World Languages
The goal of the Ursuline High School modern foreign language program is to expose students to a language and culture in order to make them knowledgeable and active members of a global society. Students will learn to use modern foreign languages for meaningful communication in both spoken and written form. The foreign language program emphasizes language as it is used in various real-life situations that students are most likely to encounter. Through foreign language study, students develop sensitivity to the cultural and linguistic heritage of other groups and their influence on our own, and are prepared to participate in a society characterized by linguistic and cultural diversity.
Visit http://www.rosettastone.com/schools/overview to learn more about one of the department’s many tools to help accelerate foreign language learning.
French Courses
French 1
Grade 9-12
Elective | 1 Credit
French I presents the fundamental elements of the French language. The foundation of the language is learned through the acquisition of vocabulary along with basic grammar, writing, reading, and conversational skills. Francophone culture is also examined.
PREREQUISITE: IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT STUDENTS SCORE IN THE 35TH PERCENTILE OR BETTER ON THE LANGUAGE SECTION OF THE 9TH GRADE PLACEMENT TEST.
French II
Grade 10-12
Elective | 1 Credit
French II continues to build upon the foundation of the skills learned in French 1. A stronger emphasis is placed on the oral/aural skills to encourage proficiency in conversation. Students will also engage in deeper class discussions on contemporary topics in French.
PREREQUISITE: “C” OR BETTER IN FRENCH I
AP French III
Grade 11-12
Elective | 1 Credit
French III is focused on developing an understanding of French history while continuing to increase proficiency in the areas of reading, writing, aural comprehension and speaking. Students will read historical works of literature and focus on cause/effect of important moments in French history.
PREREQUISITE: “C” OR BETTER IN FRENCH II
AP French IV
Grade 12
Elective | 1 Credit
Students will increase proficiency in aural comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing while examining the six main topics of the AP exam- “Families in different societies”, “The influence of language and culture on identity”, “Influences of beauty and art”, “How science and technology affect our lives”, “Factors that impact quality of life”, and “Environmental, political, and social challenges.” This course is dual credit eligible.
PREREQUISITE: “C” OR BETTER IN FRENCH III
Italian Courses
Italian 1
Grade 9-12
Elective | 1 Credit
Basic conversational phrases and vocabulary are used as an introduction to Italian I. The oral-aural and cultural aspects of the language will be emphasized via the study of Italian customs, folklore, and culinary labs.
PREREQUISITE: IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT STUDENTS SCORE IN THE 35TH PERCENTILE OR BETTER ON THE LANGUAGE SECTION OF THE PLACEMENT TEST
Italian II
Grade 10-12
Elective | 1 Credit
Students will become more proficient in the concepts developed in level one. Students will continue to develop language skills via impromptu conversation, translation and grammar. An emphasis will be placed on more in-depth grammatical, oral-aural and cultural aspects of the language, including a project on the Ancient Romans.
PREREQUISITE: “C” OR BETTER IN ITALIAN I
Italian III
Grade 11-12
Elective | 1 Credit
Italian III students will continue to develop communication skills via an oral-aural approach. More emphasis will be placed on translating, writing and reading in the target language. Introduced will be Inferno, the first part of La Divina Commedia by Dante, along with various projects and cultural labs.
PREREQUISITE: “C” OR BETTER IN ITALIAN II
Italian IV
Grade 12
Elective | 1 Credit
The study of Dante continues with the Purgatorio and Paradiso, the second and third books of La Divina Commedia. Students will teach a segment on various aspects of the Italian culture and language, and will lead daily discussions in Italian, thus enhancing their knowledge of Italian grammar and vocabulary.
PREREQUISITE: “C” OR BETTER IN ITALIAN III
Spanish Courses
Spanish 1
Grade 9-12
Elective | 1 Credit
Spanish I is an introduction to the spoken and written Spanish language as it is practiced in the Americas. Students will learn how to communicate with another teenage Spanish speaker about themselves, school, food, clothing, and family. Students will use these themes to expand vocabulary, explore the Spanish culture, and speak and write effectively in Spanish.
PREREQUISITE: IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT STUDENTS SCORE IN THE 35TH PERCENTILE OR BETTER ON THE LANGUAGE SECTION OF THE PLACEMENT TEST
Italian II
Grade 9-12
Elective | 1 Credit
Spanish II is a continuation of the vocabulary, themes, and practices learned in Spanish I. New themes and vocabulary will include medical visits, technology, housing, and city life. More detailed grammar structures are introduced, including the subjunctive mood and the use of past tenses. Greater emphasis will be placed on oral skills and writing in Spanish. Students also will continue to explore the culture of Spanish speaking countries.
PREREQUISITE: “C” OR BETTER IN SPANISH I
Spanish III
Grade 10-12
Elective | 1 Credit
Spanish III will reinforce previously learned vocabulary and students will learn more intricate grammar rules, enhanced vocabulary, and Spanish idioms. Students will continue to become more fluent in reading and writing Spanish with a focus on novels and oral presentations.
PREREQUISITE: “C” OR BETTER IN SPANISH II
AP Spanish III
Grade 11-12
Elective | 1 Credit
Advanced Placement Spanish Language and Culture III stresses implementation of reading, writing, speaking and listening of grammar, vocabulary and idioms previously learned while introducing the finer points of grammatical topics. Students will read and listen to authentic sources as part of the learning process. Critical reading selections, oral presentations, and writing assignments promote the student’s ability to communicate in Spanish. The course is taught primarily in Spanish.
PREREQUISITE: “A” IN SPANISH II AND TEACHER RECOMMENDATION
Spanish IV
Grade 11-12
Elective | 1 Credit
Spanish IV places major emphasis on the students’ ability to communicate in Spanish: reading, listening, writing and speaking. The readings consist of short stories, poetry, essays and articles. Written work is in Spanish. Cultural differences are discussed and a variety of projects are required. A one-week Spanish culinary unit is also included.
PREREQUISITE: “C” OR BETTER IN SPANISH III
AP Spanish IV
Grade 12
Elective | 1 Credit
Advanced Placement Spanish Lanugage and Culture IV emphasizes communication, understanding others and being understood by others, by applying the interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational modes of communication in real-life situations. The course develops language control, vocabulary usage, communication strategies, and cultural awareness. The course is taught almost exclusively in Spanish. This course is dual credit eligible.
PREREQUISITE: “B” or BETTER IN AP SPANISH III and TEACHER APPROVAL
Other World Languages
Rosetta Stone Independent Study
Grade 9-12
Elective | 1/4 Credit
Ursuline High School offers students the opportunity to explore a foreign language through on-line access to the Rosetta Stone application as an independent study program. The foreign languages to be offered for the 2020-2021 school year will be: Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), Dutch, Filipino, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Indonesian, Irish, Japanese, Korean, Latin, Persian (Farsi), Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Swahili, Swedish, Turkish, and Vietnamese. Please note that this program of study should not be considered a replacement for the four year program of study in the three foreign languages offered at Ursuline: Spanish, French and Italian. Students will receive ¼ credit for each level successfully completed at an 85% or better mastery. The final exam for each level must be scheduled with and proctored by an administrator. Periodic reports and conferences with Mrs. Carosella will be scheduled as the student completes various benchmarks in the program. Rosetta Stone is not NCAA Clearinghouse eligible.