Foreign Language Department

French

Grade	College Prep	Honors
9		Level I H
10		Level II H
11		Level III H
12		Level IV H/ AP

 

Italian

 

Grade	College Prep	Honors
9	Level I CP	Level I H
10	Level II CP	Level II H
11		Level III H
12		Level IV H

 

Latin

Grade	College Prep	Honors
9		Level I H
10		Level II H
11		Level III/IV H
12		Level IV H/AP

 

Spanish

Grade	College Prep	Honors	Heritage Speakers
9	Level I CP Level II CP	Level II H	Heritage Speakers I CP/H
10	Level II CP  Level III CP	Level II H Level III H	Heritage Speakers II CP/H
11	Level III CP Level IV CP	Level III H Level IV H
12	Level IV CP	Level IV H Level V H AP Level

The goal of the Malden Public Schools Foreign Language Program is to expose students to language and culture in order to make them knowledgeable and active members of a global society.   Students will learn to use foreign languages for meaningful communication in both spoken and written form. The Foreign Language Program emphasizes language as it is used in various real-life situations that students are most likely to encounter. Through Foreign Language study, students develop sensitivity to the cultural and linguistic heritage of other groups and the influence of these groups on the students’  own culture.

Guiding Principles:

Students will learn that:

• As the world moves towards a global community and with emphasis on the acquisition of 21^st Century Skills, it is increasingly important to be able to communicate in language other than English.
• It is important to understand the perspectives of a culture that generate its patterns of behavior, ways of life, worldviews and contributions.
• Communicative proficiency will develop through content and listening, speaking, reading and writing skills.
• In addition to gaining communication skills, students acquire cultural knowledge and culturally appropriate interaction skills essential for communicating with native speakers of the language.
• In the foreign language class students will develop critical thinking, organization and cooperative study skills.
• Students will be able to access the foreign culture and people via technological connections.
• The integration of technology via the dedicated Language Media Center will play an integral role in the delivery of curriculum, instruction and assessment

 

Notes on Sequence:

A student should elect and/or plan to continue in a program in French, Italian, Latin, or Spanish and continue for as long as sequence as possible.   A student may study more than one language and is encouraged to do so, however, students should not drop one language for the study of another.  The department recommends a sequential program of at least three years, preferably four and above.

 

Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment:

• To meet varied student interests and abilities, teachers use a variety of resources and instructional strategies. Teachers strive to differentiate instruction to recognize student-learning styles, strengths and interests; the curriculum is paced to help make it accessible to everyone.
• Textbooks, workbooks, readers, newspapers, magazines, video and audiotapes, films, realia, computer software, and other technological resources are used as available to help bring language and culture to life.
• To the extent possible, listening materials include native speakers in authentic situations in the target cultures, and reading materials are drawn from authentic sources in the target language.
• Students are actively involved in language learning through teaching strategies such as large and small group instruction, pair and group communicative activities, class discussions, individual projects, dramatizations, and games.

 

French

 

 

                                                                       

French 1                                                                     Level: College Prep / Honors        

#04143                                                                        Credit:  1.0 (Full-year)

#04142 

The beginning courses is heterogeneously grouped and introduces the students to the study of the language with immediately useful language skills.  Students will learn the basic sound system of the language, vocabulary in meaningful context, and cultural insights of the target culture. Students will have the opportunity to practice the language during class time; grammar and vocabulary are presented as a means of transmitting a spoken message as accurately as possible.

Students may complete additional work to earn Honors credit in this course.

 

 

French II                                                                    Level:  Honors

#04262                                                                       Credit:  1.0 (Full-year)

Prerequisite: A passing grade in the first year of the language.

The second-year honors level courses in languages are intensive college-preparatory classes, which further develops those skills and proficiencies attained in the first year of the target language. Additional enrichment is achieved through the increasing emphasis on vocabulary acquisition and communication skills; reading and supplementary materials are featured more prominently than in Level 1. Students will develop the ability to communicate in the language about everyday situations and increase their awareness of culture through classroom activities. Classes will be conducted primarily in the target language.

 

French III                                                                              Level: Honors

#04352                                                                                   Credit:  1.0 (Full-year)

Prerequisite: A passing grade in the second year of language study.

The third-level honors course  features an accelerated emphasis on improving the student’s ability to understand and speak in that language.  The course will encourage proficiency in the language skills, which will be developed through further study of grammar, vocabulary, and idiomatic expressions. More opportunities will be provided for self-expression, orally and in writing, by means of dialogues, skits, projects, and compositions. Students will further develop an awareness and appreciation of the target culture through a variety of activities.  The class will be conducted in the target language.

 

 

French IV                                                                              Level:  Honors

#04452                                                                                   Credit:  1.0 (Full-year)

Prerequisite: A passing grade in the third level of the language.

The fourth-level course in the language will hone and reinforce the listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills already attained through sequential study.  More vocabulary development is also emphasized with stress on conversational and writing skills. The students will also be reading, discussing, and analyzing various literary selections in the target language, as well as articles on contemporary issues. Art, music, and history will also be included. Many opportunities will be given for independent, paired, and group projects, both oral and written, with the focus on communicative proficiency.

 

French AP                                                                             Level: Advanced. Placement

 #04471                                                                                   Credit:  1.0 (Full-year)

Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation and passing grade on course entrance exam.  This course will encompass aural/oral skills, reading comprehension, grammar, and composition. It emphasizes the use of the target language for active communication with the following objectives:

• The ability to comprehend formal and informal spoken language.
• The acquisition of vocabulary and a grasp of structure to allow the easy, accurate reading of newspaper and magazine articles as well as modern literature of the target language.
• The ability to compose expository passages.
• The ability to express ideas orally with accuracy and fluency.

This course seeks to develop language skills that are useful in themselves and that can be  to various activities and disciplines. Students will be encouraged to take the Language Advanced Placement exam in the spring.

 

 Italian

 

Italian I                                                                      Level: College Prep / Honors        

 #04133                                                                       Credit:  1.0 (Full-year)

#04132

The beginning courses are heterogeneously grouped and introduce the students to the study of the language with immediately useful language skills.  Students will learn the basic sound system of the language, vocabulary in meaningful context, and cultural insights of the target culture. Students will have the opportunity to practice the language during class time; grammar and vocabulary are presented as a means of transmitting a spoken message as accurately as possible.

Students may complete additional work to earn Honors credit in this course.

 

 

Italian II                                                                                 Level:  College Prep

 #04253                                                                                  Credit:  1.0 (Full-year)

Prerequisite: A passing grade in the first year of the language.

This is a more moderately paced course.  The basic skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing will be further developed and strengthened as the student increases vocabulary acquisition and knowledge of the language and culture.

 

Italian II                                                                     Level:  Honors

#04242                                                                       Credit:  1.0 (Full-year)

Prerequisite: A passing grade in the first year of the language.

The second-year honors level course in languages is an intensive class, which further develops those skills and proficiencies attained in the first year of the target language. Additional enrichment is achieved through the increasing emphasis on vocabulary acquisition and communication skills; reading and supplementary materials are featured more prominently than in Level 1. Students will develop the ability to communicate in the language about everyday situations and increase their awareness of culture through classroom activities. Classes will be conducted primarily in the target language.

 

Italian III                                                                   Level: Honors

#04332                                                                       Credit:  1.0 (Full-year)

Prerequisite: A passing grade in the second year of language study.

The third-level honors courses feature an accelerated emphasis on improving the student’s ability to understand and speak in that language.  The course will encourage proficiency in the language skills, which will be developed through further study of grammar, vocabulary, and idiomatic expressions. More opportunities will be provided for self-expression, orally and in writing, by means of dialogues, skits, projects, and compositions. Students will further develop an awareness and appreciation of the target culture through a variety of activities.  The class will be conducted in the target language.

 

Italian IV                                                                    Level:  Honors

#04432                                                                       Credit:  1.0 (Full-year)

Prerequisite: A passing grade in the third level of the language.-

The fourth-level course in the language will hone and reinforce the listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills already attained through sequential study.  More vocabulary development is also emphasized with stress on conversational and writing skills. The students will also be reading, discussing, and analyzing various literary selections in the target language, as well as articles on contemporary issues. Art, music, and history will also be included. Many opportunities will be given for independent, paired, and group projects, both oral and written, with the focus on communicative proficiency.

 

Latin

 

Latin I                                                                                    Level: College Prep / Honors

#04102                                                                                    Credit: 1.0 (Full-year)

Latin I is designed to introduce students to the basic skills in the language and appreciation of Roman culture. Much attention is given to the learning of vocabulary and understanding of the grammatical structure in order to facilitate reading, comprehending, and writing basic Latin. While the ancient language and its ancient civilization is the center of the course, students will become aware of the influence of the classical world on modern life especially in the areas of traditions, vocabulary, and mythology.

Students may complete additional work to earn Honors credit in this course.

 

 

Latin II                                                                                   Level: Honors           

#04202                                                                                   Credit:  1.0 (Full-year)

Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation and successful completion of Latin I.

This course will reinforce and develop further reading and writing skills as the students increase their knowledge of vocabulary and Latin grammar.  The main theme of the course is the language and its ancient civilization; however, more comparisons are made with the classical world and its influence on modern life. Students will learn more about the mythology, history, government, and Roman culture through Latin readings.

 

Latin III/IV                                                                            Level:    Honors

#04302                                                                                    Credit:  1.0 (Full-year)

Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation and successful completion of Latin II or III.

The third and fourth years of Latin combine advanced Latin composition with a concentration of the readings of Latin prose and poetry. Students will increase their knowledge of mythology and western civilization and culture through the work of Caesar, Cicero, Ovid, and Virgil. The Aeneid is studied for its narrative content and as a literary work with concentration on poetic style, literary devices, figures of speech, and richness of language. The students will analyze the Aeneid as compendium for the ideals that led Rome to greatness, a handbook of mythology, and an inspiration for works of art, literature, and music in other cultures.

 

Latin AP                                                                                 Level:  Advanced Placement

#04401                                                                                    Credit:  1.0 (Full-year)

Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation and passing grade on course entrance exam.  This course will encompass aural/oral skills, reading comprehension, grammar, and composition. It emphasizes the use of the target language for active communication with the following objectives:

• The ability to comprehend formal and informal spoken language.
• The acquisition of vocabulary and a grasp of structure to allow the easy, accurate reading of newspaper and magazine articles as well as modern literature of the target language.
• The ability to compose expository passages.
• The ability to express ideas orally with accuracy and fluency.

This course seeks to develop language skills that are useful in themselves and that can be applied to various activities and disciplines. Students will be encouraged to take the Language Advanced Placement exam in the spring.

 

Spanish

                                                                       

Spanish 1                                                                    Level: College Prep/Honors   

#04123/04122                                                                        Credit:  1.0 (Full-year)

 

The beginning courses are heterogeneously grouped and introduce the students to the study of the language with immediately useful language skills.  Students will learn the basic sound system of the language, vocabulary in meaningful context, and cultural insights of the target culture. Students will have the opportunity to practice the language during class time; grammar and vocabulary are presented as a means of transmitting a spoken message as accurately as possible.

Students may complete additional work to earn Honors credit in this course.

 

Spanish II                                                                              Level:  College Prep 

#04233                                                                       Credit:  1.0 (Full-year)

Prerequisite: A passing grade in the first year of the language.

This is a more moderately paced course.  The basic skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing will be further developed and strengthened as the student increases vocabulary acquisition and knowledge of the language and culture.

 

Spanish II                                                                  Level:  Honors

#04222                                                                       Credit:  1.0 (Full-year)

Prerequisite: A passing grade in the first year of the language.

The second-year honors level course in languages is an intensive class, which further develops those skills and proficiencies attained in the first year of the target language. Additional enrichment is achieved through the increasing emphasis on vocabulary acquisition and communication skills; reading and supplementary materials are featured more prominently than in Level 1. Students will develop the ability to communicate in the language about everyday situations and increase their awareness of culture through classroom activities. Classes will be conducted primarily in the target language.

 

Spanish III                                                                 Level: College Prep

#04323                                                                       Credit:  1.0 (Full-year)         

Prerequisite: A passing grade in the second year of language study.

The third-level course will provide further study of grammar, verb structures, vocabulary, and idiomatic expressions. Students will develop the four skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing through opportunities for self-expression, both orally and written. Supplementary readings will be introduced for purposes of discussion and language review. Students will further develop the awareness and appreciation of the target culture through a variety of activities.  The class will be conducted primarily in the target language.

 

Spanish III                                                                 Level: Honors

#04312                                                                        Credit:  1.0 (Full-year)

Prerequisite: A passing grade in the second year of language study.

The third-level honors course feature an accelerated emphasis on improving the student’s ability to understand and speak in that language.  The course will encourage proficiency in the language skills, which will be developed through further study of grammar, vocabulary, and idiomatic expressions. More opportunities will be provided for self-expression, orally and in writing, by means of dialogues, skits, projects, and compositions. Students will further develop an awareness and appreciation of the target culture through a variety of activities.  The class will be conducted in the target language.

 

Spanish IV                                                                 Level: College Prep

#04483                                                                       Credit:  1.0 (Full-year)

Prerequisite:  A passing grade in the third year of the language.

The fourth-level level course will feature more sophisticated grammar, listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills already attained the first three years of the target language. Increased emphasis will be on conversational and reading skills along with the development of writing in the language.  The students will read and discuss various literary selections as well as articles on contemporary issues. The art, music, and history of the culture will be further explored.

 

Spanish IV                                                                 Level:  Honors

#04402                                                                       Credit:  1.0 (Full-year)

Prerequisite: A passing grade in the third level of the language.

The fourth-level course in the language will hone and reinforce the listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills already attained through sequential study.  More vocabulary development is also emphasized with stress on conversational and writing skills. The students will also be reading, discussing, and analyzing various literary selections in the target language, as well as articles on contemporary issues. Art, music, and history will also be included. Many opportunities will be given for independent, paired, and group projects, both oral and written, with the focus on communicative proficiency.

 

Spanish V                                                                   Level: Honors                                   

#04412                                                                                    Credit:  1.0 (Full-year)

Prerequisite: Teacher / counselor recommendation

The fifth year language course will offer students the opportunity to explore many cultural aspects through use of the target language. Students will survey literature, art, history, music, and more in the target language to develop a deeper understanding of both the target language and culture.  Any student with strong work habits may participate in an Honors section of the course.

                                                           

Spanish AP                                                                Level: Advanced. Placement

#04421                                                                                    Credit:  1.0 (Full-year)

Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation and passing grade on course entrance exam.  This course will encompass aural/oral skills, reading comprehension, grammar, and composition. It emphasizes the use of the target language for active communication with the following objectives:

• The ability to comprehend formal and informal spoken language.
• The acquisition of vocabulary and a grasp of structure to allow the easy, accurate reading of newspaper and magazine articles as well as modern literature of the target language.
• The ability to compose expository passages.
• The ability to express ideas orally with accuracy and fluency.

Students will be encouraged to take the Language Advanced Placement exam in the spring.

 

Spanish For Heritage Speakers

 

Spanish for Heritage Speakers I     Level: College Prep

#04113                                                            Credit: 1.0 (Full-Year)

Spanish for Heritage Speakers I     Level Honors

#04112                                                            Credit: 1.0 (Full-Year)

Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation

Heritage speakers of Spanish bring a unique skill set to foreign language learning. This course will enable students, who speak Spanish at home, to hone their skills in academic Spanish.  This course offers an intense study of grammar, spelling, and vocabulary, designed to prepare students for the second year of Spanish for Heritage Speakers and other upper level Spanish classes offered such as AP Spanish.  They will therefore be appropriately challenged and supported for their future language acquisition.

 

Spanish for Heritage Speakers II   Level: College Prep

#04173                                                                                    Credit: 1.0 (Full-year)

Spanish for Heritage Speakers II   Level: Honors

#04172                                                                                    Credit 1.0 (Full-year)

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Spanish for Heritage Speakers level I and teacher recommendation.

This course will afford students, who speak Spanish at home, to refine their academic skills in Spanish.  This course will focus on developing academic Spanish through a focus on reading, writing, and speaking.   Students will accomplish this through surveying a variety of Hispanic authors and developing writing and speaking skills.  They will therefore be appropriately challenged and supported for their future language acquisition.  After successful completion of this course, students who choose to continue with Spanish will be offered Spanish AP or Spanish 5 honors.

 

Independent Study – Foreign Language                           Level: College Prep

#04993                                                                                   Credit:  .5 (Semester course)

 

Independent Study – Foreign Language                           Level: College   Prep/Honors

#04992                                                                                   Credit:  .5 (Semester course)

Prerequisite:  permission of teacher, guidance counselor, and director

A student may request this course with permission of the parent, teacher, and Director.  Interested students may obtain an Independent Study Request Form in the Main Office after the school year.