Modern Language
The Mission of the Frontier High School Modern Language Department is to provide all students with an understanding of other cultures and languages using the California State Standards for Modern Languages in order to support the Common Core movement. Our goal is for students to acquire a level of proficiency through listening, reading, writing, and speaking in the respective target language in order to prepare them for the realities of globalization, enable them to better strengthen their community, and give them an advantage in the job market.
Spanish 1
¡Bienvenidos! Spanish 1 is a beginning level language course that will focus on language acquisition through listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Students will have an engaging experience as they learn the foundations of the Spanish Language.
Spanish 2 This course continues to help students develop competency in speaking, listening, reading and writing, with emphasis on oral communication and comprehension. Exposure to other cultures through various activities helps focus the student on cultural similarities as well as differences. A variety of communicative, multimedia, audio and video techniques provide students with opportunities to learn the language in many exciting and interesting contexts.
Spanish 3 College Preparation
This course is designed to help students further develop all four communicative skills in Spanish (listening, reading, writing, and speaking). Throughout this course students will have the opportunity to delve deeper into the grammatical structures they have learned in levels 1 and 2 while increasing their vocabulary. Additionally, students will learn many new grammatical structures throughout the year. A major goal of this course is to help students become more comfortable with listening comprehension and oral production.
Spanish 3 Honors
This course is designed to help students further develop all four communicative skills in Spanish (listening, reading, writing, and speaking). Throughout this course students will have the opportunity to delve deeper into the grammatical structures they have learned in levels 1 and 2 while increasing their vocabulary. Additionally, students will learn many new grammatical structures throughout the year. Being that it is an honors course, this class provides a rigorous academic experience for the students in order to prepare them for Spanish 4 Advanced Placement. As such, the work load provides additional opportunities to work toward mastery of the language with a special emphasis on extra listening comprehension and speaking practice. In accordance with the research on foreign language acquisition, this course is taught through the process of total immersion. In addition to the GPA boost that comes with doing well in an honors class (receiving a C or higher), students who earn an A or a B in the course can also receive college credit as this course has been articulated through Bakersfield College.
Spanish 4 Advanced Placement
This class has been approved by the College Board as an Advanced Placement course. As such, the rigor and subject matter of the course is aligned with that which is found at the University level. As with Honors courses, Advanced Placement courses provide students with a rigorous academic experience along with the possibility of a GPA boost (providing that they earn a C or higher). Additionally, students that work hard at mastering the language and prepare themselves for the AP Exam can earn college credit by passing it with a score of 3 or higher. In order to help students work toward mastery of the language as a whole, and prepare for the AP exam in the process, the emphasis of this class revolves around communicative skill development in all four areas (reading, writing, listening, and speaking). As with previous levels, grammar and vocabulary are taught, and material from previous years reviewed, as a means of improving communicative proficiency and fluency. Additionally, more time and attention are dedicated to various aspects of Hispanic culture than in previous courses as students are given the opportunity to develop their communication skills while exploring the culture. As part of this cultural exploration, students will delve into literature, cinema, and music from a variety of Hispanic countries.
French I This course is an introduction to the four basic language skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. Students will learn cultural information about the French-speaking world.
French II A continuation of the course of study of the French language and of the associated cultures started in French I. French II is designed to develop the students’ speaking and writing skills to a greater extent, to reinforce correct pronunciation and intonation, and to improve listening and reading comprehension. The grammatical study of the language will also be increased.
French III HonorsContinuation of basic grammar. Fundamentals are presented in the form of moderately long reading passages and emphasis is placed on reading and writing. Conversing in the French language becomes imperative and students are given more advanced cultural readings.
French IV Honors/AP The emphasis of this class is French for literature and communication. Students will develop speaking skills through oral presentations and class discussions on various topics. Throughout the year students will read works of French authors. Composition and literature assignments will provide the opportunity to review grammar. The class is conducted completely in French. Enthusiasm for French is a must.