Charles
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World Languages Department
Charles County Public Schools are offering French, Spanish, and Latin in response to the community's growing demand for world language education. Levels one through four, as well as Advanced Placement courses are offered in all three languages. The World Language Program is based on the five "Cs" that the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages advocates: communication, culture, comparisons, community and connections. Instruction in the modern languages (French and Spanish) emphasizes four skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. Latin, a classical language, focuses on reading and writing. The World Language program encourages those students with a high interest in world languages and culture to take one of the courses offered. A native speaker of French or Spanish should choose a world language other than his/her own. The native speaker who chooses to study his/her own language may be able to begin at level three or above. Level one and two courses are designed primarily for non-native speakers. The World Language Program recommends that students complete at least two years of study in the same language to ensure a solid foundation. A senior who wants to begin studying a new world language should consult with his/her high school world language department chair prior to registering. Some colleges and universities require two or three years of high school study in the same world language. Students should determine if the college or university of their choice has such a requirement. Course Selections ADVANCED PLACEMENT FRENCH LANGUAGE 050554 This course is designed for students who wish to take the College Board Advanced Placement French Language examination. The course involves reading original works, writing extended assignments and detailed linguistic analysis. Advanced work in the world language and a solid foundation in levels I through IV are required. ADVANCED PLACEMENT LATIN VERGIL 052064 This course is designed for those Latin students interested in progressing to college level reading, translating understanding, analyzing and interpreting Latin from original works. The AP Latin students are expected to translate accurately from Latin poetry and prose to English and to demonstrate an in-depth grasp of Latin grammatical structures and vocabulary. Stylistic analysis is an integral part of the course. Cultural, social and political contexts also are examined. This course focuses on Vergil's Aeneid. ADVANCED PLACEMENT SPANISH LANGUAGE051554 This course is designed for students who wish to take the College Board Advanced Placement Spanish Language examination. The course involves reading original works, writing extended assignments, and detailed linguistic analysis. Advanced work in the world language and a solid foundation in levels I through IV are required. FRENCH I 050514 This course stresses the communication skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing in French. These skills are taught through the use of the language in everyday situations typical of the French culture. Vocabulary and grammar are taught by means of oral and written drills based on the textbook and audio tapes. Students are expected to master the written forms of material covered orally. Much of the teaching is done in French. Memorization is required and stressed through practice in class and at home. Readers, periodicals, and other media are used to increase vocabulary and cultural awareness. World language is presented as a means of communication, channel for cultural understanding, and an opportunity to augment linguistic skills in English. FRENCH II 050524 Continued emphasis is placed on the skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing as learned in French I, with more emphasis placed on structure. Activities and conversations are used in class to enable students to relate to French culture through their own lives. Ninety percent of classroom instruction is done in French. Readers, periodicals, and other media remain an integral part of the program in order to present an authentic image of the French world today. As linguistic skills are increased, so is cultural understanding. FRENCH III (HONORS) 050535 In the third year of French, students continue to practice orally more advanced grammatical and idiomatic forms of French. Increased emphasis is placed upon reading and writing skills. French literature, films, and filmstrips are studied. Written and oral reports are prepared for class discussion and the reading of magazines and newspapers continues. The course is totally conducted in French. FRENCH IV (HONORS) 050544 This course is an extension of the third-year activities. Teacher and students are expected to speak French almost exclusively. Students read French literature and articles about France and are expected to read classic and contemporary works in a planned reading program. Written composition is required. The course is totally conducted in French. LATIN I 052014 This course is an introduction to the study of the Latin language. Stress is placed upon linguistic structures and cognates. Latin components are used to develop vocabulary in both Latin and English. Students will learn to read Latin and write simple sentences. Brief narratives on Roman history and mythology serve for analysis of language structures and punctuation. LATIN II 052024 This course builds upon skills acquired in Latin I. Concepts in grammar are complex. Readings from Latin literature, covering a wide range of topics and literary forms, are studied. Students continue study of the Roman culture. Acquisition of nvocabulary and comprehension of basic reading materials are goals of the course. The application of verbal concepts to English language development is emphasized. LATIN III (HONORS 052035 The emphasis in Latin III is on recognition of the stylistic elements and linguistic functions in Latin literature. Students study a range of Latin prose as examples of the Latin linguistic system and its influence upon Western culture and literacy style. Students will be expected to expand their capabilities in regard to listening, speaking and reading aloud, reading and analyzing, and writing in Latin. Grammatical constructs will be taught as the functions of language. Literary works, both prose and poetry, will be subjects of class analysis. Aspects of Latin culture as they pertain to western civilization and letters will be discussed. Upon completion of this course, students should be able to read and understand Latin literature, pronounce the majority of vocabulary words properly, comprehend Latin cultural concepts, and interpret the grammatical constructs accurately. LATIN IV (HONORS) 052044 Latin IV is concerned with reading and appreciating Latin Literature, particularly poetry. In addition to utilizing language skills acquired in previous course work, the student will concentrate on figures of speech, the definition of poetry, poetic structures, and the cultural setting of the epic. Grammar is taught as a linguistic function to be used for accurate translation of ideas and concise expression. Opportunity for research in many phases of classical civilization is provided. SPANISH I 051514 This course stresses the communication skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing in Spanish. These skills are taught through the use of the language in everyday situations typical of the Spanish culture. Vocabulary and grammar are taught by means of oral and written drills based on the textbook and audio tapes. Students are expected to master the written forms of material covered orally. Much of the teaching is done in Spanish. Memorization is required and stressed through practice in class and at home. Readers, periodicals, and other media are used to increase vocabulary and cultural awareness. World language is presented as a means of communication, channel for cultural understanding, and an opportunity to augment linguistic skills in English. SPANISH II 051524 Continued emphasis is placed on the skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing as learned in Spanish I, with more emphasis placed on structure. Activities and conversations are used in class to enable students to relate to Spanish culture through their own lives. Ninety percent of classroom instruction is done in Spanish. Readers, periodicals, and other media remain an integral part of the program in order to present an authentic image of the Spanish world today. As linguistic skills are increased, so is cultural understanding. SPANISH III (HONORS) 051535 In the third year of Spanish, students continue to practice orally more advanced grammatical and idiomatic forms of Spanish. Increased emphasis is placed upon reading and writing skills. Spanish literature, films, and filmstrips are studied. Written and oral reports are prepared for class discussion and the reading of magazines and newspapers continues. The course is totally conducted in Spanish. SPANISH IV (HONORS) 051544 This course is an extension of the third-year activities. Teacher and students are expected to speak Spanish almost exclusively. Students read Spanish literature and articles about Spanish and are expected to read classic and contemporary works in a planned reading program. Written composition is required. The course is totally conducted in Spanish. Textbooks...link to book website Paso a Paso Links
PRACTICE = SUCCESS Learning a foreign language requires that you practice a little everyday. Since learning a language is a gradual, continual process, you will need to use steady consistent study habits. Try to spend some time every day with your textbook, notes or one of the recommended websites (see below). When you do your homework, review old and new vocabulary words in the assignment. There are many ways that you can help your child succeed in the class! Here are some ideas: (if you have one that's not here, let me know!)
For example:
Students taking levels I-IV are required by the County to take Oral and Written Assessments. Oral exams are given in the first semester while written is given in the second semester.
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