World Languages

The World Languages Program at TZHS is a four-year program open to all students of any grade level. Students who are fluent and native to a world language may be placed into the course level most appropriate to their linguistic ability upon recommendation of the instructor. The languages offered at TZHS are French, Italian, and Spanish for Regents credit, and other languages as electives through Virtual High School.

The basic objectives of instruction in these languages are:

the acquisition of the language skills in the use of the world language as a tool in communication
to understand the world language when spoken by a native at normal tempo and on a topic within
the student’s range of experience
to speak the world language on topics within the student’s range of experience with sufficient clarity to be understood by a native
to read with direct comprehension material in the world language within the student’s range of experience;
to write in the language on topics within the student’s range of experience
The understanding and appreciation of the culture in terms of geographical, historical, political, and cultural features, including the values, customs, and mores of the people living in the culture, their heritage and their unique contributions to western civilization; and the development of positive attitudes toward the world language and culture while drawing comparisons with our own

The prerequisite for all world language courses is successful completion of the previous level. Advanced, Advanced Placement, and college credit programs also require a teacher recommendation and completion of the Regents sequence through Level III.

Course Offerings

First Year Language Course – Regents Sequence: Spanish I

Full Year, 1 credit
In the first year of language study, emphasis is placed on understanding and speaking through the development of communicative skills. The imitation of good pronunciation and intonation is stressed. In this early stage of language learning, structure is taught primarily in the framework of new vocabulary which is limited to the most essential words and phrases for effective communication of topics directly related to the student’s own environment. Attention is devoted to developing an awareness of some fundamental values, beliefs, and practices in the foreign culture, especially as they pertain to the home and family, cultural preferences and customs, the educational system, holidays and festivals, leisure time activities, and other aspects of daily life. Class participation and homework are at least 20% of the student’s grade.

Second Year Language Courses- Regents Sequence: French, Italian and Spanish

Full Year, 1 credit
Prerequisite: Level I or teacher recommendation
In the second year of language study, the communicative skills attained in the first level course are further developed while greater emphasis is placed on developing reading proficiency. New vocabulary will be introduced and reinforced by means of conversations and discussion, based on short readings. Emphasis is placed on building vocabulary, recognition of word families and the development of more efficient reading skills by means of inference through context, association and cognates. Writing skills are developed through guided composition, dialogue, letters, and free response on topics of personal interest and culture. The structural and cultural content of the course includes expansion and enrichment of the material introduced in the first level course. Class participation and homework are at least 20% of the student’s grade.

Third Year Language Courses – Regents Sequence: French, Italian and Spanish

Full Year, 1 credit
Prerequisite: Level 2 or teacher recommendation
The third-year language course will continue to stress the goals and objectives of the first two levels. Listening comprehension and speaking skills will be developed further along with selected thematic readings. Speaking is practiced in a variety of situations directly related to student’s own environment and real-life situations. In addition, writing skills will be emphasized through letter writing as well as through directed and controlled composition. Structure and vocabulary are expanded to facilitate reading which will progress from relatively simple reading selections to un-edited texts of moderate difficulty. At the conclusion of this course, students will take the Regents Equivalency Exam. Class participation and homework are at least 20% of the student’s grade.

Spanish for Heritage Speakers I & II

French IV

College Course Name: Intermediate French I and Intermediate French II
Full Year, 1 credit
Opportunity to earn 6 credits from SUNY New Paltz
Prerequisite: French III and Regents Equivalency Exam
This course is designed for those students who have completed the third-year French course and would like to maintain and improve their foreign language skills. This course will focus on advanced conversation and composition, culture and civilization and an exposure to film study and excerpts of selected literary works. Students may also take this course for college credit. Class participation and homework are at least 20% of the student’s grade.

French V

College Course Name: French Composition and Conversation
Full Year, 1 credit
Opportunity to earn 4 credits from SUNY New Paltz
Prerequisite: French IV
This course is designed for those students who have successfully completed the fourth-year course and would like to maintain and improve their foreign language skills. This course will focus on advanced conversation and composition, culture and civilization, French cinema and film study, and a survey of French literature, history and art. Students may also take this course for college credit. Class participation and homework are at least 20% of a student’s grade.

Italian IV

College Course Name: Intermediate Italian I and Intermediate Italian II
Full Year, 1 credit
Opportunity to earn 6 credits from SUNY New Paltz
Prerequisite: Italian III and Regents Equivalency Exam
This course is designed for those students who have successfully completed the third-year Italian course and would like to maintain and improve their foreign language skills. This course will focus on advanced conversation and composition, culture and civilization and an exposure to Italian cinema, television and literature. Students may also take this course for college credit. Class participation and homework are at least 20% of the student’s grade.

Italian V

College Course Name: Italian Composition and Conversation
Full Year, 1 credit
Opportunity to earn 4 credits from SUNY New Paltz as well as an AP exam
Prerequisite: Italian IV
This course is designed for those students who have successfully completed the fourth-year course and would like to maintain and improve their foreign language skills. This course will focus on advanced conversation and composition, culture and civilization, and a survey of Italian literature, history and art. Students may also take this course for college credit. Students may sit for the AP Italian exam at the end of the course, if they choose to register for the exam. Class participation and homework are at least 20% of student’s grade.

Spanish IV

College Course Name: Intermediate Spanish I and Intermediate Spanish II
Full Year, 1 credit
Opportunity to earn 6 credits from SUNY New Paltz
Prerequisite: Spanish III and Regents Equivalency Exam
This is a course designed for those students who have successfully completed the third year Spanish course and would like to maintain and improve their Spanish language skills without entering the Advanced Placement program. This course will focus on advanced conversation and composition, culture and civilization and exposure to cultural readings. Students may take this course for college credit.

Spanish V

College Course Name: Communication & Culture in Spanish
Full Year, 1 credit
Opportunity to earn 4 college credits from SUNY New Paltz as well as an AP Spanish Lang. & Culture
Prerequisite: Spanish IV or teacher recommendation
This course is for students who have successfully completed Spanish IV, and who would like to improve their Spanish skills and cultural awareness of the Spanish speaking world. This course focuses on advanced conversation and composition, culture and civilization, political and social trends in the Spanish-speaking world, and exposure to excerpts of selected literary works. Practical and contemporary language situations, and readings are used in a variety of contexts. Students may also take this course for college credit.

Advanced Spanish Language and Culture

Full Year, 1 credit
Opportunity to earn 6 credits from SUNY New Paltz
Prerequisite: Spanish III Regents Equivalency Exam and teacher recommendation.
This is the first year in a two-year sequence that leads into AP Spanish Language and Culture. In this course, students will begin to engage in the four communication skills (reading, writing, reading, and speaking) at an AP level, while also developing their knowledge of culture in Spanish-speaking countries. This course will touch upon topics that are included in the AP Spanish Language and Culture curriculum such as family and communities, personal and public identities, beauty and aesthetics, science and technology, contemporary life, and global challenges. Students will be guided toward the attainment of a high degree of proficiency in communication skills and cultural competency in preparation for the AP Exam the following year. Students may take this course for college credit.

Advanced Placement Spanish Language and Culture

College Course Name: Spanish 301
Full Year, 1 credit
Opportunity to earn 4 credits from SUNY New Paltz
Prerequisite: Advanced Spanish Language and Culture
This course is a rigorous, college level course designed for students who have successfully completed Pre-AP Spanish Language and Culture. Students will be admitted to the course by recommendation of the instructor. In this course, students will cultivate their understanding of Spanish language and culture by applying interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational modes of communication in real-life situations as they continue to explore concepts related to family and communities, personal and public identities, beauty and aesthetics, science and technology, contemporary life, and global challenges. At the conclusion of the course, students are expected to take the AP Spanish Language and Culture examination. Students may take this course for college credit.

Cultures of the Romance Languages (10-12)

Semester Course, 1/2 elective credit
This course will introduce and expand students’ understanding of Italian, Spanish, and French Culture and History using film, art, and food, thus broadening students’ cross-cultural competence. Using film, art, and food that reflect the life and society of Italian, Spanish, and French-speaking countries, students will delve deeper in the countries’ historical, social, political, and cultural forces that shape the Italian, Spanish, and French-speaking world. Field trips to allow students to experience the curriculum may be planned.

Socio-Linguistics (10-12)

Semester Course, 1/2 elective credit
This course will introduce students to the intersection of sociology and linguistics. This class will delve into how language is impacted by regional, class and gender differences. By examining languages via multiple lenses, students will gain a better understanding of how these factors impact our identity based on the language(s)/ dialect(s) we speak and the accents we have. Course content will include a closer look at Spanglish, Haitian Creole, Italian Dialects, AAVE (African American Vernacular English) and other languages/dialects spoken in the United States.

The Legacy of Ancient Rome (10-12)

Semester Course, 1/2 elective credit
This course will introduce students to the world of Ancient Rome and its legacy on the Western World. We will cover the language, history, art & architecture, mythology, politics and literature of Ancient Rome and discuss their impact on modern society. Students will also study Latin’s influence on English and the romance languages and specifically connect it to Italian, French and Spanish (the languages offered here). This course is designed to be taken after language requirements are completed OR in addition to your language course.

World Languages & Cultures Clubs

French Club

French Honor Society

Advisor: Ms. Hayes
Location: Room C-3
The Société Honoraire de Français, sponsored by the American Association of Teachers of French, recognizes high achievement of junior and senior French language students. Its aim is to stimulate interest in the study of French, promote and reward high standards of scholarship, and create enthusiasm for and an understanding of Francophone culture and civilization. Students must meet and maintain academic and citizenship requirements.

Italian Club

Advisors: Ms. Bruno/Ms. Conway
Location: Room C-4/C-1
The Italian Club is open to all students interested in Italian culture, language, food, music, etc. Members will be able to participate in varied activities, including after school cooking, meetings, Italian movie afternoons, Italian holiday celebrations, and field trips, as well as attend cultural events in the community.

Italian Honor Society

Advisors: Ms. Bruno/Ms. Conway
Location: Rooms C-4/C-1
The Italian Honor Society is a national organization whose goals are to recognize students who have achieved excellence in the study of Italian, as well as to promote a greater understanding and appreciation of Italian culture and civilization. Students must be present at the Induction Ceremony each year and they must continue to meet the established academic and service requirements to maintain membership. Italian Honor Society students tutor, as well as participate in many community service activities.

Japanese Culture Club

Advisor: Ms. Stranges
Location: Library
The Japanese Culture Club will give students the opportunity to learn more about the culture of Japan. Members can participate in a number of activities including learning the Japanese language, investigating the history of the country, and other cultural experiences unique to Japan. Some activities might include cooking/preparing Japanese food, learning origami, conducting a tea ceremony and celebrating Japanese holidays.

Korean Club

Advisor: Mr. Hughes
Location: Room 951
The objective of the Korean club is to bring students together to gain an understanding and appreciation for Korean culture. We experience this through learning about Korean language, games, music, dance, and crafts. Also, through watching Korean historical dramas and movies as well as learning about Korean holidays and Korean food which is a centerpiece of the culture.
All are welcome!

Multicultural Club

Advisor: Mrs. Rivera/Mrs Cursio
Location: Rooms 701H/701K
The Multicultural Club is an organization that celebrates the various cultures, ethnicities, religions, and nationalities present in our community. Meetings and club activities (such as the annual International Show) provide students with opportunities to share their own heritage and to experience the traditions of others. The club focuses on the worth and uniqueness of all cultures, helping to prevent cultural discrimination or misunderstanding in our school and community. The club provides students with a vehicle to make their own culture, and that of others, visible in the school, enriching our community’s understanding of the depth and richness of its own diversity.

Spanish Club

Advisors: Ms. Walsh/Ms. Ritz
Location: Room C-7
The Spanish Club offers students the opportunity to interact with each other while enjoying a variety of fun activities. The club is open to all students interested in Hispanic culture. Activities include: cooking authentic dishes, arts and crafts activities, celebrating Latino holidays, eating at local Hispanic restaurants, and making/breaking piñantas. We welcome new members and their ideas! Students need not be taking Spanish in order to join.

Spanish Honor Society

Advisors: Ms. Walsh/Ms. Ritz
Location: Rooms C-7/C-6
The Spanish Honor Society is a national organization whose goals are to recognize students who have achieved excellence in the study of Spanish, as well as to promote a greater understanding and appreciation of Spanish culture and civilization. Students must apply for membership, must meet and maintain the academic and citizenship requirements, and must be present at the Induction Ceremony each year. Spanish Honor Society members are required to tutor in Spanish and a variety of subjects during teachers’ office hours and in the Learning Center. Members are also required to perform school and/or community related service and attend monthly meetings.

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