Pre-AP Spanish I, Pre-AP French I
1 unit             2 semesters

The beginning level course in each language presents basic linguistic concepts and communicative strategies that are necessary for meaningful communication at a very basic level.  Listening and speaking skills for every day situations are stressed.  The development of reading and writing skills is introduced, as well as the study of the formal structure of language.  Authentic material is presented in a variety of ways to help students place communication within a cultural context.  Most of the initial learning in Russian is oral because of the need to learn the Cyrillic alphabet.  Transition into writing and reading is therefore slower than in Spanish, French or German 

AP Spanish for Heritage Speakers
1 unit             2 semesters

This course is offered for those students who speak Spanish at home (heritage speakers) who would like to become fully literate in Spanish.  Students will develop expertise in Hispanic culture and improve literacy in standard Spanish. The emphasis on reading and writing will allow students to compete successfully at the college level and communicate professionally in the business world. Students may undertake a second year of this course, or may be recommended for AP Spanish IV.

Pre-AP Spanish II, Pre-AP French II
1 unit              2 semesters

The linguistic concepts, communicative strategies, and language structures that were introduced in level one are built upon and extended through new vocabulary and more complex grammatical structures.  Students begin to be more flexible in combining what they have learned and thus can be more personal in their communication.  They read authentic children’s literature in Spanish and French and contrived readings in Russian.  Russian structures are more complex initially than Spanish and French and so authentic Russian literature is introduced slowly. Cultural understanding in all language classes is stressed through encouraging student curiosity, stimulating their analysis of similarities and differences, and helping them learn to hypothesize.  

Pre-AP Spanish III, & Pre-AP French III, 
1 unit              2 semesters

The third level courses continue to reach for the 5 goals of the national standards for foreign language learning – communication, culture, connections, comparisons and communities.  Themes from levels 1 and 2 are revisited but in greater depth as students expand their vocabulary, grammar and cultural understanding.  Most basic grammatical concepts have been introduced by the end of level 3.  Reading authentic materials continues as do role-plays and oral presentations.  Essay-writing skills are stressed. 

AP French Language (IV), AP Spanish Language (IV)
1 unit              2 semesters

The A.P. Language course is taught as basically equivalent to a 4^th or 5^th semester college language course. All instruction and class participation is strictly in the target language.  Students use college textbooks to hone all of their writing, reading, speaking and listening skills. Some new grammar points are learned and all grammar is reviewed extensively. Vocabulary acquisition is stressed and with that vocabulary we discuss contemporary issues in French-speaking, Spanish-speaking and German-speaking cultures and countries and compare them to those issues in the United States. Students write essays to practice for the A.P. exam, and do practice recordings to prepare them for the speaking section of the exam.  

French V & AP Spanish Literature
1 unit              2 semesters        

French V and Spanish V continue the work of the college-level French IV and Spanish IV classes, using college textbooks and increasing their reading of works in the target language and analysis of those works. While not specifically designed to be AP Literature courses, students may choose to supplement classroom work with intensive outside work in preparation for taking the AP Literature exam in the spring.

For more information, contact Department Chair Michael Kraus.