Forgeign Language - Spanish & Latin
Two years of required language study at PCH will not only prepare students for their university careers, but for their careers as leaders as salt and light in this shrinking world of diverse languages and cultures. Grammar, vocabulary, and usage are key components to the program, and further study of each language results in both high-level language study and literature. Each area includes history, anthropology, and geography of the language culture.
Course Descriptions
Graduation requirement: 2 years of high school language
SPANISH
Spanish I – (Year Course)
This college preparatory course introduces basic grammar, speech patterns, sentence structure, and common vocabulary used in daily interchange. By the end of the course, students will be able to engage in introductory/simple conversations, using present tense verbs. Spanish linguistics are introduced so that students can begin to develop their pronunciation skills correctly. Students are also given an introduction to the art, culture, and geography of Spanish-speaking countries.
Spanish II – (Year Course)
Spanish II places a continuing emphasis on oral comprehension, speaking, pronunciation and vocabulary, this college preparatory course will help students use more complex structures in daily conversations. Students will learn how to use a wide array of verb tenses, beginning with a review of the present tense and moving on to the past tense, progressive tenses, subjunctive, and commands. Students will also read and discuss short stories and poems of prominent Hispanic authors and will focus on developing their writing skills. Spanish 2 will also expose students to more Spanish-speaking countries and teach the students more culture and geography.
Spanish III – (Year Course)
After an intensive grammar review, listening and speaking skills are closely monitored and tested through quizzes and class conversations. Remaining verb tenses are learned in this year of Spanish language. Students should be able to write compositions in the target language and carry on meaningful conversations. Reading comprehension will be covered as the students read excerpts from more advanced literary works of prominent Hispanic authors. Spanish is the classroom language, and conventional fluency is the major goal.
Spanish III Honors – (Year Course)
This Spanish course is created for the student who has a very good knowledge of the fundamentals of the Spanish language and is ready to apply his/her abilities in a wide variety of subject areas. Spanish III Honors will review grammatical structures learned in prior years. Students will learn new grammatical structures with the goal of using those structures to improve and expand speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills in Spanish. This pre-AP level course emphasizes the four communicative skills in a culturally, realistic and authentic context. The student will develop conversational skills through short dialogues, class interaction, picture sequence, and readings on daily living. Intensive oral practice and vocabulary building are emphasized. Intermediate/Advanced composition and grammar is enhanced through the writing of essays, keeping weekly journals, and letter writing. Bible verses and reading selections from famous Spanish and Latin American poetry, novels, and drama will be included to give the student a deeper insight into Hispanic civilization and the culture of the Spanish-speaking people. Students will watch selected videos in Spanish, which will improve listening and speaking skills, and will teach students about Hispanic cultures.
Advanced Placement Spanish Language– (Year Course)
A.P. Spanish is a preparation course for the AP examination. It engages students in reading, writing, listening, and speaking activities in order to promote fluency in the Spanish language, as well as equip the students with the skills necessary to pass the AP exam. All students are required to take the Advanced Placement exam in May.
Advanced Placement Spanish Literature – (Year Course)
A.P. Spanish Literature is a literature course, which precludes a fluency in Spanish and promotes the study of the language’s literature uses. The class studies numerous authors from various Spanish cultures and prepares students for the AP Spanish Literature Examination. All students are required to take the Advanced Placement exam in May.
LATIN
Latin I – (Year Course)
This course introduces students to the Latin language through the study of its basic grammar, vocabulary, and syntax. Students will begin developing reading, writing, and translating skills in Latin through reading and writing exercises, and the practice of parsing Latin sentences. To help the students become more familiar with the Romans, the students will learn about different aspects of Roman history, culture, and geography.
Latin II – (Year Course)
In this course students will continue developing their reading, writing, and translating skills in Latin through reading and writing exercises, and the practice of parsing Latin sentences. The students will also learn more about different aspects of Roman history, culture, and geography. There will be an emphasis on Greek and Roman Mythology.
Latin III – (Year Course)
In this course students will continue developing their reading, writing, and translating skills in Latin through reading and writing exercises, and the practice of parsing Latin sentences. The students will also learn more about different aspects of Roman history, culture, and geography. There will be an emphasis on Latin Literature since the students will be primarily reading selections from Roman authors.
Latin IV – (Year Course)
Latin IV is a course for those students who either plan on taking AP Latin Examination or who wish to finish their language program with a solid foundation in Latin. In this course students will continue to develop their reading, writing, and translating skills in Latin through reading of the literary works of Cicero, Livy, Horace, and Virgil. They will learn to appreciate the prose and poetry of these great writers. In addition to translating, they will be identifying the grammatical constructions characteristic to those authors. The students will learn aspects of Roman history and how they apply to the literature of that period.
Latin IV Honors – (Year Course)
Latin IV Honors is a course for those students who have successfully completed Latin III and wish to continue their study of Latin Literature. In this course the students will examine prose & poetry and learn the skills necessary to write a literary criticism of the works they have translated. They will work on the prose of Cicero in the 1st semester and the poetry of Virgil and Ovid in the 2nd semester. They will learn how the history of Rome played an important role in the development of Roman Literature as well as the role of Roman mythology. They will compare and contrast the writing style of the authors and poets. Grammar and syntax will be reviewed as they read these ancient works.