Foreign Language

The study of Latin for all students in 6th grade provides them with not only the fundamentals of language study but also the knowledge and understanding of grammar and parts of speech. Students begin to understand the evolution of language and how knowledge of Latin roots and vocabulary not only assist students in their study of Spanish (and other Romance languages) but also their own study of English.

The goal of the Spanish program at CSS is for students to communicate effectively in Spanish in order to function in a variety of intercultural contexts and for multiple purposes. Additionally, learners use Spanish to identify, describe, compare, and explain the practices, products and perspectives of Spanish-speaking cultures. Instruction is essentially student-centered and focuses on the performance of basic functions of communication: socializing, providing and obtaining information, expressing an opinion, and persuasion.

Students in the Spanish program demonstrate their mastery at various points during their study with the Spanish Proficiency Exam (after Spanish 1), the Languages Other Than English Exam (after Spanish 3) and the Advanced Placement Exam in Spanish Language and Culture (after Spanish 5). Students completing Spanish 5 also have the opportunity to receive the New York State Seal of Biliteracy. The New York State Seal of Biliteracy (NYSSB) recognizes high school graduates who have attained a high level of proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in one or more languages in addition to English. The intent of the NYSSB is to encourage the study of languages; identify high school graduates with language and biliteracy skills for employers; provide universities with additional information about applicants seeking admission; prepare students with twenty-first century skills; recognize the value of foreign and native language instruction in schools; and affirm the value of diversity in a multilingual society.

Foreign Language Course Sequence

Foreign Language Department

Latin	Grade 6	The study of Latin for all students in 6th grade provides them with not only the fundamentals of language study but also the knowledge and understanding of grammar and parts of speech. Students begin to understand the evolution of language and how knowledge of Latin roots and vocabulary not only assist students in their study of Spanish (and other Romance languages) but also their own study of English.	None
Spanish 7th grade (Spanish 1A)	7	Spanish 7th (1A) The primary aim of the Spanish 7th-1A class is to encourage students to speak Spanish as well as the introduction and immersion to Hispanic cultures in a communicative approach. Level 1 Spanish focuses on the core skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing. Classroom activities take a comprehensive cultural approach to the Spanish-speaking world, with activities ranging from music and art, theater, cinema, literature and food. Also the grammatical acquisition is an essential part of the class. Learning outcomes: Students will be able to use and dominate the present regular tense as well as basic vocabulary (Greetings, leave-takings, identifying yourself/others, expressions of courtesy, the classroom and school life, fields of study and school subjects , days of the week, class schedules, the family, and professions and occupations.	Placement test at the end of 6th grade
Spanish 7th accelerated	7	The primary aim of the Spanish 7th accelerated is to encourage students to speak Spanish as well as to apply the previous knowledge of Spanish 1 into new and more complex grammar lessons and immersion to Hispanic cultures in a communicative approach. Spanish 7th accelerated focuses on the core skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing. Classroom activities take a comprehensive cultural approach to the Spanish-speaking world, with activities ranging from music and art, theater, cinema, literature and food. Also the grammatical acquisition is an essential part of the class, and the usage of preterit tense will be taught throughout the year. Learning Outcomes: Students will demonstrate: 1) Proficiency in the understanding and use of the Spanish language level 2 in all aspects: writing, reading, listening, speaking. Grammar: present and preterit. Vocabulary: Spanish level 1 + shopping, daily routine, food and celebrations. Spelling: general rules use of “tildes”, “acento diacrítico”. 2) Knowledge of the distinctive features of cultures associated with the Spanish language.	Placement test at the end of 6th grade
Spanish 8th grade (Spanish 1B)	8	Spanish 8th (Spanish 1B) The primary aim of the Spanish 8th-1B class is to encourage students to speak Spanish as well as the introduction and immersion to Hispanic cultures in a communicative approach. Spanish 8th-1B focuses on the core skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing. Classroom activities take a comprehensive cultural approach to the Spanish-speaking world, with activities ranging from music and art, theater, cinema, literature and food. Also the grammatical acquisition is an essential part of the class. Learning outcomes: Students will be able to use and dominate the present tense completely as well as basic vocabulary (Greetings, leave-takings, identifying yourself/others, expressions of courtesy, classroom, family, pastimes, and vacation), and gain a good foundation for level 2. Students will take the Spanish Proficiency exam at the end of the year.	Spanish 7th-1A
Spanish 8th accelerated	8	The goal of Spanish 8th accelerated is the development of competence in communication. The class will improve students' proficiency in socializing, providing and obtaining information, expressing personal feelings and opinions, and persuading others to adopt a course of action. The students' appreciation and awareness of the culture and history of Spanish-speaking countries is developed through the reading of cultural themes, and a “fotonovela” (from the textbook). Learning Outcomes: Students will demonstrate: 1. Proficiency in the understanding and use of Spanish language in the four skills: reading, writing, listening and speaking. Grammar: presente, pretérito versus imperfecto, futuro, condicional, presente perfecto. Vocabulary: Health/medical conditions and well-being, technology, the car, housing, professions and occupations, the workplace, and job interviews. Spelling: use of accent marks in Spanish. Introduction to use of letters. 2. Knowledge of the distinctive features of cultures associated with the Spanish language. Students will take the Spanish Proficiency exam at the end of the year.	Spanish 7th accelerated
Spanish 1 HS	9	The primary aim of the Spanish level 1 class is to encourage students to speak Spanish as well as the introduction and immersion to Hispanic cultures in a communicative approach. Level 1 Spanish focuses on the core skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing. Classroom activities take a comprehensive cultural approach to the Spanish-speaking world, with activities ranging from music and art, theater, cinema, literature and food. Also the grammatical acquisition is an essential part of the class. Learning outcomes: Students will be able to use and dominate the present tense completely as well as basic vocabulary (Greetings, leave-takings, identifying yourself/others, expressions of courtesy, classroom, family, pastimes, and vacation), and gain a good foundation for level 2.	* Former students: Fail 8th and/or Spanish Proficiency exam * New students (placement test)
Spanish 2 HS	9-11	The primary aim of the Spanish level 2 class is to encourage students to speak Spanish as well as to apply the previous knowledge of Spanish 1 into new and more complex grammar lessons and immersion to Hispanic cultures in a communicative approach. Level 2 Spanish focuses on the core skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing. Classroom activities take a comprehensive cultural approach to the Spanish-speaking world, with activities ranging from music and art, theater, cinema, literature and food. Also the grammatical acquisition is an essential part of the class, and the usage of preterit tense will be taught throughout the year. This class is also a baseline, preparation for next year Spanish 3, LOTE test (Language Other Than English). Learning Outcomes: Students will demonstrate: 1. Proficiency in the understanding and use of the Spanish language level 2 in all aspects: writing, reading, listening, speaking. Grammar: present and preterit. Vocabulary: Spanish level 1 + shopping, daily routine, food and celebrations. 2. Knowledge of the distinctive features of cultures associated with the Spanish language.	* 9th: Pass 8th and/or Proficiency exam * 10th and 11th: Pass Spanish 1 * New students (placement test)
Spanish 3 HS	10-11	The goal of Spanish 3-LOTE is the development of competence in communication. The class will improve students' proficiency in socializing, providing and obtaining information, expressing personal feelings and opinions, and persuading others to adopt a course of action. The students' appreciation and awareness of the culture and history of Spanish-speaking countries is developed through the reading of cultural themes, and a “fotonovela” (from the textbook). At the same time, this course prepares students to take the Spanish LOTE (Language Other Than English) exam at the end of the year, in order to meet advanced Regents diploma requirements. Students watch a cultural mystery telenovela, and in the second term, select one Spanish short novel as personal reading outside the classroom. Students will be given assignments based on their reading levels. They will keep journal (“Mi diario”) for compositions. Learning Outcomes: Students will demonstrate: 1. LOTE proficiency in the understanding and use of Spanish language in the four skills: reading, writing, listening and speaking. Grammar: presente, pretérito versus imperfecto, futuro, condicional, presente perfecto. Vocabulary: Health/medical conditions and well-being, technology, the car, housing, professions and occupations, the workplace, and job interviews. Spelling: use of accent marks in Spanish. Introduction to use of letters. 2. Knowledge of the distinctive features of cultures associated with the Spanish language.	* 10th and 11th: Pass Spanish 2 * New students (placement test) ( New 9th students were placed or in Spanish 1, 2 or 3)
Spanish 4-preAP	9-11	Spanish 4 pre-AP is a course taught exclusively in Spanish that requires students to improve their proficiency across three modes of communication: interpretative (reading and listening comprehension), interpersonal and presentational (speaking and writing). The course focuses on the integration of authentic resources including online print, audio, and audiovisual resources; as well as traditional print resources that include literature, essays, and magazine and newspaper articles; and also a combination of visual/print resources such as charts, tables, and graphs; all with the goal of providing a diverse learning experience. Students learn to communicate developing a rich vocabulary and studying advanced linguistic structures as they build proficiency toward the AP Spanish Language and Culture exam. Students are encouraged to engage in real-life activities outside the classroom to enrich their Spanish language and culture. In regards to cultural themes (Spanish AP Language and Culture), this course covers two units: “Las familias y las comunidades” and “La ciencia y la tecnología”. In terms of grammar, there is a thorough review of levels 1 to 3. New topics include familiar and formal commands, and the present subjunctive. Accelerated students/classes that will continue with Spanish 5-AP Language and Culture, will also cover past subjunctive. The new vocabulary topics are “la tecnología”, “la vivienda”, “la naturaleza”, and “la ciudad”. Finally, there is a thorough study of spelling: “ortografía de acentos y letras”. If students are in 9th grade, they will take the LOTE exam at the end of the year, in order to meet advanced Regents diploma requirements.	* 9th: Pass 8th accelerated * 10th-12th: Pass Spanish 3 and/or LOTE exam
Spanish 5-AP Language and Culture	10-12	The AP Spanish Language and Culture course is an advanced third-year college level course in preparation for the AP exam in May. This course emphasizes communication (understanding and being understood by others) by applying interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational skills in real-life situations. This includes vocabulary usage, language control, communication strategies, and cultural awareness. As almost all grammar and vocabulary has been taught already in previous levels, in class there will be mainly a review of rules as needed, but students will exercise them at home independently. To best facilitate the study of language and culture, the course is taught almost exclusively in Spanish. The AP Spanish Language and Culture course engages students in an exploration of culture in both contemporary and historical contexts. The course develops students’ awareness and appreciation of cultural products (e.g., tools, books, music, laws, conventions, institutions); practices (patterns of social interactions within a culture); and perspectives (values, attitudes, and assumptions)	* Former students: - Pass LOTE exam. - Score on placement exam given in Spanish 4. - 80% or more semester grades Spanish 4. - Teachers' recommendation
Spanish 6-AP Literature and Culture	9-12	The AP Spanish Literature and Culture course uses a thematic approach to introduce students to representative texts (short stories, novels, poetry, and essays) from Peninsular Spanish, Latin American, and United States Hispanic literature. Students develop proficiencies across the full range of communication modes (interpersonal, presentational, and interpretive), thereby honing their critical reading and analytical writing skills. Literature is examined within the context of its time and place, as students reflect on the many voices and cultures present in the required readings. The course also includes a strong focus on cultural connections and comparisons, including exploration of various media (e.g., art, film, articles, literary criticism).	* Elective for students that communicate fluently in Spanish, including fluency in writing.