Spanish

SPA 111 Spanish I

Credit:

One credit.

Prerequisite:

None.

This course covers many of the structures of Spanish and provides beginning training in reading, writing, and oral-aural skills, while introducing Hispanic cultures. Communicative activities, video, and computer activities are designed to help students become more proficient in present-tense usage.

SPA 121 Advanced Spanish I

Credit:

One credit.

Prerequisite:

Previous language experience. Placement based on screening process.

This enriched course is for motivated students who have had previous successful study of Spanish (one or two years at the junior high or high school level) or another second language, but who are not quite ready for Spanish II at our school. The course provides beginning training in reading, writing, and oral-aural skills, while introducing Hispanic cultures. Oral skills are emphasized and topics are explored in greater detail.

SPA 211 Spanish II

Credit:

One credit.

Prerequisite:

SPA 111 or SPA 121. Placement based on screening process.

This course continues the development of the four basic language skills (reading, writing, listening, and speaking in both present and past tenses) and of multicultural awareness.

SPA 221 Honors Spanish II

Credit:

One credit.

Prerequisite:

Placement based on screening process.

This enriched course for students who have demonstrated their ability and interest in the study of the Spanish language is similar to SPA 211, except that students generally do more reading, writing, speaking, and other proficiency-oriented activities in class.

SPA 311 Spanish III

Credit:

One credit.

Prerequisite:

SPA 211 or SPA 221. Placement based on screening process.

This course emphasizes self-expression through conversation, composition, and many interpersonal communication activities. A study of stories and poems with a multicultural perspective is combined with a complete review of basic Spanish grammar and an introduction to more advanced grammar concepts.

SPA 321 Honors Spanish III

Credit:

One credit.

Prerequisite:

Placement based on screening process.

This enriched course for students who have demonstrated ability and interest in language study is similar to SPA 311, except that students do more reading, writing, speaking, and other proficiency-oriented activities in class.

SPA 411 Spanish IV

Credit:

One credit.

Prerequisite:

SPA 311 or SPA 321. Placement based on screening process.

This advanced language course focuses on Spanish grammar and conversation and introduces a number of readings in Hispanic civilization and literature.

SPA 412 Spanish IV/Service-Learning Project

Credit:

One credit.

Prerequisite:

SPA 311 or SPA 321. Placement based on teacher's recommendation.

This advanced language course combines the study of the language and culture of Hispanic civilization with the teaching of the language to students of a local elementary school. This course also counts as the workjob assignment for that semester.

SPA 421 Spanish IV Honors

Credit:

One credit.

Prerequisite:

SPA 321. Placement based on screening process.

This enriched course focuses on composition, conversation, and culture, with a complete review of Spanish grammar. Students will be introduced to a number of Hispanic authors through various readings on Hispanic civilization and literature.

SPA 501 Spanish V: Modern Hispanic Cultures

Credit:

One credit.

Prerequisite:

See below.

Open to juniors or seniors upon completion of SPA 411 or SPA 421, and/or native or near-native ability in Spanish. Placement based on screening process.

This course is designed to meet the needs of those students who wish to continue their study of Spanish at the fifth-year level, but who may not wish to take the AP course. The focus of the course is on 20th- and 21st-century Hispanic culture via a survey of Hispanic literature, cinema, and pop culture. Authors studied will include García Márquez, Rulfo, Quiroga, Allende, Lorca, Neruda, Ibarbourou, and other representatives of the prose, poetic, and theatrical genres. Although the main emphasis of this course is on conversation and writing, certain topics of grammar will be reviewed/introduced.

SPA 511 Spanish V: Advanced Placement Spanish Language

Credit:

One credit. Open to juniors and seniors.

Prerequisite:

Selection based on application process.

This course is designed to review, enhance, and perfect all the skill areas that students have been developing since the beginning of their Spanish study. Specifically it concentrates on developing the ability to read authentic texts, write with appropriate vocabulary, syntax, and grammatical structures, listen to native conversation with advanced comprehension, speak with near native speed using appropriate syntax, and interpret and understand Hispanic cultural phenomena. The course prepares the students for the Spanish Advanced Placement Language Examination.