Since the dawning of the jet age the world has been shrinking. With the internet it is not uncommon for students to have internet contacts with people in other countries and a desire to know more about their lives and their culture. The World Language and Culture Program at PCSST emphasizes the history and culture of each language in addition to the reading, writing, speaking and listening skills unique to each one. Currently PCSST offers Spanish, Chinese and Turkish the last two of which are recent additions. With continued student interest it is our intention to eventually offer each of these to a third year of study. Concentration in one language is preferred by competitive colleges as opposed to taking introductory courses in several languages.
WL 07-01 COURSE: GRADE 7 SPANISH
Grade(s): 7
Description
This course is a continuation of 6th grade Spanish. It gives the students the opportunity to further their understanding of the Spanish language through listening activities, reading and writing instructions. The course also provides an understanding of the civilization, culture, and customs of Spanish-speaking countries. The course is designed for beginners and Spanish speaking students. The introduction of Spanish grammatical structure gives the students a basic understanding and the ability to use the language. This is a one Marking Period course.
WL 08-01 COURSE: GRADE 8 SPANISH
Grade(s): 8
Description
This course gives the students the opportunity to put into practice their understanding of the Spanish language through concentrated listening activities, reading and writing instructions. The course also provides a deeper understanding of the civilization, culture, and customs of Spanish-speaking countries. The course is designed for novice mid-level learners and Spanish speaking students. The usage of Spanish grammatical structure and verb conjugation gives the students the ability to use the language in a suitable manner. The students will create skits and biographies in order to master their verb use and grammar structure. This is a one Marking Period course.
WL 07-02 COURSE: GRADE 7 TURKISH
Grade(s): 7
Description
This course is a continuation of 6th grade Turkish. It is designed to improve different aspects of language and writing skills for the students. Objectives are: to improve students’ conversational skills, to provide a variety of readings for written comprehension; to develop a good grammar background; to improve listening skills; to introduce students to some examples of Turkish culture. This is a one Marking Period course.
WL 08-02 COURSE: GRADE 8 TURKISH
Grade(s): 8
Description
8th grade Turkish is a following course of 7th grade Turkish. The course is designed to improve different aspects of language and writing skills for the students. Objectives are: Most of the reading passages enhance the grammatical and topical points covered in the same or previous units, but the difficulty level of the language used in the reading passages tend to be higher than that used in other section of the same unit. Each unit has at least one listening section designed to further the students’ listening skills. Each listening section is recorded. Listening sections are important and fun ways to strengthen the students’ listening skills. This is a one Marking Period course.
Note: Successful completion of Spanish and Turkish in grades 7 and 8 is the equivalent of completion of Spanish I/Turkish I. Students will take a placement test at the end of 8th grade, and may then move into Spanish II/Turkish II in 9th grade. Student must earn a minimum of 80% on the test in order to be skipped to level 2. Students will earn 5 credits towards their World Languages requirement. PCSST policy is that students take 2 years of foreign language classes throughout their 4 years of high school regardless of credits earned for placement test. Competitive colleges expect students to take two years of the same language and prefer three years.
All incoming high school students will take an assessment in order to be placed in the appropriate language level.
WL 09-23 COURSE: SPANISH I
Credits: 5
Grade(s): 9-12
Prerequisites: None
Description
This course furthers the knowledge of students’ language skills through review of the fundamentals of Spanish structure, and by emphasizing oral reading comprehension and self-expression in communicating and writing. The course also broadens students’ knowledge of Spanish civilization, culture, and customs. The emphasis of Spanish I is on listening, speaking and understanding. Interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational skills are enhanced considering the students’ language level skills (Novice- Mid or Higher).
WL 10-23 COURSE: SPANISH II
Credits: 5
Grade(s): 9-12
Prerequisites: Students must have passed Spanish I or minimum of 80% on Placement Test or have a teacher recommendation.
Description
Spanish II continues to expand listening and speaking skills while emphasizing correct grammar, syntax, and writing of the language. The readings are designed to broaden students’ knowledge of the different countries that comprise the Spanish speaking world. The course is taught mostly in Spanish, transitioning to English when needed. By the end of Spanish II, students should be able to write cohesive paragraphs of their own design in Spanish. Interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational skills are enhanced considering the students’ language level skills (Novice, Mid/High or Higher).
WL 11-23 COURSE: SPANISH III
Credits: 5
Grade(s): 9-12
Prerequisites: Passed Spanish II or teacher recommendation.
Description
At this level students are expected to approach mastery of reading, speaking and listening skills in Spanish. The use of verbs in past and future tense will be practiced. Within the course, the students will practice writing short stories (horror stories, legends and myths, biographies, etc.). They will also read passages from different works of literature in Spanish (When I was Puerto Rican by Esmeralda Santiago), and short stories from our reading book. The students will have the opportunity to openly discuss topics covered in class in Spanish. The students will continue to explore cultural aspects of the Spanish-Speaking world. By the end of Spanish III, students should be able to comfortably read aloud their short stories in Spanish. Interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational skills are enhanced considering the students’ language level skills (Novice-High-Intermediate-Low or Higher).
WL 12-23 COURSE: SPANISH IV
Credits: 5
Grade(s): 11-12
Prerequisites: Passed Spanish III or teacher recommendation.
Description
Spanish IV will help students improve their oral and written communication skills through the continued study of the language. Literature and culture of Spain, Latin America and Hispanic communities in the United States will be explored through different topics using books, internet resources, newspapers, etc. Cultural and social topics will be discussed to expand students’ awareness and understanding of the diversity of the Spanish-speaking world. Students will be ready to continue their Spanish studies on dual-enrollment classes. Interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational skills are enhanced considering the students’ language level skills (Intermediate-Mid or Higher).
WL AP-01 COURSE: ADVANCED PLACEMENT SPANISH LANGUAGE AND CULTURE
Credits: 5
Grade(s): 11-12
Prerequisites: Final grade of a B in Spanish IV and/or a teacher recommendation.
Description
The AP Spanish Language and Culture course is for qualified students who wish to complete studies in secondary school equivalent to an introductory college course in Spanish. The Spanish Language and Culture Exam presumes at least one year of college-level preparation and students will have the opportunity to gain college credit. The AP Spanish Language and Culture course emphasizes the use of authentic materials and sources. It also give emphasis to the use of Spanish for active communication in real life tasks. Students will be able to develop their abilities in three modes of communication (Interpretive, Interpersonal, and Presentational) and they will increase their cultural awareness through theme-based instruction based on a variety of authentic resources such as: newspapers, magazines, podcasts, blogs, advertisements, television programs, films, music, video clips, and literature. Grammar and vocabulary are developed through contextualized study. AP Spanish Language and Culture course ingrate the ACTFL national standards – Communication, Culture, Connections, Comparisons, and Communities.
WL 09-24 COURSE: TURKISH I
Credits: 5
Grade(s): 9-12
Prerequisites: None
Description
Because of its long history of different dominant cultures, Turkey has a rich and varied history. Its unique language is a mixture of Latin and Arabic influences and is emerging as one of the most requested languages in modern school curricula. PCSST is located in a community enriched by a Turkish population and English only speaking students who have joined the PCSST Turkish club will find this course a great resource. This course is designed to introduce the Turkish language to beginning students, to develop oral and written skills for both comprehension and expression. Language skills to be emphasized include: understanding, reading, writing, translation, and speaking. Interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational skills are enhanced considering the students’ language level skills (Novice- Mid or Higher).
WL 10-24 COURSE: TURKISH II
Credits: 5
Grade(s): 9-12
Prerequisites: Students must have passed Turkish I or minimum of 80% on Placement Test.
Description
This course is a continuation of Turkish I. It is designed to improve different aspects of language and writing skills for the students. Objectives are: to improve students’ conversational skills, to provide a variety of readings for written comprehension; to develop a good grammar background; to improve listening skills; to introduce students to some examples of Turkish culture. Interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational skills are enhanced considering the students’ language level skills (Novice, Mid/High or Higher).
WL 11-24 COURSE: TURKISH III
Credits: 5
Grade(s): 10-12
Prerequisites: Students must have passed Turkish II or have a teacher recommendation.
Description
Turkish III is a following course of Turkish II. The course is designed to improve different aspects of language and writing skills for the students. Conversational skills are enhanced through short conversations. Reading passages enhance the grammatical points that tend to be more detailed than those given in other language textbooks. Class activities may include exercises to be practiced by the student alone or with a partner; group work, role playing, or games. Many of these activities are designed to enhance the students’ speaking and functional abilities in the language. Important information about Turkish culture will be shared with the students. Interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational skills are enhanced considering the students’ language level skills (Intermediate-Mid or Higher).
WL 12-24 COURSE: TURKISH IV
Credits: 5
Grade(s): 10-12
Prerequisites: Students must have passed Turkish III or teacher recommendation
Description
The course is designed to improve different aspects of language, reading and writing skills plus cultural literacy. The conversational skills in the target language are critical at this level. Students will be encouraged to use authentic materials from their community to enhance their conversational skills. Class activitiesmay include exercises to be practiced by the student alone or with a partner; group work, role playing, or games to be performed by two or more students. Many of these activities are designed to enhance the students’ speaking and functional abilities. It is very important for students to familiarize themselves with the Turkish cultural values expressed through the Turkish language in Turkish IV class. Interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational skills are enhanced considering the students’ language level skills (Intermediate-Mid or Higher).
WL 09-21 COURSE: CHINESE I
Credits: 5
Grade(s): 9-12
Prerequisites: None
Description
This course is an introduction to the Chinese language and culture. This course teaches pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar fundamentals in learning Mandarin Chinese. Unlike the Romance languages such as English, Spanish, French, German, etc. which are derived from the Roman alphabet, Chinese uses ciphers or symbols to represent individual words or meanings and visual learners should find it an interesting language to study. With the recent expansion of Chinese citizens in the United States and the emergence of towns which are essentially bilingual in English and Chinese, this is an opportune time to get involved with this language which includes a rich cultural heritage. This course is an introductory level class that includes specific pronunciation drills and recognition/writing of pinyin and strokes of the symbols. Interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational skills are enhanced considering the students’ language level skills (Novice- Mid or Higher).
WL 10-21 COURSE: CHINESE II
Credits: 5
Grade(s): 10-12
Prerequisites: Students must have passed Chinese I
Description
Chinese II is a continuation of Chinese I with emphasis on listening, speaking, reading and writing of simple Chinese sentences and elementary grammar. It will build vocabulary and encourage basic conversation in Chinese. This course also covers necessary culture, customs, philosophy, and history which serve as keys to studying the Chinese language. Interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational skills are enhanced considering the students’ language level skills (Novice- Mid or Higher).