PROGRAM PLANNING

Central Bucks World Languages courses allow students to study one language for several years so that the language can be used an another learning tool. The language being taught will be the language of the classroom. Beyond the expected learning of writing and speaking the language, students learn how people live in other parts of the world.  The knowledge of how other people work, play, raise families, and run governments can be valuable in many classes outside of the World languages department.  The possibilities of using world languages skills in a career cannot be ignored.  Many government and international business jobs demand second language ability.  While Central Bucks emphasizes mastering one world language, successful world languages students are encouraged to study a second world language.

Note: As in all subjects, world languages courses with an enrollment of fewer than twenty students may be cancelled.
 

College-bound students planning a career in medicine, law, social sciences, or business should consider completing the world language sequence, especially if they are applying to colleges designated as highly competitive.
 

¹In 2008 -2009 AP French Language will be offered. French 5 may be         offered based on enrollment but will not be weighted.

² In 2008-2009 AP German Language will replace German 5.

³A pre-requisite to AP Spanish Language is the completion of Spanish 4 Honors or Spanish 5.

* Students beginning the language sequence with Introduction to Spanish may take two courses in one year at the high school level in order to complete the sequence with Level 5.

Parents and students should note that German 1, German 2, French 1, and French 2 are NOT offered at the high school level.  Students that wish to study French and German must begin the sequence in 8th grade.

Honors courses are weighted .25 and a weight of 1.0 is assigned to AP courses.
 

Students who are interested in studying more than one language should take French or German as levels 1 and 2 of these languages are not offered in high school.

4822 Spanish 1 (1 credit) The goal of first-year language is to enable students to use fundamental expressions and vocabulary in oral and written context while integrating cultural elements. These courses emphasize communicative skills, relevant grammar concepts, and reading comprehension. CDs, videotapes, workbooks, and a variety of supplementary materials are used to help achieve this goal. The department recommends a grade of C or better in the previous year’s English course.

4920 French 2, 4921 German 2, 4922 Spanish 2 (1 credit) Level 2 continues language study in the same patterns as Level 1. Students experience opportunities for more advanced oral and written self-expression and related cultural elements. More advanced grammatical concepts, vocabulary, and expressions are taught in complete sentences with an emphasis on speaking and writing. CDs, videotapes, workbooks, and supplementary materials are essential parts of these classes. Prerequisite: Level 1, grade C – or better.

4923 Introductory Spanish (1 credit) This course will focus on communication and will address listening comprehension skills at the outset. From the beginning, students become aware of the geographic and cultural variety of the Spanish-speaking world. For many students this awareness will open a new dimension in their studies and stimulate their interest in learning. The course will include helping each student to attain a degree of proficiency in the four skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing

Central Bucks World Languages courses allow students to aim for proficiency in the four skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The language taught will be the language spoken in the classroom. The standard of culture as defined by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages will be an integral part of instruction. Culture is defined as the art, music, and literature of a foreign country but also includes the way people work, play, and raise their families in different parts of the world. The possibilities of using a world language are numerous and are important to the rapidly growing global economy. Many government and international business jobs demand proficiency in a second language.

4026 Spanish 1 (18 weeks, 1 credit) The goal of first-year language is to enable students to use fundamental expressions and vocabulary in oral and written context while integrating cultural elements. These courses emphasize communicative skills, relevant grammar concepts, and reading comprehension. CDs, videotapes, workbooks, and a variety of supplementary materials are used to help achieve this goal. The department recommends a grade of C or better in the previous year’s English course.

4027 Spanish 2 (18 weeks, 1 credit) Level 2 continues language study in the same patterns as Level 1. Students experience opportunities for more advanced oral and written self-expression and related cultural elements. More advanced grammatical concepts, vocabulary, and expressions are taught in complete sentences with an emphasis on speaking and writing. CDs, videotapes, workbooks, and supplementary materials are essential parts of these classes.Prerequisite: Level 1, grade C - or better.

4022 French 3; 4025 German 3; 4028 Spanish 3 (18 weeks, 1 credit) These courses continue earlier study with an increasing emphasis on speaking and writing. Students will review all previously studied concepts and be introduced to more advanced grammatical points. Culture is integrated throughout the curriculum. CDs, videotapes, workbooks, and supplementary materials are essential parts of these classes. Prerequisite: Level 2, grade C - or better.

4003 Spanish 3, Honors (18 weeks, 1 credit) Spanish 3, Honors is a rigorous course designed to accelerate the student’s proficiency and achievement in the skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Emphasis will be placed on reading and writing skills. Students will review all previously studied grammatical concepts and will study more advanced structures and their applications. The students electing this course should strongly consider taking Spanish 4 Honors, followed by AP Spanish Language.  Prerequisite: Level 2, grade B + average and the recommendation of the Spanish 2 teacher. This is a weighted-grade course.

4120 French 4, 4124 Spanish 4 (18 weeks, 1 credit) These courses continue emphasis on listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Students will review previously studied grammatical points and be introduced to more advanced grammatical concepts. Selected readings and culture are infused throughout the curriculum. Prerequisite: Level 3, grade C - or better.

4004 Spanish 4, Honors (18 weeks, 1 credit) This course, which is a continuation of the Honors 3 sequence, is designed to accelerate the student’s proficiency and achievement in the skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Continued emphasis will be placed on reading and writing skills. Reading will include literary works by well-known authors with literary analysis. Students will complete the study of grammatical concepts and their applications. Increased emphasis will be placed on oral and aural discrimination. The students electing this course should strongly consider taking AP Spanish Language in 2003-2004 as the culmination of the sequence. Prerequisite: Level 3, Honors, grade B average and  the recommendation of the Spanish 3 H teacher. This is a weighted-grade course.

4100 French 4, Honors, 4101 German 4, Honors (18 weeks, 1 credit)
These rigorous courses are designed to accelerate the student’s proficiency and achievement in the skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Emphasis will be placed on reading and writing skills. Readings will include literary works by well-known authors with literary analysis. Students will complete the study of grammatical concepts and their applications. Increased emphasis will be placed on oral and aural discrimination. The students electing these courses should strongly consider taking the AP Language course in 2008-2009 as the culmination of the sequence. Prerequisite: Level 3, grade B average or the recommendation of the level 3 teacher.    These are Honors weighted-grade courses.

4220 French 5, 4221 German 5, 4224 Spanish 5 (18 weeks, 1 credit) These courses allow students to apply the skills they have learned in their previous years of study. The practical aspects of using the foreign language will be emphasized and expanded. Student involvement in class activities plays a major part in the course. Students will read a variety of materials. Compositions and conversations on familiar topics will be incorporated, and grammar will be thoroughly reviewed. Fifth year foreign language does not prepare students for Advanced Placement examinations. Note: Students may NOT take these courses as independent study. With the introduction of AP Spanish Language, Spanish 5 is no longer a weighted-grade course. Weighted-grade credit for French 5 and German 5 only through 2007-2008. Prerequisite: Level 4, grade C- or better.

4600 Advanced Placement Spanish Language (18 weeks, 1 credit) Advanced Placement Spanish Language is designed to prepare students for the AP Spanish Language Examination. Acceptable scores on this annual exam can result in college credit and/or advanced placement status at many of the nation’s colleges. In AP Spanish Language, students will continue to increase their proficiency in all four language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Literary works will also be discussed and analyzed. Advance grammatical concepts continue to be introduced and refined. Students selecting this course should plan to take the Advanced Placement Spanish Language Examination given in May. Prerequisite: Level 4 Honors, grade B or better, and the recommendation of the Spanish 4 Honors teacher. This is a weighted-grade course.

4620 Latin 1 (18 weeks, 1 credit) Latin 1 emphasizes the skills needed to read, comprehend, and translate the language practicing grammar usage, vocabulary, with written and oral work. In addition, emphasis is placed on Latin-English word derivations, mythology, Roman life and cultural influences, with special attention given to the city of Pompeii and its subsequent destruction.  Prerequisite: The department recommends a grade of C or better in the previous year’s English course.

4122 Latin 2 (18 weeks, 1 credit) Latin 2 continues the work of Latin 1. Advanced grammar concepts and vocabulary allow the student to continue reading, comprehending and translating Latin passages. These passages, filled with cultural content, begin with Roman Britain and the city of Alexandria, and explore the arts and sciences of the regions, including baths, travel and communication. Special focus continues to be given to Latin/English work derivations.  Prerequisite: Latin 1, grade C- or better.

4222 Latin 3 (18 weeks, 1 credit) Latin 3 continues the work of Latin 2, by using new and advanced grammar concepts, more subject-specific vocabulary. and figures of speech. Roman life and culture will be emphasized while exploring Roman religion, entertainment, architecture, and military camps of various Roman colonies. This course will also focus on appreciating and studying Roman poetry and poets. Special emphasis continues to be given to Latin/English word derivation.  Prerequisite: Latin 2, grade C- or better.

4525 FLEX Internship in World Languages (.5 credit)
Juniors and seniors may earn credit for teaching languages to elementary students in an after-school program by participating in a partnership sponsored by Bucks County Community College. The course entails teaching 12 weeks of lessons, lesson planning, and the completion of a portfolio of learning. This course is graded on a pass/fail basis.
Students must be accepted into the program by Bucks County Community College, attend orientation meetings provided by the college, and create and present a portfolio of learning to a panel of World Language teachers. Prerequisites: Completion of level 3 or 4 world language with a B average or better, a B overall average, experience working with children, acceptance by Bucks County Community College, and recommendation of the current world language teacher.

9619 Career Academy: Focus on Elementary World Language (.5 credit)
This course is designed to provide world language students the opportunity to learn first-hand about the second language acquisition process while working with elementary students and teachers. The 40 hours of site-based work at an elementary school includes classroom observations, individual and/or small group tutoring, preparation of classroom materials and the presentation of a Portfolio of Learning. This course is graded on a pass/fail basis. Prerequisites: This course is available for seniors enrolled in an advanced level world language course. Participants must have a B overall average, experience working with children, and the recommendation of the current world language teacher.