World Languages

The World Languages Department provides sequential learning in the following: Filipino, Hawaiian*, Japanese, Samoan, and Spanish. Each of these courses develops students’ oral/aural understanding and reading skills with an emphasis on cultural appreciation. Each course is one credit, one year. While two years of a world language are required for high school graduation, students are strongly encouraged to complete three years of world language study. With instructor approval, advanced scholars may avail of language studies through Level IV as well as the individualized Directed Study program.

*Hawaiian language courses are cross-listed under the Hawaiian Studies section of this catalog.

The following outlines the tiered ranking for all World Language courses at Saint Louis:

Level I Introduction to basic speech patterns and vocabulary

Level II Increasingly complicated structural patterns.

Prerequisite: Level I with a C or better and/or teacher’s consent

Level III Emphasis on oral competency and fluency

Prerequisite: Level II with B or better and/or teacher’s consent

Level IV Higher degree of complexity in grammar, dialogue and cultural studies.

Prerequisite: Level III with B or better and/or teacher’s consent

Directed Study: Individualized creative projects approved and monitored by Instructor. Prerequisite: Level IV proficiency with teacher and department chair’s approval

Course offerings

FILIPINO

Filipino is the Philippines’ official name for the national language based mainly on Tagalog, the language of south-central Luzon and the capital region of Manila. An Austronesian language, Filipino belongs to the same family as the languages of Polynesia, island Southeast Asia and Madasgascar. A large number of Spanish words are incorporated in its vocabulary. English also has significant influence, and well as Chinese, Arabic and Hindi. As the national language, the use of Filipino transcends regional boundaries. Most Filipino speakers use it as a second language. Filipino is the dominant language used in the mass media, including broadcast programs, film, and published literature. Most contemporary, popular songs are in Filipino, which is the fifth most-spoken language in the United States.

Filipino I Grades 9-11 (year)

Filipino I introduces basic vocabulary and structures in Tagalog to enable students to use the language in everyday contexts. Lessons aim to enable students to talk about themselves, their families and their communities, to share their experiences and plans, and demonstrate their understanding of written texts through various communication modalities. Materials include audiovisual resources (Tagalog songs, newsclips, movies), print media (newspapers, advertisements, letters), and electronic media (web pages, blogs and social media). Activities include role play and simulation of real-world contexts, games, presentations, and regular oral and written practice. Students also gain an introduction to the dynamics of Filipino immigration to the United States. By the end of the course, the students will have acquired a basic vocabulary of 300-400 words and use these to understand and construct sentences for written and oral communication.

Filipino II Grades 10-12 (year)

Reviews and builds on the communicative skills acquired during students’ first year. Students construct more complex sentences, and engage in conversation on a greater variety of contexts. Equal emphasis is given to oral and written production, with cultural awareness integrated in each lesson. Students are also expected to increase their vocabulary to 500 - 800 words. Texts become longer and more challenging, and readings include poetry and short prose. Student research projects include Philippine history and geography is studied in relation to other Saint Louis courses in the social sciences.

Filipino III-Hon. Grades 10-12 (year)

This is a higher level course in Filipino for students who complete successfully Filipino II or who have the equivalent proficiency level in the language. This course provides students with a broad knowledge of Filipino language, history, geography, and culture. On completion of this course, students will be able to tell Filipino folktales, talk about regional cultures, describe a person, describe a house, give directions, explain how to cook a Filipino recipe, and shop in a traditional Filipino market.

Filipino IV-Hon./Directed Study Grades 10-12 (year)

HAWAIIAN

Hawaiian I Grades 9-12 (year)

An introduction to basic speech patterns, vocabulary, and Hawaiian culture. Hawaiian I is designed to begin developing the skills of listening, comprehending, speaking, reading and writing the Hawaiian language. This course includes units on the history of the language, people, origins, society and values. Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to hold a basic conversation in Hawaiian.

Hawaiian II** Grades 9-12 (year)

A continuation of Hawaiian I. Students will continue to develop skills in reading, writing, speaking and understanding the Hawaiian language. Upon successful completion of the course, the student should be able to hold an intermediate level conversation in Hawaiian.

Hawaiian III Honors** Grades 10-12 (year)

This honors level course is designed to deepen a student’s understanding of the Hawaiian language and culture. Lessons will include Hawaiian readings and the development of creative writing skills. Students will also do translation work on reading materials for Hawaiian immersion students. Tutoring of beginning language learners will be expected.

Hawaiian IV** Grades 10-12 (year)

JAPANESE

Japanese I Grades 9-12 (year)

This is a year-long course which is designed to introduce students to basic Japanese vocabulary, grammatical structure, and cultural perspectives. It is directly tied to HCPS (Hawaii Content and Performance Standards) and equips students with skills needed to function in an international economy. At this level, students will learn formal verb forms, common expressions, hiragana (syllabic characters), and katakana (characters for foreign words and emphasis). In addition, up to twenty Chinese characters (or “kanji”) will be introduced.

Japanese II ** Grades 9-12 (year)

This is a year-long course which is designed to broaden student knowledge of Japanese vocabulary, grammatical structures, and cultural perspectives. It is directly tied to HCPS (Hawaii Content and Performance Standards) and equips students with skills needed to function in an international economy. At this level, students will learn informal verb forms and common expressions. In addition, up to twenty Chinese characters (or “kanji”) will be introduced.

Japanese III Honors ** Grades 10-12 (year)

This is a year-long course which is designed to dovetail with the pursuit of foreign language study at the college level. It is directly tied to HCPS (Hawaii Content and Performance Standards) and equips students with skills needed to function in an international economy. At this level, students will begin learning how to express complex ideas using relative clauses, conditional clauses, hearsay patterns, and other advanced structures. In addition, up to twenty Chinese characters (or “kanji”) will be introduced.

Japanese IV Honors** Grades 10-12 (year)

This year-long course emphasizes the business and more formal forms of speech. Broader aspects of Japanese culture will be analyzed. Students apply growing proficiency in narration and description to an increased cultural and literature focus. Short stories, poetry, excerpts from selected literary sources, and authentic materials are included for reading and discussion.

AP Japanese Language & Culture** Grades 11-12 (year)

The AP Japanese Language and Culture course admits students in their fourth to fifth year of studying Japanese, depending on when they were admitted to the school and their mastery level of the language. The class meets approximately 135 hours in the school year, and outside of class, independent study is required under a rigorous expectation of daily practice. Note: The AP Japanese Exam is offered three weeks prior to the end of the school year. The final week of each semester will be devoted to an end-of-semester assessment.

The course is designed to provide students with a learning experience equivalent to that of a second-year college course that develops their Japanese proficiencies at the Intermediate Mid- to Intermediate Low- range of the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines.The course also prepares students to be able to demonstrate their proficiencies across the three communication modes: interpretive, interpersonal, and presentational.

SAMOAN

Samoan I

Samoan II

SPANISH

Spanish I Grades 9-12 (year)

This is a Spanish course that focuses on the four key areas of grammar, vocabulary, conversation, and culture. In each unit, we will learn new grammar and vocabulary items while focusing on the culture of a particular Spanish-speaking country. Throughout the year, we will practice what we learn through conversing in class and preparing projects that demonstrate knowledge of the four key areas.

Spanish II ** Grades 9-12 (year)

This is the second level Spanish course that focuses more intensively on the four key areas of grammar, vocabulary, conversation, and culture. In each unit, we will learn new grammar and vocabulary items while focusing on the culture of a particular Spanish-speaking country. Throughout the year, we will practice what we learn through conversing in class and preparing projects that demonstrate knowledge of the four key areas.

Spanish III Honors** Grades 10-12 (year)

This is the third level Spanish course in which students apply previously developed content and skills to identify main ideas and significant details in oral and written presentations, read and interpret authentic materials, and narrate and describe in sentences or groups of related sentences. Students continue to refine their knowledge and understanding of the culture studies as well as their own by demonstrating behaviors appropriate to the culture. Grammar is integrated throughout this two-course sequence and is selected according to the language needs.

Spanish IV Honors** Grades 10-12 (year)

This is the fourth level Spanish course in which students apply previously developed content and skills to identify main ideas and significant details in oral and written presentations, read and interpret authentic materials, and narrate and describe in sentences or groups of related sentences. Students continue to refine their knowledge and understanding of the culture studies as well as their own by demonstrating behaviors appropriate to the culture. Grammar is integrated throughout this two-course sequence and is selected according to the language needs.

AP Spanish Language & Culture** Grades 10-12 (year) The AP Spanish Language and Culture course emphasizes communication (understanding and being understood by others) by applying interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational skills in real-life situations. This includes vocabulary usage, language control, communication strategies, and cultural awareness. The AP Spanish Language and Culture course strives not to overemphasize grammatical accuracy at the expense of communication. To best facilitate the study of language and culture, the course is taught almost exclusively in Spanish.