Academics

Latin I – #L12A/B                                                                                           1 Credit Level 2                 NCAA

This beginning course introduces the student to the structure of Latin.  Emphasis is placed on grammar and syntax. The primary concern is to present the forms, vocabulary, and syntax in an orderly, cumulative fashion so that the student can advance in a systematic and efficient manner. Additional emphasis is placed on the influence of Latin on other languages. To further enrich the student’s understanding, presentations on various cultural topics are assigned to students. Students will demonstrate proficiency in technology in their presentations.

Spanish I – #J12A/B                                                                                      1 Credit Level 2                 NCAA

This beginning course introduces the student to reading, writing, speaking, and understanding the target language. Basic functional vocabulary and fundamental grammatical structures are stressed.  Students are also introduced to Spanish/Hispanic culture as it exists in the country where the target language is spoken.

Italian I – #I12A/B                                                                                           1 Credit                   Level 2  NCAA   

This beginning course introduces the student to reading, writing, speaking and understanding the target language. Basic functional vocabulary and fundamental grammatical structures are stressed. Students are introduced to Italian culture as it exists in the country of Italy.

Italian II – #I22A/B                                                                                          1 Credit                   Level 2                 NCAA   

This intermediate course reviews the concepts covered in Level 1 and develops further speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills in the foreign language. More advanced grammatical structures are studied, and a student’s vocabulary is enhanced. Cultural units continue to play a major role in these courses. The course is conducted in the target language as much as is feasible.  Requirements for placement: Completion of Italian I/ or Placement Exam.

Spanish II – #J22A/B                                                                                    1 Credit Level 2                 NCAA

This intermediate course reviews the concepts covered in Level 1 and develops further speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills in the foreign language.  More advanced grammatical structures are studied, and a student’s vocabulary is enhanced.  Cultural units continue to play a major role in these courses.  The course is conducted in the target language as much as is feasible.  Requirements for placement: Completion of Spanish I/or Placement Exam.

Spanish II – #J21A/B                                                                                    1 Credit Level 1                                

This intermediate course reviews the concepts covered in Spanish 1 and develops further speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills in the foreign language. More advanced grammatical structures are studied, and a student’s vocabulary is enhanced. Cultural units continue to play a major role in these courses. This course is conducted in the target language as much as is feasible. This course does NOT fulfill the requirement for future Spanish study.   Requirements for placement: Completion of Spanish 1, signature of the Foreign Language teacher.

Latin II – #L22A/B                                                                                         1 Credit Level 2                  NCAA

This intermediate course, after some review of first-year material, will continue to introduce the student to the   structure of Latin and complete the study of basic Latin grammar. Emphasis is placed on grammar, syntax, and reading. The primary concern is to present the forms, vocabulary, and syntax in an orderly, cumulative fashion so that the student can advance in a systematic and efficient manner. Additional emphasis is placed on the influence of Latin on other languages.  Requirements for placement: Completion of Latin I/ or Placement Exam             

Italian III – #I32A/B                                                                                     1 Credit Level 2                 NCAA

The third year of language study is designed to improve the student’s knowledge in all language skills: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Oral and written communication skills are stressed. The third-year language course is mostly conducted in the target language. Grammar review plays an important role in the course. This course teaches the language skills necessary to function in an environment where the target language is spoken.  Requirements for placement: Completion of Italian 2 with a minimum grade of 75; signature of the Italian Teacher

Spanish III – #J32A/B                                                                                 1 Credit Level 2                   NCAA

The third year of language study is designed to improve the student’s knowledge in all language skills: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Oral and written communication skills are stressed. The third-year language course is mostly conducted in the target language. Grammar review plays an important role in the course. This course teaches the language skills necessary to function in an environment where the target language is spoken.  Requirements for placement: Completion of Spanish 2 with a minimum grade of 75; signature of the Spanish Teacher

Spanish III – #J31A/B                                                                                 1 Credit Level 1                

This course reviews the basic concepts of Spanish 1 and Spanish 2. The course will cover some Spanish 3 concepts when prior understanding is clearly established. Cultural understanding is an important part of the curriculum. Some of the course is taught in Spanish when possible.  Requirements for placement: Completion of Spanish 2; signature of the Spanish 2 teacher.

Honors Advanced Latin Prose – #L32A/B                                               1 Credit Level 3                 NCAA

This course offers students the opportunity to engage with Latin literature in its original, unadulterated form. The focus of this course is on the history of the Latin language as it develops in prose, beginning with the oldest attestations of Latin, and ending with Neo-Latin as it appears from the Renaissance up to the present (including Harrius Potter et Philosophi Lapis).  Selections will therefore not only come from Classical authors like Cicero and Caesar, but will also include selections from earlier (e.g. inscriptions and legal texts) and later (e.g. Jerome, Newton, and Tolkien) periods. In reading and translating these texts, focus will largely be on Latin grammar, syntax, and style, but attention will also be given to the social, cultural, and historical contexts of the various texts we read. Assessment will take the form of quizzes, tests, and student presentations.  The course is an ECE approved course that could result in three college credits earned for it. This iteration of the course will be offered every other academic year.  Requirements for placement: Completion of Latin II with at least a minimum grade of 80 average, and the approval of the Latin II teacher.

Honors Advanced Latin Poetry – #L73A/B                                             1 Credit Level 3  NCAA

This course offers students the opportunity to engage with Latin literature in its original, unadulterated form. The focus of this course is on the development of both the form and content of Latin poetry, beginning with its earliest attestations in Ennius, and ending with the varieties of Latin poetry found throughout the Medieval and Renaissance periods. Selections will therefore not only come from Classical authors like Catullus, Ovid and Vergil, but will also include selections from earlier (e.g.  Ennius, Plautus, and Terence) and later (e.g. Hiberno-Latin) periods. In reading and translating these texts, focus will largely be on Latin grammar, syntax, and style, but attention will also be given to the social, cultural, and historical contexts of the various texts we read. Assessment will take the form of quizzes, tests, and student presentations. The course is an ECE approved course that could result in 3 college credits earned for it. This iteration of the course will be offered every other academic year.  Requirements for placement: completion of Latin II with at least a minimum grade of 80 average, and the approval of the Latin II teacher.

AP / ECE Spanish IV – #J45A/B                                                            1 Credit Level 4  NCAA

This two-semester course is for students who are interested in completing studies comparable in content and difficulty to a full-year course at the college level. The curriculum is flexible, allowing for independent projects, constant written, oral, and aural practice, and an intense, structural review of grammar. The Spanish IV is a UConn ECE approved course. It will follow the guidelines established by the College Board for the Advanced Placement test, which students must take in May.  Requirements for placement: Completion of Spanish III with a minimum grade of 80; signature of the Spanish teacher.

ECE Spanish V – #J55A/B                                                                      1 Credit Level 4                 NCAA

This fifth-year language course is conducted entirely in the target language and builds upon the reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills developed in previous levels. This course explores all aspects of culture. Topics include: history, literature, cuisine, music, art, everyday life as well as a variety of other pertinent topics. A review of grammar in context is given. Effective communication leading to proficiency is the main goal. A major work of literature is also reviewed.  Spanish V is a UConn ECE approved course.  Requirements for placement: Completion of Spanish IV with a minimum grade of 80; signature of the Spanish teacher.

AP Italian IV – #I54A/B                                                                          1 Credit Level 4                 NCAA

This two-semester course is for students who are interested in completing studies comparable in content and difficulty to a full-year course at the college level. The curriculum is flexible, allowing for independent projects, constant written, oral, and aural practice, and an intense, structural review of grammar. It will follow the guidelines established by the College Board for the Advanced Placement test, which students may take in May.  Requirements for placement: Completion of Italian III with a minimum grade of 80; signature of the Italian teacher.

ELECTIVES

Spanish Culture / Hispanic Culture - #J62A                                       0.5 Credit             Level 2                

This one semester course allows students to explore the diverse cultures and peoples of the Spanish-speaking world. We will examine their customs, traditions, values , beliefs and behaviors through a rich selection of materials, including films, documentaries, tv series, music, social media, newspapers,  art works, literature, and other sources. Class activities and assignments are designed to help students develop critical thinking on cultural products while improving their skills in Spanish.  Requirements for placement: Completion of Spanish III with a minimum grade of 75.

IB Language Acquisition

IB Italian (SL)                      1 Credit, Level 3/4

IB Italian is a two-year language course conducted in the target language which builds upon the reading, writing, speaking and listening skills developed in previous levels. The goals of this course are to build proficiency in speaking and reading and to prepare students for the internal and external assessments conducted in the second year of study. This course promotes intercultural understanding and respect among global-minded citizens who feel committed to create a better and more peaceful world. The standard level track introduces students to the 10 attributes of the IB Learner Profile, the five prescribed themes covered throughout the two-years.  Students will prepare for IB external assessments for May of Senior Year. Requirements for placement: Two-year course. Must be enrolled as an IB student.

IB Latin (SL) 1/1I

IB Latin SL (standard level) is a two-year language course focused on applying the grammatical skills acquired in previous courses to reading a broad range of unadapted Latin literature. The standard level track has a core set of texts that are explored in depth, which are supplemented with readings taken from the many different genres, eras, and regions for which Latin was a mode of expression. Detailed discussion of the nuances of the language are balanced with examinations of the various social, cultural, and historical questions that arise from the study of the ancient world, as preparation for both the formal internal and external assessments that are  administered in the 2nd year of study. Focus is also given to the connections between the classics and other areas of study, as well as the metacognitive considerations that are raised in the TOK (Theory of Knowledge) course. Students will prepare for IB external assessments for May of senior year.  Requirements for placement: Two-year course. Must be enrolled as an IB student.

IB Spanish (SL) 1/II

IB Spanish SL (standard level) is a two-year language course conducted in the target language which extensively builds upon the reading, writing, speaking and listening skills developed in previous levels.  This course promotes intercultural understanding and respect among Global minded citizens who feel committed to create a better and more peaceful world. The standard level track introduces students to the 10 attributes of the IB Learner Profile, the five prescribed themes covered throughout the two-years, and internal as well as external exam review that is conducted in the 2nd year of study.  Students will prepare for IB external assessments for May of senior year.

Requirements for placement: Two-year course. Must be enrolled as an IB student.

IB Spanish (HL) 1/II

IB Spanish HL (higher level) is a two-year language course conducted in the target language which extensively builds upon the reading, writing, speaking and listening skills developed in previous levels. This course continues promoting intercultural understanding and respect among Global minded citizens who feel committed to create a better and more peaceful world.  This higher level track engages students’ critical receptive skills, engaging them to create oral presentations with fluency and accuracy to prepare for individual oral assessments and respond to written texts in the five prescribed themes covered throughout the two-years. Students at this level articulate in a strong command of the target language and field questions to SL students to practice listening comprehension and oral communication. Internal and external exam review is conducted to prepare for assessments for the IB Diploma. Students will prepare for IB external assessments for May of senior year.  Requirements for placement: Two-year course. Must be enrolled as an IB student.

IB ab initio Spanish or Italian (SL) I/I

The ab initio (Latin for “from the beginning”) is a two-year course for students with no prior experience of a second language, or for those students with very limited previous experience. Students develop the ability to communicate in Spanish or Italian through the study of language, themes and texts. In doing so, they also develop conceptual understandings of how language works. Communication is evidenced through receptive, productive and interactive skills across a range of contexts and purposes that are appropriate to the level of the course. The Spanish and Italian ab initio syllabus is organized into five prescribed themes: identities,  experiences, human ingenuity, social organization and sharing the planet. Students will prepare for IB external assessments for May of senior year.  Requirements for placement: Must be enrolled as an IB student.

The Italian Club's goal is to spread awareness of Italy's cultural heritage in the US and in our community by sponsoring and attending heritage and cultural events, like the Columbus Day Parade. You do not need to be enrolled in Italian classes to join this club. 

The mission of the Latino Student Union is to create awareness of the Latino culture, allow Hispanic and Latino students to unify and represent the Latino community, and to provide a space for students to share and express various cultural aspects.