World Language

List of 21 items.

• WL French I

  Grade 9, 10, 11, 12
  

  Year-long course, 1 credit
  
  

  Students are introduced to life in France and in other Francophone (French-speaking) countries through conversation and thematic vocabulary, as well as through cultural activities and multimedia experiences. Listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills are developed through interactive communication, phonetics and grammar, projects, and use of technology in the course. A novice understanding of French grammar is applied in authentic situations, both spoken and written. The course is a gradual immersion experience in the target language, progressing toward overall proficiency in all four skills.
  
  Prerequisite: none

• WL French II

  Grade 9, 10, 11, 12
  Year-long course, 1 credit
  
  

  Students continue to learn about French-speaking people in France and the Francophone (Frenchspeaking) world and expand their French vocabulary through dialogues, discussions, writing, and modified readings. Grammar, speaking, and writing skills are developed through classroom work, projects and studying phonetics, as well as the use of technology in the course. The course is a gradual immersion experience in the target language, progressing toward overall proficiency in all four skills. Total immersion in the target language second semester will be required.
  
  Prerequisite: French I or department approval

• WL ACC French III

  Grade 10, 11, 12

  Year-long course, 1 credit
  
  

  Students review grammatical points already covered and expand their knowledge of verb tenses, vocabulary, and additional grammatical elements. Through discussion and dialogues in the target language, French geography, film, current events, and history are studied. Comprehension of the written language is developed by reading several short stories in French. This class will be conducted entirely in French. Technology will be used for research, class presentations, and recordings.
  
  Prerequisite: 3.0 GPA for juniors and seniors, 3.5 GPA for sophomores, “B” or higher in French II, or departmental approval
  
  Registering for college credit is optional in this course.
  
  Students have the opportunity to earn 3 college credits for this year-long course through SLU:
  FREN 1010 Communicating in French

• WL ACC French IV

  Grade 11, 12

  Year-long course, 1 credit
  
  Using a thematic approach, this course concentrates on advanced speaking, reading and writing French, and the application of the language to authentic situations. Grammar structures are introduced or reviewed as they relate to each lesson. The student is immersed in the culture, history, literature, and geography of Francophone countries through authentic films, discussion, projects, and stories. Classic and modern examples of literature from Francophone countries will be read and explored. Current events in the Francophone world will be discussed and compared with the students’ life experiences. Frequent use of technology for research and reporting is required in order to prepare students for university. This course is conducted entirely in French.
  
  Prerequisite: 3.0 GPA, ACC French III, or departmental approval
  
  Registering for college credit is optional in this course.
  
  Students have the opportunity to earn 6 college credits for this year-long course through SLU:
  FREN 1010 Communicating in French
  FREN 2010 Intermediate French Culture (3 credits)
  

• WL AP/ACC French IV: Language & Culture

  Grade 11, 12

  Year-long course, 1 credit
  
  In addition to an intense grammar study and review, students will receive extensive training using authentic materials for formal and informal speaking practice, audio and reading comprehension, organization of ideas for reporting on various sets of circumstances, and spontaneous conversation practice. Technology will be incorporated in all phases of this course, specifically when using authentic French materials. This course is conducted entirely in French.
  
  Prerequisite: 3.0 GPA, an A average in ACC French III, and ACC French Literature and Composition, or departmental approval.
  
  Taking the AP exam, French Language and Culture, is optional for this course.
  
  Registering for college credit is optional for this course.
  
  Students have the opportunity to earn 6 college credits for this year-long course through SLU:
  FREN 1020 Communicating in French II (3 credits)
  FREN 2010 Intermediate French Language and Culture (3 credits)
  

• WL Latin I

  Grade 9, 10, 11, 12

  Year-long course, 1 credit
  
  

  This course offers an opportunity to study a classical language by introducing the fundamentals of Latin grammar, syntax, vocabulary, and composition. Latin vocabulary, is reinforced by the study of English derivatives from Latin roots. The course develops a familiarity with the background of Roman life and civilization through the use of short stories and essays, specifically focusing on Pompeii in the early Roman Empire. Cultural topics include daily life in Roman society, clothing, food, business, the legal system, theatrical performances, burial customs, religious beliefs, gladiatorial shows, public baths, education, writing technologies, elections and town government, the system of slavery and the differing experiences of slaves and free people, the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 C.E., and an introduction to archaeological methods used in studying ancient societies.
  
  Prerequisite: none

• WL Latin II

  Grade 9, 10, 11, 12
  Year-long course, 1 credit
  
  

  This course offers a continuation and deepening of Latin grammar, syntax, vocabulary, and composition. Latin vocabulary and grammar is reinforced by the study of English derivatives from Latin vocabulary and grammar. Further understanding of Roman life and civilization is developed through short stories and essays, specifically focusing on Britain, Egypt, and Greece during the early Roman Empire. Cultural topics include the Celtic culture of Britons prior to the Roman occupation, the provincial structure of the Roman empire, Romanization and trade throughout the Roman empire, the varying experiences of native people during Roman occupation, technology and science in Alexandria, and the spread of local religious beliefs throughout the Roman empire. Emphasis is placed on the skills of reading and comprehending Latin literature.
  
  Prerequisite: Latin I or department approval

• WL Honors Latin III

  Grade 10, 11, 12

  Year-long course, 1 credit
  
  

  This course is a continued broadening and in-depth study of Latin grammar, syntax, vocabulary, and composition. Further understanding of Roman life and civilization is developed through short stories and essays. Cultural topics include ancient European medicine and science, ancient Roman religious beliefs, Romanization of an occupied province, travel and communication across the Roman empire, and the structure of the Roman army and its impact on occupied provinces, and a general survey of archaeological and historical methods used in studying the ancient world. A heightened awareness of the relationship between English and Latin is achieved through the continued study of etymology. Emphasis is placed on the skills of reading and comprehending Latin literature.
  
  Prerequisite: B or higher in Latin II or departmental approval

• WL Honors Latin IV

  Grade 11, 12

  Year-long course, 1 credit
  
  

  This course builds on students’ skills of Latin grammar, syntax, vocabulary, and composition. A deepened understanding of Roman life and civilization is developed through short stories and essays. Cultural topics include the origin stories of Rome, the archaeology and design of the city of Rome, Roman engineering and building techniques, the patronage system within Roman society, popular Roman beliefs and philosophies that spread throughout Europe, the relationship between the Romans and the Jewish people in the first century C.E., the impacts of the Roman slavery system on enslaved people, Roman leisure and entertainment options, Roman poetry, and the experience of women within Roman society. Students will improve their understanding of the relationship between English and Latin through continued etymological study. Emphasis is placed on the skills of reading and comprehending Latin literature.
  
  Prerequisite: Honors Latin III or department approval

• WL Mandarin Chinese I: The Spoken Language and Cultures of China

  Grade 9, 10, 11, 12
  

  Year-long course, 1 credit
  
  

  This course is the introductory study of the Mandarin Chinese language, Chinese history, and Chinese cultures. Students will acquire conversational skills through the use of writing and reading pinyin and will learn how to write the most common radicals. Attention will be paid to simple grammatical structures, vocabulary, and pronunciation, but interactive communication will be the main focus.
  
  Prerequisite: none

• WL Mandarin Chinese II: The Written Language and Cultures of China

  Grade 9, 10, 11, 12
  

  Year-long course, 1 credit
  
  

  In this course, students will continue with the study of the Mandarin Chinese language, Chinese history, and Chinese cultures. Students will improve upon their conversational skills, work to perfect their pronunciation, and will learn to write and read simplified characters using correct stroke order and the radicals learned in Mandarin Chinese I.
  
  Prerequisite: Mandarin Chinese I or departmental approval

• WL Honors Mandarin Chinese III: The Language and Cultures of China

  Grade 10, 11, 12
  

  Year-long course, 1 credit
  
  

  In this course, students will continue with the study of the Mandarin Chinese language, Chinese history, and Chinese cultures, building upon that which was learned in Mandarin Chinese I and II. Students will improve upon their speaking, reading, writing, and listening skills by further increasing their vocabulary and knowledge of grammatical structures. Students will write and read using simplified characters, and interactive communication will be a major component.
  
  Prerequisite: B or higher in Mandarin Chinese II or departmental approval

• WL Honors Mandarin Chinese IV: The Language and Cultures of China

  Grade 11, 12

  Year-long course, 1 credit
  
  

  In this course, students will continue with the study of the Mandarin Chinese language, Chinese history, and Chinese cultures, building upon that which was learned in Mandarin Chinese I, II, and III. Students will improve upon their speaking, reading, writing, and listening skills by further increasing their vocabulary and knowledge of grammatical structures. Students will write and read using simplified characters, and interactive communication will be a major component.
  
  Prerequisite: B or higher in Mandarin Chinese III or departmental approval

• WL Spanish I

  Grade 9, 10, 11, 12
  

  Year-long course, 1 credit
  
  This course introduces the Spanish language and its cultures, with Hispanic cultures incorporated into all units. Students will learn pronunciation of Spanish, thematic vocabulary, and the structure of sentences by studying grammatical principles while primarily focusing on interactive communication. The skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing are developed progressively through authentic situations, as well as traditional methods and the use of technology. The course is a gradual immersion experience in the target language.
  
  Prerequisite: none

• WL Spanish I Accelerated

  Grade 9, 10, 11, 12
  

  Year-long course, 1 credit
  
  

  This course provides an introduction of the Spanish language and its culture, at a pace conducive for students who have previous experience with the language or high aptitude for language acquisition. Students will review pronunciation of Spanish and basic Spanish principles. Students will learn thematic vocabulary, practice the structure of sentences by studying grammatical principles, and connect material with their own lives. The primary focus is on interactive communication. The skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing are developed progressively through authentic situations, as well as traditional methods and the use of technology. This course is a gradual immersion experience in the target language.
  
  Prerequisite: placement test and department approval

• WL Spanish II

  Grade 9, 10, 11, 12

  Year-long course, 1 credit
  
  

  This course continues the study of the Spanish language and its cultures, and the development of listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Emphasis is placed upon attaining usable control of basic grammatical principles and thematic vocabulary in interactive spoken conversations. Continued use of authentic resources develops reading and listening comprehension skills and provides cultural insights. Total immersion in the target language second semester will be required.
  
  Prerequisite: Spanish I or department approval

• WL Spanish II Accelerated

  Grade 10, 11, 12
  Year-long course, 1 credit
  
  

  This course continues the study of the Spanish language and its cultures, and the development of listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills at an accelerated pace. Emphasis is placed upon attaining usable control of basic grammatical principles and thematic vocabulary in interactive spoken conversations. Continued use of authentic resources develops reading and listening comprehension skills and provides cultural insights. This course supplements each unit with additional vocabulary and cultural material in order to allow for deeper analysis of authentic resources. Consistent oral participation is a major component of the overall grade. Total immersion in the target language after the first quarter will be required.
  
  Prerequisite: B or higher in Spanish I or Spanish I Accelerated or departmental approval

• WL ACP Spanish III

  Grade 11, 12
  

  Year-long course, 1 credit
  
  

  This course focuses on extensive vocabulary enhancement and completion of all basic grammatical structures. Students are expected to develop intermediary proficiencies in speaking and understanding, as well as reading and writing in Spanish. Students will also study important historical and contemporary figures and events in the Spanish-speaking world. This class is conducted entirely in Spanish.
  
  Prerequisite: 3.0 GPA, B or higher in Spanish II or Spanish II Accelerated, or departmental approval
  
  Registering for college credit is optional in this course.
  
  Students have the opportunity to earn 5 college credits for this year-long course through UMSL:
  Spanish 1001: Spanish Language and Culture I

• WL Honors Spanish Culture Through Literature and Film

  Grade 12
  Year-long course, 1 credit
  
  

  Using a thematic approach, this class will concentrate on improvement in three areas: reading and analyzing authentic texts, creative and critical writing, and speaking. Through literature, film, and authentic resources, we will discuss culture, study important figures and events, and use grammar in an authentic context. Our goal is to prepare students for further university study and citizenship in our global community. This course is conducted entirely in Spanish.
  
  Prerequisite: ACC Spanish III or departmental approval

• WL ACP Spanish IV

  Grade 12

  Year-long course, 1 credit
  
  

  This course is a continuation of ACP Spanish III. Through continued focus on current cultural topics, students continue to build advanced vocabulary and expand their understanding of all basic grammatical structures. Students are expected to develop intermediate to advanced-low proficiencies in speaking and understanding as well as reading and writing in Spanish. Continued use of technology will be required. This class is conducted almost entirely in Spanish.
  
  Prerequisite: 3.0 GPA, A or higher in ACP Spanish III, and departmental approval
  
  Registering for college credit is optional in this course.
  
  Students have the opportunity to earn 8 college credits for this year-long course through UMSL:
  Spanish 1002: Spanish Language and Culture II (5 credits)
  Spanish 2101: Spanish Language and Culture III (3 credits)

• WL AP Spanish IV: Language and Culture

  Grade 12
  Year-long course, 1 credit
  
  

  This course offers a concentrated study of advanced vocabulary, an intense grammar review, auditory and reading comprehension, spontaneous conversation practice, and rigorous practice in formal and informal writing in preparation for successful completion of the AP test. Course curriculum is dictated by the guidelines of the College Board. Special emphasis is placed on the use of authentic source materials and the integration of language skills. Therefore, students will receive extensive training in combining listening, reading, and speaking skills in order to demonstrate understanding of authentic Spanish language materials. Emphasis is also placed on comparing Hispanic cultures to the students’ own culture. This class is conducted entirely in Spanish. Students must be prepared to work independently during the summer and throughout the year.
  
  Prerequisite: B or higher in ACP Spanish III or departmental approval
  
  Taking the AP exam, Spanish Language and Culture, is optional for this course.