Languages

(ALL FOREIGN LANGUAGE CLASSES ARE HIGH SCHOOL, COLLEGE PREP LEVEL COURSES REQUIRING EXCELLENT ATTENDANCE, WORK HABITS, AND REQUIRE DAILY HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS. STUDENTS MUST HAVE A MINIMUM 3.50 GPA WITH A “B” OR BETTER IN ENGLISH. APPROVAL FROM ENGLISH TEACHER IS REQUIRED.)

NOTE: Language courses are offered at Los Alamitos High School (except for Spanish I) in the morning BEFORE McAuliffe school day. Students are responsible for their own transportation to the high school. A bus will transport the students back to McAuliffe.

Spanish I - Grades 7 & 8 (This course is held at McAuliffe)

Students are taught the basic skills of reading, writing, listening, and speaking in preparation for Spanish II. Students will read 2-3 mini-novels to increase reading proficiency. Students will also begin to develop cultural awareness of Spanish-speaking countries. It is equivalent to Spanish I at LAHS, and it fulfills one year toward the LAHS foreign language requirement.

Spanish II Honors - 8^th Grade ONLY (at LAHS)

Prerequisite: Spanish I, grade of B+ or higher, plus a recommendation from Spanish teacher

Spanish II Honors continues to build proficiency through TPRS (Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling), with increased opportunity for storytelling and developing more advanced language skills. Students will continue to develop speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills. The course also emphasizes an increased focus on reading and writing through mini-novels, and writing projects as well as cultural components. The Spanish II Honors class will work at a faster pace than Spanish II as well as have more extended reading and writing opportunities. The department does not recommend this course for students who have repeated Spanish I.

French I - Grades 7 & 8 (at LAHS)

This course utilizes TPRS (Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling). The emphasis is on building vocabulary and fluency through storytelling. Instruction will focus on storytelling to building proficiency in speaking, listening, reading, and writing, as opposed to discrete memorization of vocabulary and grammar rules. Students will be expected to be creative participants in the storytelling process. Students will read several mini-novels to increase reading proficiency. Students will also begin to develop cultural awareness of Francophone countries.

French II - 8^th Grade ONLY (at LAHS)

French II continues to build proficiency through, TPRS (Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling), with increased opportunity for storytelling and developing more advanced language skills. Students will continue to develop speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills. The course also emphasizes an increased focus on reading and writing through mini-novels, legends, and writing projects as well as cultural components.

Japanese I ** 8^th Grade ONLY (at LAHS)

Japanese I provides students with opportunities to gain a basic understanding of both the language and culture. At the end of this course, students will be able to talk about their likes and dislikes, their school life and leisure time activities, and their families in basic Japanese. Students learn from three syllabaries: hiragana (46 characters), Katakana (46 characters) and Kanji (approximately 20 characters) along with vocabulary and expressions as they explore topics that relate to Japan.

German I - 8^th Grade ONLY (at LAHS)

Students will acquire and develop basic skills in Speaking, Listening, Reading, Writing and Vocabulary, as well as develop multicultural awareness on a global scale. Students will learn how to communicate effectively in German, using the four basic skills in dialogues, role-plays and projects that are culturally authentic and relevant to middle and high school students. Students will learn about the cultures of the German-speaking countries and peoples, as well as make connections to their own cultures and customs. Students must have excellent attendance, work skills as well as a minimum GPA of 3.5.