BHS Course Description Guide

Foreign Language
Students are advised to read the Course Requirements for Colleges and Universities section of this guide. French I French II French III French IV Advanced French V German I German II Spanish I Spanish II Spanish III Spanish IV AP Spanish V \| Table of Contents \|

11111-11112 French I (Year; 1 unit)
Prerequisite: Successful completion of a grade-level English class with a grade of C or better is strongly recommended. The purpose of this course is to acquaint the student with a beginning French vocabulary, accurate pronunciation, and the basic principles of French grammar. The student will develop a balanced amount of the four skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Culture is interwoven with language development. Top of Page \| Table of Contents \|

11121-11122 French II (Year; 1 unit)
Prerequisite: French I; Teacher recommendation The second year of French reviews and builds on concepts mastered in French I. Vocabulary development increases rapidly. The student learns new grammar concepts and verb tenses that are integrated into speaking, listening, reading, and writing activities. Short readings in French focus on geography, history, and culture in the French-speaking world. Daily work, class participation, and successful testing comprise the methods of evaluation. \| Top of Page \| Table of Contents \|

11131-11132 French III (Year; 1 unit)
Prerequisite: French II; Teacher recommendation The third year of French provides a thorough review of vocabulary and language patterns introduced in French I and French II. Advanced grammar concepts are then presented. Culturally based readings and studies are interwoven throughout the course, providing for growth in vocabulary and further development of writing and conversation skills. Much of the class will be conducted in French. Top of Page \| Table of Contents \|

11141-11142 French IV (Year; 1 unit)
Prerequisite: French III; Teacher recommendation This course is the foundation for the advanced level course. It provides a thorough review of skills and materials covered in French III. The instruction will focus on mastery of the four basic skills: listening, reading and continued vocabulary development, speaking and increased oral fluency, and writing essays. Other emphases include French culture and civilization. Much of the course will be conducted in French. Top of Page \| Table of Contents \|

11151-11152 AP French V (Year; 1 unit)
Prerequisite: French IV; Teacher recommendation This course will be conducted in French. It is designed for the student who wants the opportunity to prepare for college classes in French. There will be a focus on the grammar concepts, speaking skills, and writing skills that would be needed on the College Board AP exam in the French Language. Students are encouraged to take advantage of the opportunity to take the AP test in May. The integral focus of language study at this level will come from a variety of readings in French culture, in French history, and from literature of the French speaking world. (This course carries the Honors G.P.A. weighting) Top of Page \| Table of Contents \|

12111-12112 German I (Year; 1 unit)
Prerequisite: Successful completion of a grade-level English class with a grade of C or better is strongly recommended (Expected to be offered in 2008-2009) This course emphasizes conversational German. Fundamental comprehension and communication are practiced through a variety of oral and written activities. Building a basic active vocabulary is stressed. The application of grammar concepts to communicative activities, the reading of short selections for information, and the culture of the countries where German is spoken are included. Due to the importance of skill building in this class, daily study and active class participation are required. Top of Page \| Table of Contents \|

12121-12122 German II (Year; 1 unit)
Prerequisite: German I; Teacher recommendation (Expected to be offered in 2007-2008) Based on the fundamentals mastered in German I this course builds listening and speaking skills with increased emphasis on reading and writing skills. Expanding active vocabulary and application of grammar concepts to communicative activities will be important. Opportunities for free expression are included. The language is presented in the cultural context of the countries where German is spoken. Due to the importance of skill building in this class, daily study and active class participation are required. Top of Page \| Table of Contents \|

15111-15112 Spanish I (Year; 1 unit)
Prerequisite: Successful completion of a grade-level English class with a grade of C or better is strongly recommended Spanish I is an introduction to the Spanish language with emphasis on the four basic skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Work will be evaluated by way of oral and written performance. This class serves as a foundation for continuing study of Spanish; therefore, daily study and participation are required. One section of this class is reserved for those students in the Bloomington Business Academy. Top of Page \| Table of Contents \|

15121-15122 Spanish II (Year; 1 unit)
Prerequisite: Spanish I; Teacher recommendation Based on the fundamentals mastered in Spanish I, this course builds listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Expansion of the student's active vocabulary is an important part of the class. Preterit and imperfect tenses are covered. Each unit contains a variety of oral and written activities for the student to practice communicative skills, vocabulary usage, and grammar concepts. Due to the importance of skill building in this class, daily study and active class participation are required. Top of Page \| Table of Contents \|

15131-15132 Spanish III (Year; 1 unit)
Prerequisite: Spanish II; Teacher recommendation This course is designed for the above average student who has successfully completed Spanish II and has mastered that material. This advanced course provides a review of grammar rules and structures and then introduces the exceptions and variables of those rules. The subjunctive, future, conditional, and several compound tenses are introduced. Student-created situational dialogues and culturally based readings will be presented throughout the year, aided by extensive vocabulary acquisition. This class serves as the foundation for the Advanced Studies classes. Top of Page \| Table of Contents \|

15141-15142 Spanish IV (Year; 1 unit)
Prerequisite: Spanish III, Teacher recommendation This course is designed for the student who wants more than the minimum foreign language requirement. It will be taught as the course preparing the student for success in the Advanced Placement Spanish V class offered the following year. The student will complete two semester projects in Spanish, a research project and a portfolio. Proficiency-oriented instruction will focus on the four basic language skills of reading, writing, listening, and speaking in the target language at an advanced level. This will facilitate transition into college courses. Top of Page \| Table of Contents \|

15191-15192 AP Spanish V (Year; 1 unit)
Prerequisite: Advanced Spanish IV, Teacher recommendation This course is designed for the student who desires the opportunity to pursue college-level studies in Spanish and the option to receive college credit for this study. This course follows the College Board Advanced Placement Syllabus in Spanish Language, and students are strongly encouraged to take the College Board exam in May. Please see the section at the beginning of this guide concerning AP exams. \| Top of Page \| Table of Contents \|

Last Updated on August 30, 2007

Bloomington High School, Bloomington, Illinois 61701