• Spanish I Student emphasis is on gaining pronunciation and vocabulary skills. Present tense verbs are covered with an introduction to past tense verbs. Vocabulary includes numbers, weather, shopping, greetings, school activities, free time activities, descriptions of people, professions, city locations, countries, and capitals. The cultural context is Mexico and United States Hispanic communities. Students do a semester project on a Spanish speaking country.
• Spanish II This course has a continuing emphasis on vocabulary and reading, not only for correct pronunciation but for understanding. Short essays on Central and South America, geography, and folktales are used. Students work on verb tenses extensively: present, present irregular, preterit, imperfect, commands, and subjunctive. Cultural context is Central and South America. The semester project is with a partner on a topic such as bullfighting or Picasso.
• Spanish III New vocabulary and especially idiomatic expressions are introduced with extended lectures and conversations, writings and readings all of which are in Spanish. Future and conditional verb tenses are added. History and biographical information are emphasized and the cultural context is Spain. Don Quixote and El Cid are studied. The semester project is preparing topical curriculums and presenting them to their classmates totally in Spanish.
• Spanish IV Introductory and intermediate Spanish equip students with vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, and conversation in a variety of topics. Level 4, like advanced levels of English language arts, focuses on written literacy.

Back to Curriculum Overview