Foreign Language Department Members

Michele Larkin (Department Chair)

Miguel Crawford
Randell Soliz
Carol Stone

Course Offerings:

Graduation Requirement: None

FRENCH I (P)
Grades 9-12 1 Year
This course is an introduction to French. Speaking and oral comprehension in everyday conversational situations, basic grammatical structures and simple readings and dialogues dealing with French life and culture are introduced and explored. Oral activities form the major component of the class period. Students are expected to participate actively and with enthusiasm. They are evaluated on both oral and written progress and a major creative cultural project on Paris. Cultural experiences through food, games, films, songs and fieldtrips give a flavor of France.
PREREQUISTE: Enrollment in English (P).

FRENCH II (P)
Grades 10-12 1 Year
French II is designed to expand the students’ ability to understand and respond to conversational situations of everyday life in Francophone countries. The major verb tenses are introduced and practiced extensively, and vocabulary is expanded. Students are evaluated through dialogues, written tests, dictation’s, oral readings, and impromptu role-playing activities. Again, oral activities form the major component of the class period. Students are asked to write extended paragraphs of about a page on pertinent topics. Students write a children’s story and illustrate it at the end of the first semester. An oral cultural project in French on a region of France is required at the end of the second semester. Cultural experiences continue to be provided through food, games, songs, films, children’s books and field trips.
PREREQUISITE: Grade of “C” or better in French I, or permission of the instructor.

FRENCH III (P)
Grades 11-12 1 Year
French III emphasizes intermediate to advanced conversation, grammar, and literature. The original texts of
Le Petit Nicolas and Le Petit Prince, some poetry, a variety of songs and grammar studies form the heart of the course. The study of structures and grammar is integrated with the readings. Oral discussion and the sharing of feelings and ideas form the major component of the class period. Students continue to be evaluated on both oral and written proficiency. Evaluation strategies include oral skits and presentations, essays on the readings, tests, prepared and impromptu dialogues and listening comprehension activities. At the end of the first semester students create and perform a play based on a story in Le Petit Nicolas, and at the end of the second semester students write and illustrate an additional chapter to add to the story of Le Petit Prince. Cultural experiences continue to be provided through songs, food, games, films, poetry, and field trips. Students are encouraged to participate in French Camp, a two-day intensive language experience shared with other Sonoma County French students.
PREREQUISITE: Grade of “C” or better in French II, or permission of the instructor.

FRENCH IV (P)/FRENCH IV (AP)
Grades 11-12 1 Year
The Advanced Placement French Language course at El Molino High School is designed to meet the needs of students who have successfully completed French I, II, and III, and who wish to pursue a university-level course in speaking, listening, reading and writing, with the goal of passing the AP French Language test in May. The AP Language course proceeds largely through oral discussion and the sharing of ideas derived from the reading materials. These include Sartre’s Huis Clos and a large body of other oral or written materials such as short stories, poetry, short plays, newspaper articled, radio broadcasts, songs and videos designed to represent a variety of genres and time periods, challenging in both structure and content. Students are expected to exhibit excellent attendance, consistent oral participation and exemplary work habits. Students who are not interested in preparing for the Advanced Placement test but who simply want to continue to learn and progress in French are encouraged to take this course without the AP designation, for four credits instead of five. Students will submit taped picture descriptions, write compositions both in and outside of class. Prepare oral presentations, engage in spontaneous dialogues and participate in class discussion. They will present a report on a Francophone (French-speaking) country at the end of the first semester, and an oral presentation of their own choosing at the end of the year.
PREREQUISITE: Grade of “B” or better in French III, or permission of the instructor.

SPANISH I (P)
Grades 9-11 1 Year
This course is an introduction to Spanish. It serves as a strong foundation to the more advanced levels that follow. The focus is to give students a secure handle on all aspects of language and to build written and spoken comprehension of everyday situations. Grammar and vocabulary are important components of this course. The class is infused with conversational activities. Songs, dialogues and mini-projects add enthusiasm and vigor. The Mexico Project allows students to further explore Hispanic culture.
PREREQUISITE: Enrollment in English (P).

SPANISH II (P)
Grades 10-12 1 Year
Spanish II is a course designed to expand knowledge of the Spanish language and the students’ conversational and written skills. More advanced grammatical concepts are introduced. The thematic vocabulary focuses on home and school life, leisure activities and sports, travel, cars, food, etc. Linguistic concepts are more intense at this level. A variety of creative projects, both written and oral permit students to use their linguistic skills. Videos, music and various cultural activities continue to expand Hispanic culture.
PREREQUISITE: Grade of “C” or better in Spanish I.

SPANISH III (P)
Grades 11-12 1 Year
This course is for the enthusiastic student who is seriously interested in furthering his/her linguistic skills in Spanish. Grammar is refined and continues to be an important part of the curriculum. Expanded vocabulary prepares the student for a more advanced level of conversation. Emphasis is on spoken and written proficiency. Skits, presentations, essay and literary reading selections are important elements of the course. Videos, songs, along with the “Libro Rojo”, a supplementary workbook, and an array of cultural material provide variety and introduce geography, history, art, music and the cuisine of Latin America and Spain.
PREREQUSITE: Grade of “C” or better in Spanish II.

SPANISH IV (P) / (AP) 1 Year
Grades 11-12
This course is for students who have successfully completed three years of Spanish and have earned a grade of “B” or above or have permission of the instructor. It is a challenging course in which students specifically prepare for the AP exam given by the College Board. In this intense course, students are engaged in activities oriented toward achieving a higher level of proficiency in the four language skills: speaking, listening, comprehension, reading and writing. Literary works include both prose and poetry. This class is conducted entirely in Spanish. Students enrolled in AP Spanish are strongly encouraged to take the AP Exam given in May.
The goals of the course include the following:
1. To demonstrate proficiency in understanding extended dialogues about everyday situations, newspaper article, cultural and literary topics.
2. To correctly identify more complex words, expressions and grammatical structures, to understand the content of varied reading selections.
3. To write well organized, interesting essays with accurate grammar and syntax.
4. To demonstrate speaking proficiency in crating a story suggested by a picture sequence.
5. To respond to a series of questions when given a specific number of seconds in which to respond.
6. To acquire extensive vocabulary and be able to use all of the tenses in the Spanish language.
PREREQUISITE: Grade of “B” or better in Spanish III, or permission of the instructor.