The South High World Languages Department offers students the opportunity to develop proficiency in speaking, reading, writing, and listening as well as cultural understanding and respect of six different languages. World Languages are required in the Liberal Arts Program and are strongly recommended for postsecondary preparation. The sequence of course work in each of the world languages requires that prerequisites be completed with a passing grade or teacher approval.
Chinese 1 Open to: All students Length: Year-long This class will focus on the development of the basic skills in reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Students will memorize simple dialogues centered on functional situations. They will also learn about 250 characters. An appreciation and understanding of Chinese culture is an important element of this course, with reading, lectures, class projects, field trips and the celebration of Chinese holidays and traditions. This level provides a foundation for eventual attainment of the World Language Standard in level 3.
Chinese 2 Open to: All students Prerequisite: Chinese 1 Length: Year-long This is a continuation of Chinese I with special emphasis on both reading and writing skills. Students will deepen their understanding of Chinese grammar and will be able to read and write about 500 characters by the end of the course. They will also continue their study of the culture with readings and individual projects.
Chinese 3 Open to: All students Prerequisite: Chinese 2 Length: Year-long This class will introduce more complex grammar, as well as approximately 750 characters and their combinations. By the end of this course, students should have a basic functional fluency and a good general knowledge of the fundamentals of the language. Thus, they will also be expected to have a mastery of the vocabulary and grammar introduced in Chinese I and II.
Chinese 4 Open to: All students Prerequisite: Chinese 3 Length: Year-long This class focuses on deepening and enriching the basic skills learned in Chinese 1, 2, and 3. Students will develop their conversational skills, as well as reading and writing. Their knowledge of grammar and idiomatic usage will be refined. Fictional and cultural readings will supplement the main textbook used in the class.
Chinese 5 Open to: Students who have completed Chinese 4 Prerequisite: Chinese 4 or teacher permission Length: Year-long This is an advanced level Chinese language class focusing on developing more sophisticated communicative skills in speaking and writing. Authentic subject materials will be adopted to enhance the students‘ opportunity to learn to speak idiomatic mandarin Chinese. Students will be required to use traditional characters.
CIS (College in the Schools) Chinese 1 Open to: Students who demonstrate potential for university level studies and have maintained an average grade of B or above in Chinese 1 and 2 studies Prerequisite: Chinese 2 or teacher permission Length: Year-long This is the first semester of a two semester sequence in first-year modern Standard Chinese at college level. This course introduces elementary Mandarin pronunciation, grammar, and orthography (in both Pinyin and traditional characters) to students who have successfully completed Chinese 1 & 2 courses at South or equivalent courses elsewhere. This class consists of five hours of instructions per week, plus written work, listening assignments, quizzes, and on-line drills. As this is a combined class with Chinese 3, you will be asked to attend some mandatory after-school training sessions (3:00 – 4:30 pm). Class work aside, students are expected to spend four to six hours per week in private study. Please note that pre-class preparation is critical in this course. Before each lecture, students are required to listen to the CD of the text which is supposed to be taught that day three times. For more information, please check out the class website at: http://south.mpls.k12.mn.us/Chinese 3_CIS_1011.html.
CIS (College in the Schools) Chinese 2 Open to: Students who demonstrate potential for university level studies and have maintained an average grade of B or above in CIS Chinese 1 Prerequisite: CIS Chinese 1 Length: Year-long This is the second semester of a two-semester sequence in first-year modern Standard Chinese at college level. This course introduces elementary Mandarin pronunciation, grammar, and orthography (in both Pinyin and traditional characters) to students who have successfully completed CIS 1 course at South. This class consists of five hours of instructions per week, plus written work, listening assignments, quizzes, and on-line drills. As this is a combined class with Chinese 4, you may be asked to attend some mandatory after school training sessions (3:00 – 4:30 pm). Class work aside, students are expected to spend four to six hours per week in private study. Please note that pre-class preparation is critical in this course. Before each lecture, students are required to listen to the CD of the text which is supposed to be taught that day three times. For more information, please check out the class website at: http://south.mpls.k12.mn.us/Chinese_4_CIS_1012.html
CIS (College in the Schools) Chinese 3 Open to: Students who demonstrate potential university level studies and have maintained an average grade of B or above in CIS Chinese 2 Prerequisite: CIS Chinese 2 Length: Year-long This is the third year of a three-year sequence in modern Mandarin Chinese at college level. The purpose of this course is to further cultivate students‘ four basic language skills, with a continued emphasis on the proper and appropriate use of grammar patterns and expressions in genuine language communication, especially in listening and speaking. Students are expected to study 15 or more hours per week in total, of which 10 hours are to be spent outside class on homework, preparation for tests, presentations, etc. For this course, simplified Chinese characters are used exclusively by the instructor in classroom teaching and all tests.
French 1 Open to: All students Length: Year-long In this course students will begin to internalize the basic structures of the language (vocabulary, syntax, and idioms) so that they will be able to read, write, speak, listen to and understand French on their own for some everyday purposes. Students will gain an appreciation for the many and varied cultures who speak French around the world. Class activities include; storytelling, movement, movies and listening to music.
French 2 Open to: All students Prerequisite: At least two (2) years of middle school French, high school French 1 or teacher permission Length: Year-long In French 2, you will continue to improve you French skills, including your ability to comprehend and speak French. You will improve your reading and writing skills through the use of materials that reflect French-speaking cultures. You will increase your understanding of French-speaking cultures, explore the connection between language and cultures, and develop an awareness of other people‘s world views. You will develop and practice strategies for learning French.
French 3 Open to: All students Prerequisite: High school French 2 or teacher permission Length: Year-long In this course, students complete their introduction to the structure of basic French. Speaking and writing activities reinforce and expand their use of the language. Students progress from simple conversations to discussion and personal expression on various topics. Readings progress to short stories while cultural subjects include French art, geography and travel-related topics.
CIS (College in the Schools) French 4 Open to: All students meeting the prerequisites Prerequisite: French 3 with a grade of C or higher or teacher permission Length: Year-long In this college-level course, students work on complex grammar structures with a continued emphasis on oral communication, reading and writing. Students write about and discuss various readings including short stories, articles and a novel, Le Petit Prince. Students explore cultural themes related to the French-speaking world. Students have the opportunity to earn college credit.
CIS (College in the Schools) French 5 Open to: All students meeting the prerequisites Prerequisite: CIS French 4 with a grade of C or higher or teacher permission Length: Year-long In this college-level course, students continue their work on complex grammar structures, oral communication, reading and writing to develop a more complete understanding of the French language. Students explore cultural themes related to the French-speaking world through a variety of readings, films, and the study of current events. Students have the opportunity to earn college credit.
German 1 Open to: All students Length: Year-long The aim of this course is to learn fundamentals of the German language, and to be able to read, write, understand and speak simple German in a variety of everyday situations. Topics covered are everyday living, family and friends, sports, schools, hobbies, leisure time activities, clothing, customs and holidays. German culture is introduced through films, videos, music, field trips, and the investigation of German holidays.
German 2 Open to: All students Prerequisite: German 1 or teacher permission Length: Year-long A greater emphasis is placed on the understanding of the language, its structure and grammar including additional verb tenses. Vocabulary building and increased reading and listening comprehension are stressed. Extensive oral practice continues. Several topics covered are giving and following directions, food, weather, shopping, and celebration. The geography of all German-speaking countries is studied in greater detail. Films, videos, music, and field trips increase cultural awareness and offer additional opportunities for language exposure.
German 3 Open to: All students Prerequisite: German 2 or teacher permission Length: Year-long The students read more advanced materials, studies structure more extensively and begins to write some original composition. They become more fluent in the language through class discussions and oral activities. Students will produce a short dramatic film and investigate folk themes such as fairy tales in the works of the Brothers Grimm. Short stories and a variety of listening, speaking and writing activities will be used. At least one reading selection of greater length will be included. Students in this class must have focus and the ability to work independently on reading assignments.
German 4 Open to: All students Prerequisite: German 3 or teacher permission Length: Year-long Reading selections are the main source of information and include short stories, newspapers, magazines and a novel. These reading selections are the basis for discussion groups and speaking activities. In addition, many speaking activities are based on everyday practical situations. A greater emphasis is placed on improving the writing skills through a variety of short compositions. Films, videos and tapes provide material for advanced listening activities.
CIS-College in the Schools German Open to: Students demonstrating potential for university level studies that have maintained an A/B average in their German studies Prerequisite: German 3 or teacher permission Length: Year-long This course will be conducted parallel to the undergraduate courses or campus at the U of M. Students will receive 10 semester credits from the University of Minnesota for German 1003 and 1004. Registered students must stay with cohort for whole year. Students will follow the approved syllabus from the U of M. Attendance and completion of assignments will be strictly monitored and reported for credit in accordance with CIS policies at the U of M. Text is provided and course will be taught on site at South. Students will take the German Proficiency Test in the spring.
Latin 4 Open to: All students Prerequisite: Latin 3 Length: Year-long Readings are set in various parts of the Roman Empire and in Rome itself. Grammar topics are reviewed and expanded on. Some unadapted Latin may be presented, depending on student interest and ability.
Ojibwe Language and Culture 1 Open to: All students Length: Year-long The Ojibwe Language and Culture go hand and hand; without the Language there is no Culture, as quoted by many knowledgeable Elders in Ojibwe communities, which span Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Canada. In this course beginning students learn about the Ojibwe people, traditions, culture, and language. The students will learn about the seasons, Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer. The students will learn the basic Ojibwe vocabulary necessary for speaking and understanding the Ojibwe Language.
Ojibwe Language and Culture 2 Open to: All students Prerequisite: Ojibwe Culture, Language 1 Length: Year-long This course is designed so that a greater emphasis is placed on understanding the Ojibwe language, culture, and tradition, which includes language structure and grammar, additional verb tenses, vocabulary building, and increased reading and listening. Oral practice continues in promoting usage of the Ojibwe language.
Ojibwe Language and Culture 3 Open to: All students Prerequisite: Ojibwe Culture, Language 2 Length: Year-long This level allows the student to continue with his/her Ojibwe culture, traditions, and language studies. The student becomes more fluent in the Ojibwe language and more knowledgeable about the Ojibwe people‘s history, culture, and language.
Spanish 1 Open to: All students Length: Year-long Beginning Spanish emphasizes the practice of frequently used patterns in the present tense. Topics covered include greetings, alphabet, time, dates, classes, sports, and hobbies, relations with family and friends, personal information and everyday living situations. Students learn to understand spoken and written Spanish in a variety of situations and to speak and write appropriate to their level. Also, students will be exposed to traditions, customs and trends in the Spanish-speaking world.
Spanish 2 Open to: All students Prerequisite: At least two (2) years of middle school Spanish, high school Spanish 1 or teacher permission Length: Year-long Students will review and expand materials learned in Spanish I, including the past tense, and expand knowledge of the Hispanic world. Objectives: increase students‘ ability to speak, understand, read, and write appropriate to the level.
Spanish 3 Open to: All students Prerequisite: High School Spanish 2 or teacher permission Length: Year-long Students will continue to review, reinforce and expand previously learned materials. Topics include: giving instructions and directions, relating events in the past, present, and future. Readings include short stories and cultural topics include artists, geography and the various countries.
Spanish 4 Open to: All students Prerequisite: High School Spanish 3 or teacher permission Length: Year-long In Spanish IV, students work on advanced grammar structures with a continued emphasis on oral communication, reading, and writing. Students read, discuss, and write about short stories, excerpts from novels, articles and information from Spanish-speaking countries and sources.
AP Spanish 5 Open to: All students meeting the prerequisites Prerequisite: Spanish 4 (or equivalent) with a grade of B or higher and AP teacher approval Length: Year-long In this college –preparatory course, students continue to develop communication skills (speaking, reading, writing and listening) through the arts, history, literature and current events. This class combines conversation, discussion and review of complex grammar in order to develop a more complete understanding of the Spanish language and the Spanish-speaking world. Special emphasis is placed on real-life practical communication for a variety of purposes. This course prepares students to earn college credit by AP examination and follows the AP Spanish-language syllabus.
AP Spanish 6 Open to: All students meeting the prerequisites Prerequisite: AP Spanish 5 (or equivalent) with a grade of B or higher and AP teacher approval Length: Year-long In this college-preparatory course, students continue to develop communication skills (speaking, reading, writing and listening) through the arts, history, literature, and current events. This class combines conversation, discussion and review of complex grammar in order to develop a more complete understanding of the Spanish language and the Spanish-speaking world. Special emphasis is placed on real-life practical communication for a variety of purposes. This course prepares students to earn college credit by AP examination and follows the AP Spanish-language syllabus.
Heritage Language – Spanish Open to: All Students who meet the prerequisite Prerequisite: Native Speaker of Spanish Length: Year-long This course is conducted entirely in Spanish for fluent speakers of Spanish who are orally proficient in the language, but have had little or no formal language training. It is meant to provide Spanish language and culture experiences in oral, written communication, word usage, formal vocabulary, and elementary principles of grammar and reading of Latin American narrative.