Faculty

Stephanie Jablonski
Douglas Olexy

Courses

Dramatic growth in international commerce and travel has increased the need for Americans to communicate with other nations. Government, business, and industry all need people with world language skills. The study of another country and its language broadens cultural insights. Students gain a better perspective of our language and heritage. The World Language Department offers four-year sequences in German and Spanish, and a four-year sequence in Latin. Students may elect one or more languages.

GERMAN I

Students acquire basic skills in understanding and speaking German through dialogs, phrases, and conversational practice. Reading and writing skills are begun through the study of sentence structure, paragraphs, and reading selections. Life in the German speaking countries is discussed via current events and text references, as well as modern videos.

GERMAN II

Building upon the basics of German I, students become more aware and capable of using the grammatical structures of the German language. Spoken German is emphasized with the situations becoming increasingly more appropriate to real life. Written and reading exercises gradually increase in both length and cultural awareness. Videos create an awareness of all aspects of German culture.

GERMAN III

Students review and expand upon all the German language skills begun in German I and II, e.g., speaking, reading, writing, and knowledge of grammar. Increasingly difficult selections are read for understanding in German with less emphasis on translation. Oral expression in German is encouraged and used daily. Cultural appreciation is continued and may include a field trip.

GERMAN IV

During the first semester students will complete the formal study of German grammar and vocabulary. The second semester will consist of advanced readings and oral presentations. Intensive use of spoken German is practiced. Individual seminar projects provide for a culminating experience. A field trip may be included.

LATIN I

This course is offered to any senior high student who has not completed the Latin major program at the middle school. Cambridge Latin Stage I follows the life of Lucius Caecilius Iucundus who lived with his family in ancient Pompeii. The students will study Roman cultural topics such as the Theater, Gladiatorial Shows, the Baths, and the destruction of Pompeii. Isis and Roman medicine and science are studied in Stage 2. Emphasis is placed on vocabulary development and Latin syntax. Students in Latin I also study major characters in Mythology.

LATIN II

Cambridge Latin, Stages 3 and 4, follows the adventures of Cogedubnus in his palace in Britain. The story line concerns the attempted murder of Cogedubnus and various aspects of the Roman occupation in Britain. Students will explore cultural topics such as Roman religions, the Roman Legion, and the Roman Forum. Students will continue to study Mythology and will advance to more complicated forms of Latin grammar. Vocabulary development continues with emphasis on Latin root words.

LATIN III

The student completes the advanced study of Latin by reading, translating, and interpreting various genres of Roman Literature. Readings may include Caesar's Gallic Wars, Hercule's Adventures, Ovid's Metamorphoses, the History of Rome, Plautus and Cicero.

LATIN IV

The fourth year of Latin focuses on reading the epic poem, The Aeneid. While reading and analyzing this classic, students will continue to refine translation skills. Students will also read selected poetry by Catullus and Ovid.

SPANISH I

In this first-year course, the student begins to develop listening comprehension and speaking abilities needed for normal conversation and will read simple, non-technical material. Correct writing with proper emphasis on grammar is stressed. The student will begin to acquire a sensitivity to the value systems and culture of the Spanish-speaking peoples.

SPANISH II

The student now continues to work toward a high level of audio-lingual skill through imitation, repetition, and manipulation of structure. Sentences are longer, speaking is more sustained, reading skills are developed, and cultural materials are introduced. The student writes answers to questions and constructs sentences.

SPANISH III

The third-year course uses and further refines language skills learned previously. Included are short stories and other literary excerpts, as well as items of cultural interest, oral projects, written essays, and vocabulary units. Advanced grammar is studied.

SPANISH IV

The main objective in this language course is to develop students' communication skills in Spanish by using the target language at all times and in different situations. This course will continue to develop their knowledge of Spanish in all four skills; listening, reading, writing, and speaking along with an appreciation for the culture, art, history, and literature of the Spanish speaking world.