WORLD LANGUAGE (LANGUAGE B) – COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

A minimum of 2.0 consecutive years of the same World Language study at NDP is required.
(Language offerings are dependent on sufficient student enrollment).

Spanish Summer Enrichment Program
Research and experience demonstrate that ongoing use and practice of a language is the best way to facilitate the basic skills. As a result, the Modern Language Department has implemented a mandatory summer on-line program as part of our Spanish curriculum. This is a wonderful opportunity to maintain and even improve language skills over the summer, and should make the transition back into the Spanish classroom much smoother and easier in the fall.  Students will work with grammatical and structural items as well as with reading comprehension and writing skills. Pronunciation may be practiced via the audio files. Students entering NDP's Spanish 3-4 or higher are required to complete the summer program.  To access our summer enrichment program, navigate to http://ndpmasummerspanish.weebly.com/

Mandarin Chinese Summer Enrichment Program
Research and experience demonstrate that ongoing use and practice of a language is the best way to facilitate the basic skills. As a result, the Modern Language Department has implemented a mandatory summer on-line program as part of our Mandarin curriculum. This is a wonderful opportunity to maintain and even improve language skills over the summer, and should make the transition back into the Mandarin classroom much smoother and easier in the fall.  Students will work with grammatical and structural items as well as with reading comprehension and writing skills. Pronunciation may be practiced via the audio files. Students entering NDP's Mandarin 3-4 or higher are required to complete the summer program.  To access our summer enrichment program, navigate to http://ndpmasummerchinese.weebly.com/

Spanish 1 and 2
9 10

In the first year of language study, the students are introduced to the basic language skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing with special emphasis placed on the aural-oral skills. This is also the year that basic grammatical structures and verb systems are taught. Also, students will become acquainted with various aspects of Hispanic culture and civilization.  Spanish 1 and 2 is really a class for the beginning language students – those with no previous
language experience. The class is conducted in Spanish.  Any student who has completed a first year language course or equivalent with a grade of "C" or better will be placed in a second year language course.

Spanish 3 and 4
9 10

In Spanish 3 and 4, the four language skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing are further developed and strengthened. Whereas in Spanish 1 and 2, listening and speaking were emphasized, in Spanish 3 and 4, a greater emphasis is placed on reading and writing. Also presented this year are additional verb tenses as well as more extensive grammatical structures. In conjunction with the textbook, students will also become acquainted with and increase their understanding of various aspects of Hispanic culture and civilization.  Basic vocabulary, grammar, and phrases are reviewed before new structures are introduced. At this level, the class is conducted in Spanish.
(PREREQUISITE: Grade of "C" in Spanish 1 and 2)

Spanish 5 and 6
10 11 12

In Spanish 5 and 6, the four language skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing are further developed and strengthened. At this level, the class is conducted entirely in Spanish, and students are expected to use their Spanish at all times. In conjunction with the textbook, students will also increase their knowledge and appreciation of Hispanic culture and civilization. Also at this level, students will be introduced to Spanish and Latin American writings and authors, using the authors' literary texts as a basis for this study. (PREREQUISITE:  Grade of "C" in Spanish 3 and 4)

Honors Spanish 7 and 8
10 11 12

In Spanish 7 and 8, proficiency in all four language skills is emphasized. The class is conducted entirely in Spanish. An overview of the culture of the Hispanic world is emphasized through the study of literature, history, art, travel, dance, and everyday activities. The selection of Hispanic readings is unedited and reflects the literary works of authors from Spain, Mexico, and Central and South America.  Students will produce their learning in a variety of formats including written reflections, research, literary criticism, theatrical productions, comprehensive and persuasive analyzations based on texts and visuals, along with everyday conversation. Grammar study is intended to provide an intense review of all aspects of the language.
(PREREQUISITE:  Grade of "C+" in Spanish 5 and 6)
(The National Spanish Exam is ENCOURAGED)

Honors Spanish 9 and 10
11 12

This course is for students who wish to continue studying Spanish in order to prepare themselves for college entrance while maintaining their spoken Spanish. The course will be a bridge between Notre Dame Prep's high school Spanish and whichever university or foreign study the student may choose. Concentration will be on conversation relating to daily life and Spanish and Latin American cultures. Emphasis will also be placed on idiomatic phrases, vocabulary, syntax, grammar review, and improved pronunciation along with improvement in reading longer works, comprehension through watching a variety of motion pictures, and cultural expression through music, dance, art, history, and literature. This course will be conducted in Spanish only.
(PREREQUISITE:  Grade of "B" in Honors Spanish 7 and 8)
(The National Spanish Exam is REQUIRED)

IB/AP Spanish 1 and 2
12

The primary objective of the IB/AP  Spanish class is to continue developing world language proficiency. The class is exclusively conducted in Spanish, and students are expected to speak Spanish at all times. Through the use of the class textbooks and supplementary literature, the students will increase their knowledge and appreciation of the Spanish culture, literature, history, and civilization. As this is a combined International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement course in Spanish, time will be spent familiarizing the students with the various sections of the IB/AP Spanish Language Examinations. (PREREQUISITE:  Grade of "B" in Honors Spanish 7 and 8 or higher)
(The College Board Advanced Placement and/or the IB Language B exam and The National
Spanish exam are REQUIRED.)
*AP testing fee required by the Advanced Placement College Board or IB testing fee required by the International Baccalaureate.

Honors Spanish Literature
11 12

This course is taught completely in Spanish and all coursework, without exception, is to be done in Spanish. Honors Spanish Literature provides students who have satisfactorily completed Spanish 7/8 Honors or higher with a learning experience equivalent to that of a college level survey of Peninsular and Latin American literature. The course introduces students to the formal study of a representative body of Peninsular and Latin American texts. Following the required reading list, students read works in chronological order from three distinct periods: Medieval and Golden Age Literature, Nineteenth Century Literature, and Twentieth Century Literature. Because the Honors Spanish Literature class approximates an introductory literature course taught at the college level, students are expected to read, write about, and discuss works using Spanish consistent with that standard.
(PREREQUISITE: Grade of "B" in Spanish 7 and 8 or higher and teacher recommendation)
(The National Spanish Exam is REQUIRED)

Mandarin Chinese 1 and 2
9 10

In the first year of language study, the students are introduced to the basic language skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing with special emphasis placed on the aural-oral skills.  This year, basic grammatical structures are taught.  Also, students will become acquainted with various aspects of Chinese culture and civilization. . Any student who has completed a first year language course or equivalent with a grade of "C" or better will be placed in a second year language course.

Mandarin Chinese 3 and 4
9 10

In the second year Chinese course, students will experience a continuation of the language and culture of Chinese speaking countries.  Students will learn to use Chinese by listening, reading, speaking, and writing in order to communicate with classmates and the teacher.  Basic vocabulary, grammar, and phrases are reviewed before new structures are introduced.  Students will continue to use basic study skills needed to continue successfully learning Chinese.  In the second year, students are expected to recognize more Chinese characters in reading without Pin Yin as well as in writing.
(PREREQUISITE:  Grade of "C" in Mandarin Chinese 1 and 2)

Mandarin Chinese 5 and 6
10 11 12

The course is designed to review and build upon previously learned concepts in grammar, vocabulary, communicative phrases.  Various genres of literature from the Chinese-speaking world are used to reinforce old concepts and introduce new ones.  The four skill areas (reading, writing, speaking, and listening) continue to play a major role in each assignment.  Students will also give one oral presentation per phase.  In conjunction with the textbooks, students will also increase their knowledge and appreciation of the Chinese culture, history, and civilization.
(PREREQUISITE:  Grade of "C" in Mandarin Chinese 3 and 4)

Honors Mandarin Chinese 7 and 8
10 11 12

In Chinese 7 and 8, the four language skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing are further developed and strengthened.  At this level students are expected to use their Chinese as much as possible.  An overview of Chinese culture is also emphasized through the study of its art and history.  Students will write papers about personal reflection, research. (PREREQUISITE: Grade of "C+" in Mandarin Chinese 5 and 6)

Honors Mandarin Chinese 9 and 10
11 12

This course is designed to consolidate all of the skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) that students have obtained in the previous courses, as well as to introduce more complex grammatical structures and idiomatic phrases. Further study of contemporary and traditional Chinese cultural elements will be carried out. Students will develop the ability to make practical use of the language in real life situations.
(PREREQUISITE: Grade of "B" in Honors Mandarin Chinese 7 and 8)

Honors Mandarin Chinese 11 and 12
12

This course is for students who wish to continue studying Chinese in order to prepare themselves for college entrance while maintaining their spoken Chinese. The course will be a bridge between Notre Dame Prep's high school Chinese and whichever university the student may choose. The four language skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing are further developed and strengthened. Students will write papers about personal reflection, research and literary criticism. Emphasis will be placed on idiomatic phrases, vocabulary, syntax, grammar review and improved pronunciation.
(PREREQUISITE: Grade of "B" in Mandarin 9 and 10)

IB/AP Chinese 1 and 2
IB/AP Chinese Language course is designed to provide students with various opportunities to further improve their proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills and the appreciation of Chinese culture, history and literature. The general flow of a unit comprises vocabulary, sentence patterns, text analysis, application of vocabulary and patterns, supplementary reading, writing assignments and tests. As this is a combined International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement in Chinese, time will be spent familiarizing the students with the various sections of the IB/AP Chinese Language Examinations.
(PREREQUISITE: Grade of “B” in Honors Chinese 7 and 8 or higher and teacher recommendation)
(The College Board Advanced Placement and/or the IB Language B exam are REQUIRED.) *AP testing fee required by the Advanced Placement College Board or IB testing fee required by the International Baccalaureate.

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