Language Classes

• French A NONE

• French B: The student knows the French alphabet, colors, some body parts, numbers, and some shapes. He/she has some knowledge of the weather, food, hobbies and/or animals.

• French C: The student can speak in the present tense, to formulate questions and answers. He/she writes simple sentences in the affirmative and negative forms.

• French D: At ease with the basic French grammar (présent, passé composé and futur tenses), the student can talk about all everyday life topics. He/she counts, reads and writes in French. He/she takes short dictées.

• Advanced: The student writes, reads and discusses topics of any matter. He/she is mastering French grammar (tenses of verbs, gender of nouns, past participles, affirmative/interrogative/negative sentences). He/she writes essays in French, making use of adverbs, rich vocabulary and adjectives. The student can read and comprehend French literature.

Advanced French: The class is conducted entirely in French. We discuss literature and current events and participate in various contests. The geography and the culture of France and francophone countries are studied. French native or near-native students are welcomed with the teacher’s approval.

French A: The course is designed for complete beginners. The objective is to have an initial exposure to the French language in a natural, enjoyable, and rewarding experience while developing an appreciation of the language and the culture through songs and games. The emphasis is put on pronunciation to support strong beginnings.

French B: This is a novice-low course and a continuation of French A. The class is geared to students who already have some basic knowledge of the language. We move towards the structure of a simple sentence. Grammar is introduced in a simple form. Games and songs continue to be part of the learning process. French A is required, with the teacher’s approval.

French C: Building on the fundamentals and conversational skills developed in previous levels, the students will learn to share their ideas and opinions. They will express their feelings and talk about everyday life. Word games complement the learning process. We work toward gaining more fluency in speaking and making proper structure of sentences. Poetry and short stories are studied. Students need the teacher’s approval to enroll.

French D (online): This course is an intermediate-low course. Writing and speaking are emphasized at this level. Grammar is approached while studying and discussing short texts/stories. Students analyze and discuss materials from French television, radio, and youth francophone literature. All students participate in the national French contest and other contests of the AATF. Students are placed in this course with an assessment and the teacher's approval.

French for adults – by request.

III. Spanish

Spanish classes prerequisites:

Spanish A: The goal of this course is to make initial exposure to the Spanish language a natural, enjoyable, and rewarding experience while developing an appreciation of the language and culture. Students will participate in games, songs and Total Physical Response (TPR) activities, as well as the introduction and practice of basic vocabulary words centered on various topics. The students will study the colors, shapes, numbers and will learn the seasons, how to introduce themselves and ask for directions or help. They will discover the gender of nouns and the structure of a simple sentence. We will use colorful and pictorial documents, learn some short poems and/or songs, and play games. 

Spanish B: The students will review the basic rules of reading and writing in Spanish. They will improve their basic knowledge of grammar (fundamental verbs in the present tense). They will enlarge their vocabulary: naming colors, different foods, months and seasons of the year. The students will learn to ask and answer basic questions about themselves, school, and family. The program includes many songs in Spanish, and video and audio educational material. 

Spanish C: The students will continue the enjoyable activities permitting to practice polite expressions, to talk about themselves and socialize, to express their feelings and capabilities, to describe people and things. We will play games and songs in Spanish. 

Spanish D: The students will have a stable knowledge of reading rules, and a basic knowledge of the conjugation of Spanish verbs in Present and Past Tenses. They will be able to ask and answer questions in the present and the past tenses about their daily life, their school and family. Throughout the year, they will prepare for a more complicated and detailed study of the Spanish Language. 

Spanish Advanced: Building on the fundamentals and conversational skills they developed in previous levels, the students will learn to share their ideas and opinions in Spanish, express their feelings and talk about everyday life, current events and much more. They will study more in depth the different past tenses and their use. 

Spanish for adults - beginners: This course emphasizes the use of Spanish for communication. The course includes a review of basic concepts and continues adding to the foundation built in Spanish. Upon completion of this course, students will be able to converse on a variety of common topics in Spanish, including reading and writing brief passages, learn the basic grammar rules in Spanish and gain an appreciation of the Spanish-speaking countries' culture . Intermediate: This course emphasizes the use of Spanish for communication. Students will continue the previous year’s curriculum adding onto the foundation built in Spanish, practicing more verb tenses and grammar, as well as further developing the skills to communicate more fluently in Spanish.

IV. Russian for heritage students (speaking Russian at home with at least one parent)