JUNIOR HIGH LANGUAGE WHEEL
Junior high Foreign Language Enrichment is an exploratory program. Students sample the foreign languages taught at Valley Christian High School, one quarter for each language. Students will be exposed to the culture of the countries where these languages are spoken. Students will also be introduced to beginning vocabulary and a few well-known Scriptures.
AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE (ASL)
American Sign Language I begins with learning the manual alphabet and continues with units of study which cover signs in the following topic areas: introducing oneself; exchanging personal information; talking about surroundings; telling where you live; talking about your family, occupation and activities; giving directions; describing others physically as well as discussing personality characteristics; and talking about routines. Students learn about deaf culture throughout the year. Students will learn Scripture verses that communicate the message of the gospel as well as religious songs.
UC approved “e” Language Other than English
American Sign Language II reviews what was learned in level I. The class then proceeds to master the following units of study: locating things around the house, complaining, making suggestions and requests, exchanging personal information and telling about life events, describing and identifying things, and talking about the weekend. Students learn about deaf culture throughout the year. Students will learn scripture verses that can be used to communicate the gospel as well as religious songs. Two years of ASL fulfills college entrance requirements for a language other than English.
UC approved “e” Language Other than English
American Sign Language III reviews what was learned in levels I and II then proceeds to master the following units of study: narrating unforgettable moments, sharing interesting facts, explaining rules, telling about accidents, talking about money, making major decisions, discussing health conditions, storytelling and signing stories. Numbering will be studied in more depth than in previous levels. Students learn sentence structure along with vocabulary. In addition, Deaf Culture is studied throughout the year. Students will learn Scripture verses and religious songs that can be used to communicate the gospel.
UC approval pending
FRENCH
French III serves as a transition between strict grammatical rules and development of ideas. Students will continue to practice verb tenses, including learning new ones, but they will also begin to apply all that they have learned to express themselves in thoughtful essays.
UC approved “e” Language Other than English
French IV AP focuses on mastering the French language and preparing for the AP French Language exam. All verb tenses learned in French III will be reinforced with much practice in the spoken and written form. The language itself is no longer the main focus; analysis and critical thinking in the language, expression of ideas and thoughts, and the ability to think directly in French (as opposed to translating ideas from English to French) are the goals. Oral skills will be practiced in skits and oral presentations. Written skills will be practiced in essay writing. Students are expected to take the AP exam in May.
UC approved “e” Language Other than English
GERMAN
German I begins with an introduction to the German-speaking countries and basic thematic vocabulary such as names, identifying people, salutations, the alphabet, and numbers 1-20. After this initial vocabulary has been internalized, students will proceed to study further fundamental vocabulary themes and language functions through stories, songs, and communicative activities. A study of Germany, Switzerland and Austria will further acquaint the students with the German-speaking countries. The scriptural focus is to learn to pray in German by learning several prayers throughout the year.
UC approved “e” Language Other than English
German II begins with a review unit that reacquaints the students to the fundamental vocabulary, structures and grammar taught in level one. Students will then expand their vocabulary and language functions. By the end of the year, the students will have been taught most high frequency words and structures. Scriptures learned in level one will be reviewed and students will learn the Nicene Creed. The scriptural focus is to equip students with the vocabulary to state their beliefs.
UC approved “e” Language Other than English
German III begins by reviewing present and past tenses through personal dialogues. Accuracy in written and spoken expression in the present and past tenses will be emphasized. Future, conditional and subjunctive tenses are introduced as are other more complex grammar structures. German language novels are read and studied. Videos of greater length are utilized in order to further develop listening comprehension. The scriptural focus is to learn scriptures to evangelize.
UC approved “e” Language Other than English
German IV AP is a high school course that has a college level of difficulty with the immediate goal of preparing students to successfully complete the AP German Language exam. This is an integrated program with authentic literature, exposure to native speakers, and essay writing. Students review all the fundamentals of German grammar. Students study scriptures to be able to share the plan of salvation with others.
UC approved “e” Language Other than English
JAPANESE
Japanese I curriculum emphasis will be on developing basic conversational skills as well as developing an awareness and respect for Japanese culture. The student will master one of the three Japanese alphabets (Hiragana) during the first quarter and all work will be done exclusively in this alphabet thereafter. The student will also be introduced to the second alphabet (Katakana) and learn vocabulary and reading and writing skills to build a concrete foundation in the language. Students will study scriptures to be able to share the plan of salvation with others.
UC approved “e” Language Other than English
Japanese II curriculum builds on material learned in Japanese I and will continue to emphasize conversational skills and the development of an informed awareness of and respect for Japanese culture. The student will master the second of the three Japanese alphabets (Katakana) during the first quarter and all work will be done exclusively in Japanese alphabets thereafter. One hundred twenty kanji will be introduced greatly enhancing the students’ ability to comprehend and remember vocabulary. Scriptures will be studied to share the plan of salvation with others.
UC approved “e” Language Other than English
Japanese III curriculum continues to emphasize oral communication. However, the student will learn over 200 new kanji, greatly enhancing his/her ability to read and write Japanese texts, and to learn new vocabulary. Various speech styles will be taught, including the plain and polite styles, and male and female speech. Other major grammatical areas that will be covered include: noun clauses; several different kinds of conditionals (if…); sequencing of events; giving advice and justification for actions; express information through hearsay; expressing ease or difficulty of certain actions. The scriptural focus is to learn scriptures to evangelize.
UC approved “e” Language Other than English
Japanese IV takes a comprehensive approach to developing all four basic language skills in order to cultivate overall Japanese-language ability. Much more than previous Japanese classes, emphasis is placed on balancing accuracy, fluency, and complexity so that students do not end up speaking accurately but in a stilted manner, nor fluently yet only employing simple grammatical structures. In addition, the student will learn over 200 new kanji, greatly enhancing his/her ability to read and write Japanese texts, and learn new vocabulary. Various speech styles will be taught, including the plain and polite styles, and male and female speech. Other major grammatical areas that will be covered include: noun clauses; several different kinds of conditionals (if…); sequencing of events; giving advice and justification for actions; express information through hearsay; expressing ease or difficulty of certain actions. The scriptural focus is to be able to share one’s faith.
UC approved “e” Language Other than English
SPANISH
Spanish I begins with an introduction to the Spanish-speaking countries and basic thematic vocabulary such as names, identifying people, salutations, the alphabet, and numbers 1-30. After this initial vocabulary has been internalized, students will proceed to study further fundamental vocabulary themes and language functions through stories, songs, and communicative activities. A study of Spain, Mexico, Central and South America will be done to further acquaint the students with the Spanish-speaking countries. The scriptural focus is to learn to pray in Spanish by learning The Lord’s Prayer and several scriptures throughout the year.
UC approved “e” Language Other than English
Spanish II is designed to reinforce and build upon the structure and pronunciation foundations begun in Spanish I. The course begins with a review of fundamental vocabulary and verbs. Students are taught the present and past tenses, informal and formal commands. Listening activities and videos are used to instruct and evaluate student comprehension. Students will learn the Apostle’s Creed and selected Bible verses to equip them with vocabulary to share their beliefs.
UC approved “e” Language Other than English
Spanish III is designed for students who have completed Spanish II and serves to further acquaint the student with the language, literature, and culture of the Spanish speaking population. Emphasis will be on reinforcing and building upon grammar and vocabulary of Spanish I and II with the goal of attaining proficiency in speaking, reading, writing, and understanding native speakers. Oral practice in pairs or small groups will be an essential part of classroom routine. Over 50% of classroom conversation will be in Spanish.
UC approved “e” Language Other than English
Spanish IV is a two-semester foreign language course designed as a review and mastery class. The course is literature based with an intense grammar review first semester. The goal of Spanish IV is to increase aural and oral proficiency with a major emphasis on writing and speaking skills.
UC approved “e” Language Other than English
Spanish V AP is a high school course that has a college level of difficulty with the immediate goal of preparing students to successfully complete the AP Spanish Language exam. This is an integrated program with authentic literature, exposure to native speakers, and essay writing. Students review all the fundamental of Spanish grammar. Students study scriptures to be able to share the plan of salvation with others. Students are expected to take the AP exam in May.
UC approved “e” Language Other than English