World Languages 24 - 25

WGHS does not require World Language credits for graduation; however, many colleges require at least two years of the same language for admission purposes.

FRENCH

4000 FRENCH I
Credit:  1 unit 
Open to Grades:  9-12
This course focuses on natural language acquisition through comprehensible input. An emphasis is placed on developing listening and reading (interpretative) skills. Instructors conduct the course using 90% target language. The goal is for each student to reach a Novice-Mid level per ACTFL’s Proficiency Guidelines.

4020 FRENCH II
Credit:  1 unit
Open to Grades:  9-12   
Prerequisite: French I or French in 8th grade
This course builds on the previous level’s focus of natural language acquisition through comprehensible input. Students strengthen emerging speaking and writing skills, and continue to develop listening and reading proficiency. Instructors conduct the course using 90% target language. The goal is for each student to reach a Novice-High level per ACTFL’s Proficiency Guidelines.

4040 FRENCH III    
Credit: 1 unit
Prerequisite: French II or French in 7th and 8th grades
Open to Grades:  9-12
This course continues the work of the preceding level, adding explicit instruction of grammatical structures. Instructors conduct the course using 90% target language. The goal is for each student to reach an Intermediate-Mid level per ACTFL’s Proficiency Guidelines.

4060 FRENCH IV
Credit:  1 unit
Open to Grades:  10-12
Prerequisite: French III
Students in French IV will continue improving their skills by using the culturally-oriented text, which serves as a basis of meaningful communication and supplemental reading materials, including Le Petit Prince. Instruction will be primarily in French, and students will be expected to speak in French.  Videos in French will be used to further encourage the students to listen to French and to speak and write in the language.  Note: This is a weighted grade course and five hours of college credit is available through UMSL.

4080 FRENCH V
Credit:  1 unit
Prerequisite: French IV
Open to Grades:  11-12
This course will include a variety of literary and cultural readings, in addition to further expansion of vocabulary and knowledge of grammatical structures.  A major focus will be on improving listening, speaking, and writing skills. Note: This is a weighted grade course and college credit is available through UMSL.

4100 AP FRENCH
Credit:  1 unit
Open to Grade: 12
Prerequisite: French V
This course will prepare students for the AP French language exam.  Emphasis will be placed on developing increasingly spontaneous speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills.  A variety of writing and speaking assignments will be required, as well as a thorough review of French 1-5 grammar.  The AP Exam is an option in the spring. The course is taught completely in French. Note: This is a weighted grade course and college credit is available through UMSL.

GERMAN

4140 GERMAN I
Credit:  1 unit
Open to Grades:  9-12
This course focuses on natural language acquisition through comprehensible input. An emphasis is placed on developing listening and reading (interpretative) skills. Instructors conduct the course using 90% target language. The goal is for each student to reach a Novice-Mid level per ACTFL’s Proficiency Guidelines.

4160 GERMAN II
Credit: 1 unit
Open to Grades:  9-12
Prerequisite: German I or German in 8th grade
This course builds on the previous level’s focus of natural language acquisition through comprehensible input. Students strengthen emerging speaking and writing skills, and continue to develop listening and reading proficiency. Instructors conduct the course using 90% target language. The goal is for each student to reach a Novice-High level per ACTFL’s Proficiency Guidelines.

4180 GERMAN III
Credit:  1 unit
Open to Grades:  9-12  
Prerequisite:  German II or German in 7th and 8th grades
This course continues the work of the preceding level, adding explicit instruction of grammatical structures. Instructors conduct the course using 90% target language. The goal is for each student to reach an Intermediate-Mid level per ACTFL’s Proficiency Guidelines.

4200 GERMAN IV
Credit:  1 unit
Open to Grades:  10-12
Prerequisite: German III
In German IV, students learn to read a variety of selections from contemporary German prose, to understand conversation typical of everyday life in Germany, to communicate appropriately on topics of general interest, to appreciate the problems of modern day Germany, and to develop a greater insight into the German language and culture.  Excerpts from modern German literature and T.V. shows and German videos are studied. Note: This is a weighted grade course and college credit is available through UMSL.

4220 GERMAN V
Credit:  1 unit
Open to Grades:  11-12
Prerequisite: German IV
This course is an advanced review of German grammar with a strong emphasis on conversation and writing skills.  A variety of literary and cultural readings, as well as excerpts from T.V., news and film will be included to enhance listening, speaking and reading comprehension skills.  Note: This is a weighted grade course and college credit is available through UMSL.

4230 AP GERMAN
Credit:  1 unit
Open to Grade:  12  
Prerequisite: German V
This course will prepare students for the AP German language exam.  Emphasis will be placed on developing spontaneous speaking, listening, reading and writing skills.  A variety of writing and speaking assignments will be required, as well as a thorough review of grammar.  The AP exam is an option in the spring. The course is taught primarily in German. Note: This is a weighted grade course and college credit is available through UMSL.

LATIN

4400 LATIN I
Credit:  1 unit
Open to Grades:  9-11
Students in this course will acquire the basic fundamentals of Latin through reading, writing, and translation.  Emphasis will be placed upon vocabulary development, Roman culture, and elements of classical mythology. Students will be encouraged to take the National Latin Exam in the spring.

4420  LATIN II
Credit:  1 unit
Open to Grades:  10-12  
Prerequisite:  Latin I
Students in this course will continue to build upon the fundamentals of Latin acquired in Latin I. Students will utilize more advanced grammar and sentence structures. Emphasis will continue to be placed upon vocabulary development and reading comprehension.  Students will be encouraged to take the National Latin Exam in the spring.

4430 LATIN III
Credit:  1 unit
Open to Grades:  11-12  
Prerequisite:  Latin II
Students in this course will read adapted selections of Roman authors and they continue to build towards mastery of Latin grammar and sentence structure.  The subjunctive verbs will be heavily emphasized, as well as reading comprehension skills. Students will be encouraged to take the National Latin Exam in the spring.

4440 LATIN IV
Credit: 1 unit
Open to Grade:  12
Prerequisite:  Latin III
Students in this literature-based course will read selections of authentic Roman poetry and prose.  Authors to be studied include Caesar, Catullus, and Ovid. Emphasis will be placed upon style and thematic elements in Latin literature.  This course will also include a comprehensive grammatical review to prepare students for college-level Latin classes. Students will be encouraged to take the National Latin Exam in the spring. Note: This is a weighted grade course.

SPANISH

4240 SPANISH I
Credit:  1 unit
Open to Grades:  9-12
This course focuses on natural language acquisition through comprehensible input. An emphasis is placed on developing listening and reading (interpretative) skills. Instructors conduct the course using 90% target language. The goal is for each student to reach a Novice-Mid level per ACTFL’s Proficiency Guidelines.

4260 SPANISH II   
Credit:  1 unit 
Open to Grades:  9-12  
Prerequisite: Spanish I or Spanish in 8th grade
This course builds on the previous level’s focus of natural language acquisition through comprehensible input. Students strengthen emerging speaking and writing skills, and continue to develop listening and reading proficiency. Instructors conduct the course using 90% target language. The goal is for each student to reach a Novice-High level per ACTFL’s Proficiency Guidelines.

4280 SPANISH III
Credit:  1 unit
Open to Grades:  9-12                                      
Prerequisite:  Spanish II or Spanish in 7th and 8th grades
This course continues the work of the preceding level, adding explicit instruction of grammatical structures. Instructors conduct the course using 90% target language. The goal is for each student to reach an Intermediate-Mid level per ACTFL’s Proficiency Guidelines.

4300 SPANISH IV
Credit   1 unit
Open to Grades:  10-12
Prerequisite:  Spanish III
In this advanced intermediate-level course, students will build upon the linguistic framework they have learned in Spanish III, stressing new and practical vocabulary.  Students will apply that knowledge to communicate in meaningful and real-life situations. This course is taught primarily in Spanish. Students are expected to participate verbally in Spanish daily.  This course reviews past material extensively and covers a wide range of verb tenses and advanced grammar structures.  Note: This is a weighted grade course and College Credit is available through UMSL.

4310 SPANISH V
Credit:  1 unit
Open to Grades:  11-12
Prerequisite:  Spanish IV
This course is an advanced review of Spanish grammar with a strong emphasis on conversation and writing skills.  Students will practice these skills in preparation for the AP Language Curriculum. Note: This is a weighted grade course and college credit is available through UMSL.

4320 SPANISH AP
Credit:  1 unit
Open to Grade:  12
Prerequisite:  Spanish V
This course will prepare students for the AP Spanish language exam.  Emphasis will be placed on developing increasingly spontaneous speaking, listening, reading and writing skills.  A variety of writing and speaking assignments will be required, as well as a thorough review of Spanish 1-5 grammar.  The AP Exam is an option in the spring. The course is taught primarily in Spanish.  Note: This is a weighted grade course and college credit is available through UMSL.

ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE

4492 ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE:  ESL ACADEMIC LAB
Credit:  1 unit
Open to Grades:  9-12
Prerequisite: Counselor approval
This academic lab is for students whose first language is not English.  Students will have the opportunity to seek extra help for class work from other classes.  Students may also complete tests during this hour. As time allows, students will develop social skills, vocabulary, reading comprehension and speaking fluency.

*Note: Due to the sequential nature of world language learning, students will need to demonstrate mastery of the basic essentials at each level before being recommended to advance to the next level. We want all of our world language students to experience a challenging, yet rigorous classroom experience.

Missouri Seal of Biliteracy & Distinguished Seal of Biliteracy
The Missouri Seal of Biliteracy (SOBL) and Distinguished Missouri Seal of Biliteracy is awarded to graduating high school students in school districts/charters with a DESE-approved program, who have demonstrated achievement in English, a Language Other Than English (LOTE) and sociocultural competence.

All Missouri students studying any of the world’s languages are potential Seal candidates. The SOBL has been recognized by various businesses, organizations, and institutions of higher education. A growing number of Missouri colleges and universities have committed to awarding credits to students earning the SOBL. Additional information may be found at https://dese.mo.gov/site/default/files/curr-eld-sobl-implemenation-guide.pdf

• 
  
  WGHS Requirements:

  • Demonstrate good school attendance (95%/99%) and no behavior infractions.

  • Earn the minimum score on the English II End-of-Course assessment (see chart above). 

  • Arrange to take the assessment (AP Exam or STAMP4S).

  • Score 3 or higher (AP World Language Exam) OR Intermediate Mid or better (STAMP4S).

  • Demonstrate socio-cultural competency.  This must receive pre-approval from the World Languages Department Chair.  Options including, but not limited to:

    • translation assisting community organization;

    • completion of community service project using both languages; 

    • active participation in multicultural community events; 

    • essay explaining how proficiency in both languages will help the student in her/his career and/or community

  • Notify counselor and/or department chair of intent to establish the Seal of Biliteracy.

• Once all requirements have been met, the seal will be applied to the student’s official transcript.

•