WORLD LANGUAGES

Churchill High School has course offerings in three world languages: French, Spanish and Japanese. Most colleges and universities require at least two years of a world language as a prerequisite for admission. The department will guide and encourage students towards completing the Oregon Higher Education Language standards, as well as the CIM. In order to achieve the level of proficiency necessary to reach the standards, students will need to take 2-3 years of a world language. IHS students are required to take three. Language study, like music study, requires more than a short term interest in order to truly enjoy the fruits of ones study and practice. The enjoyment and benefits of world languages continue throughout a lifetime! Not to be forgotten is the important roles played by languages as the competitive edge in today’s job market.

It is highly recommended that students begin their studies in a world language by their Sophomore year. Also, because the transition from middle to high school can be challenging, some students will benefit from waiting until their Sophomore year to begin.

FRENCH I
SL 1.0 Credit
9, 10, 11, 12
Among the five most important languages in the world today, the precision and beauty of French make it the languages of diplomats and romantics! Learning French will not only give students a second language, but will help them appreciate other cultures, their own language and culture, how the brain learns language, and some of the historical context of events in the modern western world.

French I covers the fundamentals of oral and written French. Video, audio, and computer supplements to the text enrich the experience of learning the language and about Francophone cultures throughout the world. By the end of the year, students are able to communicate well enough to carry on basic conversations in French and write to a pen pal. If students are lucky enough to travel to one of the countries where French is spoken, they will discover that even one year of language study will increase the pleasure and success of their trip.

Active participation, singing songs and roleplaying, make this a fun class. Learning a second language is also easy if students make a reasonable effort and don’t fall behind.

FRENCH II
SL 1.0 Credit
9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: French I with a grade of ‘C’ or better, and instructor consent

French II completes the learning of the basic elements of French needed to use it as a means of communication. As the year progresses, students will be able to use only French in the classroom. We will continue to use music in the classroom and will study more contemporary music than in first year. Successful completion of this second year is accepted by most colleges and universities as fulfilling the requirements for one year of college level French, leading toward a BA degree.

FRENCH III
SL 1.0 Credit
9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: French II with a grade of ‘C’ or better, and instructor consent

This class will emphasize the use of French for communication. Therefore, the class will be taught almost entirely in French and students will use French in all communications. Students will complete this class with the ability to converse comfortably with a native speaker and to make themselves understood on almost any topic.

Grammar from French I and II will be reviewed and studied in greater detail. New grammatical concepts will focus on advanced verb tenses. We will do an in-depth study of at least one film in French, read selections from various French authors, and continue our study of French culture and music.

AP FRENCH IV (IB)
SL 1.0 Credit
11, 12
Prerequisite: French III with a grade of ‘C’ or better, and instructor consent

Students in this class will strive towards greater levels of linguistic fluency and sophistication in both written and oral forms. It is expected that students at this level are serious about learning to speak and use their French. We will have a comprehensive grammar review, read the works of French authors, further our study of French music, culture and film, and do at least one important independent project.

Students may wish to take the French language AP or IB test at the end of the year. This class will be combined with French III unless sufficient enrollment warrants a separate class. If the classes are combined, the French IV students will be given more independent work than if the classes were not combined. Students, therefore, need to be self-motivated and independent learners.

FRENCH FILM & MUSIC
AF .5 or 1.0 Credit
9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: French II and instructor consent

This class is designed to be fun! We will study the French language and culture via film and music from the 1940's to the present, watch films and listen to songs and discuss them, and do some oral and written exercises reinforcing the language presented in them. We will learn about the musicians, writers, actors, directors, the culture and history of France, its colonies and its influence on the world in general, and as in all French classes, there will be food days to learn about this important part of French culture.

This class is available to all students who have completed French II. It is ideal for those who wish to continue in French, but would not take French III. It is recommended as a supplement for IB students wanting extra opportunities to hear and use French.

There are 2 credit options for this class, both of which require the same attendance, participation, and work. Option 1 is for 1.0 credits as a general elective (.5 credits per semester). Option 2 is for .5 credits of foreign language credit (.25 credits per semester).

JAPANESE I
SL 1.0 Credit
9, 10, 11, 12
This course is an introductory course for students with no prior experience in Japanese, or with one year at middle school.

Japanese is a language different from English and other European languages in many ways. It has two phonetic systems like the English alphabet and also uses Kanji (Chinese characters) that expresses meaning. In this class, you will also have opportunity to learn Japanese culture through movies, songs, art projects such as Origami, letter exchanges with students in Japan and cooking projects.

You will learn the first phonetic system, Hiragana, and some Kanji. By the end of the year, you will be able to carry on basic conversation in Japanese. Topics will include greetings, self-introduction, family, animals, and asking about others. The course will also include a view of everyday life in Japan.

JAPANESE II
SL 1.0 Credit
9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: Completion of Japanese I with a ‘C’ or better, and instructor consent. Students who have studied Japanese in middle school successfully for two years can take this course. Students should be able to read and write Hiragana.

You will learn the second phonetic system, Katakana, and more Kanji. This course will emphasize oral proficiency in likes and dislikes, food, school life, talking about past events, and inviting and accepting an invitation. Contemporary Japanese culture will be integrated by exposing students to customs, rituals and foods. Students will have chances to exchange letters with students in Japan.

JAPANESE III
SL 1.0 Credit
9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: Completion of Japanese II with a ‘C’ or better, and instructor consent. Students who have studied Japanese at an immersion program successfully can take this course. Students should be able to read and write Hiragana and Katakana.

This course will emphasize oral proficiency and preparation for the Oregon State Proficiency Assessment. More Kanji will be introduced. Students are expected to communicate in Japanese in class. Topics will include daily routine, school life, hobbies, food, shopping, and giving and asking permission. A comparative perspective on Japanese culture, and how it relates to the use of language, will be our focus. Students will have chances to exchange letters with students in Japan.

JAPANESE IV
SL 1.0 Credit
10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: Completion of Japanese III with a ‘C’ or better, and instructor consent

This course will continue to cover the Oregon State Proficiency Assessment requirements. Students will learn the authentic use of language and use it for communication in the classroom. Various authentic materials and projects will be integrated into the curriculum and expand students’ knowledge beyond basic levels to more sophisticated level in speaking, listening, reading and writing.

SPANISH I
SL 1.0 Credit
9, 10, 11, 12
Spanish I, a course designed for the beginning Spanish student, whether never having studied Spanish, or having studied it for one year in middle school, emphasizes dialogue amongst students communicating greetings and salutations, schedules, time, self description, talking about others, and directions, amongst other topics. Written communication is enacted via name poems, a class yearbook, emails and short story writing and more. Culture is brought alive via presentations to class; songs are sung; and videos make new Hispanic friends real. This course introduces the fundamentals: speaking, reading, writing and listening through a study of basic grammar and verb structure, the present and the present progressive tenses, regular and irregular verb forms, and lots of useful vocabulary tied directly to real-life cultural lessons from the Southwest of the U.S., as well as, from Mexico and Spain. Creative teaching techniques make for a fun, yet challenging first year!

SPANISH II
SL 1.0 Credit
9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisites: Completion of Spanish I with a grade of ‘C’ or better, or who have studied Spanish in middle school successfully for two years

The new vocabulary and grammar introduced will help the student add to his/her comprehension, conversation and reading and writing skills. Students will continue daily oral practice in the present tense and will also learn to converse in the past. Regular reading and writing assignments will help develop these skills. Travel, eating out and popular sports are some of the everyday subjects students will study.

Students must complete the course with a grade of ‘C’ or better to go on to Spanish III.

SPANISH III
SL 1.0 Credit
9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: Students who have achieved ‘C’ grade or better their last semester of Spanish II are eligible to enroll in this class

Lessons created around themes of culture, history and short stories of the Spanish speaking world form the core of this course, which continues to expand students' knowledge beyond the basic levels to more sophisticated reading and writing skills. Considerable attention is devoted to developing conversational ability and students are expected to communicate in Spanish while in class. Students will review previously learned verb tenses and will add other tenses as well.

Students must complete the course with a grade of ‘C’ or better to go on to Spanish 4. Spanish III is not a required course. It is an advanced class and recommended only for students seriously considering becoming proficient in Spanish.

SPANISH IV
SL 1.0 Credit
11, 12
Prerequisites: Successful completion of Spanish III with a grade of ‘C’ or better, or instructor consent

This course is a challenging and exciting course that encourages students to refine their speaking, writing, listening and reading skills. By the end of the course, the dedicated student will be ready to enter Spanish V or AP Writing skills are enhanced through essay, poetry and journal writing, and listening is sharpened through dictations, interactions with other Spanish speakers and TV news reports. Students are expected to read, comprehend and discuss short stories, poetry, and plays from various sources, including the text, anthologies and Spanish-speaking newspapers. As well, they are expected to converse on a myriad of themes. Grammar study includes an in-depth review of previously-learned materials, as well as an introduction of the remainder of the tenses and grammar concepts. The course is rounded out with a lively study of several Spanish-speaking cultures and their histories through readings, discussions, guests, a field trip, a cultural project, videos and more. El español is the language of the classroom!

AP/IB SPANISH/SPANISH V
SL 1.0 Credit
11, 12
Prerequisites: Spanish IV with a grade of ‘C’ or better, and/ or instructor consent

Students in this college level class will strive towards greater levels of linguistic fluency and sophistication in both written and oral forms. It is expected that students at this level are serious about learning Spanish, therefore the class will be conducted entirely in Spanish. The class is only for those students who are serious about preparing for the AP and/or IB tests. The class will, therefore, include a comprehensive grammar review, readings of various Spanish and Latin American authors, the study of culture throughout the Spanish-speaking world, film viewings and at least two important independent projects.