Course Length:  Year 
Open to Grades:  9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisites: None
Graduation Requirement:  Completion of a language through Level II is required, completion through Level III highly recommended

French I gives the students the opportunity to learn the basics of the French language and serves as an introduction to Francophone culture. Students will master the present tense and two past tenses and also acquire a basic set of vocabulary. The class emphasizes written and oral expressions and the students will be able to express themselves simply and correctly in French at the end of the school year. French I puts an emphasis on the cultural aspect of the language too, through analysis of Jean Renoir movies, and the study of the Impressionist movement. Students will learn about this avant garde movement by studying the work of Monet, Morisot, Renoir, Degas, Cassatt, Degas, etc. Students will also create Project-Based Learning presentations on the subject and have multiple opportunities to draw and paint in the Impressionist style. We articulate all of our activities through the Learning Competencies of Resilience, Communication, Critical Thinking, Creativity, and Collaboration. Students need a grade of C or better to advance to French II.

Course Length:  Year 
Open to Grades:   9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisites: French I 
Estimated hours of homework per class period: 20 minutes
Graduation Requirement:  Completion of a language through Level II is required, completion through Level III highly recommended

French II begins with a summary of the basic teachings learned in French I, the present and past tenses, articles, general syntax, and a set of everyday vocabulary. Students will then learn to build complex sentences in French by using a diverse set of pronouns, both in writing and in oral exercises. Students will also learn the future tense and the conditional present tense. In regard to Francophone culture, students will watch and create Project-Based Learning Presentations on French New Wave movies by directors, Louis Malle and Jacques Démy. After studying art from the 20th century, mostly connected with cubism and modern art, students will go on a field trip to a museum in San Francisco to enjoy paintings and sculptures in a real setting. French II is an important class to begin to speak and write in French with some real and tangible progress. We articulate all of our activities through the Learning’s Competencies of Resilience, Communication, Critical Thinking, Creativity, and Collaboration. Students need a grade of C or better to advance to French III.

Course Length:  Year 
Open to Grades:  9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisites: French II with a grade of C or better
Estimated hours of homework per class period: 25 minutes
Graduation Requirement:  Language Level III highly recommended

This class is primarily conducted in French. It is designed to strengthen the grammar skills students have acquired in previous years, introduce new advanced grammar structures, enrich their vocabulary, and learn idiomatic expressions and proverbs. Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of spoken and written materials. They will be watching movies, reading cultural and literary texts, and doing projects.  They will be able to express themselves orally and in writing, interact spontaneously, and analyze a wide variety of subjects. They will develop critical skills, and cultural competency and understand the language from a native speaker’s point of view.  Also, they will be able to write clear and detailed compositions and poems on different topics.

Course Length:  Year 
Open to Grades:  10, 11, 12
Prerequisites: French III with a grade of B or better
Graduation Requirement:  No

Course Length:  Year 
Open to Grades:  11, 12
Prerequisites: For advancement from French IV H to AP French Language: Year-end grade must be B- or higher.
Estimated hours of homework per class period: 30 minutes
Graduation Requirement:  No

Course Length:  Year 
Open to Grades:   9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisites: None
Estimated hours of homework per class period: 30 minutes
Graduation Requirement:  Completion of a language through Level II is required, completion through Level III highly recommended

Mandarin I is an introductory course incorporating the skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing, presented in the context of the contemporary world and its culture.  Greetings, everyday vocabulary, and simple verb tenses are taught, along with guided composition paragraphs.  Mandarin Level I introduces students to the language and culture of China.  For speaking, students develop accurate pronunciation through the Pinyin system, good communication in daily dialogues, and are able to describe daily activities using a broad basic vocabulary.  In listening, students understand daily conversation.  In reading, students read over 150 Chinese characters and essays with or without Pinyin.  Students write Chinese characters and short sentences.  Live cultural events, films, and online activities enhance cultural understanding.  Students need a grade of C or better to advance to level II.

Welcome to Priory Mandarin Classes

Course Length:  Year 
Open to Grades:   9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisites: Mandarin I 
Estimated hours of homework per class period: 30 minutes
Graduation Requirement:  Completion of a language through Level II is required, completion through Level III highly recommended

Mandarin 2 course is designed to immerse the student in the Chinese language and to further an understanding and appreciation of Chinese culture. All four components of communication (listening, speaking,reading, and writing) will be taught in an interactive classroom environment. Through the development of receptive, productive, and
interactive skills, students acquire the ability to respond and interact appropriately in real life situations.

Welcome to Priory Mandarin Classes

Course Length:  Year 
Open to Grades:   9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisites: Mandarin II with a grade of C or better
Estimated hours of homework per class period: 30 minutes
Graduation Requirement:  Language Level III highly recommended

Mandarin III builds on the foundation of prior years of study. It challenges students to go beyond the most basic level, approaching the pre-intermediate level in each of the four basic language skills.  Students will continue to read and write in Chinese characters using a broader vocabulary (including proverbs and idioms), and more complex grammatical structures. They will feel confident to make their own words, create sentences based on their knowledge of grammar, sense and feeling towards the language. They will participate in realistic, daily conversations in a growing variety of contexts.  They will start with contemporary Chinese literature, practice reading and writing with the help of online dictionary, dictionary, and teacher’s instruction. SAT II listening and reading material will be used for additional skill training.  Students need a grade of B or better to advance to level IV Honors.

Welcome to Priory Mandarin Classes

Course Length:  Year 
Open to Grades:  10, 11, 12
Prerequisites: Mandarin III with a grade of B or better
Estimated hours of homework per class period: 30 minutes
Graduation Requirement:  No

Mandarin 4 course challenges students to go beyond the elementary level, and enter the intermediate level in each of the four basic language skills. Students will continue to read and write in Chinese characters using a  broader vocabulary, and more complex grammatical structures. They will study realistic and authentic material in a growing variety of contexts. Students are expected to participate in class group or pair language activities,  discussions, and team projects. The course offers an insight into Chinese culture and tradition, business etiquette,  modern developments, news, and events,
which helps students learn and understand the language’s social and cultural circumstances. The course evaluates students’ skills throughout the year. We will incorporate games,  cooking, movies, and field trips to enrich students' language acquisition.

Welcome to Priory Mandarin Classes

Course Length: Year 
Open to Grades: 10, 11, 12
Prerequisites: Mandarin IV Honors with a grade of B or better
Estimated hours of homework per class period: 30 minutes
Graduation Requirement:  No

Mandarin Level V Honors is a college level course that enables students to further refine and expand linguistic skills through the exploration of topics that reflect multiple aspects of Chinese society. Through a wide array of authentic sources, students will explore both contemporary and classic literature, Chinese history and culture, while greatly expanding their mastery of vocabulary and idiomatic expressions.

Welcome to Priory Mandarin Classes

Course Length:  Year  
Open to Grades:   9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisites: None
Estimated hours of homework per class period: 20 minutes
Graduation Requirement:  Completion of a language through Level II is required, completion through Level III highly recommended

This course is designed to immerse the student in the Spanish language and to further an understanding and appreciation of the various cultures of the Spanish-speaking world. All four components of communication (listening speaking reading and writing)’ will be taught in an interactive classroom environment. Constant dialogue and discussion in the target language in class will enhance the student’s ability to speak the language and improve auditory skills.

Course Length:  Year 
Open to Grades:   9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisites: Spanish I 
Estimated hours of homework per class period: 50 minutes
Graduation Requirement:  Completion of a language through Level II is required, completion through Level III highly recommended

This course is designed to immerse the student in the Spanish language and to further an understanding and appreciation of the various cultures of the Spanish-speaking world. All four components of communication (listening, speaking, reading, & writing) will be taught in an interactive classroom environment. Constant dialogue and discussion in the target language will enhance the student’s ability to speak the language and improve auditory skills. Reading and writing assignments will include many cultural aspects from the Spanish-speaking world.

Course Length:  Year 
Open to Grades:   9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisites: Spanish II with a grade of C or better 
Graduation Requirement:  Language Level III highly recommended

This class will give students the opportunity to expand their knowledge of the Spanish language and awareness of the Spanish-speaking countries' cultural manifestations.  Students will also be exposed to the similarities and differences in the cultures of
the people who speak the Spanish language.  Grammar will be reinforced and students will work with their workbooks the entire year.   We will be studying literary genres (e.g. short stories, excerpts from novels and plays, poems, songs, and journalistic articles).  There is much emphasis on reading and writing at this level, however, students will also maintain and develop their grammar along with their listening and speaking skills. This class is also in preparation for those students taking Spanish 4 and the Advanced Placement course later.

Course Length:  Year 
Open to Grades:  10, 11, 12
Prerequisites: Spanish III with a grade of B or better
Estimated hours of homework per class period: 20 minutes
Graduation Requirement:  No

This course will provide the students the opportunity to expand their knowledge of the Spanish-speaking world while reinforcing essential grammar concepts in order to fortify their skills in the language. Each unit is designed as an exploration into cultural and historical topics that will allow the students to deepen their connection to the Spanish language and the world around them. The students will engage in all 4 modes of communication (listening, speaking, reading, & writing) with the primary focus of increasing their ability to communicate effectively and confidently as they explore the perspectives, processes, and products of the historical and cultural contributions of the
Spanish-speaking world.

Course Length:  Year 
Open to Grades:   11, 12
Prerequisites: For advancement from Spanish IV H to AP Spanish Literature & Culture: Year-end grade must be an A and student must receive permission from the Department Chair. Rising juniors are encouraged to take AP Spanish Language before taking AP Spanish Literature & Culture, due to the advanced content of the course.
Estimated hours of homework per class period: 30 minutes

Graduation Requirement:  No

The AP Spanish Literature & Culture course provides students the opportunity to analyze all of the major literary movements in the various histories of the Spanish-speaking world. The students will read all 38 required works from the AP Reading list in order to prepare for the AP exam in May. Students will learn to think critically, write thematic essays, and reinforce their Spanish language skills. The course is conducted entirely in Spanish, and students will have the opportunity to further develop their speaking skills through group discussion and oral presentations.

Course Length:  Year 
Open to Grades:   11, 12
Prerequisites: For advancement from Spanish IV H to AP Spanish Language: Year-end grade must be B- or higher.
Graduation Requirement:  No

The AP Spanish Language and Culture course emphasizes communication (understanding and being understood by others) by applying interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational skills in real-life situations. This includes vocabulary usage, language control, communication strategies, and cultural awareness. The AP Spanish Language and Culture course strives not to overemphasize grammatical accuracy at the expense of communication. To best facilitate the study of language and culture, the course is taught almost exclusively in Spanish. The AP Spanish Language and Culture course engages students in an exploration of culture in both contemporary and historical
contexts. The course develops students’ awareness and appreciation of cultural products (e.g., tools, books, music, laws, conventions, and institutions); practices (patterns of social interactions within a culture); and perspectives (values, attitudes, and assumptions).