World Languages | The Dunham School, Baton Rouge, LA

Intro to French is an introduction to French language and culture. The course covers basic vocabulary and grammar at a pace appropriate for Middle School students. The focus is on developing communicative skills in the areas of listening, speaking, reading, and writing in preparation for the French I curriculum. Culture is presented throughout the quarter in engaging and exciting lessons that promote a stronger understanding of the Francophone world.

French I is an introductory course in the French language and culture. Emphasis is placed on developing communicative skills in the areas of listening, speaking, reading, and writing supported by the study of vocabulary and basic grammar (1 credit).

French II continues the development and understanding of the French language and culture, and is designed for students who have successfully completed French I. Further emphasis is placed upon broadening the communicative skills learned in the first year in the areas of listening, speaking, reading, and writing supported by the study of increasingly advanced vocabulary and grammar (1 credit).

French III Honors continues the development and understanding of the French language and culture for students who have successfully completed French II with an A or B and who have the recommendation of their instructor. Communicative skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing, are refined and supported by advanced vocabulary and grammar. This course prepares students to take the Advanced Placement French course (1 credit; weighted on a maximum 4.5 point scale).

Students who have performed well in French III Honors and who have the recommendation of their instructor may enroll in Advanced Placement French. Advanced Placement French is structured like a college course and provides students with the experiences needed to be successful on the College Board Advanced Placement French Language exam. The course will further develop listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in the French language through integrated skill-based activities and authentic materials.  Students completing the course are required to take the AP French Language exam (1 credit; weighted on a maximum 5 point scale).

Intro to Latin is a seventh-grade introduction to Latin (Romance languages) and culture of the ancient Roman empire.  The course covers some basic vocabulary and grammar structures at a pace appropriate for Middle School students in preparation for the Latin I curriculum.  Introductory listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills are the focus of this course. Culture is presented throughout the quarter in engaging and exciting lessons that promote a stronger understanding of the Romance language-speaking world.

Latin I provides an introduction to the Latin language and Roman people through reading, writing, and exploring the grammar of Classical Latin. Students are introduced to grammatical concepts through adapted readings from famous Roman authors. Emphasis is placed on both the traditional method of language acquisition and newer intuitive approaches. Students will also be introduced to the basic history and culture of Rome, engaging with cultural themes through their translations and readings (1 credit).

Latin II provides a more complex study of the Latin grammatical system for students who have completed Latin I through longer and more complex readings. Emphasis is placed upon the use of Latin through the late-antique and medieval periods. Students will be introduced to differences between classical and post-classical Latin style. (1 credit).

Latin III is a course in advanced translation and reading comprehension for students who have excelled in Latin II and receive a teacher recommendation. Students will complete a comprehensive understanding of the Latin grammatical system with readings from early-modern and scientific texts. The second semester returns the students to the ancient world for an introduction to unadapted classical text in preparation of the advanced level (1 credit; weighted on maximum 4.5 point scale).

Advanced Placement Latin is structured as a college course, offering students a deep look into Latin texts chosen by the College Board. Focused study centers on the skills needed to translate the required passages into English as literally as possible while also discussing the historical, literary, and cultural context of the works studied. Works and authors are presented holistically and readings are required in both English and Latin. Students completing the course are required to take the AP Latin exam in May (1 credit; weighted on a maximum 5 point scale).

Spanish I is the introduction to the study of the Spanish language and culture.  The students will study basic vocabulary and grammar structures in the present and past tense through listening, speaking, reading, and writing activities. Students will learn how to read related passages for meaning, write on specific topics, listen for meaning in topic-related listening activities, and speak in the target language in class using the structures and vocabulary of the Spanish language. Culture is presented throughout the semester in engaging and exciting lessons that promote a stronger understanding of the Spanish-speaking world (1 credit).

Spanish II is the continuation of the study of the Spanish language and culture and is for students who have successfully completed Spanish I.  The course focuses on further development of listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills through communicative activities. Students will review and build upon Spanish I vocabulary and grammar concepts as they learn and broaden their communication skills. Students will also learn a variety of culture topics, including music, history, customs, religion, celebrations, and more (1 credit).

Students who earn an A or B in all semesters of Spanish I and II and who receive a teacher recommendation are eligible for Spanish III Honors. The course focuses on strengthening and refining listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills through communicative activities. Students will be required to further develop their thoughts and opinions by writing and speaking in the target language as well as to comprehend details and infer main ideas in reading and listening selections. Students will also learn a variety of culture topics including literature, history, customs, and more. A student who successfully completes Spanish III Honors will be prepared to continue studying Spanish at the AP level the following year (1 credit; weighted on maximum 4.5 point scale).

Advanced Placement Spanish Language is modeled on a comparable college course, offers students a college level course experience, and gives students the experiences needed to be successful on the College Board Spanish Language exam.  The course will further develop listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in the Spanish language through integrated skill-based activities and authentic materials.  Students completing the course are required to take the AP Spanish Language exam (1 credit; weighted on maximum 5 point scale).

Students who earn an A or B in all semesters of Spanish I, II, and III and who receive a teacher recommendation are eligible for this course. This course, taught entirely in Spanish, is for students who have completed either Spanish III Honors or Spanish AP who wish to continue their studies about Spanish and Latin American culture. The course follows the development of the Spanish language and the culture of the Spanish-speaking world, beginning with pre-history Spain, pre-colonial groups in the Americas, colonization, independence, the Spanish Civil War, up through contemporary Spain and Latin America. Topics include history, linguistics, religion, literature, music, geography, and more. Students will research and present on a variety of topics as well as read and listen to authentic sources. (1 credit; weighted on a maximum 4.5 point scale).