World language courses are designed primarily for students planning to attend a four-year college. Although the world language curriculum is an accelerated one, quite a few students whose after-high school plans have included vocational training, two-year post-secondary schooling, or immediate entry into the job market, have enrolled in foreign language classes and completed course requirements successfully. The past has shown that students experiencing difficulties in English classes have also experienced difficulties in world language classes. For this reason, it is highly recommended that students confer and seek the recommendations of their English teachers when making decisions to enroll in world language for the first year course.
American Sign Language I (Gr. 9-12) 2 semesters 4901/4902
American Sign Language I introduces students to American Sign Language (ASL) and the deaf community. The course focuses on frequently used signs through a functional-notional approach and discusses cultural features of the deaf community. Emphasis is placed on development of receptive and expressive language skills. Students develop visual acuity, follow brief verbal instructions, understand short statements, questions, and dialogues, develop short descriptions with guidance, begin to understand the current GLOSSING system used to write ASL, and examine other methods developed to write ASL, including Sign Writing. Students also learn to recognize the difference between the pathological and psychological definitions of deafness, recognize the widespread use of ASL throughout the United States, and develop an understanding of the relationship between languages and cultures as a whole. (2156)
Note: Fulfills a World Language requirement for the Core 40 with Academic Honors diploma or counts as a Directed Elective or Elective for any diploma
French I (Gr. 9-12) 2 semesters 4301/4302
This is an introductory course to the French language designed to teach students basic French language skills in an immersive environment. Students discuss the many reasons for learning languages and develop an understanding of the people who speak them. Students apply effective strategies for language learning and show a willingness to experience various aspects of the cultures. The course provides opportunities for students to do the following: respond to oral directions and commands, make routine requests in the classroom and in public places, understand and use appropriate forms of address in courtesy expressions, be able to tell about daily routines and events, ask and answer simple questions, participate in conversations related to their needs and interests, read isolated words and phrases in a situational context such as menus, signs, and schedules, comprehend brief written directions and information, read short narrative texts on simple topics, write familiar words and phrases in appropriate contexts and respond in writing to various stimuli. (2020)
Recommendation: From an English teacher
Japanese I (Gr. 9-12) 2 semesters 4501/4502
Students discuss the many reasons for learning Japanese and the importance of learning about another culture. Students apply effective strategies for language learning in each of the four language skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing, as well as developing a curiosity about various aspects of Japanese culture. The course provides opportunities such as the following: respond to oral directions and commands, make routine requests in the classroom and in public places, understand and use appropriate forms of address in courtesy expressions, describe daily routines and events, ask and answer simple questions, participate in brief guided conversations related to their needs and interests, read and write words and phrases in a situational context such as menus, signs, and schedules, comprehend brief written directions and information, read short narrative texts on simple topics, and respond in writing and orally to various stimuli. Students will develop “survival level” Japanese during the course of the year. They will learn the two phonetic alphabets, hiragana and katakana, and begin their study of kanji. Students will view films and documentaries in class, sample food, as well as research an aspect of traditional Japanese culture and present their findings through a paper and a presentation. Multiple opportunities will be available for immersive field trips that provide excellent language and cultural experiences. A two-week study abroad opportunity is available every other year for students to travel to Japan. Students may also host a pair of Japanese students every other year for two weeks. (2060)
Recommendation: From an English teacher
Spanish I (Gr. 9-12) 2 semesters 4101/4102
This is an introductory course to the Spanish language designed to teach students basic Spanish language skills in an immersive environment. Students discuss the many reasons for learning languages and develop an understanding of the people who speak them. Students apply effective strategies for language learning and show a willingness to experience various aspects of the cultures. The course provides opportunities for the students to do the following: respond to oral directions and commands, make routine requests in the classroom and in public places, understand and use appropriate forms of address in courtesy expressions, be able to tell about daily routines and events, ask and answer simple questions, participate in conversations related to their needs and interests, read isolated words and phrases in a situational context such as menus, signs, and schedules, comprehend brief written directions and information, read short narrative texts on simple topics, and write familiar words and phrases in appropriate contexts and respond in writing to various stimuli. (2120)
Recommendation: From an English teacher
Spanish II (Gr. 9-12) 2 semesters 4111/4112
This is a beginner-intermediate course to the Spanish language designed to teach students language skills in an immersive environment. Students participate in conversations dealing with daily activities and personal interests. Students are able to ask questions regarding routine activities and participate in conversations on a variety of topics. They learn to interact in a variety of situations to meet personal needs such as asking permission, asking for or responding to an offer of help, and expressing preferences pertaining to everyday life. Students become familiar with different aspects of the culture including the visual arts, architecture, literature and music, extend and respond to hospitality as a host or a guest, participate appropriately at special family occasions such as birthdays, weddings, and anniversaries, and become aware of time expectations, such as arriving for appointments and social engagements.. (2122)
Prerequisite: Spanish I teacher recommendation & B+ for S2 Spanish I
English As A New Language (9-12) 2 semesters 4061/4062
English as a New Language is the study of language, literature, composition and oral communication for English Language Learner (ELL) students to improve their proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, writing and comprehension of standard English. Students study English vocabulary used in fictional texts and content-area texts speak and write English so that they can function within the regular school setting and an English-speaking society, and deliver oral presentations appropriate to their respective levels of English proficiency. The intent is to move students as successfully, smoothly, and rapidly as possible into the Core 40 English courses offered in grades 9-12. (2188)
Note: The nature of this course allows for successive semesters of instruction at advanced levels (up to a maximum of four credits)
Note: English/Language Arts credit – if ENL course work addresses Indiana’s Academic Standards English/Language Arts, up to four (4) credits accrued can be part of eight (8) required for all diplomas
Note: World Language credit - If ENL course work addresses Indiana’s Academic Standards for World Languages and is taken concurrently with another English/Language Arts course, up to four (4) credits accrued may count as World Language credits for all diplomas
