World Language Program of Studies
Since the dawn of the jet age, the world has been shrinking. With the internet, it is not uncommon for students to have contact with people in other countries and to have a desire to learn more about their lives and cultures. 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, Arabic, and Turkish. Concentration in a single language is preferred by competitive colleges rather than taking introductory courses in several languages.
8 WL 1 COURSE: GRADE 8 SPANISH
Grade(s): 8
Prerequisite: None
Description
This course gives students the opportunity to put their understanding of Spanish into practice through focused 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 and mid-level learners, as well as Spanish-speaking students. The use of Spanish grammatical structures and verb conjugation enables students to use the language appropriately. The students will create skits and biographies in order to master their verb use and grammar structure. This is a one Marking Period course.
8 WL 2 COURSE: GRADE 8 TURKISH
Grade(s): 8
Prerequisite: None
Description
8th-grade Turkish is the 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 tends to be higher than that used in other sections 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. Students must earn at least 80% on the test 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 tests. 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 to determine their appropriate language level.
WL 601 COURSE: SPANISH I
Credits: 6
Grade(s): 9-12
Prerequisites: None
Description
This course further develops students’ language skills through a review of the fundamentals of Spanish structure and by emphasizing oral reading comprehension and self-expression in communication 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, given the students’ language level (Novice-Mid or Higher).
WL 602 COURSE: SPANISH II
Credits: 6
Grade(s): 9-12
Prerequisites: Students must have passed Spanish I, have a minimum score of 80% on the Placement Test, or have a teacher recommendation.
Description
Spanish II continues to expand listening and speaking skills while emphasizing correct grammar, syntax, and writing in Spanish. 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 in Spanish of their own design. Interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational skills are enhanced based on students’ language proficiency (Novice, Mid/High, or Higher).
WL 603 COURSE: SPANISH III
Credits: 6
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 the 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 read their short stories aloud in Spanish with confidence. Interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational skills are enhanced based on students’ language proficiency (Novice-High, Intermediate, Low, or Higher).
WL 604 COURSE: SPANISH IV
Credits: 6
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. The literature and culture of Spain, Latin America, and Hispanic communities in the United States will be explored through various topics, using books, online resources, newspapers, etc. Cultural and social topics will be discussed to expand students’ awareness and understanding of the diversity of the Spanish-speaking world. By the end of Spanish IV, students will be ready to continue their Spanish studies at a college level. Interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational skills are enhanced considering the students’ language level skills (Intermediate-Mid or Higher). Students taking his course have the opportunity to earn college credit through Project Acceleration with Seton Hall University.
WL 501 COURSE: ADVANCED PLACEMENT SPANISH LANGUAGE AND CULTURE
Credits: 6
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 secondary school studies 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 emphasizes 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. The AP Spanish Language and Culture course integrates the ACTFL national standards – Communication, Culture, Connections, Comparisons, and Communities.
WL 605 COURSE: TURKISH I
Credits: 6
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, influenced by Latin and Arabic, is emerging as one of the most requested 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 and 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, given the students’ language level (Novice-Mid or Higher).
WL 606 COURSE: TURKISH II
Credits: 6
Grade(s): 9-12
Prerequisites: Students must have passed Turkish I or a minimum of 80% on the 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 strong grammar foundation; to improve listening skills; and to introduce students to examples of Turkish culture. Interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational skills are enhanced considering the students’ language level skills (Novice, Mid/High or Higher).
WL 607 COURSE: TURKISH III
Credits: 6
Grade(s): 10-12
Prerequisites: Students must have passed Turkish II or have a teacher recommendation.
Description
Turkish III is the 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 alone or with a partner, as well as group work, role-playing, or games. Many of these activities are designed to enhance students’ speaking and functional language abilities. 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 608 COURSE: TURKISH IV
Credits: 6
Grade(s): 10-12
Prerequisites: Students must have passed Turkish III or teacher recommendation
Description
The course is designed to improve language, reading, and writing skills, as well as cultural literacy. 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 activities may include exercises to be practiced by the student alone or with a partner, or group work, role-playing, or games 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 the Turkish IV class. Interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational skills are enhanced considering the students’ language level skills (Intermediate-Mid or Higher).
WL 611 COURSE: ARABIC I
Credits: 6
Grade(s): 9-12
Prerequisites: None
Description: This course introduces the fundamental elements of modern standard Arabic within the cultural context of Arabic-speaking peoples. Emphasis is placed on developing basic listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Upon completion, students should be able to comprehend and respond with grammatical accuracy in both spoken and written Arabic and demonstrate cultural awareness. Upon completion of this course, successful students will be able to emphasize the pronunciation of basic everyday vocabulary and simple grammar through conversation and drills based on a situational approach.
WL 612 COURSE: ARABIC II
Credits: 6
Grade(s): 9-12
Prerequisites: Students must have passed Arabic I
Description: This course is a continuation of Arabic 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 strong grammar foundation, to improve listening skills, and to introduce students to examples of Arabic culture. Interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational skills are enhanced in light of students’ language proficiency.