HS Spanish Program

Course Name:  Spanish I

Grade Level(s): 9-12 

This introductory Spanish course emphasizes the development of communication: Interpretive Communication, Presentational Communication, and Interpersonal Communication. Students will learn the language in an intercultural setting. The acquisition of listening and speaking skills is enhanced through situations requiring simple and functional grammar and vocabulary. Students use a variety of sources in the target language to build skills in comprehension and language production. By the end of the course, students will be familiar with the following themes: the Spanish-speaking world, salutations, personal tastes, shopping, the family and community, descriptions, daily life, food and leisure activities. 

Course Name:  Spanish II

Grade Level(s):  9-12

Prerequisite: Spanish I or Spanish C in Middle School 

The emphasis in Spanish II will be on further practice in developing oral and written proficiency, as well as interpretive communication. At this level, students will enhance their ability to understand and speak Spanish through conversations and discussions and simple presentations. The study of more complex structures is accompanied by an increased emphasis on the skills of reading and writing. Students will explore a variety of themes such as describing past events, making future plans, health and wellness, and travel. By the end of Spanish II, students should be confident in basic communication in Spanish. 

Course Name: Spanish III

Grade Level(s): 9-12 

Prerequisite: Spanish II 

This course enables students to build proficiency and increase their knowledge of the Spanish language. The students further develop their language skills and deepen their appreciation of the Spanish-speaking culture around the world. Students will participate in oral communication and reading and writing activities as they study a variety of themes such as past and future events, commands and requests, adolescence, and the future. Students will read short texts and stories in the target language that are written for heritage speakers. 

Course Name: Spanish IV

Grade Level(s): 9-12

Prerequisite: Spanish III

Students in Spanish IV are expected to possess an intermediate level of Spanish-language proficiency. Students will review and perfect grammar and further broaden their vocabulary while continuing to explore literature, culture, history and current events from the Spanish-speaking world. Students read works of fiction and nonfiction, and continue to build skills in all three proficiency levels. A great deal of focus is placed on comparing cultural practice, products, and perspectives among Spanish-speaking countries as well as with students’ own cultures. 

Course Name: AP Spanish Language and Culture

Grade Level(s): 10-12 

Prerequisite: Spanish IV or in 12th grade a strong Spanish III proficiency

In this course, students will use authentic Spanish materials and sources to develop their language skills in multiple modes of communication, including two-way interactions in both writing and speaking, interpretation of audio, audiovisual, and print materials, and oral and written presentation of information and ideas. Students who enroll in AP Spanish should already have a firm command of Spanish grammar and vocabulary, and proficiency in the three communication modes: Interpersonal, Interpretive, and Presentational. In Interpersonal Communication, students engage in conversations, express ideas, and exchange opinions using both spoken and written language. In Interpretive Communication, students understand and interpret written and spoken language on a variety of topics. In Presentational Communication, students present information and ideas to an audience using spoken and written language. We will explore six major themes of AP Spanish: Beauty and Aesthetics, Contemporary Life, Global Challenges, Personal and Public Identities, Science and Technology, and Families and Communities. Students are required to take the Spanish Language AP Exam.