Languages

This introductory course provides students with a firm foundation for further study. The course begins by exploring the language, culture, people, and land of the greater Chinese communities. Students learn the basics of spoken and written Chinese. Students are taught to read both traditional and simplified characters, but may choose to write only the traditional or the simplified ones. Course content focuses on communicating on topics relating to the individual: greetings, and asking and obtaining personal information such as names, ages, and favorite food items.

Chinese I is offered every year. However, the course only runs when sufficient enrollment interest exists.

This course builds upon the foundation established in Chinese I. Course content moves from topics relating to the individual to topics involving everyday life. Students learn to communicate about living functions, negotiate their way around places, interact with people, and express feelings. Print and video resources as well as material available online are used in this course.

Chinese II is offered every year. However, the course only runs when sufficient enrollment interest exists.

This beginner-intermediate course contains an integrated suite of learning materials focused on communication and authentic language used in real-life contexts. Central among these materials is a twenty-episode video series, filmed entirely on location throughout China, that includes a dramatic story line, authentic model dialogues, and segments devoted to special aspects of Chinese culture and history. The course presents a carefully structured and cumulative approach to learning Mandarin Chinese. Students progress step-by-step from listening and speaking to the more challenging skills of reading and writing Chinese characters. The emphasis is on communicative skills, for the primary goal of the program is to foster proficiency in everyday Chinese. Abundant exercises and learning activities are linked to the video episodes, while expanded learning opportunities are provided through self-paced interactive web activities, language games, an online learning community, and much more.

This intermediate course continues to guide the students in building communication skills to become proficient in everyday Chinese. In addition to the increased complexity of their speaking and listening tasks, students are provided opportunities to develop their reading and writing skills by engaging in a variety of linguistic- related activities. The curriculum reviews narration skills to describe past events, and introduces the word order and some complex sentence structures in Chinese. Students read an assortment of short stories and articles to explore cultures and society. A strong emphasis is on improving their ability to recognize Chinese characters and become more proficient readers in Chinese. Reading strategies are taught and practiced during this course too. Students discuss and write about topics regularly to apply and practice complex grammar structures. This course equips students with Chinese learning strategies that enable them to engage in independent study of the language using online tools and other resources.

This intermediate course builds upon the foundation established in the previous course, and continues to develop skills that enable learners to handle all three modes of communication: interpretive, interpersonal and presentational. The course develops students’ ability in all areas, especially preparing them to read and write in the target language. It contains a mix of ingredients to ensure that the students’ learning experience is continuously intertwined with the “Five Cs” of foreign language learning—communication, culture, connections, comparisons, and communities. In addition to using the language to carry communicative tasks orally, students develop the skills in comprehending and producing written materials, such as trying to decode an advertisement, understand road signs, read a doctor’s prescription or write an email to a teacher asking for a sick leave. The authenticity of all the resources, materials and tools will prepare students for developing language proficiency, preparing them for real life communication.

This advanced course builds upon the foundation established in the previous course, and continues to develop skills that enable learners to handle all three modes of communication: interpretive, interpersonal and presentational. The course develops students’ ability in all areas, especially preparing them to read and write in the target language. It contains a mix of ingredients to ensure that the students’ learning experience is continuously intertwined with the “Five Cs” of foreign language learning—communication, culture, connections, comparisons, and communities. The course delves into many facets of our culture and society, exposing students to a variety of topics, such as education system, political system and people’s beliefs and point of view. With the help of many carefully crafted activities, students learn to understand different cultures through different lenses. In-depth discussion and writing about a topic will help students express their opinion while they listen to each other. This allows them full participation and commitment to expression in the target language.

In this introductory course, students progressively develop speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills through a variety of activities purposefully designed to respond to diverse learning styles. The course presents thematic vocabulary, common verb tenses, basic grammar and idiomatic structures. Students practice daily conversational patterns dealing with personal preferences and contemporary life. The cultural material of the course focuses primarily on France, while introducing students to the diversity of the French-speaking world.

French II builds upon the reading, writing and conversational skills gained in French I. Emphasis is placed on increased complexity of oral and written expression. Students often work on project-based learning to develop their oral communication, give oral presentations, and practice extemporaneous speaking, as well as write in paragraph form. Reflexive and object pronouns as well as past and future tenses are explored in depth.  Among other cultural topics, students explore traditions in Francophone countries, learn about music in the French diaspora, and research celebrities from Francophone countries.  

This intermediate course emphasizes themes around “Mon Monde”- My World - to reinforce and broaden students’ communication skills, expand vocabulary, teach grammar concepts, and heighten cultural awareness. Students cover topics around their school, their family, and their community. The curriculum reviews narration skills to describe past events, and introduces complex sentence structures with passé composé and imparfait. Students are increasingly able to demonstrate language acquisition in both formal and informal situations. Students read and discuss a short story ”Où est passé Martin?” to explore Guadeloupe, the culture about the archipelago and landmarks such as the Memorial ACTe. They make comparisons and connections with the Francophone world by watching current events and movies, making projects, and last, but not least, cooking delicious recipes. Last, they create their own short story using the skills they have acquired all throughout the year. In conclusion, students develop self-awareness, growth mindset, and learn how to better study while becoming proficient linguists.

This advanced course delves into the many cultures of the Francophone world while building upon the students’ grammar foundation. The cultural element of this course focuses on historical perspective, social justice, and an introduction to journalism from around the diaspora. The curriculum expands upon the grammatical structures from French III and introduces the subjunctive and literary tenses. Students are frequently exposed to authentic audio and video material; they discuss and write about topics in depth to practice complex structures. In the spring, students read and analyze their first unabridged novel in French, Le Petit Prince.

Students study local and global social justice topics, such as equity, privilege, human needs, immigration, gender equality, LGBTQ+, Black heritage, and French colonial rule. To address these issues in French, the class progresses thematically and includes historical and current events, reading and listening comprehension (songs, poetry, articles, films, interviews, etc), discussions, and personal reflections. Social justice vocabulary is introduced, and grammar and rhetorical structures are reviewed to make formal arguments in the target language. Students develop skills in self-awareness, introspective reflection, analytical writing, and advanced language skills. In-depth class discussions, and Socratic seminars require students’ full participation and commitment to a safe, mindful, and supportive collaboration. Last, after each thematic unit, students create and record one digital story to demonstrate their own understanding, depth of reflection, and personal growth.

This immersion course teaches students to pursue French in a professional context and acquire valuable oral and written communication skills. Students listen to the news via television, radio, or internet, give a concise and accurate account of the information, discuss global issues, and interact with their peers as colleagues. They practice public speaking while delivering a speech, making a presentation, or sharing convincing arguments in a meeting. They learn how to introduce themselves in person and on the phone in a formal setting, prepare and practice going through an interview with the proper protocol and etiquette, and build their own portfolio including a resume and an original start-up plan. In written communication, they explore the francophone enterprise, practice writing reports, press releases, formal letters, and emails, while sharpening acquired French syntax and grammar. At the end of this course, students demonstrate their ability to conduct themselves in a Francophone professional context complementing their existing English competencies.

This course introduces students to language learning in general, focusing on various verb structures and other grammar points and idiomatic structures while making natural comparisons to their own language. Spanish I students develop study skills and memorization techniques that will enable them to learn vocabulary and grammar points throughout their course of study. Students practice conversations related to making acquaintances, talking about personal preferences, getting around town, and family relations. Additionally, students get the opportunity to improve their interpersonal, interpretive and presentational skills through the reading of two short novels. They study vocabulary related to numbers, expressions of time, food, hobbies and sports. Students learn songs, write and perform short skits, play games, cook traditional dishes, complete a variety of cultural and linguistic projects, and celebrate holidays and customs of the Hispanic world.

Spanish II builds on the writing, speaking, listening, and reading skills established in Spanish I. This course focuses on the use of the preterit and imperfect tenses, as well as on object and reflexive pronouns. Students practice conversation skills by talking about such topics as travel, daily routines, professions, making plans for the future, comparing past and present events, and narrating past actions. Furthermore, students get the opportunity to improve their interpersonal, interpretive and presentational skills through the reading of two short novels. The course provides a broad overview of the variety of cultures and linguistic differences across the Spanish-speaking world, with numerous short readings. In addition, the students work with a variety of media (stories, commercials, music videos, telenovelas, shorts, etc.) to help provide additional opportunities to hear native speakers use vocabulary and grammar in context and to infer meaning from context.

Spanish III builds on the writing, speaking, listening, and reading skills established in Spanish II. This course focuses on the use of the present perfect, preterit, imperfect and future tenses, and the subjunctive mood. Students practice conversation skills by talking about such topics such as family, interests and hobbies, childhood memories, and future plans. The first semester introduces Latin American history and Spanish’s connection to indigenous languages, while the second semester delves into the Chicano Movement. Students have the opportunity to read shorts stories and articles in Spanish, as well as few several films. In addition, the students work with a variety of media (stories, commercials, music videos, telenovelas, shorts, etc.) to help provide additional opportunities to hear native speakers use vocabulary and grammar in context and to infer meaning from context.

In this advanced course, students get equal exposure to cultural, communicative and linguistic topics. They view and discuss several films that highlight particular aspects of Hispanic society and history. Students work with authentic sources to conduct research about a variety of topics. Some examples include news articles, poems, and short stories. The grammar portion of the course focuses on pronouns, mood, and tense sequencing, as well as a review of selected topics from previous years. There is a strong emphasis on improving communicative skills through daily conversations, teacher-student and student-student interactions as well as oral presentations in the target language.

Full year

In this advanced Spanish course on literature and film, students are critical readers and writers as well as active viewers. They write cross-cultural comparisons of literary texts and film and compare these with their own experiences; use the works to determine how people identify with specific locations, language, and culture; discuss and interpret the historical context in which the work is set; write and apply literary analysis to a variety of genres within the context of Spanish and Latin American literary traditions; and develop, communicate, and defend a thesis with evidence based on literary texts and film.

Full year

The course explores the topic of social justice throughout the Spanish-speaking world, alternating between units that highlight themes of Spanish, Latin American, and Latino history and current social realities through art and literature, and units with a focus on individual and group struggles for social justice. This advanced course continues to challenge students to communicate with more accuracy, at a more refined level, in a wider variety of contexts, and with a greater lexical repertoire. Students work with a variety of primary sources (letters, newspaper articles, testimonies) and view and analyze a variety of films in order to discuss and interpret different historical contexts and realities. In the second semester, students also work on descriptive, narrative and expository writing styles.

Full year

Students study a variety of themes such as Latinx history, language, education, and immigration. They will explore how these topics relate to the development of identity and community and practice the art of sharing stories through written, visual, and verbal mediums. Students will learn about the local and current history of the Latinx communities in Seattle and in Washington State through field trips and guest speakers and have regular opportunities to practice written and verbal Spanish.