The World Languages program at District 230 follows the guidelines set forth by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) which have aligned their standards to four strands: Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening in the target language with a continual effort to build proficiency and fluency within the target language. These four strands are represented through various interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational skill development and measured though the level of proficiency demonstrated (Novice, Intermediate, Advanced).
These standards describe the expectations to ensure all students are college, career, and world-ready.
Interpersonal (speaking + listening or writing + reading)
Interpretive (reading, listening, viewing)
Presentational (writing, speaking, visually representing)
Our Latin courses develop the necessary skill for reading Latin with comprehension and enjoyment. Additionally, students experience the scope of classical studies including the Latin language and literature, history and culture and the substantial contributions of the ancient classical world to our own.
CHSD 230 Graduation Requirements: 1 credit in any of the following areas: Applied Technology, World Languages, Music, Art, Business, or Family Consumer Sciences. Check individual course description for credit value.
Before advancement to the next level in a language, students must have completed the language at the previous level. Successful completion is defined as passing the previous level course.
French 1
Grade Level: 9-12
Semesters: 2
Credits: 1
First-year French focuses on developing fundamental communication skills through the use of Comprehensible Input strategies and Teaching for Proficiency goals. Students will learn everyday French in the four skill areas: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. In year one, the strongest focus is on oral proficiency and listening comprehension. Students will respond to teacher-directed questions and converse with others in the class, gaining listening proficiency through a variety of auditory inputs. In addition, students will become familiar with the culture of French-speaking countries. Upon completion of the course, students will be performing at the Novice-Mid and Novice-High proficiency levels in the four skill areas.
French 2
Prerequisite: Successful completion of French 1
Grade Level: 9-12
Semesters: 2
Credits: 1
Second-year French focuses on the further development of communication skills. Students will continue to build more extensive vocabulary and language skills to speak in a variety of situations. Students will respond to teacher-directed questions and converse with others in the class, gaining listening proficiency through a variety of auditory inputs. In addition, students will become familiar with the culture of French-speaking countries. Upon completion of the course, students will be performing at Novice-High proficiency levels in the four skill areas.
French 2 Honors
Prerequisite: Successful completion of French 1 and Teacher Recommendation
Grade Level: 9-12
Semesters: 2
Credits: 1
Second-year Honors French is an advanced course that continues to develop student communication skills. Students will continue to build more extensive vocabulary and language skills to speak in a variety of situations. Students will respond to teacher-directed questions and converse with others in the class, gaining listening proficiency through a variety of auditory inputs. In addition, students will become familiar with the culture of French-speaking countries. Upon completion of the course, students will be performing at Intermediate-Low proficiency levels in the four skill areas.
French 3
Prerequisite: Successful completion of French 2
Grade Level: 10-12
Semesters: 2
Credits: 1
Students will expand their skills in understanding and using French. They will learn to communicate with other students in French through a variety of media and the use of authentic, contemporary materials. Reading topics will emphasize French-speaking cultures around the globe.
French 3 Honors
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Honors French 2 and/or teacher recommendation
Grade Level: 10-12
Semesters: 2
Credits: 1
Students will expand their skills in understanding and using French. They will learn to communicate with other students in French through a variety of media and the use of authentic, contemporary materials. Students will review previously learned tenses and grammar as well as learn advanced language structures. Reading topics will emphasize French-speaking cultures around the globe. Honors 3 students will explore the French language and literature in greater depth than in academic French 3. Performance assessments will address the four components of language learning: reading, writing, speaking, and listening that build upon prior knowledge from French 1 and 2 at a gradually increasing level of sophistication.
French 4
Prerequisite: Successful completion of French 3
Grade Level: 11-12
Semesters: 2
Credits: 1
Students will expand and refine their skills in understanding and using French. They will continue to communicate with other students of French through a variety of media and the use of authentic, contemporary materials. Students will review previously learned tenses and grammar as well as learn advanced language structures. Reading topics will emphasize current events, contemporary literature, and French-speaking cultures around the globe.
French 4 Honors
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Honors French 3 and/or teacher recommendation.
Grade Level: 11-12
Semesters: 2
Credits: 1
Students will expand and refine their skills in speaking and using the French language through the use of authentic materials. They will continue their study of French literature and current events in preparation for college entrance exams and college-level classes.
French Language & Culture, AP
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Honors French 4 or Honors French 3 with teacher recommendation
Grade Level: 11-12
Semester: 2
Credits: 1
AP French Language and Culture is a college-level course conducted entirely in French that prepares students to communicate at a high level in the language and succeed on the AP exam. The course develops students’ language skills in the interpersonal, presentational, and interpretive modes, aiming for an intermediate-high to an advanced-low level of proficiency according to the ACTFL standards. Students may receive college credit for qualifying scores on the AP exam administered by the College Board.
German 1
Grade Level: 9-12
Semesters: 2
Credits: 1
First-year German focuses on developing fundamental communication skills. Students will learn to understand, speak, read and write basic everyday German. In year one, the strongest focus is on oral proficiency and listening comprehension. Students will be taught through the TPR* and TPRS* by responding to teacher-directed questions, participating in storytelling, playing memory games, singing songs, and other creative activities, as well as some traditional methods and activities. Students will gain listening proficiency through dictations, stories, videos, and teacher input. In addition, students will become familiar with German culture and its contributions to American culture. [*TPR=Total Physical Response, TPRS=Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling.]
German 2
Prerequisite: Successful completion of German 1
Grade Level: 9-12
Semesters: 2
Credits: 1
Second-year German focuses on the further development of communication skills. Students will continue to build more extensive vocabulary and internalized grammar skills to speak in a variety of situations. Instruction includes oral proficiency through TPRS*, responding to teacher-directed questions, and participating in various storytelling activities. Students will gain a deeper listening proficiency through dictations, stories, and videos. Some traditional methods and activities will be included as well. Students will read and create complex short stories and skits to build reading and writing skills. German culture and its contributions to American culture are also explored through cultural readings and projects. [*TPRS=Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling.]
German 3
Prerequisite: Successful completion of German 2
Grade Level: 10-12
Semesters: 2
Credits: 1
Third-year German focuses on enhancing the student’s ability to communicate in speech and writing beyond simple survival language. The 3rd year is taught almost exclusively in German. Instruction includes oral proficiency through conversation and TPRS*. Some traditional methods and activities will be included as well. Students will gain listening proficiency through stories, videos, and teacher input. Increasingly detailed readings, which will require familiarity with more complex grammatical forms and extended vocabulary, will be explored to build reading skills. Students are encouraged to express their thoughts competently in letters and in compositions of greater length. Through an examination of art, politics, literature, and music, the student will be encouraged to begin to see the world from the German point of view. [*TPRS=Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling.]
German 4
Prerequisite: Successful completion of German 3
Grade Level: 11-12
Semesters: 2
Credits: 1
Fourth-year German is taught completely in German to enhance the student’s ability to communicate in speech and writing beyond simple survival language. Students will gain listening proficiency through stories, videos, and TPRS*. Some traditional methods and activities will be included as well. Increasingly detailed literary works, which will require familiarity with complex grammatical forms and extended vocabulary, will be explored to build reading skills. Students are encouraged to express their thoughts competently in letters, poetry, and in compositions of greater length. Through an examination of art, politics, literature, and music, the student will be encouraged to see the world from the German point of view. [*TPRS=Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling.]
German Language & Culture, AP
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Honors German 4 or German 3 with teacher recommendation
Grade Level: 11-12
Semester: 2
Credits: 1
AP German Language and Culture is a college-level course conducted entirely in German that prepares students to communicate at a high level in the language and succeed on the AP exam. The course develops students’ language skills in the interpersonal, presentational, and interpretive modes, aiming for an intermediate-high to advanced-low level of proficiency according to the ACTFL standards. Students may receive college credit for qualifying scores on the AP exam administered by the College Board.
Honors German 2
Prerequisite: Successful completion of German 1 and Teacher Recommendation.
Grade Level: 9-12
Semesters: 2
Credits: 1
Second-year German focuses on the further development of communication skills. Students will continue to build more extensive vocabulary and internalized grammar skills to speak in a variety of situations. Instruction includes oral proficiency through TPRS*, responding to teacher-directed questions, and participating in various storytelling activities. Some traditional methods and activities will be included as well. Students will gain a deeper listening proficiency through dictations, stories, and videos. Students will read and create complex short stories and skits to build reading and writing skills. German culture and its contributions to American culture are also explored through cultural readings and projects. This course will move at a faster pace and will go into more depth than German 2. [*TPRS=Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling.]
Honors German 3
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Honors German 2 and teacher recommendation.
Grade Level: 10-12
Semesters: 2
Credits: 1
Third-year German focuses on enhancing the student’s ability to communicate in speech and writing beyond simple survival language. The 3rd year is taught almost exclusively in German. Instruction includes oral proficiency through conversation and TPRS*. Some traditional methods and activities will be included as well. Students will gain listening proficiency through stories, videos, and teacher input. Increasingly detailed readings, which will require familiarity with more complex grammatical forms and extended vocabulary, will be explored to build reading skills. Students are encouraged to express their thoughts competently in letters and in compositions of greater length. Through an examination of art, politics, literature, and music, the student will be encouraged to begin to see the world from the German point of view. Honors German 3 will move at a faster pace and go into greater depth than German 3. [*TPRS=Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling.]
Honors German 4
Prerequisite: Successful completion of German 3 and Teacher Recommendation.
Grade Level: 11-12
Semesters: 2
Credits: 1
Fourth-year German is taught completely in German to enhance the student’s ability to communicate in speech and writing beyond simple survival language. Students will gain listening proficiency through stories, videos, and TPRS*. Some traditional methods and activities will be included as well. Increasingly detailed literary works, which will require familiarity with complex grammatical forms and extended vocabulary, will be explored to build reading skills. Students are encouraged to express their thoughts competently in letters, poetry, and in compositions of greater length. Through an examination of art, politics, literature, and music, the student will be encouraged to see the world from the German point of view. Honors German 4 will move at a faster pace and go into more depth than German 4. [*TPRS=Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling.]
Honors Latin 2
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Latin 1 with a 92% or higher and/or with a teacher recommendation
Grade Level: 10-12
Semesters: 2
Credits: 1
This course is designed for the more self-motivated, higher-achieving Latin learner. Students will continue to develop vocabulary and translation skills taught in Latin I and will be introduced to more complex grammatical structures along with becoming aware of the historical development and cultural aspects of Roman life. At the honors level, students will generally be held to a higher standard than those who have elected the Academic option. Furthermore, honor students will be required to complete additional assignments, including (but not limited to) extra sections on assessments, translation projects, and class presentations.
Honors Latin 3 & 4
Prerequisite: Successful completion of previous Latin course
Grade Level: 10-12
Semesters: 2
Credits: 1
Students will further develop vocabulary and translating skills taught in Latin 1 & 2 as well as continue cultural development and appreciation through a survey of Latin literature. Students learn literary devices and historical allusion to 2000-year-old texts.
Honors Spanish 2
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Spanish 1 and Teacher Recommendation
Grade Level: 9-12
Semesters: 2
Credits: 1
Second-year Honors Spanish is an advanced course that will continue to build a deeper understanding of the vocabulary and will refine skills taught in level 1. Emphasis will be placed on the four main proficiency areas: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Students will continue to build cultural awareness through the use of authentic materials. The goal upon completion of the course is that students should perform at the Intermediate-Low proficiency levels in the four skill areas.
Honors Spanish 3
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Honors Spanish 2 and Teacher Recommendation
Grade Level: 9-12
Semesters: 2
Credits: 1
Third-year Honors Spanish is an advanced course that will continue to build a deeper understanding of the vocabulary and will refine skills taught in levels 1 and 2. Emphasis will be placed on the four main proficiency areas: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Students will continue to build cultural awareness through the use of authentic materials. Upon completion of the course, students will be performing at the Intermediate-Mid proficiency levels in the four skill areas.
Honors Spanish 4
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Honors Spanish 3 and/or teacher recommendation
Grade Level: 10-12
Semesters: 2
Credits: 1
Students will continue to refine skills taught in levels one, two, and three. Spanish 4 Honors students will continue developing their skills in reading, writing, listening, and speaking by using a variety of authentic materials as well as developing cultural knowledge.
Latin 1
Grade Level: 9-12
Semesters: 2
Credits: 1
Students will be introduced to vocabulary and the basic grammatical structure of the Latin language. Emphasis is on translation and the relationship between Latin and English. Students will also be introduced to ancient Roman history, early Roman life and customs, and Greek and Roman mythology.
Latin 2
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Latin 1
Grade Level: 9-12
Semesters: 2
Credits: 1
Students will continue to develop vocabulary and translation skills taught in Latin 1 and will be introduced to more complex grammatical structures along with becoming aware of the historical development and cultural aspects of Roman life.
Latin 3 & 4
Prerequisite: Successful completion of previous Latin course
Grade Level: 10-12
Semesters: 2
Credits: 1
Students will further develop vocabulary and translating skills taught in Latin 1 & 2 as well as continue cultural development and appreciation through a survey of Latin literature. Students learn literary devices and historical allusion to 2000-year-old texts.
Spanish 1
Grade Level: 9-12
Semesters: 2
Credits: 1
First-year Spanish focuses on developing fundamental communication skills through the use of Comprehensible Input strategies and Teaching for Proficiency goals. Students will learn everyday Spanish in the four skill areas: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. In year one, the strongest focus is on oral proficiency and listening comprehension. Students will respond to teacher-directed questions and converse with others in the class, gaining listening proficiency through a variety of auditory inputs. In addition, students will become familiar with the culture of Spanish-speaking countries. Upon completion of the course, students should be performing at the Novice-Mid and Novice-High proficiency levels in the four skill areas.
Spanish 2
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Spanish I
Grade Level: 9-12
Semesters: 2
Credits: 1
Second-year Spanish will continue to build vocabulary and advance and refine skills taught in level 1. Emphasis will be placed on the four main proficiency areas: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Students will continue to build cultural awareness through the use of authentic materials. The goal upon completion of the course is that students should perform at Novice-High proficiency levels in the four skill areas.
Spanish 2 for Heritage Learners
Prerequisite: A skill-based Assessment or teacher recommendation
Grade Level: 9 -12
Semesters: 2
Credits: 1
This course is for Spanish speakers who have been raised in a Spanish-speaking home or community but are not yet fully proficient in the language. The goal of the course is to build on students’ existing language abilities (typically in speaking and listening) and advance their proficiency in less-developed skill areas such as reading, writing, and grammar application. Among other topics, units of study address cultural themes and current issues related to Hispanic life in the United States.
Spanish 3
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Spanish 2
Grade Level: 9-12
Semesters: 2
Credits: 1
Third-year Spanish will continue to build vocabulary and advance and refine skills taught in levels 1 and 2. Emphasis will be placed on the four main proficiency areas: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Students will continue to build cultural awareness through the use of authentic materials. Upon completion of the course, students will be performing at Intermediate-Low proficiency levels in the four skill areas.
Spanish 3 for Heritage Learners
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Spanish 2 for Heritage Learners or teacher recommendation
Grade Level: 10 -12
Semesters: 2
Credits: 1
This course is for Spanish speakers who have been raised in a Spanish-speaking home or community, have completed Spanish 2 for Heritage Learners, and are not yet fully proficient in the language. The goal of the course is to continue to build on students’ existing language abilities and advance their proficiency in less developed skill areas such as reading, writing, and grammar application in order to prepare them for subsequent studies in advanced Spanish courses.
Spanish 4
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Spanish 3
Grade Level: 10-12
Semesters: 2
Credits: 1
Students will continue to refine skills taught in levels one, two, and three. Spanish 4 students will continue developing their skills in reading, writing, listening, and speaking by using a variety of authentic materials as well as developing cultural knowledge.
Spanish 4 for Heritage Learners
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Spanish 3 for Heritage Learners
Grade Level: 10-12
Semesters: 2
Credits: 1
This course is for Spanish speakers who have been raised in a Spanish-speaking home or community, have completed Spanish 3 for Heritage Learners, and are not yet fully proficient in the language. The goal of the course is to continue to build on students’ existing language abilities and advance their proficiency in less developed skill areas such as reading, writing, and grammar application in order to prepare them for subsequent studies in advanced Spanish courses.
Spanish 5
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Spanish 4
Grade Level: 11-12
Semesters: 2
Credits: 1
This course is designated to hone students’ conversational skills in Spanish through the study of Hispanic culture. While the main emphasis will be on speaking and oral practice, history and current events will be used as vehicles to further develop and refine the skills in key grammatical areas as well as to improve written expression. Through conversations in Spanish about culture and news, students will also develop a deeper understanding of Hispanic culture. The course builds on prior experience in Spanish at the high intermediate to advanced level.
Spanish Language & Culture, AP
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Honors Spanish 4 or Honors Spanish 3 w/Teacher recommendation
Grade Level: 10-12
Semesters – 2
Credits: 1
AP Spanish Language and Culture is a college-level course conducted entirely in Spanish that prepares students to communicate at a high level in the language and succeed on the AP exam. The course develops students’ language skills in the interpersonal, presentational, and interpretive modes, aiming for an intermediate-high to advanced-low level of proficiency according to the ACTFL standards. Students may receive college credit for qualifying scores on the AP exam administered by the College Board.
Spanish Literature & Culture, AP
Prerequisite: Successful completion of AP Spanish Language and Culture
Grade Level: 11-12
Semesters: 2
Credits: 1
AP Spanish Literature and Culture is a college-level course conducted entirely in Spanish that utilizes short stories, novels, poetry, and essays from different Spanish-speaking areas of the world to help develop students’ proficiency in the interpersonal, presentational, and interpretive modes with a focus on critical reading and analytical writing skills. Students will be aiming for an intermediate-high to an advanced-low level of proficiency according to the ACTFL standards. Students may receive college credit for qualifying scores on the AP exam administered by the College Board.