SPANISH COURSES
Upper School Spanish Courses: Students of Spanish at Seabury will follow either the Honors or the Oral Proficiency sequence and will do so upon teacher recommendation. The Honors track is a knowledge-based sequence of courses designed to prepare the student for the Spanish A.P. Language examination. The Oral Proficiency track is a skills-based sequence designed to assist the student in developing the functional skills of the language. Students choosing the latter sequence may opt to take the Spanish Language Exam for Speaking or other such proficiency-based examinations.
SPANISH 1:
Introduction to the Spanish language and its structure through the development of the four basic language skills: reading, speaking, listening and writing. The approach focuses on the principles of proficiency-based instruction as it prepares the student to continue through the Oral Proficiency sequence of courses. (Students whose grades, motivation and learning styles point to an ability to succeed in the Honors/AP sequence will be encouraged to pursue this avenue of language study). This course is taught primarily in Spanish.
Eligibility: Open to grades 9-12 or upon recommendation of instructor.
SPANISH 2 O.P.
This course continues developing listening, speaking, reading and writing skills, and emphasizes the development of students' skills in reading and both oral and written communication at more sophisticated levels. It introduces additional verb tenses (preterit, imperfect, future, conditional commands) and grammatical structures. The course is taught almost exclusively in Spanish.
Eligibility: Open to students who have successfully completed Spanish 1 (they must have earned a minimum of a "C" grade) or upon recommendation of the instructor.
SPANISH 2 HONORS
This is the first course in a sequence aimed at preparing the student for the Advanced Placement Language Examination. It is a rigorous course which emphasizes the study of grammar, vocabulary building, reading and writing skills as well as oral communication. The students' work will be assessed on the basis of his/her achievement in the four language skills, the basis for assessment on the A.P. Exam. Eligibility: Open to students who have successfully completed Spanish 1 or 2 O.P. (they must have earned a minimum of a "B+" grade) and have been recommended by the instructor).
SPANISH 3 O.P.
This course further develops fluency and accuracy in four skills. Basic grammar is carefully reviewed and the more esoteric aspects of the language -- the Subjunctive Mood, Preterit & Imperfect, the use of prepositions -- are introduced, studied and practiced. Reading skills and the understanding of Hispanic culture are further developed through works by internationally recognized figures as well as current news and video materials. The course is taught almost exclusively in Spanish.
Eligibility: Open to students who have successfully completed Spanish 2 (they must have earned a minimum of a "C" grade) or upon recommendation of the instructor.
SPANISH 3 HONORS
This is the second course in the sequence aimed a preparing the student for the Advanced Placement Language Examination. It is a rigorous course which emphasizes the further study of grammar, continued vocabulary building, a course which expects a greater level of sophistication in written work and oral communication, and the ability to deal competently with more sophisticated readings. Student work will be assessed on the basis of achievement in the four language skills, the basis for assessment on the A.P. Exam).
Eligibility: Open to students who have successfully completed Spanish 2 (they must have earned a minimum of a "B+" grade) and have been recommended by the instructor.
SPANISH 4 & 5 O.P.
Grammatical sophistication at this level becomes increasingly important but its assessment is based on proficiency (skills) more than achievement. Listening, oral, reading and writing skills are further developed and authentic materials are utilized to an even greater extent. Cultural understanding at a more sophisticated level is an essential part of these courses, and is achieved through readings, videotaped materials, films, projects and current periodicals. Spanish is used exclusively in this course.
Eligibility: For students who have successfully completed Spanish 3 (must have earned a minimum of a "C" grade) or recommendation of instructor.
SPANISH 4 A.P. AND 5 A.P.
A sequence of two year-long courses which further develop language skills and cultural knowledge studied in Spanish 3 (Honors), but with a focus on preparing the student for the Advanced Placement Language Exam. This rigorous, highly-structured two-year sequence is designed to prepare the student thoroughly for a detailed and demanding national examination, one in which grammatical precision and depth of understanding form the basis for assessment. Oral and written communication as well as listening and reading skills will be carefully practiced. Literature and further development of cultural awareness will be an integral part of these courses which are conducted entirely in Spanish. Students are expected to take the Advanced Placement Spanish Language Exam at the conclusion of this sequence.
Eligibility: Open to students who have successfully completed Spanish 3 or 4 Honors (they must have earned a minimum of a "B+" grade) or upon recommendation of the instructor.
JAPANESE COURSES
JAPANESE 1
Introduction to the Japanese language with initial emphasis on spoken and comprehension skills. The course utilizes memorization of core conversations through use of audio tapes of native speakers with substitutions and drills built upon those core conversations. Videos of these conversations in a normal setting are watched to provide a realistic setting for the conversations, and visual aids are used throughout so that the student is able to react accordingly. Reading and writing is begun with the introduction of katakana, used for sounds and foreign loan words.
Eligibility: Open to ninth through twelfth graders.
JAPANESE 2
This course continues emphasis on correct structural mastery in a culturally appropriate manner. Polite forms of speech are begun that deal with the hierarchal structure that is the basis of Japanese culture. Procedures are the same as previously stated, with greater complexity and volume of vocabulary presented. Reading and writing skills are further enhanced by the learning of hiragana, used for writing many native Japanese words.
Eligibility: Open to students who have successfully completed Japanese 1.
JAPANESE 3
This course builds on the previously learned materials with more emphasis on different levels of honorifics (polite, neutral, humble), and to its opposite extreme of more casual speech appropriate for intimate friends and family. Continued focus on the culturally correct manner of presentation. Reading and writing skills are continued with the introduction of kanji, the pictographs used for many native Japanese vocabulary and compounds.
Eligibility: Open to students who have successfully completed Japanese 2.
JAPANESE 4 (HONORS)
This course advances the students' mastery of previously learned materials with vocabulary and situations appropriate to correct interactions in a business environment, as well as much more informal settings, allowing students to more appropriately respond naturally. For reading and writing, the volume of vocabulary has increased to a point where the kanji used for this vocabulary can be easily learned and integrated.
Eligibility: Open to students who have successfully completed Japanese 3.
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