World Languages

FRENCH, LATIN, SPANISH, ARABIC

Students are offered: six (6) years of French, Latin, and Spanish beginning in Grade 7. Ninth grade students who have successfully completed level IB of a language at the Middle School may elect the second year of that language or begin another language. Ninth grade students who have successfully completed level IB/II at the middle school may elect the third year of that language or begin another language.

Honors students are expected to be highly and independently motivated in order to excel in all areas of learning the target language. The expectations for the College Prep level are similar, but include more explanation and practice in each area of language learning as needed. Both levels accommodate students’ various abilities and learning styles and encourage all students to reach their highest potential within each course of language study. Depending on student enrollments, levels may be combined and taught within the same class.

Because the acquisition of world languages is a cumulative process, certain benchmarks must be attained in order to continue in a sequential course. In order to proceed to the next course in the sequence, students must obtain a final grade of C- or higher. Students receiving a grade in the D range at the end of the year will receive credit for the year. While still considered passing, a grade in the D range still requires serious remediation. Students in this situation may retake the course for greater understanding. If the student receives a B- or higher the second time, the student will receive another year of credit toward graduation.

As college entrance requirements vary, so may the number of years a student will elect to study a world language. However, most colleges require that a student successfully complete at least two years of any one language in high school. Students who demonstrate the ability and interest are encouraged to take four, five or six years of a language.

All students in the Arabic, French, and Spanish programs at Norwell High School have the opportunity to enhance their oral and aural language skills using the language lab. The use of the language lab is an integral part of teaching and learning and supports the district’s educational goals.

The table below outlines the pathways of world language study that students may pursue. While the chart represents the typical flow of language study for students, individual exceptions may apply. Students interested in moving from one pathway to another should discuss this option with their world language teacher.

GRADE	PATHWAY 1	PATHWAY 2
6	Introduction to World Language	Introduction to World Language
7	Level I	Level I
8	Level I (Mastery and Continuation)	Level I (Mastery and Continuation) AND Level II
9	Level II	Level III
10	Level III	Level IV
11	Level IV World Culture through Film	Level V or AP (Latin)/SUPA (French, Spanish) World Culture through Film
12	Level V or AP (Latin)/SUPA (French, Spanish) World Culture through Film	Level VI (French, Spanish, Latin Honors) Or AP (French, Spanish)/SUPA (Latin) World Language through Film

World Culture through Film

World Culture through Film, 2.5 cr.
-Honors
-College Prep

This semester course is intended to be taken by students who have fulfilled the NHS World Language requirement and are interested in broadening their cultural perspectives and understanding. Through the study of international film, students will examine and expand their knowledge of the products, viewpoints, and practices of the world. As students deepen their understanding of other cultures through class discussions, presentations and projects, they will also consider how these cultures have influenced our own society, and what, if any, impact this has on their lives today. Films for this course will feature works from Africa, Europe, and North and South America.

French Courses

French I, 5.00 cr.
710 – honors

This course is an introduction to the French language and culture with emphasis on developing the listening, speaking, reading and writing skills required for comprehension and communication in everyday situations. Students are introduced to French-speaking peoples and their cultures through the use of authentic materials and supportive technology. Based on a functional study of grammar, the program teaches students to read and write what they hear and speak.

French I, 5.00 cr.
712 – college prep

This is similar in description to the Honors level but is designed to accommodate different learning styles, allowing for more practice in each area of language learning as needed.

French II, 5.00 cr.
720 – honors
722 – college prep

This course, offered to students who have successfully completed French I, is designed to further develop skills in reading, writing, listening and speaking. They will regularly communicate in French about present, past, and future events in their lives. Purposeful and original expression reinforcing vocabulary and grammatical concepts is encouraged through writing and communicative activities such as skits, role-playing, storytelling and “show and tell.” Dictations and weekly work in the language laboratory strengthen speaking and listening comprehension skills. French culture is presented through authentic material whenever possible. Students will present at least one oral presentation each quarter.

The college prep course is similar in description to the honors course but is designed to accommodate different learning styles, allowing for more practice in each area of language learning as needed.

French III, 5.00 cr.
730 – honors
732 – college prep

The goals of this course are to build French vocabulary, develop confidence and accuracy in speaking, improve writing skills, and improve listening and reading comprehension. French is used primarily at this level. More complex grammatical structures are presented in a variety of formats. They are constantly reinforced and students are expected to use them appropriately in speaking and writing. Students become familiar with writing and speaking rubrics. Writing skills are refined through directed and original composition work that students submit and re-write each week, adhering to the expectations indicated on the writing rubric. An appreciation for the French-speaking world is encouraged through the discussion of customs and cultural events. The integration of language skills and cultural knowledge is expected and demonstrated through quarterly projects which are presented orally using technology.

The college prep course is similar in description to the honors course but is designed to accommodate different learning styles, allowing for more practice in each area of language learning as needed.

French IV, 5.00 cr.
740 – honors

This course is designed for motivated students who have successfully completed French III and choose to continue with the study of French language and culture. Most communication is in French. The program gives students the opportunity to review, expand, and strengthen grammatical concepts. Advanced composition work is expected. Presentations, quarterly projects, and weekly work using authentic sources and technology all serve to strengthen listening and speaking skills.

French IV, 5.00 cr.
642 – college prep

This course is for students who have completed French 3CP and are dedicated to continue learning the language and about the cultures of the French speaking countries. Students will learn to consider and understand different cultural perspectives, and how literature, music, movies and traditions can teach about the culture of a people, can impact our thinking, and contribute to creating our cultural perspective towards people, history and current events. Students will continue learning French vocabulary through a communicative approach to enable them to understand and make connections.

French V, 5.00 cr.
752 – college prep

This course is designed for motivated students who have successfully completed French IV and choose to continue with the study of the language and culture. All communication is in French. The program gives students the opportunity to review and strengthen grammatical concepts. Advanced composition work is expected. Presentations, quarterly projects, and weekly work using authentic sources and technology all serve to strengthen listening and speaking skills.

French V, 5.00 cr.
750 – honors
751 – SUPA

This is an advanced level course designed for self-motivated students who have successfully completed French IV. This class is a proficiency-based, communicative focused course that reviews understanding of the formal structures of the language, refines previously acquired linguistic skills and builds cultural awareness through communication and analysis of authentic cultural and literary texts. Daily practice with the online website component is required. Learning to communicate in a second language is a social experience, therefore students are expected to participate actively in every class. The class is conducted entirely in French.

Juniors enrolled in this course have the option during the first semester to enroll in Syracuse University’s FR 201 course and earn four (4) college credits through Syracuse University. The cost to the student is $115 per credit ($460 for the two-semester course). Students opting to take the course for Syracuse credit will have their grade weighted as an AP class.

Advanced Placement French, 5.00 cr.
755

There is a college board exam fee associated with this course.

The Advanced Placement French Language curriculum follows the AP standard as established by the College Board. It is for NHS Seniors and is a challenging course, equivalent to a third-year college course. The class provides self-motivated students a college experience in advanced language study. This course is very demanding in the amount and variety of material covered. To be accepted into the AP program in the senior year, students must have earned a grade of B+ or better in French V Honors or French V SUPA. Students who take this course must accept the challenge of very demanding work all year and are expected to take the AP exam in May as the appropriate conclusion to their efforts. Those students who choose to forgo the exam may take this course for honors credit.

French VI, 5.00 cr.
760 - honors

French VI Honors mirrors the syllabus created for Advanced Placement French Language, including the completion of summer work. Assessments are differentiated to appropriately instruct and fairly evaluate students’ progress at the honors level. While the curricula for the two courses are aligned, French VI Honors emphasizes independent projects that are presented orally in class rather than focusing on the Advanced Placement exam. These projects are designed for students to research, analyze, and discuss a variety of cultural topics.

Latin Courses

Latin I, 5.00 cr.
510 – honors
512 – college prep

This course introduces students to the Latin language and culture. Through a variety of cooperative and teacher-directed activities, students learn the basics of Latin grammar. Using the Cambridge Series, they study Roman civilization through a family’s adventures in Pompeii, Egypt, and Britain during the first century CE. Vocabulary and derivations are taught.

The CP course shares content with the Honors course, but students translate shorter passages, both for homework and on exams.

Latin II, 5.00 cr.
520 – honors
522 – college prep

This course is offered to students who have successfully completed Latin I. Students continue, in the Cambridge Series, to learn grammar, vocabulary and the history and culture of the Early Roman Empire. Students then transition into reading authentic Latin literature in the second half of the year.

The CP course shares content with the Honors course, but students translate shorter passages, both for homework and on exams.

Latin III, 5.00 cr.
530 – honors
532 – college prep

This course is offered to students who have successfully completed Latin II. Students continue reading authentic Latin literature including excerpts from Livy, Cicero’s Catilinarian Orations, Caesar, and Ovid.

The CP course shares content with the Honors course, but students translate shorter passages, both for homework and on exams.

Latin IV, 5.00 cr.
540 – honors

This course is offered to students who have successfully completed Latin III. The course syllabus includes selected poems of Catullus, Horace, and Ovid. There is extensive literary analysis and translation.

Latin IV, 5.00 cr.
542 – college prep

Latin IV CP is offered to students who have successfully completed Latin III. This course shares content with the honors class in reading selected poems of Catullus, Horace, and Ovid. Latin IV CP does most of the work of the Latin IV honors program, but students are not responsible for translating all poems.

Advanced Placement Latin, Caesar/Vergil, 5.00 cr.
555
There is a college board exam fee associated with this course.

The course is offered to students who have successfully completed Latin IV. The course follows the Advanced Placement Vergil/Caesar syllabus, which includes selections from Vergil’s Aeneid, and Caesar’s Gallic War, two of the most significant works of world literature. There is extensive literary analysis, translation, and study of the historical background of the time period. Students are expected to take the AP exam in May.

Latin V, 5.00 cr.
552 – college prep

This course is offered to students who have successfully completed Latin IV. The course shares content with the Advanced Placement and honors classes in reading selections of Vergil and Caesar. While significant amounts of Vergil and Caesar are required to be read in the original Latin, the amount required is less for students taking the course at the college prep level.

Latin V, 5.00 cr.
550 – honors

This course is offered to students who have successfully completed Latin IV. The course shares content with the Advanced Placement class in reading selections of Vergil and Caesar. Fewer translations are required for students taking the course for honors credit.

Latin VI,
5.00 cr.
560 – honors

This course is designed for self-motivated students who have successfully completed Latin V. Students are responsible for slightly less Latin than in the SUPA level. In a seminar style course, students will continue to pursue their understanding of Latin grammar and syntax through daily translation assignments. Students will explore the theme of love in the poetry of Catullus, Ovid, and Vergil, as well as the prose of Cicero and Apuleius. Students will be expected to complete a capstone project of their choice, with approval from the teacher. Students have the opportunity to pursue more independent study in Latin during the fourth term.

Latin VI, 5.00 cr.
565 – SUPA

This is an advanced level course designed for self-motivated students who have successfully completed Latin V. In a seminar style course, students will continue to pursue their understanding of Latin grammar and syntax through daily translation assignments. Students will explore the theme of love in the poetry of Catullus, Ovid, and Vergil, as well as the prose of Cicero and Apuleius. Students will be expected to complete a capstone project of their choice, with approval from the teacher. Students have the opportunity to pursue more independent study in Latin during the fourth term.

The SUPA Level course is offered during the first semester of the school year. Students enrolled in this course during the first semester must enroll in Syracuse University’s Latin 320 and will earn 3 college credits through Syracuse University. The cost to the student is $115 per credit ($345 for the semester course). Students opting to take the course for Syracuse credit will have their grade weighted as an AP class.

Spanish Courses

Spanish I, 5.00 cr.
610 – honors

This course is an introduction to the Spanish language and culture with emphasis on developing the listening, speaking, reading and writing skills required for comprehension and communication in everyday situations. Students are introduced to Spanish-speaking people and their cultures through the use of authentic materials and supportive technology. Based on a functional study of grammar, the program teaches students to read and write what they hear and speak.

Spanish I, 5.00 cr.
612 – college prep

This course is similar in description to the Honors level but is designed to accommodate different learning styles, allowing for more practice in each area of language learning as needed.

Spanish II, 5.00 cr.
620 – honors

This course, offered to students who have completed Spanish I, is designed to further develop their skills in reading, writing, listening and speaking Spanish. Students will regularly communicate in Spanish with others about present, past and future events in their lives. Purposeful and original expression that reinforces vocabulary and grammatical structures is encouraged through writing and communicative activities such as skits, role-playing, storytelling and “show and tell.” Hispanic culture is presented through authentic material whenever possible. Students will present at least one oral presentation each quarter.

Spanish II, 5.00 cr.
622 – college prep

This course is similar in description to the Honors level but is designed to accommodate different learning styles, allowing for more practice in each area of language learning as needed.

Spanish III, 5.00 cr.
630 – honors

This course is designed to build Spanish vocabulary, develop confidence and accuracy in speaking, improve writing skills, and improve listening and reading comprehension. Spanish is used primarily at this level. More complex grammatical structures are presented in a variety of formats. They are constantly reinforced and students are expected to use them appropriately in speaking and writing. An appreciation for the Spanish-speaking world is encouraged through the discussion of customs and cultural events. The integration of language skills and cultural knowledge is expected and demonstrated through quarterly projects which are presented orally.

Spanish III, 5.00 cr.
632 – college prep

This course is similar in description to the Honors level but is designed to accommodate different learning styles, allowing for more practice in each area of language learning as needed.

Spanish IV, 5.00 cr.
640 – honors

This course is designed for motivated students who have successfully completed Spanish III and choose to continue with the study of the language and culture. All communication is in Spanish. The program gives students the opportunity to review, expand, and strengthen grammatical concepts. Advanced composition work is expected. Presentations, quarterly projects, and weekly work using authentic sources and technology all serve to strengthen listening, reading, and speaking skills.

Spanish IV, 5.00 cr.
642 – college prep

This course is similar to the Honors level course, but is designed to accommodate different learning styles, allowing for more practice in each area of language learning as needed.

Spanish V, 5.00 cr.
650 – honors
651 – SUPA

This is an advanced level course designed for self-motivated students who have successfully completed Spanish 4. This class is a proficiency-based, communicative Spanish 4 course that reviews understanding of the formal structures of the language, refines previously acquired linguistic skills and builds cultural awareness through communication and analysis of authentic cultural and literary texts. Daily practice with the online website component is required. Learning to communicate in a second language is a social experience. Therefore, students are expected to participate actively in every class. The class is conducted entirely in Spanish.

Students enrolled in this course have the option during the first semester to enroll in Syracuse University’s SP 201 course and earn four (4) college credits through Syracuse University. The cost to the student is $115 per credit ($460 for the two-semester course). Students opting to take the course for Syracuse credit will have their grade weighted as an AP class.

Spanish V, 5.00 cr.
652 – college prep

This course is similar to the Honors level course, but is designed to accommodate different learning styles, allowing for more practice in each area of language learning as needed.

Spanish VI, 5.00 cr.
660 – honors

Spanish VI Honors mirrors the syllabus created for Advanced Placement Spanish Language, including the completion of summer work. Assessments are differentiated to appropriately instruct and fairly evaluate students’ progress at the honors level. While the curricula for the two courses are aligned, Spanish VI Honors emphasizes independent projects that are presented orally in class rather than focusing on the Advanced Placement exam. These projects are designed for students to research, analyze, and discuss a variety of cultural topics.

Advanced Placement Spanish Language, 5.00 cr.
655 – Advanced Placement
There is a college board exam fee associated with this course.

The Advanced Placement Spanish Language curriculum follows the AP standard as established by the College Board. It is a challenging course equivalent to a third-year college course, and provides self-motivated students a college experience in advanced language study. This course is very demanding in the amount and variety of material covered. To be accepted into the AP program in the senior year, students must have earned a grade of B+ or better in Spanish V Honors. Students who take this course must accept the challenge of very demanding work all year and are expected to take the AP exam in May as the appropriate conclusion to their efforts.

Arabic Courses

Arabic I, 5.00 cr.
760 – honors

This course is intended to be taken concurrently with either French V, Latin V, or Spanish V because of the level of language skills required. The course is an introduction to the Arabic language and culture. The emphasis is on developing the listening, speaking, reading and writing skills required for comprehension and communication in everyday situations. Students are introduced to Arabic speaking peoples and their cultures through CDs, reading selections, realia and simulation activities. Through a functional study of Arabic script and sound system, students learn to read and write what they hear and speak.

Arabic II Honors
761 - honors

This course is offered to students who have completed Arabic I H with a grade of B- or better. The emphasis is on both language and culture. Students will further develop their skills in reading, writing, listening and speaking Arabic. They will regularly communicate in Arabic with others about present, past and future events in their lives. Purposeful and original expression that reinforces vocabulary and grammatical structures is encouraged through writing and communicative activities such as skits, roleplaying and storytelling. Dictations and weekly work in the language laboratory strengthen speaking and listening comprehension skills. A general overview of Arabic culture is presented through videos, realia, cooking and audio-visual projects. Students will work on at least one oral presentation each quarter.

Logo Image

Logo Title

In This Section