Foreign Language Dept. Chair : Cindy McManus Phone: (630) 942-6732

About Our Department

The Glenbard South Foreign Language Department believes in the value of students learning about the world so they can better understand their community and themselves. To that end, skill acquisition in a foreign language contributes to the development of practical knowledge and cultural sensitivity. Through a five year sequential curriculum employing academic rigor with real world methodologies and applications, the department strives to produce sensitive, world-aware citizens capable of communicating with and understanding our global partners.

Department Members

MCMANUS CYNTHIA (630) 942-6732 cynthia_mcmanus@glenbard.org Teacher Web Page BENNETT DONNA (630) 942-6722 donna_bennett@glenbard.org Teacher Web Page KALLAS THOMAS (630) 942-6733 thomas_kallas@glenbard.org KANG GEORGE (630) 469-6500 ext. 4229 george_kang@glenbard.org PERO MELISSA (630) 942-6734 melissa_pero@glenbard.org Teacher Web Page GIFFEY SUZANNE (630) 942-6725 suzanne_paul-giffey@glenbard.org HOMAN RUTH (630) 942-6723 ruth_homan@glenbard.org Teacher Web Page

Course Descriptions

Note: Students with at least one year of regular level English will have a greater chance of success in learning a foreign language. FRENCH 1 Prerequisite: None Fr., So., Jr., Sr 1 year 1 credit This course focuses on basic communication in French using functional vocabulary and basic conversation patterns. Themes are student centered and focus on people, family, school, and food and restaurants. Integrated into the core material are a video series, computer activities, as well as the traditional listening, speaking, reading and writing activities. Students discover daily life in France and are introduced to the various French speaking areas throughout the world. FRENCH 2 Fr., So., Jr., Sr. 1 year 1 credit Prerequisite: French 1 or equivalent Students will continue to learn to communicate and express themselves effectively on many aspects of daily life: meeting people, inviting friends, going out, ordering food, choosing clothes, exercising, and planning vacations. The past and future tenses are emphasized. French-speaking countries and their customs and traditions will explored. Videos and computer activities enhance the text. To enroll in level 2, it is strongly recommended a student has a "C" average or higher in French 1. FRENCH 3 So., Jr., Sr. 1 year 1 credit Prerequisite: French 2 This course builds on material learned in French 2 and completes the basic study of French grammar and vocabulary. French 3 is a conversation and activity based course designed to involve students in an interactive way. Further development of reading and writing skills is stressed along with additional study of French culture. This course prepares students for the advanced programs of French 4H and 5AP. FRENCH 3H So., Jr., Sr., 1 year 1 credit Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation or Department Chairperson consent. This course builds on the French 2 material. The basic textbook is enhanced by additional readings from graded readers, current publications, and films. Students should continue to expand their communicative proficiency skills. Study of geography, history, and culture complements the core program. French is spoken in the classroom. FRENCH 4H/5H Jr., Sr. 1 year 1 credit Prerequisite: French 3 with teacher recommendation, or French 3H This two year honors level course, exploring different themes each year, places an emphasis on conversation, grammar, literature and history. Conversation skills are sharpened, vocabulary enriched, and grammar reviewed and refined. Literature study offers students opportunities for discussion and analysis. French culture is studied using films, newspapers and Internet activities. Students should be self-motivated and accept academic responsibilities readily. All activities are done in French. SPANISH 1 Prerequisite: None Fr., So., Jr. 1 year 1 credit Students learn the Spanish alphabet and basics of correct pronunciation. Verb forms of the present and preterite tenses in the indicative mood are presented. Through individual and cooperative group efforts, students learn to express themselves orally and in writing using a short question and answer format. A variety of media is used to present course material. The cultures and customs of the Spanish speaking countries enhance the students' cultural world and give them a greater appreciation of the other cultures as well as their own. Students planning to take level 2, should have a "C" average or higher. SPANISH 2 Fr., So., Jr., Sr. 1 year 1 credit Prerequisite: Spanish 1 or equivalent. Students integrate new vocabulary, verb tenses and sentence structures in both written and oral form. They demonstrate listening and speaking skills by responding to questions, developing small group conversations, and creating skits in Spanish. In addition, they develop writing skills through directed activities. Students learn about the culture of Spanish speaking peoples through the use of readings. The language of instruction is Spanish with English used for clarification. SPANISH 3 So., Jr., Sr. 1 year 1 credit Prerequisite: Spanish 2 Students continue to perfect written and oral usage of Spanish through extensive review along with mastery of new grammatical structures. Students are immersed more in the language and the cultures of the Spanish speaking peoples through readings. An art unit which includes research and an oral presentation acquaints students with Spanish master painters. SPANISH 3H So., Jr., Sr. 1 year 1 credit Prerequisite: Spanish 2, Teacher Recommendation or Department Chairperson consent. Students continue to perfect written and oral usage of Spanish through extensive review along with mastery of new grammatical structures. Students are immersed more in the language and the cultures of the Spanish speaking people through readings and cultural projects. A variety of audio and video material enhance knowledge and skills. An art unit which includes a research paper and oral presentation acquaints students with Spanish master painters. SPANISH 4 Jr., Sr. 1 year 1 credit Prerequisite: Spanish 3 or 3H This course allows students to continue their practice of the language by speaking, reading, writing and listening to Spanish. Grammatical structures are reviewed and practiced. Reading is practiced through discussions of readings by Spanish and Latin American writers as well as cultural topics. Listening skills are practiced by viewing Spanish language videos and listening exercises accompanying the text. SPANISH 4H Jr., Sr. 1 year 1 credit Prerequisite: Spanish 3 or Spanish 3H, teacher recommendation or Department Chairperson consent. This course allows students to refine their linguistic skills by speaking, reading, writing, and hearing Spanish. Grammatical structures are reviewed and practiced by means of writing compositions. Oral fluency is practiced through discussion of readings by Spanish and Latin American writers and cultural topics. Listening skills are practiced and new cultural topics are learned by viewing Spanish language video tapes and listening to taped exercises accompanying the text. This course leads to Spanish 5 AP in language. AP SPANISH LANGUAGE Sr. 1 year 1 credit Prerequisite: Spanish 4H or Department Chairperson consent This demanding Spanish Advanced Placement course prepares students for the Spanish Language examination. Students should be able to comprehend formal and informal written and spoken Spanish and speak and write at an advanced college level (3rd year). Students will be expected to analyze and synthesize Spanish documents and speech samples to produce essays comparable to those required on the AP US History exam (DBQ format). A variety of exercises, readings, writings, and projects progressing in difficulty are required. Students are strongly encouraged to take the AP test.