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The Worcester Public Schools promote second language acquisition to expand students’ horizons and allow them the opportunity to communicate in a second language. This program is founded on the belief of the Massachusetts Common Core of Learning that all students should converse, read, and write in at least one language in addition to standard English. The purpose of the World Language program is to promote language proficiency in order for students to engage in purposeful communication and appreciate other cultures and peoples.

• MA Seal of Biliteracy

Course Numbers:4231 (1.00)(A)

Type: HS

Area: Foreign Language

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AP Chinese Language and Culture: In this course students will deepen their immersion into the language and culture of the Chinese-speaking world. Students will demonstrate their level of Chinese proficiency across the three communicative modes (Interpersonal, Interpretive, and Presentational) and the five goal areas (Communication, Cultures, Connections, Comparisons, and Communities) as outlined in the Standards for Foreign Language Learning in the 21st Century. Students will be provided with ongoing and varied opportunities to further develop their proficiencies across the full range of language skills within a cultural frame of reference reflective of the richness of Chinese language and culture.

Course Numbers:4101 (1.00)(A)

Type: HS

Area: Foreign Language

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Advanced Placement French: In this course, which is comparable in content and rigor to French Composition and Conversation at the third year college level, students will explore the use of language for active communication; develop the ability to understand spoken and written French in a variety of contexts and the ability to express themselves coherently with fluency and accuracy. Students who enroll in this class should possess a strong command of French grammar and vocabulary and demonstrate competence in listening, reading, speaking, and writing. As an Advanced Placement course, college content will be covered. Students will take the Advanced Placement Examination.

Course Numbers:4051 (1.00)(A)

Type: HS

Area: Foreign Language

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Advanced Placement Spanish Language: In this course, students will engage in a rigorous course in Spanish Composition and Conversation at the third-year college level. Students will develop the ability to understand spoken and written Spanish in various contexts. Students will develop the ability to express themselves coherently, fluently, and accurately, with emphasis on the use of language for active communication.

Course Numbers:4191 (1.00)(A)

Type: HS

Area: Foreign Language

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Advanced Placement Spanish Literature: In this course, students will engage in a learning experience equivalent to that of a third year college course in Peninsular and Latin American Literature. Students will participate in a formal study of a representative body of Peninsular and Latin American literary texts. As an Advanced Placement course, college level content will be covered. Students will take the Advanced Placement Examination.

Course Numbers:4172 (1.00)(H) | 4173 (1.00)(C)

Type: HS

Area: Foreign Language

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American Sign Language I: In this course, students will learn approximately 700 functional words, basic grammar and syntax and how to fingerspool the manual alphabet. Students will experience ASL through unit lessons, interactive practice, videotaps and simple storytelling. Students will practice the use of signing space and non-manual components, including facial expression and body postures. Students will also explore regional, national, and global sign variations, as well as historical, political, and educational institutions of deaf culture. As an honors level course, content will be covered at an accelerated pace. Students will study topics at a deeper level and will be expected to complete more independent coursework and assignments.

Course Numbers:4182 (1.00)(H) | 4183 (1.00)(C)

Type: HS

Area: Foreign Language

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American Sign Language II: In this course, which is a continuation of American Sign Language I, students will learn through unit lessons, interactive practice, videotapes, and storytelling. Students will engage in vocabulary building; formation of grammatical structures; and extensive use of non-manual behaviors, classifiers, body postures, and signing space. Students also explore research, reading, writing, and class interctions involving reflections on currents issues of the deaf culture/community; practice critical thinking; and participate in class debates. As an honors level course, content will be covered at an accelerated pace. Students will study topics at a deeper level and will be expected to complete more independent coursework and assignments.

Course Numbers:4192 (1.00)(H) | 4193 (1.00)(C)

Type: HS

Area: Foreign Language

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American Sign Language III: In this course, which is a continuation of ASL I and II, students will learn through unit lessons, interactive practice, videotapes, lexicon building, storytelling, songs, and poetry. Students will also further develop expressive and receptive competence by using ASL to fulfill various communicative functions, such as making and responding to inquiries and constructing and comprehending narratives. Student will engage in critical thinking and class debates through research, reading, writing and class interactions involving reflections on current issues within the deaf culture. As an honors level course, content will be covered at an accelerated pace. Students will study topics at a deeper level and will be expected to complete more independent coursework and assignments.

Course Numbers:4041 (1.00)(A)

Type: HS

Area: Foreign Language

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Dual Enrollment Foreign Language: In this course, students will be enrolled in a Foreign Language course at a Community College, 4 year College, or University while being dual enrolled at the high school. Students who pass their Foreign Language course at the college/university will receive credit on their college transcript and also on their high school transcript.

Course Numbers:4082 (1.00)(H) | 4083 (1.00)(C)

Type: HS

Area: Foreign Language

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French I: In this course, which is designed for students with no previous study of French, students will be introduced to the skills of listening, speaking, reading writing in French, with a primary emphasis on the development of communication skills. Students will also explore French culture and customs. As an honors level course, content will be covered at an accelerated pace. Students will study topics at a deeper level and will be expected to complete more independent coursework and assignments.

Course Numbers:4722 (0.00)(H)

Type: MS

Area: Foreign Language

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French I - Pt 1: In this course, students will be introduced to the beginning study of the language. Communication is emphasized through aural-oral drills and dialogues, as well as written exercises and composition. The students will also be exposed to French culture and customs through technology and short readings. As an honors level course, content will be covered at an accelerated pace. Students will study topics at a deeper level and will be expected to complete more independent coursework and assignments.

Course Numbers:4822 (0.00)(H)

Type: MS

Area: Foreign Language

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French I - Pt 2: In this course, students will follow up with Spanish 1 Part 1. Students will augment their acquisition of a solid foundation necessary in the process of second language learning. Improvement of communication skills will be the primary goal of oral and written strategies. As an honors level course, content will be covered at an accelerated pace. Students will study topics at a deeper level and will be expected to complete more independent coursework and assignments.

Course Numbers:4092 (1.00)(H) | 4093 (1.00)(C)

Type: HS

Area: Foreign Language

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French II: In this course, students will expand their vocabulary, increase their facility with idioms and grammatical structures, and increase their appreciation of French culture and customs. Students will also expand their proficiency in communication through the development of skills in speaking, listening, reading, and writing. As an honors level course, content will be covered at an accelerated place. Students will study topics at a deeper level and will be expected to complete more independent coursework and assignments.

Course Numbers:4102 (1.00)(H) | 4103 (1.00)(C)

Type: HS

Area: Foreign Language

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French III: In this course, students will participate in creative and real life communication. Students will explore thematic units that provide opportunities to utilize a full range of structure and skills. As an honors level course, content will be covered at an accelerated pace. Students will study topics at a deeper level and will be expected to complete more independent coursework and assignments.

Course Numbers:4112 (1.00)(H)

Type: HS

Area: Foreign Language

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French IV: In this course, which in conducted in French, students will refine their communication skills based upon selected readings of French culture, current events, and personal experience. As a honors level course, content will be covered at an accelerated pace. Students will study topics at a deeper level and will be expected to complete more independent coursework and assignments.

Course Numbers:4122 (1.00)(H)

Type: HS

Area: Foreign Language

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French V: In this course, students will fully integrate all language learning skills, with communication as the primary goal. Students will also deepen their appreciation of French literatute and culture and effectively implement the recommended strands of second language acquistion, namely communication; comparing and contrasting; connecting with other disciplines; cultural awareness; and community involvement. As an honors level course, content will be covered at an accelerated pace. Students will study topics at a deeper level and will be expected to complete more independent coursework and assignments.