Foreign Languages Faculty
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The Foreign Languages curriculum offers a four-year sequential program in French, German, Japanese, Spanish, and Latin. The curriculum also offers Intensive Spanish to sophomores and above, interested in starting a second language. The Intensive Spanish classes complete the equivalent of three semesters of college level Spanish in one year of high school study. Intensive Spanish will be phased out over the next three years.
Two years of one foreign language are required for all students. Although only two are required, the vast majority complete four years of study in one language and many begin a second language. One may begin (with permission) a second foreign language after completing two years of a first language.
It is also the goal of the department to provide students an opportunity to travel in the target country during their course of study. Trips and exchanges are conducted in the following languages: German, Japanese, French, Latin, Russian, and Spanish.. The primary goal of the Foreign Languages curriculum is to help students develop proficiency skills in listening, reading and writing. The curriculum's purpose is to increase the student's knowledge and appreciation of diverse cultures of the countries whose languages they are learning. Perhaps the best summation of our department's goals are made by the proposed National Foreign Language Goals and Standards:
Communication in Languages Other Than English
· Students engage in conversations, provide and obtain information, express feelings and emotions, and exchange opinions.
· Students understand and interpret written and spoken language on a variety of topics.
· Students present information, concepts, and ideas to an audience of listeners or readers on a variety of topics.
Gain Knowledge and Understanding of Other Cultures
· Students demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the practices and perspectives of the culture studied.
· Students demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the products and perspectives of the culture studied.
Connect With Other Disciplines and Acquire Information
· Students reinforce and further their knowledge of other disciplines through the foreign language.
· Students acquire information and recognize the distinctive viewpoints that are only available through the foreign language and its cultures.
Insight into the Nature of Language and Culture
· Students demonstrate understanding of the nature of language through comparisons of the language studied and their own.
· Students demonstrate understanding of the concept of culture through comparison of the cultures studied and their own.
Participate in Multilingual Communities at Home and Around the World
· Students use the language both within and beyond the school setting.
· Students show evidence of becoming life-long learners by using the language for personal enjoyment and enrichment.
Foreign Language Placement Procedures
Subfreshmen Placement
· Incoming students will be assigned to a Level 1 language class. Levels 1 and 2 in the assigned language must be completed before switching to a new language. (This assignment will be indicated on class schedules which will be sent to you prior to school registration.). Students who have had only one year of study of a language in middle school or junior high school are not eligible for a Level 2 class at Uni High. These students may wish to begin another language at Uni High. Placement for students with more than one year of prior study will be decided on an individual basis. Please remember that language study out of sequence with the rest of one's grade level will result in future scheduling conflicts.
· Much of the success of Uni High's foreign languages program derives from our policy of limiting class sizes so that there will be ample time for individual practice during class. We intend to hold fast to this policy and not overload any language section.
Transfer Students
· Placement of transfer students with prior language experience will be made on an individual basis. (consultation with language instructor and department chair)
Current Students
· Placement of students taking language instruction outside of University High School will be done on an individual basis. (consultation with language instructor and department chair)
Choose a course description:
Intensive Spanish 2
Intensive Russian 1
French, Spanish, and German 1
(1 unit)
First year French, Spanish, and German students will take the first steps toward learning how to communicate in another language. They learn how to greet people and what to say in everyday situations. They learn to talk about themselves, their friends and their family in the foreign language--to describe them, to tell what they like and don't like to do, how old they are, how they feel, what jobs they have or the courses they take, and the things they own. They learn how to pronounce the sounds of the language correctly and with the appropriate accent and intonation. Depending upon the language, they will be able to write lists, simple sentences, questions, and later paragraphs and short compositions. Basic word processing in the target language will also be introduced. They are able to understand what they hear others say or what they see written about these same topics. They learn ways to read some things that are new to them.
In class, students may from time to time see videos and movies, glean information from language specific web sites, play games, listen to guest speakers, sing, give reports, and perform skits and role-plays. In each language class, students become acquainted with everyday life of the people whose language they are learning. They will also become familiar with the geography, national landmarks, traditions, and history of the country.
French and German 2
(1 unit)
In their second year of language study, French and German students learn to express their ideas on a wider range of topics and with improved pronunciation, accent, and intonation. They learn how to talk comfortably about ordinary events that happened in the past, and about what they would like to see happen in the future. They learn ways to make their ideas understood even if they may not know the exact word. They learn how to listen to the spoken language in order to follow the main message being communicated. They learn strategies for reading a text in the foreign language that may contain some unfamiliar words. They learn how to get their message across when writing paragraphs and short compositions and the elements of grammar that will enable them to express themselves clearly. Word processing in the target language, as well as the use of on-line reference materials will be covered. As in the first year class, classroom activities include games, skits, songs, reports, and films. Students continue the process of discovering the everyday life, customs, and culture of the people through the use of on-line materials and e-mail.
French and German 3
(1 unit)
Level 3 students become increasingly more able to use the language to communicate a variety of messages for more extended periods of time, and with more confidence. They become more comfortable with listening to native speech and with reading unfamiliar material. They learn to express their opinions, to summarize, to give more detailed explanation and descriptions, and to create with the language. As in all levels, they learn the vocabulary and language structures necessary to express themselves clearly. Students begin to read samples from the literature of the country whose language they are learning, as well as a variety of other kinds of written texts, such as magazine articles and advertisements. Role-playing games, discussions, oral reports, and films are classroom activities typical of a third-year French and German language class. Students learn to research topics on the web and make presentations to the class using presentation software such as Power Point.
French and German 4
(1 unit)
In the fourth-year of language study, French, German students are able to deal with more complicated situations in the foreign language. They begin to be able to analyze what they hear and read, and to write well-organized, more detailed, and lengthier compositions. They read and discuss well-known works of literature and also read the kinds of materials that native speakers in the foreign culture might read, such as magazine and newspaper articles. They may view and discuss foreign films and television/radio broadcasts. Many of the television/radio broadcasts are accessed via the Internet. In short, Level 4 students learn that they can get along in the foreign culture with some ease.
Japanese 1
(1 unit)
Students will take the first step toward learning how to communicate in Japanese. They will learn how to greet people and what to say in everyday situations. They will learn to talk about themselves, their friends and their family, and they will be able to understand what others say about these same topics. Students will learn to read, pronounce and write the two basic writing systems (hiragana and katakana) and will also learn a limited number of the most commonly used kanji (characters borrowed from Chinese). They will be able to write words, lists, and simple sentences. They will read familiar material, and will learn ways to read some things that are new to them. They will begin to gain an understanding of the cultural aspects of the language, such as using the appropriate level of formality. Many everyday aspects of Japanese culture will be explored via the web.
In class, Japanese 1 students may from time to time view videos and slides, play games, practice calligraphy, sing, and perform skits. Students will become acquainted with everyday life in Japan and will also become familiar with the geography, national landmarks, foods, festivals, school and family life, and traditions and values of the Japanese people.
Japanese 2
(1 unit)
In Japanese 2, students can expect to increase their communicative ability in the five basic areas of reading, writing, listening, speaking, and cultural awareness. Knowledge of the two syllabaries (hiragana and katakana) is assumed. Knowledge of kanji (Chinese characters) covered in Japanese 1 is also assumed. Emphasis will be placed on expanding vocabulary, comprehending and utilizing formal and informal forms of grammar, and on writing skills. Kanji instruction will continue at the rate of 50 per semester. A special emphasis will be placed on oral communication as well. Classroom activities will be similar to those described for Japanese I.
Japanese 3
(1 unit)
Japanese 3 involves the continued and expanded study of the written and spoken language. Japanese 3 assumes mastery of the hiragana and katakana syllabaries and of the 150-200 kanji covered in Japanese 1 and 2. Approximately 100 new kanji will be learned. Students will be expected to function in class entirely in Japanese. They will learn to express their opinions, to summarize, and to give more detailed explanations and description. They will begin to learn the appropriate uses of honorific speech as well. Students will begin to read a book, A Homestay in Japan: Nihon to no Deai, that relates the day-to-day experiences of an American exchange student in Japan. Students will continue to gain an appreciation for Japanese culture through language activities, films, video programs, on-line materials, slides, songs, games, campus events, and guest speakers.
Japanese 4
(1 unit)
Japanese 4 is a yearlong course designed for students who have completed Japanese 3 or who have an equivalent ability in the Japanese language. The course involves the continued and expanded study of the written language, vocabulary, and contextual usage of appropriate sentence patterns designed to enhance the students' interactive skills in Japanese. Japanese 4 will assume mastery of the approximately 300 kanji covered in Japanese 1, 2, and 3. Students will be expected to function in class entirely in Japanese, in culturally and linguistically appropriate ways. Students will learn to express their opinions, to summarize, and to give more detailed explanations and descriptions. They will continue to learn the appropriate uses of honorific speech. Students will read longer pieces of writing in Japanese, and they will learn about Japanese culture in the context of their language study. The Web will be used to read current news articles, explore culture topics, and Japanese story reading.
Latin 1
(1 unit)
The Latin Program at University Laboratory High School normally occupies four years. The objective of the first three years of the program is to prepare students to read and enjoy authentic Latin authors in the original. This training both introduces them to a civilization from which the Founding Fathers drew inspiration at the very beginning of the Republic, and accustoms them to close and accurate understanding of much vocabulary still in common use in everyday English.
The Ecce Romani! Series will introduce students to the Latin language, as well as to Roman history, civilization and culture. In the first year, students will begin their study of the language by reading simple Latin prose that presents basic grammatical patterns and vocabulary. Grammatical patterns will include: regular and irregular verbs, the function of the case system, word order, and the declensions of nouns, pronouns, and adjectives. Stress will be placed on oral delivery.
Latin 2
(1 unit)
In Latin 2, students will further their control of the language through additional work on Latin grammar and the study of more complex prose. The readings in Latin 2 are designed as an introduction to the politics of the Roman world as seen in the provinces and in the imperial capital. Grammar covered in the second year will include: a variety of subordinate clauses featuring participles, gerundives, infinitives, and subjunctives. Toward the end of the year, students will be introduced to easy passages drawn from the classical authors. Students will be required to use the Internet to get information on important Latin authors and leaders, Greek sculptors and artists, etc.
Latin 3
(1 unit)
In Latin 3, The Ecce Romani Series (book 5) will be completed, and the grammar, syntax and vocabulary presented in the preceding volumes reviewed. Occasional presentations on background, history and literature will provide a context in which further reading is developed. Choice of texts will vary and may include passages from Cicero's Speeches, extracts from Pliny's Letters, or selections from a Roman poet such as Ovid. The texts will be read with careful attention to questions of more advanced grammar and to the art of translation into English. At the end of the third year, students should have acquired the basis for reading authentic Latin authors with appreciation. As in Latin 3 students will be required to use the Internet to get information on important Latin authors and leaders, Greek sculptors and artists, etc.
Latin 4
(1 unit)
Latin 4 will build on skills in Latin syntax and morphology already acquired. Continued emphasis will be on the reading of actual authors. In particular, Books 1, 2, 4 and 6 of Virgil's Aeneid will be studied. Methodology will be: translation of the text, grammatical explanation, discussion of the poetic merits of the work, and background and civilization. Further readings of prose authors, such as Cicero and Livy, and of poets including Catullus, Ovid and Horace, will be introduced as appropriate. Sight passages will be assigned in order to foster understanding of grammatical and rhetorical structure. During second semester, students will choose a relevant topic. With the guidance of their teacher, students will write both a rough and finished draft, and will make an oral presentation to the class. Students are encouraged to use internet resources to research their topics and presentation software such as Power Point to deliver their presentation. Students may take Advanced Placement tests as appropriate.
Intensive Spanish 1
(10th –12th grade) (1 unit)
A task-based intensive approach to the Spanish language provides students with the practical skills necessary to interact with native speakers of Spanish in a variety of situations on a daily basis. Listening comprehension, reading, writing and oral skills are emphasized, with all in-class activities eventually entirely in Spanish. The task-based textbook ¿Sabías que…? and companion workbooks, used at the University of Illinois, provide grammatical and lexical foundations. In addition, a variety of supplementary materials, including the Destinos videotape series, educational videos, magazines, Hispanic newspapers and literary selections are utilized. The course also provides a cultural component by focusing on the contributions of Hispanics in the United States and on daily life in Spanish-speaking countries through readings, videos and guest speakers. Students will complete the equivalent of two to three college semesters of coursework in one academic year. Finally, there is an optional class trip to a Spanish-speaking country.
Intensive Spanish 2
(11th
–12th grade) (1 unit)
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Intensive Spanish I or
instructor consent
The course builds on the base established in the Intensive Spanish I course by using the intermediate level college text Punto y aparte. Listening comprehension, reading, writing and oral skills, as well as a cultural component, continue to be emphasized. In-class work centers on further development of listening and speaking skills, grammatical awareness and vocabulary building. Assignments focus on independent reading, writing and grammar review. In addition, a variety of supplementary materials are utilized, including the Destinos videotape series, literary and other authentic texts, the Internet, guest speakers and other resources available in the community. Finally, there is an optional class trip to a Spanish-speaking country.