Livingston Public Schools

Level 1 (CP)
Chinese*/French/Italian/Spanish

The goal of Level 1 courses is for students to be able to communicate in the target language using words, lists, memorized phrases and simple sentences. Level 1 courses are the foundation courses in which basic communication skills pertaining to everyday topics are learned.  Students are introduced to the four basic language areas of listening, speaking, reading and writing through the use of active learning strategies, media and technology.  Basic language usage and cultural awareness are developed through the sequential building of vocabulary and basic grammatical concepts. At the completion of a Level 1 course, the majority of students are expected to perform in the Novice-Mid to Novice-High range of language proficiency.  Students enrolled in these courses are expected to participate in the target language activities in class.

*In the Level 1 Chinese course, simple writing in simplified or traditional characters will be introduced.  Reading text is mostly based on Pinyin Romanization.

Level 2 (CP)
Chinese*/French/Italian/Spanish

The goals of Level 2 courses are to be able to communicate in the target language in simple sentences and to handle simple transactions related to everyday life. The four language areas of listening, speaking, reading and writing continue to be developed with an emphasis on expanding vocabulary and improving the student’s ability to understand and use important grammatical concepts. Language usage and cultural knowledge continue to be developed through the sequential building of the interpretive, interpersonal and presentational modes of communication. At the completion of a Level 2 course, the majority of students are expected to perform in the Novice-High range of language proficiency.  Students enrolled in these courses are expected to communicate primarily in the target language in class.

*In Level 2 Chinese, writing in simplified or traditional characters will be further developed. Reading text is based on Chinese characters with some Pinyin Romanization.

Level 3 (CP)
Chinese*/French/Italian/Spanish

The goals of Level 3 courses are to be able to communicate in the target language using strings of sentences and to ask and answer questions to handle transactions of everyday life. The four language areas of listening, speaking, reading and writing continue to be developed with an emphasis on the development of extensive vocabulary and complex grammatical forms. Cultural competencies are developed through readings, presentations and discussions. At the completion of a Level 3 course, the majority of students are expected to perform in the Novice-High to Intermediate-Low range of language proficiency.  Students enrolled in these courses are expected to communicate primarily in the target language in class.

*In Level 3 Chinese, exposure of adapted authentic text will complement the interpretive skill of the spoken and written Chinese language.  Writing in either traditional or simplified characters will be further developed through increased regular practice.  This course engages students in an exploration of both contemporary and historical Chinese culture.

Level 4 (CP)
Chinese*/French/Italian/Spanish

The goals of Level 4 courses are for students to be able to communicate and produce the target language by using strings of sentences and simple paragraphs, to ask and answer questions, offer opinions, summarize, compare and contrast and perform oral or written simple analysis on a given topic. The fourth level of language study is based on activities that develop proficiency in the four communicative skills:  listening, speaking, reading and writing.  There is extensive study of culture and the development of literacy skills (reading and writing) at this level.  Communicative competence and extensive cultural knowledge are developed through the sequential building of the interpretive, interpersonal and presentational modes of communication.  At the completion of a Level 4 course, the majority of students are expected to perform in the Intermediate-Low to Intermediate-Mid range of language proficiency.  Students enrolled in these courses are expected to communicate primarily in the target language in class.

*In Level 4 Chinese, exposure of adapted authentic text will complement the interpretive skill of the spoken and written Chinese language.  Writing and typing in either traditional or simplified characters will be further developed through increased regular practice.  Language proficiency will be further developed to enable students to successfully speak about a variety of uncomplicated, basic, and communicative topics and social situations. This course engages students in an exploration of both contemporary and historical Chinese culture.

Level 5 (CP)
French/Italian/Spanish

The goals of the fifth level of language and culture study are for students to be able to further develop proficiency in the interpersonal and presentational modes of communication at a pre-advanced level. Students research and present projects on topics of current interest to sharpen and build their communicative skills in the language areas of listening, speaking, reading and writing. Current topics of interest are researched and discussed through various media that include technology, websites, books, videos, and other authentic print and non-print materials. At the completion of a Level 5 course, the majority of students are expected to perform in the Intermediate-Mid to Intermediate-High range of language proficiency. Students enrolled in these courses are expected to communicate in the target language in class.

Level 2 (Honors)
French/Spanish

The goal of the Level 2 Honors courses in French and Spanish is to achieve extensive language development in the areas of vocabulary usage, complex grammatical application and cultural knowledge. Honors courses are recommended for students who want to be challenged in a more competitive environment. At this level, there is an emphasis on building communicative competence in the four language areas: listening, speaking, reading and writing, and developing emergent linguistic and cultural literacy in the target language. At the completion of a Level 2 Honors course, the majority of students are expected to perform in the Novice-High to Intermediate-Low range of language proficiency. Students enrolled in these courses are expected to communicate in the target language in class.

Level 3 (Honors)
Chinese*/French/Italian/Spanish

Completion of a summer assignment is required for this course. The goals of Level 3 Honors courses are to be able to spontaneously produce the target language using strings of sentences and to be able to ask and answer questions to handle transactions of everyday life. Emphasis is placed on understanding and using complex grammatical forms and on the acquisition of extensive vocabulary. Students continue to develop proficiency in the four language skills:  listening, speaking, reading and writing and to develop linguistic and cultural competence through the sequential building of interpretive, interpersonal and presentational skills.  At this level, students are challenged with more intensive and extensive communicative experiences. At the completion of a Level 3 Honors course, the majority of students are expected to perform in the Intermediate-Low to Intermediate-Mid range of language proficiency.  Students enrolled in these courses are expected to communicate in the target language in class.

*Chinese 3 Honors:  Reading of advanced texts written in colloquial Chinese will enhance the student’s mastery of both written Chinese and the grammar and syntax of the spoken language.  Character writing will be further developed through increased practice and training. The course engages students in an exploration of both contemporary and historical Chinese culture. 

Level 4 (Honors)
Chinese*/French/Italian/Spanish

Completion of a summer assignment is required for this course. The goals of the Level 4 Honors courses are to be able to use complex grammatical forms to discuss cultural concepts and to be able to spontaneously discuss opinions and other abstract ideas, This course focuses on the acquisition of extensive vocabulary, the in-depth study of culture, the development of literacy skills (listening, speaking, reading and writing), and preliminary preparation for the Advanced Placement course.  All learning activities are designed to further develop communicative competence in the three modes of communication: the interpretive, interpersonal and presentational modes and to strengthen listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. At the completion of a Level 4 Honors course, the majority of students are expected to perform in the Intermediate-Mid to Intermediate-High range of language proficiency.  Students enrolled in these courses are expected to communicate in the target language in class.

*Chinese 4 Honors:  Reading of advanced texts written in colloquial Chinese will enhance the student’s mastery of both written Chinese and the grammar and syntax of the spoken language.  Character writing will be further developed through extensive training and practice. The course engages students in an exploration of both contemporary and historical Chinese culture. 

AP Chinese/French/Italian/Spanish

Completion of a summer assignment is required for this course. Advanced Placement Language and Culture course is designed for the students who wish to receive credit or advanced standing in college.  The course prepares students to take the Advanced Placement exam in Chinese.  Students who enroll should possess a solid command of grammar and competence in listening, speaking, reading and writing the target language.  AP courses reflect interest in the arts, current events, literature and sports shared by the students and teacher.  Extensive training in the organization and writing of compositions is included. At the completion of an Advanced Placement course, the majority of students are expected to perform in the Intermediate-High to Advanced-Low range of language proficiency.  Students enrolled in these courses are expected to communicate in the target language in class. It is expected that all students take the AP exam in May.

Introduction to Spanish
Introduction to Spanish is a full-year course designed to meet the World Languages graduation requirement. Emphasis will be placed on the communicative introductory skills of listening and speaking. Cultural awareness will be an important element of this course. Interdisciplinary strands will be included in order to expand and enhance the student’s knowledge base in both the English and Spanish languages. Students enrolled in this course are expected to participate in communicative activities in class.

Spanish Communications & Cultures (CP)
Spanish Communication and Cultures course reviews and expands upon the concepts learned in Spanish 1 to solidify and promote a deeper understanding of the basic language usage, cultural awareness and more complex grammar components. Students continue to work on the four basic language areas of listening, speaking, reading and writing through the use of active learning strategies, language supports, media and technology. At the completion of this course, the majority of students are expected to perform in the Novice-Mid to Novice-High range of language proficiency.

World Film 1
The World Film course is for students who are interested in world film as an art form, not just as a means for entertainment. Students will explore film/cinema from an artistic, technical, social, historical, and analytical point of view. A part of the course includes analytical writing projects that are assigned as homework and independent research.

World Film 2
World film 2 will be a full year class for juniors and seniors that will teach students to apply the research to create a short documentary. Students will analyze and apply higher thinking skills to produce the short documentary using their research and appropriate equipment. Students will use research generated through scheduled social studies classes or their prerequisite or film making techniques.