Page 29 - POS SPHS Keeper 2019-20

WORLD LANGUAGES

World Language Department: Statement of Purpose

The Department of World Languages offers sequential study in French, Spanish, Italian and Latin,
preparing students to explore and discover rich and vibrant cultures. These languages are indispensable
for communication with Europeans, Hispanic, Latino, Mexican and Central and South American peoples,
and the French-speaking populations of North and South America, Africa, Europe, Asia, the Middle East
and the Caribbean. Proficiency in these languages enables students to appreciate another culture.
Moreover, the study of a world language prepares students for careers in a variety of fields. Since our
world is increasingly connected economically, politically and culturally, the ability to communicate in a
world language and to understand people from other cultures is crucial. Furthermore, studies show that
students who study a second language perform measurably better on the verbal section of the SAT.

South Plainfield High School offers a four-year program in French, Spanish, Italian and Latin. Students
who are beginning their study of a world language in high school are offered a rigorous college-prep
program. For students who already understand and speak Spanish, South Plainfield High School offers
a two-year program for native speakers. These courses recognize the existing skills that native Spanish
speakers bring to the classroom.

World language requirements on the college level vary from school to school. Most colleges require two
years of high school study for admission; many require demonstration of proficiency by means of a
placement test or continued study in college. Currently, the Department of Education state requirement
for graduation in this content area is 5 credits (one year). Any of the departmental courses will satisfy the
World Language requirement.

Course #
Grade
Credits
Course Name
202 Spanish 1 9-12 5

Course #
Grade
Course Name
Credits
200 French 1 9-12 5

Course #
Course Name
Credits
Grade
272 Italian 1 9-12 5

This is the foundation course of a four-year program that focuses on communicative competence through
the use of target language immersion. We will focus on basic communication skills using short sentences,
learned words, phrases and simple questions and commands when speaking and writing. This is a
performance level class in which students will be assessed on their ability to communicate meaning at a
basic level by completing oral presentations and designing multimedia projects. Authentic materials will
be used to teach and recycle vocabulary and to emphasize what has been previously learned, while
having students retell, illustrate and write about themselves, their school and community.

Course #
Credits
Course Name
Grade
204 Spanish for Heritage Speakers 1 9-12 5

Prerequisite: Demonstration of proficiency through diagnostic test.
This course is the first year of a two-year program designed for students who already understand, speak,
read and write in Spanish. In this course, students will improve their speaking and writing through the
study of pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar structure. Emphasis will be placed on literature, art
and social sciences. Writing and research will be used as vehicles to develop language skills.

-25-