Course Catalog - World Languages

World Languages

PR: Prerequisite   |   CR: Credit for Course   |   SEM: Semesters   |   LC: Local Credit

French, German, Spanish, Latin, American Sign Language (ASL)

The Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Languages Other Than English (TEKS for LOTE) are the foundation of all Northside ISD World Languages curriculum. The World Languages offered in Northside ISD are French, German, Latin, Spanish, and ASL (offered at Marshall HS and Taft HS). Since the teaching of all modern languages is similar, the following descriptions apply to each level of each language. French, German, and Spanish courses consistently use the three modes of communication: Interpersonal, Interpretive, and Presentational. Via the practice of the three modes of communication, the following skills will be refined; speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Latin is a classical language where great emphasis is placed on the skill of reading. ASL is a performance-based language where the focus is on signaling skills in authentic, real-world situations.

Please Note: Students will have the opportunity to enroll in several levels of language courses from I - VI and may take on-level, Advanced, and/or Advanced Placement classes. With the opportunity to begin language study in middle school, students may continue the same language in the advanced levels or they are encouraged to begin the study of another world language whenever possible.

Languages Other Than English - Level 1 (9-11)

French #5911

German #5920

Spanish #5720

Spanish M #5721

This course focuses on developing speaking and listening comprehension skills. Students are exposed to basic reading and writing skills. Students are introduced to the people, their customs, and other aspects of their culture. Students have the opportunity to work in pairs and small groups as well as role-play real-life situations using the target language.

PR: None

SEM: 2 CR: 1

Languages Other Than English - Level 2 (9-12)

French #5912

German #5922

Spanish #5730

Spanish M #5731

This course focuses on opportunities for students to expand their speaking and listening comprehension skills and develop writing and reading comprehension skills. Students continue to study the culture, the people and their customs. Students will continue to role-play and perform dialogues/skits in various everyday situations and topics using the target language.

PR: 70 in Level 1 or 80 or higher on the Credit by Exam

SEM: 2 CR: 1

Advanced Languages Other Than English - Level 2 (9-12)

French #5913

German #5923

Spanish #5735

Spanish M #5736

This course exceeds the Level 2 requirements by including many independent activities requiring performance in the target language. The students will continue to refine the three modes of communication by being exposed to an enriched and accelerated curriculum geared to succeed in the College Board Advanced Placement (AP) Exams.

PR: 90 or higher in Level 1 recommended or 90 or higher on the Credit-by-Exam

SEM: 2 CR: 1

Advanced Spanish Level 2 for Spanish Speakers (9-12) #5737

This course is for students who understand and speak some Spanish at a basic level. It offers students opportunities to expand their Spanish knowledge using unique materials and activities designed for Spanish speakers. Students will continue to develop and refine their Spanish skills in speaking, listening, reading, and writing through an enriched curriculum concentrating on Hispanic Culture, Customs, Heritage, and History geared to succeed in the College Board Advanced Placement (AP) Exams.

PR: Placement Test

SEM: 2 CR: 1

Advanced Languages Other Than English - Level 3 (9-12)

French #5914

German #5924

Spanish #5745

Spanish M #5746

Spanish Dual #5744

Spanish Dual M #5762

Students continue to work towards proficiency in speaking and listening comprehension. The study of some condensed literary works will incorporate the development of reading comprehension and writing skills. Culture topics are integrated throughout the curriculum. Students will do independent, pair, and group work to allow for increased creativity and the use of higher-order thinking skills geared to succeed in the College Board Advanced Placement (AP) Exams.

PR: 80 or higher in Level 2 Advanced recommended or 90 or higher in Level 2 on-level recommended or 90 or higher on the Credit by Exam

SEM: 2 CR: 1

Languages Other Than English - Level 4 AP Language & Culture (9-12)

French #5915

German #5926

Spanish #5757

Spanish M #5759

This course will integrate the College Board and Northside ISD curriculum in order to prepare students for the Advanced Placement Language and Culture exam. Group and independent activities will be utilized to facilitate intensive student use of the target language in all aspects of the course. Upon successful completion of the Advanced Placement exam; students may be eligible to receive several hours of college credit.

PR: 80 or higher in 3 Advanced recommended or 90 or higher in 3 Regular recommended or 90 or higher on the Credit by Exam

SEM: 2 CR: 1

Languages Other Than English - Level 5 AP Literature & Culture (9-12)

Spanish #5767

Spanish M #5768

This course will integrate the College Board and Northside ISD curriculum to prepare students for the Advanced Placement Literature and Culture exam. Several authors and their works will be discussed and analyzed. Group and independent activities will be utilized to facilitate intensive student use of the target language in all aspects of the course. Upon successful completion of the Advanced Placement exam; students may be eligible to receive several hours of college credit.

PR: 80 or higher in 4 AP recommended

SEM: 2 CR: 1

Languages Other Than English - Level 6 Honors (10-12)

Spanish #5775

Spanish M #5774

Students in 6 Honors will connect with other disciplines, research to expand cultural knowledge from various Spanish-speaking cultures, and incorporate project-based learning activities all in the target language.

PR: 80 or higher in level 5AP recommended

SEM: 2 CR: 1

Languages Other Than English - Latin Level 1 (9-11) #5940

This course offers the students the ability to read Latin phrases and sentences. Vocabulary and grammatical structures are introduced within the context of the readings. Students are exposed to Roman history and culture.

PR: None

SEM: 2 CR: 1

Languages Other Than English - Latin Level 2 (9-12) #5942

This course offers the students the opportunity to continue developing their reading skills in Latin while at the same time increasing their knowledge of grammatical structures. Additional vocabulary is learned within the context of the readings. There is a more in-depth study of Roman culture and history.

PR: 70 in Latin 1 or 80 or higher on Latin 1 Credit by Exam

SEM: 2 CR: 1

Advanced Languages Other Than English - Latin Level 2 (9-12) #5943

The Latin 2 Advanced course follows the same material as the Latin 2 on-level. The curriculum is enhanced with many independent activities requiring performance in the target language and in-depth studies geared to succeed in the College Board Advanced Placement (AP) Exams.

PR: 80 in Latin 1 recommended or 90 or higher on Latin 1 Credit by Exam

SEM: 2 CR: 1

Advanced Languages Other Than English - Latin Level 3 (10-12) #5944

This course emphasizes more challenging aspects of grammar with an expansion of vocabulary. The study of Latin prose and poetry will be integrated with related topics of culture and civilization. Reading and writing skills will be emphasized to succeed in the College Board Advanced Placement (AP) Exams.

PR: 80 in Latin 2 recommended or 90 or higher on the Credit by Exam

SEM: 2 CR: 1

Languages Other Than English - Latin Level 4 AP (11-12) #5947

This course will continue an emphasis on challenging aspects of grammar with an expanded vocabulary. The study of Latin poetry and prose will be integrated with related topics of culture and civilization. Students will read, translate, and interpret primary sources of a variety of Latin poets. Upon completing the Advanced Placement exam, students may be eligible to receive several hours of college credit.

PR: 80 or higher in Latin 3 recommended or 90 or higher on the Credit by Exam

SEM: 2 CR: 1

Languages Other Than English - American Sign Language ASL Level 1 (9-12) #5961 - OFFERED AT MARSHALL HS, TAFT HS, AND JAY HS ONLY

This course is an introductory course of the study of the receptive and expressive aspect of signs, non-manual communication, and ASL grammatical features in everyday situations and other meaningful contexts. Students will learn basic introductions, greetings, describe people in general, and talk about family members. Students will also understand the use of facial expressions, manual signs, and classifiers to convey meanings in ASL using perceptive and signing skills.

PR: None

SEM: 2 CR: 1

Languages Other Than English - American Sign Language ASL Level 2 #5962 - OFFERED AT MARSHALL HS, TAFT HS, AND JAY HS ONLY

This course builds on the language skills acquired in ASL 1. Students will develop their signing skills in real-world, authentic situations and further explore the deaf community’s cultural perspectives. The curriculum emphasizes subjects learned in ASL 1 and also enhances student’s signing skills and fluidity. “Speed reading” on fingerspelled words as well and signed statements are utilized within each of the units in this course. Signing and perceptive skills are mastered and taken to a new level.

PR: 70 or higher in ASL 1

SEM: 2 CR: 1

Languages Other Than English - American Sign Language ASL Level 2 Honors #5965 - OFFERED AT MARSHALL HS, TAFT HS, AND JAY HS ONLY

This course builds on the language skills acquired in ASL 1. Students will develop their signing skills in real-world, authentic situations and further explore the deaf community’s cultural perspectives. The curriculum emphasizes subjects learned in ASL 1 and also enhances student’s signing skills and fluidity. “Speed reading” on fingerspelled words as well and signed statements are utilized within each of the units in this course. Signing and perceptive skills are mastered and taken to a new level. The curriculum is enhanced with additional projects and in-depth studies.

PR: 80 or higher in ASL 1 recommended

SEM: 2 CR: 1

Languages Other Than English - American Sign Language ASL Level 3 Honors #5966 - OFFERED AT MARSHALL HS AND TAFT HS ONLY

This course continues the emphasis on communication established in levels 1 and 2. Students will learn the structures and vocabulary necessary to interact socially and communicate in daily living situations. This level of signing is highly rigorous and focuses more on the use of non-manual markers and classifiers, rather than the use of manual signs. Students will learn to imply and sign essential ASL skills through elaborate conversations involving and using their signing and perceptive skills.

PR: 80 or higher in ASL 2 recommended

SEM: 2 CR: 1

Languages Other Than English - American Sign Language ASL Level 4 Honors #5964 - OFFERED AT MARSHALL HS AND TAFT HS ONLY

This course extends beyond the ASL III program for students to communicate at an intermediate level. Students use knowledge of the language, including grammar and culture to socialize and communicate. The use of Classifiers and Non-Manual Markers are further elaborated and incorporated into ASL syntax and grammatical structures.

PR: 80 or higher in ASL 3H recommended

SEM: 2 CR: 1