World Languages
in Spanish, Chinese, Greek, French, Latin and American Sign Language.
In addition to language skills, the World Languages Department curriculum fosters cultural awareness and understanding. Our teachers foster a love of learning and support each individual student as they gain confidence in communicating.
Courses
- Auxiliary Studies
- Academic Spanish
- Honors Spanish
- Academic French
- Honors French
- Honors Mandarin Chinese
- Honors Classical Greek
- Honors Latin
- American Sign Language
Auxiliary Studies
5111A SPANISH 1 AUX
Spanish 1A introduces the student to the Spanish language and Hispanic cultures. The emphasis is on language production, i.e. speaking and writing, and on language reception, i.e. listening and reading.
Length of Course: Year
(e) UC Approved
Note: Spanish 1AUX is designed to accommodate students enrolled in ASP.
Note: Spanish 1A is designed to accommodate students enrolled in ASP. Spanish 1A and 1B must both be taken to fulfill a one year language requirement.
5123A SPANISH 2 AUX
Spanish 2 AUX strengthens and expands the student’s knowledge of the Spanish language and Hispanic cultures. The emphasis is on language production, i.e. speaking and writing, and on language reception, i.e. listening and reading.
Length of Course: Year
(e) UC Approved
Prerequisites: Completion of Spanish 1 or 1 AUX with a C or better both semesters. Not open to Freshman.
Note: Spanish 2A is designed to accommodate students enrolled in ASP.
5121A SPANISH 2B
Spanish 2B strengthens and expands the student’s knowledge of the Spanish language and Hispanic cultures. The emphasis is on language production, i.e. speaking and writing, and on language reception, i.e. listening and reading.
Length of Course: Year
(e) UC Approved
Prerequisites: Completion of Spanish 2A with a C or better both semesters.
Note: Spanish 2B is designed to accommodate students enrolled in ASP. Spanish 2A and 2B must both be taken to fulfill a one year language requirement.
Academic Spanish
5110A SPANISH 1
Spanish 1 introduces the student to the Spanish language and Hispanic cultures. The emphasis is on language production, i.e. speaking and writing, and on language reception, i.e. listening and reading.
Length of Course: Year
(e) UC Approved
5122A SPANISH 2
Spanish 2 strengthens and expands the student’s knowledge of the Spanish language and Hispanic cultures. The emphasis is on language production, i.e. speaking and writing, and on language reception, i.e. listening and reading.
Length of Course: Year
(e) UC Approved
Prerequisite: Completion of Spanish 1 with a C or better both semesters.
5131A SPANISH 3
Spanish 3 strengthens and expands the student’s knowledge of the Spanish language and Hispanic cultures. The emphasis is on language production, i.e. speaking and writing, and on language reception, i.e. listening and reading.
Length of Course: Year
(e) UC Approved
Prerequisites: Completion of Spanish 2 with a C or better both semesters.
5141A SPANISH 4
Spanish 4 strengthens and expands the student’s knowledge of the Spanish language and Hispanic cultures. The emphasis is on language production, i.e. speaking and writing, and on language reception, i.e. listening and reading. This course is conducted in Spanish only.
Length of Course: Year
(e) UC Approved
Prerequisites: Completion of Spanish 3 with B or better both semesters.
Honors Spanish
5110C SPANISH 1 HONORS
Spanish 1H introduces the student to the Spanish language and Hispanic cultures at an accelerated pace. The emphasis is on language production, i.e. speaking and writing, and on language reception, i.e. listening and reading. The course is designed for students who have studied Spanish in junior high.
Length of Course: Year
(e) UC Approved
Prerequisites: Dependent on score on the SMCHS Spanish placement exam.
Spanish 1 & 2 honors requirements
5122C SPANISH 2 HONORS
Spanish 2H strengthens and expands the student’s knowledge of the Spanish language and Hispanic cultures at an accelerated pace. The emphasis is on language production, i.e. speaking and writing, and on language reception, i.e. listening and reading. The course is designed as a continuation of Spanish 1H or for students who have studied Spanish extensively in junior high.
Length of Course: Year
(e) UC Approved
Prerequisites: There are three separate paths into Spanish 2H. First, completion of Spanish 1H with a B average both semesters. Second, completion of Spanish 1 with an A average both semesters and teacher recommendation; these students must pass an exam at the end of Spanish 1. Third, a student may be placed in 2H as a freshman, depending on their performance on the Spanish placement exam.
Spanish 1 & 2 honors requirements
5131C SPANISH 3 HONORS
Spanish 3H strengthens and expands the student’s knowledge of the Spanish language and Hispanic cultures at an accelerated pace. The emphasis is on language production, i.e. speaking and writing, and on language reception, i.e. listening and reading. This course is conducted in Spanish only.
Length of Course: Year
(e) UC Approved
Prerequisites: Completion of Spanish 2H with a B or better both semesters.
5142F SPANISH IB SL
Spanish SL IB prepares the student for the higher level IB examination in May. Students will: 1. communicate clearly and effectively, demonstrating linguistic competence; 2. use language appropriate to a range of contexts; 3. understand and use language with accuracy and fluency; 4. organize ideas in a clear, coherent and convincing manner; 5. understand, analyze and respond to a range of texts. This course is conducted in Spanish only.
Length of Course: Year
(e) UC Approved
Prerequisites: Completion of Spanish 3H with a B or better both semesters and teacher recommendation or completion of Spanish 3 with an A both semesters and teacher recommendation.
5151F SPANISH IB HL 1
Spanish HL 1 IB prepares the student for the higher level IB examination at the end of the second year of study. Students will: 1. communicate clearly and effectively, demonstrating linguistic competence; 2. use language appropriate to a range of contexts; 3. understand and use language with accuracy and fluency; 4. organize ideas in a clear, coherent and convincing manner; 5. understand, analyze and respond to a range of texts; 6. understand and use works of Spanish literature. This course is conducted in Spanish only.
Length of Course: Year
(e) UC Approved
Prerequisites: Completion of Spanish 3H with a B or better both semesters and teacher recommendation.
5152F SPANISH IB HL 2
Spanish HL 2 IB prepares the student for the higher level IB examination in May. Students will: 1. communicate clearly and effectively, demonstrating linguistic competence; 2. use language appropriate to a range of contexts; 3. understand and use language with accuracy and fluency; 4. organize ideas in a clear, coherent and convincing manner; 5. understand, analyze and respond to a range of texts; 6. understand and use works of Spanish literature. This course is conducted in Spanish only.
Length of Course: Year
(e) UC Approved
Prerequisites: Completion of Spanish HL 1 IB with a B or better both semesters and teacher recommendation.
5142E AP SPANISH LANGUAGE
AP Spanish Language prepares the student for the AP examination in May. Students will: 1. understand Spanish spoken by native speakers in both informal and formal contexts; 2. develop an active vocabulary sufficient for reading in Spanish without dependence on a dictionary; 3. express themselves in Spanish, both orally and in writing, with reasonable fluency, adjusting for the particular audience and context. This course is conducted in Spanish only.
Length of Course: Year
(e) UC Approved
Prerequisites: Completion of Spanish 3H, SL IB, or HL 1 IB with a B or better both semesters and teacher recommendation.
Note: Students enrolled in this course are required to take the corresponding AP exam.
Academic French
5210A FRENCH 1
French 1 introduces the student to the French language and culture. The emphasis is on language production, i.e. speaking and writing, and on language reception, i.e. listening and reading.
Length of Course: Year
(e) UC Approved
5220A FRENCH 2
French 2 strengthens and expands the student’s knowledge of the French language and culture. The emphasis is on language production, i.e. speaking and writing, and on language reception, i.e. listening and reading.
Length of Course: Year
(e) UC Approved
Prerequisites: Completion of French 1 with a C or better both semesters.
5230A FRENCH 3
French 3 strengthens and expands the student’s knowledge of the French language and culture. The emphasis is on language production, i.e. speaking and writing, and on language reception, i.e. listening and reading.
Length of Course: Year
(e) UC Approved
Prerequisites: Completion of French 2 with a C or better both semesters.
5240A FRENCH 4
French 4 strengthens and expands the student’s knowledge of the French language and culture. The emphasis is on language production, i.e. speaking and writing, and on language reception, i.e. listening and reading. This course is conducted in French only.
Length of Course: Year
(e) UC Approved
Prerequisites: Completion of French 3 with a B or better both semesters.
Honors French
5210C FRENCH 1 HONORS
French 1H introduces the student to the French language and culture at an accelerated pace. The emphasis is on language production, i.e. speaking and writing, and on language reception, i.e. listening and reading.
Length of Course: Year
(e) UC Approved
Prerequisites: Placement in French 1 Honors is dependent upon the student’s HSPT scores.
5220C FRENCH 2 HONORS
French 2H strengthens and expands the student’s knowledge of the French language and culture at an accelerated pace. The emphasis is on language production, i.e. speaking and writing, and on language reception, i.e. listening and reading.
Length of Course: Year
(e) UC Approved
Prerequisites: Completion of French 1H with a B or better both semesters.
5230C FRENCH 3 HONORS
French 3H strengthens and expands the student’s knowledge of the French language and culture at an accelerated pace. The emphasis is on language production, i.e. speaking and writing, and on language reception, i.e. listening and reading. This course is conducted in French only.
Length of Course: Year
(e) UC Approved
Prerequisites: Completion of French 2H with a B or better both semesters.
5242F FRENCH IB HL 1
French HL 1 IB prepares the student for the higher level IB examination at the end of the second year of study. Students will: 1. communicate clearly and effectively, demonstrating linguistic competence; 2. use language appropriate to a range of contexts; 3. understand and use language with accuracy and fluency; 4. organize ideas in a clear, coherent and convincing manner; 5. understand, analyze and respond to a range of texts; 6. understand and use works of French literature. This course is conducted in French only.
Length of Course: Year
(e) UC Approved
Prerequisites: Completion of French 3H with an A or better both semesters and teacher recommendation.
5250C FRENCH 5 H
This course is a continuation of French 3 Honors or French SL IB. It is designed to provide advanced students with the guidance to continue discovering, learning and using the language in meaningful, creative and engaging contexts. This course will enrich students' cultural awareness and global understanding.
Length of Course: Year
(e) UC Approved
Prerequisites: Completion of French 3 Honors with an A both semesters and teacher recommendation or French SL IB with a B or higher both semesters and teacher recommendation.
5244E AP FRENCH
The AP French Language and Culture course emphasizes communication (understanding and being understood by others) by applying interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational skills in real-life situations. This includes vocabulary usage, language control, communication strategies, and cultural awareness. To best facilitate the study of language and culture, the course is taught almost exclusively in French. The AP French Language and Culture course engages students in an exploration of culture in both contemporary and historical contexts. The course develops students’ awareness and appreciation of cultural products (e.g., tools, books, music, laws, conventions, institutions); practices (patterns of social interactions within a culture); and perspectives (values, attitudes, and assumptions.).
Length of Course: Year
(e) UC Approved
Prerequisites: Completion of French 3H, French IB SL, of French IB HL1 with a B or better both semesters and teacher recommendation.
Note: Students enrolled in this course are required to take the corresponding AP exam.
5241F FRENCH IB SL
French SL IB prepares the student for the higher level IB examination in May. Students will: 1. communicate clearly and effectively, demonstrating linguistic competence; 2. use language appropriate to a range of contexts; 3. understand and use language with accuracy and fluency; 4. organize ideas in a clear, coherent and convincing manner; 5. understand, analyze and respond to a range of texts. This course is conducted in French only.
Length of Course: Year
(e) UC Approved
Prerequisites: Completion of French 3H with an B or better both semesters and teacher recommendation. ]
Note: Students enrolled in this course are required to take the corresponding IB exam.
5243F FRENCH IB HL 2
This is the second year of French HL. This course is designed for students who have a high level of competence in speaking, listening, reading, and writing the language. It emphasizes the study of literature at a higher level and demands critical thinking. This course is conducted in French only.
Length of Course: Year
(e) UC Approved
Prerequisites: Completion of French HL1 IB with a B or better both semesters and teacher recommendation.
Note: Students enrolled in this course are required to take the corresponding IB exam.
Honors Mandarin Chinese
5560C MANDARIN CHINESE 1 HONORS
Chinese 1H introduces the student to the Chinese language and culture at an accelerated pace. The emphasis is on language production, i.e. speaking and writing, and on language reception, i.e. listening and reading. Students will learn pin yin (phonetic Chinese) and simplified characters.
Length of Course: Year
(e) UC Approved
Prerequisite: Placement in Mandarin Chinese 1 Honors is dependent upon student’s HSPT scores.
5561C MANDARIN CHINESE 2 HONORS
Chinese 2H strengthens and expands the student’s knowledge of the Chinese language and culture at an accelerated pace. The emphasis is on language production, i.e. speaking and writing, and on language reception, i.e. listening and reading.
Length of Course: Year (e) UC Approved
Prerequisite: Completion of Chinese 1H with a B or better both semesters, or a grade of B or higher on the Chinese 2H placement test.
5562C MANDARIN CHINESE 3 HONORS
Chinese 3H strengthens and expands the student’s knowledge of the Chinese language and culture at an accelerated pace. The emphasis is on language production, i.e. speaking and writing, and on language reception, i.e. listening and reading.
Length of Course: Year
(e) UC Approved
Prerequisite: Completion of Chinese 2H with a B or better both semesters, or a grade of B or higher on the Chinese 3H placement test.
5566F MANDARIN CHINESE IB SL
Mandarin Chinese SL IB prepares the student for the higher level IB examination in May. Students will: 1. communicate clearly and effectively, demonstrating linguistic competence; 2. use language appropriate to a range of contexts; 3. understand and use language with accuracy and fluency; 4. organize ideas in a clear, coherent and convincing manner; 5. understand, analyze and respond to a range of texts. This course is conducted in Chinese only.
Length of Course: Year (e) UC Approved
Prerequisite: Completion of Chinese 3H with a B or better both semesters and teacher recommendation.
Honors Classical Greek
5410C ANCIENT GREEK 1 HONORS
Ancient Greek 1H introduces the student to the Attic Greek language and Greek culture, history, and philosophy at an accelerated pace. The focus is on sight translation and reading comprehension.
Length of Course: Year
(e) UC Approved
5420C ANCIENT GREEK 2 HONORS
Ancient Greek 2H strengthens and expands the student’s knowledge of the Attic Greek language and Greek culture, history, and philosophy at an accelerated pace. The focus is on sight translation and reading comprehension.
Length of Course: Year
(e) UC Approved
Prerequisites: Completion of Ancient Greek 1H with a B or better both semesters.
5430C ANCIENT GREEK 3 HONORS
5431F CLASSICAL GREEK IB SL
Greek 3H/IB SL prepares the student for the standard level IB examination in May. Students will focus their study on the works of the prescribed author Xenophon (Anabasis). Students will also study the prescribed topics of Epic and Historiography in the works of Homer (Iliad) and Herodotus (Histories).
Length of Course: Year
(e) UC Approved
Prerequisites: Completion of Ancient Greek 2H with a B or better both semesters and teacher recommendation.
Note: Students enrolled in Greek SL IB are required to take the corresponding exam.
Honors Latin
5310C LATIN 1 HONORS
Latin 1H introduces the student to the Latin language and Roman culture, history, and philosophy at an accelerated pace. The emphasis is on sight translation and reading comprehension.
Length of Course: Year
(e) UC Approved
Prerequisite: Placement in Latin 1 Honors is dependent upon student’s HSPT scores.
5320C LATIN 2 HONORS
Latin 2H strengthens and expands the student’s knowledge of the Latin language and Roman culture, history, and philosophy at an accelerated pace. The emphasis is on sight translation and reading comprehension.
Length of Course: Year
(e) UC Approved
Prerequisites: Completion of Latin 1H with a B or better both semesters.
5330C LATIN 3 HONORS
Latin 3H surveys various Latin poetry from the 1st century B.C. Students will focus on the material less as a language (mastery of fundamentals is assumed), and more as literature. Special attention will be paid to the various meters employed as well as the use of various stylistic and rhetorical approaches. Students will focus their study on the works of the authors Catullus (Carmina) Propertius (Elegies), Tibullus (Elegies), and Ovid (Metamorphoses).
Length of Course: Year
(e) UC Approved
Prerequisites: Completion of Latin 2H with a B or better both semesters.
5341F LATIN IB HL 1
Latin HL 1 IB prepares the student for the higher level IB examination in the second year of study. Students will focus their study on the works of the prescribed author Ovid (Metamorphoses). Students will also study the prescribed topics of Elegiac and Lyric Poetry and Roman Epic in the works of Catullus (Carmina), Propertius (Elegies), Tibullus (Elegies) and Vergil (Aeneid and Georgics).
Length of Course: Year
(e) UC Approved
Prerequisites: Completion of Latin 2H with a B or better both semesters and teacher recommendation.
Note: Students enrolled in this course are required to take the corresponding IB exam after completing Latin HL 2
5340F LATIN IB SL
Latin SL IB prepares the student for the standard level IB examination in May. Students will focus their study on the works of the prescribed author Ovid (Metamorphoses). Students will also study the prescribed topics of Love Poetry and Vergil in the works of Catullus (Carmina), Propertius (Elegies), and Vergil (Aeneid).
Length of Course: Year
(e) UC Approved
Prerequisites: Completion of Latin 3H with a B or better both semesters.
Note: Students enrolled in this course are required to take the corresponding IB exam.
5342F LATIN IB HL 2
Latin HL 2 IB prepares the student for the higher level IB examination in May. Students will focus their study on the works of the prescribed author Ovid (Metamorphoses). Students will also study the prescribed topics of Elegiac and Lyric Poetry and Roman Epic in the works of Catullus (Carmina), Propertius (Elegies), Tibullus (Elegies) and Vergil (Aeneid and Georgics).
Length of Course: Year
(e) UC Approved
Prerequisites: Completion of Latin IB HL 1 with a B or better both semesters.
Note: Students enrolled in this course are required to take the corresponding IB exam.
American Sign Language
5610A AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE 1
Students are introduced to the basic knowledge of American Sign Language (ASL) and the Deaf culture. Students develop basic skills in vocabulary and grammar to meet basic communication needs. Emphasis is placed on acquisition of both comprehension and expressive skills via signing in front of their class, with a partner, in a small group and in large group participation.
Length of Course: Year
(f) UC Approval Pending
5620A AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE 2
ASL 2 students continue to develop vocabulary and grammar skills in order to meet communication needs. Deaf culture and community are further emphasized. Participation in real world communication is encouraged through opportunities such as ASL club and Deaf community events.
Length of Course: Year
(f) UC Approval Pending
Prerequisite: Completion of American Sign Language 1 with a grade of “C” or higher
5630A AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE 3
ASL 3 students continue to improve their reception and production skills. This advanced level emphasizes Deaf culture, grammar, vocabulary and the ability to express abstract ideas and concepts. Students are required to sign narratives, prayers, songs and poetry.
Length of Course: Year
(f) UC Approval Pending
Prerequisite: Completion of American Sign Language 2 with a grade of “C” or higher.
5640A AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE 4
ASL 4 students continue to build upon the topics and vocabulary and grammar introduced in ASL 1, 2, and 3. Students use complex grammatical attributes, share narratives and learn about Deaf culture. ASL interpreting is introduced and students will further develop conversational competence.
Length of Course: Year
(f) UC Approval Pending
Prerequisite: Completion of American Sign Language 3 with a grade of “B” or higher.
Faculty & Staff
World Languages
Thomas Gerlach
2021 Summer Assignments
2021 summer assignments will be available soon.