World Languages

French, Spanish

Mission: The World Language courses at Trinity Hall facilitate a class structure built around the four main skills (reading, writing, listening, and speaking) and six main themes (global challenges, science and technology, contemporary life, identity, family and community, beauty and aesthetics). The classes aim for target language instruction only. Cultural comparisons, connections, and global outreach are a priority throughout the scope and sequence of the students’ language learning journey. There is a three-year language requirement; however, a fourth year is highly recommended.

Core Values:

Development of Trinity Hall students as global citizens
Innovative and high-quality instruction and academic support
Meaningful connections among languages, cultures, daily life and different
world views
Collaboration, integrity, foresight, creativity and enthusiasm in learners

Reading:

Guided readings of Spanish / French texts: news, magazine and internet articles
Literary analysis of texts: short stories, novel excerpts, and poems
Peer editing of essay writing
Reading comprehension exercises
Speaking
Exclusive use of Spanish / French
Daily question-and-answer practice as class warm-up / introduction or closure to a topic, which is prompted by pictures, quotes, expressions, short news clips (written and audible)
Class discussions and debates
Extemporaneous speaking, simulations
Brief current events class presentations via technology
Paired and guided conversations, which imitate a phone or in-person conversation

Listening:

Class conducted in Spanish / French
Spanish / French -language authentic sources: videos, tapes, music, audio news clips
Guided lectures and listening comprehensions

Writing:

Introduction writing
Argumentative writing
Expository writing
Conclusion writing
Short, personal, creative compositions (100 words or more)
Written summaries or reaction papers
Essay writing (350 words or more)
Journal writing

French:

French I

French I is a beginning course in the French language and culture. In this course students will learn basic communication skills that are useful for daily life conversations (including greetings; telling the time, date and weather; expressing likes and dislikes; describing people, places and things; etc.). Students will be introduced to the six themes and develop basic proficiency in the four skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The course also introduces the diverse cultures of the French-speaking world.

French II

French II is a beginning/intermediate course in French language and culture. In this course students will expand on the six main themes and their proficiency in the four skills. There is a strong emphasis on grammar and verb tenses. In addition students will broaden their knowledge of French-speaking countries and cultures.
*Prerequisite: Successful completion of French I or by teacher placement

French III

French III is designed to bring the students to a level where they are able to satisfy most survival needs and many social demands. They should be able to show increased spontaneity in speaking. Accuracy is stressed. Students will also begin to think critically about the six themes and make cultural connections through their continued development of the four skills.
*Prerequisite: Successful completion of French II or by teacher placement

French IV

French IV is an advanced course in French language and culture. This course has a strong focus on French literature, history and culture, and expands on all of the themes and skills students have learned. Grammar and writing skills will be reviewed and refined in context.
*Prerequisite: Successful completion of French III or by teacher placement

French V

There are 6 course themes that all World Language classes focus on throughout the year. These 6 themes are vertically aligned during their language learning as they move through the levels of the language. The 6 themes are: Global Challenges, Personal & Public Identities, Families & Communities, Science & Technology, Beauty & Esthetics and Contemporary Life. Additionally French V uses literature, current events and hands-on experiences to enhance the understanding of the themes. The course is conversation based with grammar review.
*Prerequisite: Successful completion of French IV

AP French Language & Culture

This is a university-level French course. Grammar and vocabulary review is extensive, and students will communicate using more complex language and colloquialisms. At this level, students are expected to master all four skills with analysis and synthesis of the six main themes. Supplementary materials for students include textbooks, authentic written texts, internet sources, radio edits, and music. Podcast and voice-recording technology is used frequently for auditory input and oral assessment. Students also prepare for success on the AP French Language & Culture exam.
*Prerequisite: Successful completion of French IV (or French III with teacher recommendation and additional summer work)

Spanish:

Spanish I

Spanish I is a beginning course in the Spanish language and culture. In this course students will learn basic communication skills that are useful for daily life conversations (including greetings; telling the time, date and weather; expressing likes and dislikes; describing people, places and things; etc.). Students will be introduced to the six themes and develop basic proficiency in the four skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The course also introduces the diverse cultures of the Spanish-speaking world.

Spanish II

Spanish II is a beginning/intermediate course in Spanish language and culture. In this course students will expand on the six main themes and their proficiency in the four skills. There is a strong emphasis on grammar and verb tenses. In addition students will broaden their knowledge of Spanish-speaking countries and cultures.
*Prerequisite: Successful completion of Spanish I or by teacher placement

Spanish III

Spanish III is designed to bring the students to a level where they are able to satisfy most survival needs and many social demands. They should be able to show increased spontaneity in speaking. Accuracy is stressed. Students will also begin to think critically about the six themes and make cultural connections through their continued development of the four skills.
*Prerequisite: Successful completion of Spanish II or by teacher placement

Spanish IV

Spanish IV is an advanced course in Spanish language and culture. This course has a strong focus on Spanish literature, history and culture, and expands on all of the themes and skills students have learned. Grammar and writing skills will be reviewed and refined in context.
*Prerequisite: Successful completion of Spanish III or by teacher placement

Spanish V

There are six course themes that all World Language classes focus on throughout the year. These six themes are vertically aligned during their language learning as they move through the levels of the language. The six themes are: Global Challenges, Personal & Public Identities, Families & Communities, Science & Technology, Beauty & Esthetics and Contemporary Life. Additionally Spanish V uses literature, current events and hands-on experiences to enhance the understanding of the themes. The course is conversation based with grammar review.
*Prerequisite: Successful completion of Spanish IV

AP Spanish Language & Culture

This is a university-level French course. Grammar and vocabulary review is extensive, and students will communicate using more complex language and colloquialisms. At this level, students are expected to master all four skills with analysis and synthesis of the six main themes. Supplementary materials for students include textbooks, authentic written texts, internet sources, radio edits, and music. Podcast and voice-recording technology is used frequently for auditory input and oral assessment. Students also prepare for success on the AP French Language & Culture exam.
*Prerequisite: Successful completion of French IV (or French III with teacher recommendation and additional summer work)

AP Spanish Literature & Culture

The AP Spanish Literature and Culture course is designed to introduce students to the formal study of a representative body of literature, written in Spanish, from Spain, Latin America and the United States. The course provides students with ongoing and varied opportunities to develop proficiency in Spanish across the four skills, with emphasis on critical reading and analytical writing. It also encourages students to reflect on the many voices and cultures included in a rich and diverse body of literature written in Spanish.
*Prerequisite: Completion of AP Spanish Language and Culture and permission of the World Language team