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Foreign Languages

Europeans generally learn English well enough to converse and to read English literature. But Americans, in general, know all too little of foreign languages and cultures. We teach students languages so that they can better appreciate the world. Language options vary greatly and will increase with the growth of our school, but, depending on parental demand, we expect to offer Spanish, California’s second language, and Chinese, the language used by the greatest number of the world’s people. Students may start languages at any age.

At The School of Choice we believe that people understand the world best by contrasting what they experience with what people in other cultures experience. Students should do more than relish the pleasures of mastering foreign languages; they should grasp other cultures, other ways of life, and other processes of thinking. This type of understanding can truly be achieved by learning the native language of the writers, philosophers and poets who have enriched the world with their thoughts and musings. How best to understand the thoughts of philosophers such as Voltaire and Rousseau than in French? How best to absorb the wisdom of Confucius than in Mandarin? How best to appreciate the satirical tone of Cervantes than in Spanish? If they learn Latin or Greek, future scholars will have the tools to grasp the true meaning of common English words, as well as understand scientific terminology. Foreign languages are the necessary components of a well-formed mind.

Introduction to Foreign Languages I

This course is intended to introduce students to their first foreign language. Some students may have already chosen their preferred language. Others may wish to be exposed to a variety of languages and select the language that best matches their taste and interest. This course uses singing and story telling, as well as a variety of multimedia tools (audio, video and computers) to immerse students fully into the language. Students learn original alphabets (Russian and Greek), basic symbols (Chinese, Japanese), simple vocabulary and everyday words, hear different sounds and pronunciations, and analyze sentence structure through the comparison of various languages such as English, French, Spanish and German. Most importantly, they learn about the culture and background of different countries and have fun!

Topics covered include: Very basic vocabulary, sentence structure, articles, nouns, verbs, simple adjectives, subject, object, pronunciation, sounds, and accents, alphabets, culture; the basic history of languages and geography.

Foreign Languages I

This is the student’s first formal course in a foreign language. Students are introduced to the basic vocabulary appropriate for their language, accents and proper pronunciation, as well as the basics of grammar, verb conjugation, pronouns and spelling. Depending on the language, the present tense and either a past tense or a future tense may be covered. Students learn to read and write simple sentences and modify them using a limited set of words. They learn to listen to and understand common sentences and phrases, and to repeat them using the correct accents and pronunciation. They learn to ask and respond to common questions, ask specific questions when they do not understand what is said to them, and learn how to consult a dictionary. As in the previous course, students are exposed to the culture and way of life associated with the peoples speaking the language. As in the previous class, this course uses singing and storytelling, as well as a variety of multimedia tools (audio, video and computers) to immerse students fully into the language.

Topics covered include: Simple vocabulary, tenses, conjugation and declination, nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, subject, object (direct, indirect), pronunciation, accents, culture; the basic history and geography of the countries associated with the language.

Foreign Languages II

This class reinforces and expands the grammar and vocabulary knowledge in the seventh grade. Students read and write paragraphs and small sections of text, and use their vocabulary to write short stories or poems. They engage in natural conversations and perform their own shows (songs or plays) in a foreign language. They learn some common expressions and idioms specific to the cultures of the countries where the language is spoken. Students who advance quickly at this level may move up to the Foreign Language III level at any time.

Topics covered include: Syntax and spelling, tenses, conjugation and declination, nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, common expressions and idioms, reading and writing small paragraphs, carrying out conversations.

Foreign Languages III

This course may be the culmination of the Foreign Language curriculum at The School of Choice for students who chose alternatives in high school; or it may prepare students to advance towards an Advanced Placement course in the student’s selected language by the tenth or eleventh grade. The grammar and language skills specific to the chosen language are covered in depth and developed through extensive listening and writing exercises and drills as well as through the completion of a special project which consists of writing and editing a complete magazine, a collection of stories, or any fiction or non-fiction work of twenty pages or more. This written project must also be presented orally. Students are also exposed to variations in accents used among native speakers of the language.

Topics covered include: Advanced usage of common expressions and idioms, speaking at an intermediate level of fluency, advanced listening comprehension, tenses, conjugation and declination, nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, advanced spelling and dictation.

Foreign Languages IV

Students who wish to continue with their language, but not at an AP pace, can take level four. This can be a terminal class or it can prepare them better for Advanced Placement in the eleventh grade.

AP Spanish or French Language

Students of Spanish, French, or possibly German, Latin or Japanese can go on to take an elective at the AP level in their subject. Unfortunately, the College Board does not offer AP Mandarin.

AP Spanish or French Literature

Students of Spanish, French, or possibly Latin can go on to take the most advanced elective at the AP level in their subject: literature in that language.