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MODERN LANGUAGES DEPARTMENT - SPANISH

MISSION
The mission of the Spanish Program is to provide students with the groundwork for fluency in Spanish, to encourage further exploration of Spanish and the Spanish-speaking world, and to provide the language tools to achieve excellence on the Spanish 12 Provincial Exam. Through its Spanish Program, York House seeks not only to create strong language students, but also to foster within them a love of the language and an appreciation of Hispanic culture and Spanish speaking communities around the world.

OVERVIEW
The Spanish Program at York House School is a three or four year program taught at the following grade levels: Spanish 9, Spanish 10, Spanish 11/12, concluding with AP Spanish. Those students who have successfully completed Spanish 11/12 have the opportunity to continue with a fourth course, by taking the AP Spanish program.

Over the course of Spanish study at York House, students develop an ability to express themselves well in both oral and written Spanish. Throughout the program, equal emphasis is placed on all skill areas: listening and reading comprehension, speaking, and writing. Hispanic music, films and reading selections are brought into the classroom at all levels to add an element of cultural interest to the learning of Spanish.

Spanish 9
Students are introduced to Spanish and Hispanic culture. With the use of the textbook Descubre 1, and additional resources, students learn about life in the Hispanic world. They learn to express their feelings in a variety of situations, and participate in activities and projects exploring the themes of food, health, sports, pastimes, and travel. The online components of this program offer the student unlimited access to the material and program for review and exploration, including authentic communication in Spanish using VOIP technology and Spanish media via the Internet.

Spanish 10
Prerequisite: Spanish 9 or permission from instructor.
A greater focus is given to communication skills and improving proper grammar. With the use of the textbook Descubre 2, and additional resources, students continue to deepen and broaden their knowledge and skills. Activities and class projects often focus on cultural elements of Hispanic communities around the world, including clothing, travel, festivals, nature and technology. The online components of this program offer the student unlimited access to materials for review and exploration, including authentic communication in Spanish using VOIP technology and Spanish media via the Internet.

Spanish 11 / Spanish 12
Prerequisite: Spanish 10 or permission from instructor.
In their third year, students continue with the textbook Descubre 3 and additional resources, reviewing, refining and synthesizing their knowledge of Spanish. Written and oral projects often focus on cultural elements of Hispanic communities around the world, including art and music. The online components of this program offer the student unlimited access to material for review and exploration, including authentic communication in Spanish using VOIP technology and Spanish media via the Internet. Students are well prepared for the optional Spanish 12 Provincial Exam in June.

AP Spanish Language 12*
Prerequisite: Spanish 11/12.
This university level course is designed for highly motivated Grade 12 students who have successfully completed Spanish 11/12. It is intended for students who want to further develop their proficiency in listening and reading comprehension, speaking articulation and writing clarity, and who are willing to commit extra time and complete extra work in the pursuit of this goal.
*Students must write the AP Subject Exam in order to receive AP Credit for their course work. A minimum score of 3 or higher may grant the student a college credit in this subject at some institutions.

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