Mission Statement
Students completing a course or courses of foreign language study in the schools located within the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas will demonstrate course-appropriate outcomes in the four basic language skills of speaking, listening comprehension, reading, and writing. Students will also gain an awareness and appreciation of other cultures in order to better participate in an ever-changing global society.
Mission Statement for Kansas Education
(From the Kansas State Department of Education)
FORWARD
The study of foreign languages is important in preparing students to participate in a global society. Employment opportunities increase for persons fluent in a second language. Furthermore, learning a second language enhances students' understanding and appreciation of other cultures.
In order to prepare students to use the language after graduation, special emphasis must be placed on giving the students many opportunities to develop and fine-tune skills in the four areas of language: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. As students progress through the levels, skills are reviewed, practiced, and improved. In the higher levels, students should be required to analyze literary works and other media, and be able to use the target language in spontaneous situations.
The use of outcomes in the foreign language curriculum will give teachers direction in helping students to acquire proficiency in the second language. Outcomes are specific for grades 9-12 and more general for grades K-8. It is the hope of the Subject Area Committee that more elementary schools look for ways to include the study of foreign languages. In this revision we have developed a K-8 program which on its completion would satisfy the one level of a foreign language. The earlier students begin a programmed study of a foreign language, the higher the level of achievement.
At each level of the curriculum, standards have been determined for Grammar and Usage, Topics and Vocabulary, and Customs/Idiosyncrasies. Assessment suggestions have been provided for teacher consideration.
The Subject Area Committee would like to thank the foreign language teachers in the Archdiocese for their input and cooperation. We also take this opportunity to state that the Shawnee Mission curriculum guides for foreign languages greatly aided this committee in establishing the format in which this curriculum guide appears. These curriculum guides also helped the committee gain a sense of direction as we went about putting this curriculum together. With the skills, talents, and experience of these teachers, the challenge of implementing the new curriculum can be met. All are asked to keep in mind that the goal of this curriculum proposal is to achieve a standardization of foreign language learning throughout the Archdiocese.
Basic/Introductory Level Modern Languages
(Semester courses)
Students will study beginning-level vocabulary and grammatical structures. A significant portion of the classroom learning is devoted to cultural, geographical, and historical topics.
Course Outcomes
Students will:
1. Use beginning level vocabulary and grammatical structures.
2. Use common conversational expressions.
3. Produce simple oral and written communication.
4. Understand the importance of multi-lingual skills in today's global society.
5. Demonstrate an appreciation for the culture and traditions of the speakers of the target language.
6. Become acquainted with the geography and history of the countries where the target language is spoken.
Level One Modern Languages
Students will demonstrate elementary skills in speaking, listening comprehension, reading, and writing through the study of beginning-level grammatical structures, verb conjugations, and vocabulary. Students will develop an appreciation for the language, culture, history, and geography of the target language.
Course Outcomes
Students will:
1. use basic language skills.
2. demonstrate basic knowledge of oral and written structures.
3. develop listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills to meet survival needs.
4. understand and respond appropriately in oral or written form to a question about real or personal experiences.
5. demonstrate some spontaneity and creative language use in response to oral or written questions or other stimuli.
6. recognize the importance of multi-lingual skills in today's global society.
7. demonstrate an appreciation for the culture and traditions of the speakers of the target language.
8. become acquainted with the geography and history of the countries where the target language is spoken.
*Note: As students progress from one level to the next, it is assumed that prior language concepts/learning will be incorporated in the succeeding levels.
Level II Modern Languages*
Students will strengthen their skills in speaking, listening comprehension, reading, and writing through the study of intermediate-level grammatical structures and verb conjugations. Vocabulary will be expanded as different topics are explored. Students continue to develop an appreciation for the language, culture, history, and geography of the target language through literary and other supplemental materials and activities.
Course Outcomes
Students will:
*Note: As students progress from one level to the next, it is assumed that prior language concepts/learning will be incorporated in the succeeding levels.1. demonstrate survival skills in typical situations.
2. express personal needs, feelings, and desires.
3. interact appropriately in social situations.
4. create with the language.
5. read and understand level-appropriate literary selections.
6. recognize the importance of multi-lingual skills in today's global society.
7. demonstrate an appreciation for the culture and traditions of the speakers of the target language.
8. become acquainted with the geography and history of the countries where the target language is spoken.
Level III Modern Languages
Students will strengthen the four basic language skills through the study of advanced grammatical structures and verb tenses, voices, and moods. Students expand vocabulary and cultural/historical knowledge through the study of literary selections and other media, i.e. videos, sound recordings, news articles, periodicals, etc.
Course Outcomes
Students will:
*Note: As students progress from one level to the next, it is assumed that prior language concepts/learning will be incorporated in the succeeding levels.1. manipulate the language using the four basic skills in simple and complex constructions.
2. understand, narrate, and write using present, past, and future tenses.
3. understand and use the subjunctive voice.
4. demonstrate the ability to use the language in unrehearsed situations.
5. read and understand level-appropriate material.
6. recognize the importance of multi-lingual skills in today's global society.
7. demonstrate an appreciation for the culture and traditions of the speakers of the target language.
8. become acquainted with the geography and history of the countries where the target language is spoken.
Level IV Modern Languages
At this level students practice the four basic skills learned in previous courses. They are challenged to produce more authentic communication, both oral and written. Students read, comprehend, and analyze higher-level literary selections. Through these activities, students continue to expand vocabulary and knowledge of culture and history.
Course Outcomes
Students will:
1. comprehend and create in both oral and written forms, using a more authentic style.
2. analyze and discuss level-appropriate literary selections.
3. understand, narrate, and write in all tenses.
4. demonstrate the ability to respond to spontaneous situations in the language.
5. recognize the importance of multi-lingual skills in today's global society.
6. demonstrate an appreciation for the culture and traditions of the speakers of the target language.
7. become acquainted with the geography and history of the countries where the target language is spoken.
*Note: As students progress from one level to the next, it is assumed that prior language concepts/learning will be incorporated in the succeeding levels.
Level V Modern Languages
Students will refine their language skills through the reading, discussion, and evaluation of authentic literary texts. Students conduct research to produce formal papers and oral presentations in the target language. The class is conducted in the target language.
Course Outcomes
Students willStudents will:
1. use the target language exclusively.
2. demonstrate level-appropriate skills in course work and communication.
3. analyze and discuss level-appropriate literary selections.
4. recognize the importance of multi-lingual skills in today's global society.
5. demonstrate an appreciation for the culture and traditions of the speakers of the target language.
6. become acquainted with the geography and history of the countries where the target language is spoken.
*Note: As students progress from one level to the next, it is assumed that prior language concepts/learning will be incorporated in the succeeding levels.
Basic Level Latin
Students will study beginning level vocabulary and make elementary comparisons in grammatical structures between English and Latin. Historical topics, geography and Roman culture will be explored.
Course Outcomes
Students will:
1. Recognize beginning level vocabulary and grammatical structures.
2. Recognize the meaning of common Latin phrases used today.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of Roman history.
4. Develop elementary reading and writing skills in Latin.
5. Relate Latin vocabulary to modern languages.
6. Review basic English parts of speech and sentence structure.
7. Learn basic Latin parts of speech and gender.
8. Analyze and compare ancient contributions to western civilization.
Level I Latin
Students will learn the concepts of an inflected language through a comparison of English and Latin grammatical structures and vocabulary. Students will read and write at an elementary level and develop an appreciation for the Roman culture and history.
Course Outcomes
Students will:
1. Demonstrate comprehension of language in written and oral form at the appropriate level.
2. Learn Latin parts of speech and sentence structure.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of basic English grammar and parts of speech.
4. Develop reading and writing skills in Latin.
5. Demonstrate a familiarity of basic military and political vocabulary.
6. Relate Latin vocabulary to modern languages.
7. Learn the meaning of common Latin phrases used today.
8. Become acquainted with Roman history and culture.
9. Analyze and compare ancient contributions to western civilization.
10. Learn about professions using Latin as part of a career.
Level II Latin
Students will strengthen their skills in reading and writing through the study of intermediate level grammatical structures and verb conjugations. Vocabulary will be expanded. Students continue a more in depth study of the Roman culture and history through literary and supplemental activities.
Course Outcomes
Students will:
1. Read and understand level-appropriate literary situations.
2. Recognize the importance of Latin in the development of modern languages.
3. Construct simple writings in Latin.
4. Study the Roman customs in depth.
5. Continue researching Roman culture and history.
6. Analyze and compare ancient contributions to western civilization.
7. Investigate careers using Latin.
8. Continue to examine the relation of Latin vocabulary to modern languages.
