Curriculum

Explore Our Curriculum

World Languages

In World Languages the sequence of courses in our Spanish and French programs develops speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills, and includes appropriate cultural, historical, and literary materials at all levels. The goal is to enable our students to communicate with a native speaker at increasingly higher levels of proficiency, to help them develop unique perspectives of other peoples and their cultures, and in so doing to achieve a richer understanding of the world in which they live.
In both languages students continue through Level III and are encouraged to go on to advanced levels. We feel it is essential that each student graduate not only with a working knowledge of a second language and an understanding of other cultures, but more importantly with the confidence, ability and desire to pursue language studies throughout her life.

  • French I

    2 Semesters (1 Credit)
    Grade Levels: 9-12
    Prerequisite: None
    Students in French I will learn vocabulary to discuss familiar topics such as family, weekend activities, and food. Students use the present and near-future tenses to talk about their daily routines at home and school, communicate basic needs in a store or restaurant, and share basic health information about themselves.

  • French II

    2 Semesters (1 Credit)
    Grade Levels: 9-12
    Prerequisite: French I
    French II expands on a student’s level 1 coursework. Students continue to deepen their ability to communicate in the target language on familiar topics. They also explore new topics such as travel and childhood activities. Key grammar topics at this level include narrating events in the past tenses.

  • Honors French II

    2 Semesters (1 Credit)
    Grade Levels: 9-12
    Prerequisite: French I
    Honors French II expands on a student’s level 1 coursework. Students continue to deepen their ability to communicate in the target language on familiar topics. They also explore new topics such as travel and childhood activities. Key grammar topics at this level include narrating events in past tenses. Honors-level coursework is faster paced and includes more difficult texts than the regular course.

  • French III

    2 Semesters (1 Credit)
    Grade Levels: 9-12
    Prerequisite: French II or Honors French II
    French III deepens a student’s knowledge of the target language. Students discuss issues both close to home and far away, such as their relationships with family and friends, environmental concerns and conservation efforts, current events and immigration, and the media. Core grammar topics at this level include the present subjunctive, future, and conditional tenses.

  • Honors French III

    2 Semesters (1 Credit)
    Grade Levels: 9-12
    Prerequisite: Honors French II or French II with summer work
    Honors French III deepens a student’s knowledge of the target language. Students discuss issues both close to home and far away, such as their relationships with family and friends, environmental concerns and conservation efforts, current events and immigration, and the media. Core grammar topics at this level include the present subjunctive, future, and conditional tenses. Honors level coursework is faster paced and includes more difficult texts than the regular course.

  • French IV

    2 Semesters (1 Credit)
    Grade Levels: 10-12
    Prerequisite: French III or Honors French III
    French IV continues to expand a student’s knowledge of the target language. Students discuss more abstract topics such as art, politics, careers, education, and global challenges related to the environment and technology. Core grammar topics at this level include the imperfect subjunctive, passive voice, and adverbial clauses.

  • Honors Special Topics in French: Francophone Identities

    2 Semesters (1 Credit)
    Grade Levels: 11-12 or with special permission 
    Course prerequisite: Honors French III or French IV 
    What does it mean to be French? To be francophone? What contributes to this collective sentiment of linguistic and cultural identity?  In this course, students will examine how French culture and civilisation have influenced - and have been influenced by - many cultures across the globe. We will consider not only history, but artistic and political movements as well. Course materials will include authentic resources such as music, film, literature, and news reports. Additionally, students will be challenged to use all modes of communication while contextualizing French grammar through the lens of identity. The course and all coursework will be conducted in French. 
    NOTE: Honors Advanced French addresses a different topic in alternating years and is repeatable.

  • AP French Language and Culture

    2 Semesters (1 Credit)
    Grade Levels: 11-12
    Prerequisite: Honors French IV or French IV with summer work
    AP French Language and Culture continues to develop a student’s knowledge of the target language. Students discuss a variety of topics within the AP framework, including family and community, personal and public identities, beauty and aesthetics, global challenges, science and technology, and contemporary life. Students will hone their ability to speak and write in a variety of tenses and moods, working to refine the finer points of grammar and to develop a more formal register.

  • Spanish I

    2 Semesters (1 Credit)
    Grade Levels: 9-12
    Prerequisite: None
    Students in Spanish I will learn vocabulary to discuss familiar topics such as family, weekend activities, and food. Students use the present and near-future tenses to talk about their daily routines at home and school, communicate basic needs in a store or restaurant, and share basic health information about themselves.

  • Spanish II

    2 Semesters (1 Credit)
    Grade Levels: 9-12
    Prerequisite: Spanish I
    Spanish II expands on a student’s level 1 coursework. Students continue to deepen their ability to communicate in the target language on familiar topics. They will also explore new topics such as travel and childhood activities. Key grammar topics at this level include narrating events in the past tenses.

  • Honors Spanish II

    2 Semesters (1 Credit)
    Grade Levels: 9-12
    Prerequisite: Spanish I
    Honors Spanish IIexpands on a student’s level 1 coursework. Students continue to deepen their ability to communicate in the target language on familiar topics. They explore new topics such as travel and childhood activities. Key grammar topics at this level include narrating events in the past tenses. Honors-level coursework is faster paced and includes more difficult texts than the regular course.

  • Spanish III

    2 Semesters (1 Credit)
    Grade Levels: 9-12
    Prerequisite: Spanish II
    Spanish III deepens a student’s knowledge of the target language. Students discuss issues both close to home and far away such as their relationships with family and friends, environmental concerns and conservation efforts, current events and immigration, and the media. Core grammar topics at this level include the present subjunctive, future, and conditional tenses.

  • Honors Spanish III

    2 Semesters (1 Credit)
    Grade Levels: 9-12
    Prerequisite: Honors Spanish II or Spanish II with summer work
    Honors Spanish III deepens a student’s knowledge of the target language. Students discuss issues both close to home and far away, such as their relationships with family and friends, environmental concerns and conservation efforts, current events and immigration, and the media. Core grammar topics at this level include the present subjunctive, future, and conditional tenses. Honors-level coursework is faster paced and includes more difficult texts than the regular course.

  • Spanish IV

    2 Semesters (1 Credit)
    Grade Levels: 10-12
    Prerequisite: Spanish III
    Spanish IV continues to expand a student’s knowledge of the target language. Students discuss more abstract topics such as art, politics, careers, education, and global challenges related to the environment and technology. Core grammar topics at this level include the imperfect subjunctive, present and past perfect, and subjunctive in adjective clauses.

  • Honors Special Topics in Spanish: Society and Culture

    2 Semesters (1 Credit)
    Grade Levels: 11-12 or with special permission 
    Course prerequisite: Honors Spanish  III or Spanish IV 
    This course offers students the opportunity to explore the many cultures of Spanish-speaking communities at the advanced level. Topics may include traditions, family, immigration, the role of women in society, and global challenges. Course materials will include authentic resources such as music, film, literature, and news reports. Additionally, students will be challenged to use all modes of communication while contextualizing Spanish grammar through the lens of Hispanophone culture. The course and all coursework will be conducted in Spanish.
    NOTE: Honors Advanced Spanish addresses a different topic in alternating years and is repeatable.

  • AP Spanish Language and Culture

    2 Semesters (1 Credit)
    Grade Levels: 11-12
    Prerequisite: Honors Spanish IV or Spanish IV with summer work
    AP Spanish Language and Culture continues to develop a student’s knowledge of the target language. Students discuss a variety of topics within the AP Framework including family and community, personal and public identities, beauty and aesthetics, global challenges, science and technology, and contemporary life. Students will hone their ability to speak and write in a variety of tenses and moods, working to refine the finer points of grammar and to develop a more formal register.

  • Honors Special Topics in French: Society and Culture

    2 Semesters (1 Credit)
    Grade Levels: 11-12 or with special permission
    Course prerequisite: Honors French III or French IV
    This course offers students the opportunity to explore multiple facets of French and francophone culture and society at the advanced level. Topics may include traditions, family, immigration, the role of women in society, and global challenges. Course materials will include authentic resources such as music, film, literature, and news reports. Additionally, students will be challenged to use all modes of communication while contextualizing French grammar through the lens of francophone culture. The course and all coursework will be conducted in French. 
    Note: Honors Special Topics in French addresses a different topic in alternating years and is repeatable.
    Society and Culture

Faculty

Girls Preparatory School

PHONE (423) 634-7600    HOURS M-F 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.