World Languages
The goal of all courses in the World Language Department is to achieve a functional level of proficiency in the target language and to develop a cultural awareness along with skills to interact with people from different cultures. Most courses consist of two segments, part A and part B, which are offered in consecutive terms. Students should register for both part A and part B of those courses. Unless otherwise specified, it is recommended that students pass each segment with a C- or higher in order to continue to the next segment or level.
Knowledge of one or more world languages and cultures offers a wide variety of advantages and opportunities.
- Students who completed 4 years of world language study scored more than 100 points higher on
each section of the SAT than those who didn’t. (source: Wall Street Journal, October 30, 2003) - Four out of five new jobs in the United States are created as a result of foreign trade.
- Communication skills will play an important role in service industries within the United States. Service industries are predicted to be the fastest growing markets in the 21st century.
Courses Shown Below
Click title to see course description and prerequisites
FrenchFrench I A&B (8-12) |
ChineseChinese I A&B (8-12) |
SpanishSpanish I A&B (8-12) |
Immersion SpanishImmersion Spanish 9 A&B (9) |
English as a Second LanguageESL services will be determined based on student eligibility and need. Students are encouraged to register for regular education courses through the registration process. |
FRENCH
French I A/B Course: 7501/7502 Grade: 8-12
In French I, students will communicate in an interactive setting about subjects of interest to American and French-speaking teens: music, sports, leisure activities, food, etc. They will begin to acquire proficiency in listening to, speaking, reading and writing French while developing cultural sensitivity to the everyday activities of French-speaking people throughout the world.
Please note: To be successful in French it is recommended that students have attained a solid foundation in the reading and writing of English since this is necessary to understanding the basic elements of a second language.
French II A/B Course: 7511/7512 Grade: 9-12
Prerequisite: Successful completion in French IB or instructor approval
In French II, students will continue to acquire proficiency in reading, writing, speaking, and listening in French. Some of the themes explored include shopping, home, health, and travel to Paris. A balance of activities allows students with a variety of learning styles to be successful as they progress from structured practice to more creative expression.
French III A/B Course: 7521/7522 Grade: 10-12
Prerequisite: Successful completion in French IIB or instructor approval French III students have acquired a solid foundation for communicating with others in French. They will expand upon those skills by investigating new themes such as sports, life in the French West Indies, traveling by train and dining out. Their ability to read and write French will improve as they learn how to analyze songs, poems, articles and stories in French.
French IV A/B Course: 7531/7532 Grade: 10-12
Prerequisite: Successful completion in French IIIB or instructor approval Students in French IV will further develop their ability to interact with others in authentic French while enhancing all of their language skills. They will become acquainted with famous French people and their accomplishments, and will heighten their awareness of our French-speaking Canadian neighbors and the Francophone culture of North Africa.
French V A/B Course: 7553/7554 Grade: 11-12 Prerequisite: Successful completion in French IVB or instructor approval
This is a University of Minnesota College in the Schools course with a focus on development of reading, listening, writing, and speaking skills in the context of cultural themes related to the Francophone world. Course objectives are to complete a systematic review of French grammer at the intermediate level, to promote awareness and appreciation of Francophone culture, to develope reading skills throught the study of authentic texts, and to continue the development of speaking, writing, and listening skills. Successful completion of the course may enable students to earn 5 semester credits from the University of Minnesota (Intermediate French 1003).
SPANISH
Spanish I A/B Course: 7701/7702 Grade: 8-12
Spanish I is an introductory language course encompassing pronunciation, high frequency vocabulary, and basic sentences and questions in the present tense. Students will develop speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills through real-life topics such as likes and dislikes, activities, family, school, friends, food, places, telling time, geography, and culture. Spanish as the mode of instruction will be used as students’ language acquisition increases. Eighth grade students will receive a high school credit for this course. Most universities require a minimum of two years of the same language as an entrance requirement. In CIS Spanish 5, students have the opportunity to earn college credits.
Spanish II A/B Course: 7711/7712 Grade: 9-12
Prerequisite: Successful completion in Spanish IB or instructor approval
In Spanish II, students will build upon their vocabulary and improve their level of proficiency in speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Spanish as the mode of instruction will be frequently used as students continue to increase their language acquisition. Students will develop speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills through real-life topics such as making plans, restaurant scenarios, family celebrations, household obligations, shopping, travel, and talking about the past. Most universities require a minimum of two years of the same language as an entrance requirement. In CIS Spanish 5, students have the opportunity to earn college credits.
Spanish III A/B Course: 7721/7722 Grade: 9-12
Prerequisite: Successful completion in Spanish IIB or instructor approval
In Spanish III, students will build upon their vocabulary and improve their level of proficiency in speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Spanish as the mode of instruction will be frequently used as students continue to increase their language acquisition. Students will develop speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills through real-life topics such as extracurricular activities, daily routines, places in our community, childhood, and holiday celebrations. Students will further their Spanish abilities in this class through storytelling, reading novels, grammar instruction, and much more. In CIS Spanish 5, students have the opportunity to earn college credits.
Spanish IV A/B Course: 7733/7734 Grade: 10-12
Prerequisite: Successful completion in Spanish IIIB or instructor approval Spanish IV students will continue to improve their conversational skills and their understanding of important grammatical structures such as past and future verb tenses and the subjunctive constructs. Writing skills will improve through compositions and proofreading activities. Students will begin to read at a more in-depth level with various types of authentic Spanish readings. In addition, students will examine the concept of culture and will compare the cultures of the U.S. with that of Spanish-speaking countries. This course prepares students for CIS Spanish 5.
Spanish V A/B Course: 7753/7754 Grade: 11-12
Prerequisite: Successful completion in Spanish IVB or in Immersion Spanish 9B or instructor approval
Southwest State requires students to have a minimum 3.0 GPA. Seniors must be in the top 1/2 of their graduating class. Juniors in the top 1/3 of their graduating class
Spanish V is offered in conjunction with Southwest State University’s College Now in Spanish. Spanish V students will continue to develop proficiency in reading, writing, speaking, and listening. The emphasis in Spanish V is on activities and projects where students refine their grammar and communication in Spanish. Culture is a key component of Spanish V. Through music, literature, writing, and in-class discussion, various aspects of Hispanic and American culture will be compared and contrasted. Successful completion of this course will enable students to earn 4 semester credits from the Southwest State Minnesota University. (Intermediate Spanish 202) Students wishing to take Spanish V should complete Spanish IV in their junior year.
Immersion Spanish 9 A/B (formerly: Immersion Spanish III) Course: 7764/7765 Grade: 9
Prerequisite: Successful completion in Immersion Spanish 8B or instructor approval
Immersion Spanish 9 is a course that will continue the development of students’ proficiency and awareness of Spanish-speaking cultures, with connections to their own. In this course, students will continue working on extending their knowledge of Spanish grammatical structure, vocabulary, and fluency. Students will apply their Spanish language communication skills to study various grammar concepts and cultures where Spanish is spoken. This course prepares students for, and is a prerequisite to, CIS Spanish 5.
Immersion Spanish 10 (formerly: Immersion Spanish IV) Course: 7766 Grade: 10-12 Prerequisite: Successful completion in Immersion Spanish 9B or instructor approval
Immersion Spanish 10 is designed for students who have completed Immersion Spanish 9 and who want to continue their Spanish study in a content-based class. Immersion Spanish 10 is an in-depth investigation into a Spanish-speaking country which applies the concepts from ninth grade "Citizenship and Government" and "Geography". The course is inquiry-based, requiring students to do a series of independent research projects and small group presentations. The goal is for students who complete the course to improve their Spanish language skills as well as their intercultural understanding. This course further prepares students for CIS Spanish 5, but is not a prerequisite. Popular Literature In Spanish (Language Arts Department) Course: 4317 Grade: 11-12
Prerequisite recommendation: Immersion Spanish students, heritage Spanish speakers, or traditional Spanish students that have begun or completed Spanish 5>
This is a one term (.5 credit) course designed for Immersion Spanish students, heritage Spanish speakers, or traditional Spanish students that have begun or completed Spanish 5. It allows students to earn a LANGUAGE ARTS elective credit. The reading, writing, and discussion will be in Spanish. Literature, with its potential to entertain and challenge, provides a perfect setting to explore new worlds and new ideas. This is the purpose of Popular Literature. It is designed to continue the study of literary terms and structure begun in English 10 and relate them to current themes and topics in literature and society today. Students will examine, discuss, and write about some of the best popular literary selections including modern novels, short stories and essays. Additionally students will read and study five novels.
CHINESE Chinese I A/B Course: 7901/7902 Grade: 8-12
This is an introduction to Mandarin and Chinese culture. All four modalities-listening, speaking, reading, and writing will be taught with a major emphasis on speaking and listening. Students will learn the Pin Yin spelling system as well as various important Chinese characters. Much time will be devoted to pronunciation, radical and character recognition, basic vocabulary, and sentence-structure building. Students will learn to express themselves and understand others on topics closely related to their own experience and their daily life. Students will also learn about Chinese culture such as Chinese holiday celebrations, arts, and crafts. Cultural activities may include calligraphy, games and cooking.
Chinese II A/B Course: 7911/7912 Grade: 9-12
Prerequisite: Successful completion in Chinese IB or instructor approval
This is a continuation course for students who have successfully completed Chinese Level 1. Students start by reviewing skills from level 1. Students will focus on the four language modalities: Listening, speaking, reading, writing will be covered, with speaking and listening still being the major emphasis. Students will learn to present more complex descriptions and basic ways to support arguments, become more familiar with different varieties of Mandarin discourse forms, and learn to read and write in Pin Yin and characters about the topics learned. Topics covered include shopping, talking about past and future events, daily and leisure activities, home and school.
CIS Chinese III A/B Course: 7923/7924 Grade: 9-12
Prerequisite: Successful completion in Chinese IIB or instructor approval
Students will build on Level 1 and 2 vocabulary and expand on both vocabulary and language structures. With speaking and listening still being the main focus, students will continue to practice reading and writing. Students will improve their listening and speaking with the goal of understanding and producing language with longer and more complex structures. Students will expand their reading and writing skills in different discourse forms, such as letters, diary entries, commercials, menus, and idioms. Students will also develop a familiarity with authentic materials. Chinese Level 3 topics include weather, going to the doctor, visiting a restaurant and getting around town.
Successful completion of the course may enable students to earn 5 semester credits from the University of Minnesota (Beginning Chinese 1011).
CIS Chinese IV A/B
Course: 7955/7956 Grade: 10-12
Prerequisite: Successful completion in Chinese IIIB or instructor approval
This course is conducted mostly in Mandarin and as such students are expected to use more target language in this class. Students will learn and practice with textbooks and more authentic materials. Students will be able to express themselves in a variety of topics (such as renting an apartment, travel, dating) with longer sentences, more complex sentence structures and fluency. Students will learn more Chinese characters and will develop reading and writing. Improvised speaking, independent reading and essay writing will be emphasized. Successful completion of the course may enable students to earn 5 semester credits from the University of Minnesota (Beginning Chinese 1012).
CIS Chinese V A/B Course: 7965/7966 Grade: 11-12
Prerequisite: Successful completion in Chinese IVB or instructor approval
Chinese Level 5 is a continuation of Chinese 4 and is taught mainly in Mandarin. The main focus will be on enhancing Chinese language proficiency and the cultural awareness. The course is designed to further develop students' four language modalities (listening, speaking, reading and writing) by concentrating upon their ability to output complex ideas orally and in written essays. The students will learn advanced grammar, complex language structures, ancient poems, and various pieces of Chinese literature. Successful completion of the course may enable students to earn 5 semester credits from the University of Minnesota (Intermediate Modern Chinese I).
ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE (ESL)
ESL services will be determined based on student eligibility and need. Students are encouraged to register for regular education courses through the registration process.