The World Languages course is an experience that traverses three culturally unique languages whose influences, applications, and diversity have had a tremendous impact across the globe. During each of the three trimesters, 8th grade students will have the opportunity to experience one of these languages and discover the excitement and rigor that each has to offer. The course creates an intensive, multicultural, cross-classroom approach that challenges students to examine the fundamentals of language through its cultural origins as well as ask questions about the nature of language and its usage. Along with preparing students for the intensity of a prep school language curriculum, World Languages parallels the school’s mission to immerse all students in a community that emphasizes personal experience and discovery.

This course is meant to give students a command of basic Spanish grammar and language structure as well as knowledge of a variety of Hispanic cultures. The class is also designed to give ample practice in the four important skill areas in learning a language: speaking, listening comprehension, reading, and writing. Students will enhance their command of the Spanish language through listening exercises, homework, quizzes and tests, and short writing and reading assignments. Also, activities will expand understanding of Hispanic cultures through Spanish language films and music, group projects, and current news from the Spanish speaking world.

Texts: Realidades 1 Textbook and Realidades 1 Practice Workbook Pearson Prentice Hall

This course builds upon basic Spanish grammar and language structures as well as knowledge of a variety of Hispanic cultures. The class is also designed to give students ample practice in the four important skill areas in learning a language: speaking, listening comprehension, reading, and writing. Students will enhance your command of the Spanish language through listening exercises, homework, quizzes and tests, and short writing and reading assignments. Also, activities will expand understanding of Hispanic cultures through Spanish language films and music, group projects, and current news from the Spanish speaking world.

Text: Realidades 1 Practice Workbook Pearson- Prentice Hall, Realidades 1 Textbook

This course is meant to improve student proficiency in Spanish and advance command of grammar and language structures as well as knowledge of a variety of Hispanic cultures. The class is also designed to give ample practice in the four important skill areas in learning a language: speaking, listening comprehension, reading, and writing. Students will enhance their command of the Spanish language through listening exercises, homework, quizzes and tests, and short writing and reading assignments. Also, activities will expand understanding of Hispanic cultures through Spanish language films and music as well as cultural projects.

This course gives students a survey of Latin American and Spanish literature. Students will gain practice in reading difficult texts as well as a deeper understanding of Hispanic culture through a literary lens. Students will learn more sophisticated grammar and be asked to apply it through their writing and speech. Throughout the year, students will write analytical, creative, and personal compositions that help them build on their writing skills in Spanish. The course will be primarily discussion based which will give students ample practice in communicating more complex ideas verbally. Students will also explore Hispanic culture through films and research based assignments. The teacher will provide all of the readings and materials for this course.

This course is meant to improve students’ proficiency in Chinese listening, reading and writing skills, and to learn about 5, 000 years of Chinese cultures and history. Students will learn read and pronounce Chinese “PinYin”. In addition, we will combine our study of language with popular Chinese music, sports, art, food, movie and fashion.

Texts:

• Integrated Chinese Level 1 Textbook- Cheng&Tsui Company

• Character Workbook- Cheng & Tsui Company

• Workbook –Cheng & Tsui Company

This course introduces the students to American Sign Language and Deaf Culture. Within this class, the students will learn and develop fluency with fingerspelling. Students will also learn basic vocabulary and simple expressions. Through practice, students will increase their comfort level with this language and begin to think conceptually. The students will also be exposed to various aspects of Deaf Culture. This will include some background and an historical perspective as well as comments on the deaf community today.

This course continues the proficiency level that was begun in the previous ASL 2. Within this class, the students will utilize their vocabulary and fingerspelling base in order to begin communicating in simple ASL grammatical structures. Students will practice both their receptive and expressive skills in pairs, small groups, as well as full class exercises. Equal in importance to learning effective communication will be the expansion of knowledge with regards to Deaf history and culture. Students will gain an appreciation for important events and significant individuals’ contributions to history. In addition, new technology and its impact upon the deaf community will be explored.