards for World Languages) in a variety of contexts is emphasized using the six themes of the College Board. Texts include articles and excerpts from French magazines, newspapers, literary texts, and websites focusing on the culture of French-speaking countries. Verbal and written language skills applied to language competencies beyond the school setting are used to attain advanced proficiency of ACTFL’s Proficiency Guidelines. French is spoken in the entire class and students are encouraged and expected to practice speaking French outside of class.
Prerequisites: French 401 Honors
Term: Full Year (1 Credit)
In this introductory course, students will first begin to develop listening and speaking skills through oral and written drills, simple conversations, and a variety of audio-visual tools, including online resources. Regular reading and writing assignments emphasize elementary sentence structure, verbs, and vocabulary usage. Students will use predictable language in familiar settings. Students will also start to develop cultural awareness as we journey throughout the Spanish-speaking world through research projects, telenovelas, and cultural reading topics. This course is conducted in Spanish and English.
Term: Full Year (1 Credit)
This course is a continuation of Spanish 101. Students build upon their understanding of elementary Spanish to communicate about a variety of topics. They develop their vocabulary and incorporate new grammar themes into their work. In addition, students begin to navigate authentic materials and practice communication in real-life contexts. Students will compare their daily lives to the lives of students their age around the world. Cultural topics include: technology and its effects on society, fine arts in the Spanish-speaking community, and Hispanic folk tales. This course is conducted in Spanish and English.
Prerequisites: Spanish 101
Term: Full Year (1 Credit)
This course is designed for students who have a firm background in elementary Spanish and a high level of commitment to advancing in the language. Students use vocabulary and grammar in more complex situations. Authentic video, audio and printed material engage students as they communicate with one another through listening, writing, speaking, and reading in Spanish. Students will compare their daily lives to the lives of students their age around the world. Cultural topics include: technology and its effects on society, fine arts in the Spanish-speaking community, and hispanic folk tales. This course is conducted in Spanish and English.
Prerequisites: Spanish 101
Term: Full Year (1 Credit)
This course is a continuation of Spanish 201. Students will continue to deepen their comprehension of vocabulary and grammar concepts in the target language, furthering their skills through the examination of authentic resources. Development of the four language skills (reading, writing, listening, speaking) will provide students with the opportunity to communicate in the target language in a variety of contexts. Cultural topics include: heritage and traditions, public personalities, environmental issues and volunteer work, and cultural awareness and travel. This course is conducted in Spanish and English.
Prerequisites: Spanish 201
Term: Full Year (1 Credit)
This course is designed for students who have a firm background in Spanish and a high level of commitment to advancing in the language. Students are expected to work as independent learners within the pacing of the course. The emphasis of this course is on communicating using the four language skills (reading, writing, speaking, listening) to navigate authentic resources that deepen students’ understanding of the Spanish language and cultures of the Spanish-speaking world. Cultural topics include: heritage and traditions, public personalities, environmental issues and volunteer work, and cultural awareness and travel. By the end of the year, students complete the indicative mood in all its tenses, can write with ease about a cultural topic, and are able to present in two minutes following the College Board curriculum on Product, Practice and Perspective. This course is conducted in Spanish.
Prerequisites: Spanish 201 Honors or permission of the instructor
Term: Full Year (1 Credit)
Speaking and participating in the Spanish language is emphasized in this course. Students will fine-tune their ability to use a variety of tenses to communicate. Emphasis is placed on cultural comparisons of health and wellness, careers and college preparation, and celebrations in the Hispanic world. Cultural topics include: el Camino de Santiago, the Mediterranean diet and lifestyle, and la Feria de Abril in Seville. This class is conducted entirely in Spanish and students are expected to use Spanish as the primary means of communication. This is a pre-AP course designed to prepare students to study at an advanced level. Dual enrollment credit with St. Joseph’s College is available.
Prerequisites: Spanish 301 Honors or permission of the instructor
Term: Full Year (1 Credit)