MS World Languages

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In World Language, students can choose to study French, Spanish or Chinese. The department teaches through the TPRS (Total Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling) methodology, which aligns with our mission of students acquiring language skills within a larger social and cultural context. Our Chinese teachers join us through a partnership with the Confucius Institute of China, which brings highly trained and qualified Chinese teachers from China. The World Language department has facilitated project-based learning with international organizations like Aumazo, an organization that builds schools for girls in Cameroon, and a private school in Martinique, who we have hosted or who visited us in recent ESW programs.

The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) proficiency guidelines inform curriculum and student outcomes for each level. The curriculum is written using the ACTFL Can-Do statements, which define student proficiency expectations.

Guiding Principles

Driven by our mission and values, world language learning provides authentic experiences for students to develop 21st Century Learning Capacities. We specifically focus on deeply developing:

Collaboration and Teamwork
Critical Thinking
Creativity
Complex Communication
Cultural Responsiveness

All language classes are designed around the six AP Language and Culture themes as the organizing vehicle to develop knowledge:

Families and Communities
Contemporary Life
Personal and Public Identities
Global Challenges
Beauty and Aesthetics
Science and Technology

A seventh theme, Grace and Courtesy, is a continuation of the Montessori principle and is woven throughout the curriculum. Students develop language skills through the modes of interpersonal communication, presentational speaking, presentational writing, interpretive listening and interpretive writing.

French Level 1A

ACTFL Proficiency level: Novice Low

French 1A precedes French 1B as the first half of French 1, which is split into two years in middle school. We use the TPRS methodology (Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling) to teach fundamental grammatical structures, vocabulary, and pronunciation with a focus on comprehension. Emphasis is placed on the most frequently used words in the French language, poising students to become conversationally proficient as quickly as possible. Stories introduce new words and sentence structures, and special attention is paid to the present and past tenses (passé composé and imperfect). Students practice speaking and demonstrate leadership and teamwork skills by collaboratively shaping stories and acting out various character roles. Global perspective is encouraged through exposure to Francophone cultures, their values, and traditions. Trimester projects and presentations ask students to demonstrate creative thinking and initiative by using digital technologies to communicate ideas and tell stories in French, focusing on three trimester themes -Family and Community; Contemporary Life; and Personal Identity- all within the Barrie 6th grade theme of Respect for the Environment.

Sample Book List:

Pauvre Anne - Blaine Ray publishing by Lisa Ray Turner, Blaine Ray

French Level 1B

ACTFL Proficiency Level: Novice Mid

French 1B follows French 1A as the second half of French 1, which is split into two years in middle school. We use the TPRS methodology (Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling) to teach fundamental grammatical structures, vocabulary, and pronunciation with a focus on comprehension. Emphasis is placed on the most frequently used words in the French language, poising students to become conversationally proficient as quickly as possible. Stories introduce new words and sentence structures, and special attention is paid to the present and past tenses (passé composé and imperfect). Students practice speaking and demonstrate leadership and teamwork skills by collaboratively shaping stories and acting out various character roles. Global perspective is encouraged through exposure to Francophone cultures, their values, and traditions. Trimester projects and presentations ask students to demonstrate creative thinking and initiative by using digital technologies to communicate ideas and tell stories in French focused on three trimester themes -Personal Identity; Beauty and Aesthetics; and Global Challenges- all within the Barrie 7th grade theme of Respect for Self.

Sample Book List:

Le vol des oiseaux TPRS Publishing by Kristy Placido
Bien dit II (Print textbook) by Holt McDougal or
Bien dit III (Print textbook) by Holt McDougal

French Level II

ACTFL Proficiency Level: Novice High

In French II, students focus more on comprehension of the French language and culture as well as speaking ability, using French vocabulary and linguistic functions acquired in previous years. Students are encouraged to exhibit adaptability, initiative, and a positive attitude towards risk-taking by exploring more complex concepts in an immersion environment. The TPRS methodology (Total Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling) continues to play an integral role in teaching linguistic functions and vocabulary in context. Global perspective, integrity, and empathy are taught through more authentic encounters with Francophone cultures all over the world. This is done using primary source materials such as film, music, television, newspapers, and magazines. Reading several full-length mini-novels develops literacy. End-of-trimester and short research projects encourage the use of digital technologies and analytical and creative thinking. The Level II course focuses on three trimester themes -Global Challenges; Contemporary Life; and Science and Technology- all within the Barrie 8th grade theme of Respect for Others.

Spanish Level 1A

ACTFL proficiency level: Novice Low

Spanish 1A precedes Spanish 1B as the first half of Spanish 1, which is split into two years in middle school. We use the TPRS methodology (Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling) to teach fundamental grammatical structures, vocabulary, and pronunciation with a focus on comprehension. Emphasis is placed on the most frequently used words in the Spanish language, poising students to become conversationally proficient as quickly as possible. Stories introduce new words and sentence structures, and special attention is paid to the present and past tenses (preterit and imperfect). Students practice speaking and demonstrating leadership and teamwork skills by collaboratively shaping stories and acting out various character roles. Global perspective is encouraged through exposure to Spanish-speaking cultures, their values, and traditions, with a focus on how the Spanish language made its way from Spain to the Americas, and the Aztec, Incan, and Mayan civilizations the Spanish people encountered. Trimester projects and presentations ask students to demonstrate creative thinking and initiative by using digital technologies to communicate ideas and tell stories in Spanish focused on three trimester themes -Family and Community; Contemporary Life; and Personal Identity- all within the Barrie 6th grade theme of Respect for the Environment.

Sample Book List:

Pobre Ana by Blaine Ray publisher

Spanish Level 1B

ACTFL Proficiency Level: Novice Mid

Building on Spanish Level IA, this beginning-level Spanish course continues use the TPRS (Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling) methodology, using the language’s highest frequency words and structures. Students learn to use increasingly sophisticated grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation with a focus on comprehension. Special attention is paid to the present and past tenses (preterit and imperfect). Students practice speaking, and demonstrate leadership and teamwork skills by shaping stories together and acting out various character roles. Global perspective is encouraged through exposure to the cultures, values, and traditions of the Spanish speaking world. Trimester projects and presentations ask students to demonstrate creative thinking and initiative by using digital technologies to communicate ideas and tell stories in Spanish focused on three trimester themes -Personal Identity; Beauty and Aesthetics; and Global Challenges- all within the Barrie 7th grade theme of Respect for Self.

Sample Book List:

Tumba by Mira Canion
Agentes secretos y el mural de Picasso by Mira Canion

Spanish Level II

ACTFL Proficiency Level: Novice High

Spanish II reinforces the grammar and vocabulary learned in Spanish I, while continuing to develop students' speaking, reading, and writing skills. Special attention is paid to storytelling in the present and past tenses, and students are also exposed to other tenses in context. Stories introduce new words and sentence structures, and global perspective is encouraged through exposure to Spanish-speaking cultures. Students practice speaking and demonstrate leadership and teamwork skills by shaping stories together and acting out various character roles. The final research project and presentation asks students to demonstrate creative thinking and initiative by using digital technologies to communicate ideas and tell stories in Spanish. The Level II course focuses on three trimester themes -Global Challenges; Contemporary Life; and Science and Technology- all within the Barrie 8th grade theme of Respect for Others.

Sample Book List:

Berto y sus buenas ideas by Magaly Rodriguez by Nivel Elemental
La Vampirata by Mira Canion
Amigos detectives - Nivel 1 by by Patricia Verano

Chinese Level 1A

ACTFL proficiency level: Novice Low

Chinese 1A precedes Chinese 1B as the first half of Chinese 1, which is split into two years in middle school. We use the TPRS methodology (Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling) to teach fundamental grammatical structures, vocabulary, and pronunciation with a focus on comprehension. Emphasis is placed on the most frequently used words and structures in the Chinese language, poising students to become conversationally proficient as quickly as possible. Stories introduce new words and sentence structure. Students practice speaking and demonstrate leadership and teamwork skills by shaping stories together and acting out various character roles. Global perspective is encouraged through exposure to Chinese culture, values, and traditions. Trimester projects and presentations ask students to demonstrate creative thinking and initiative by using digital technologies to communicate ideas and tell stories in Chinese focused on three trimester themes -Family and Community; Contemporary Life; and Personal Identity- all within the Barrie 6th grade theme of Respect for the Environment.

Book List:

Ni Wo Ta: Developing Chinese Fluency: An Introductory Course Simplified, Volume 1 (World Languages) by Phyllis Zhang

Chinese Level 1B

ACTFL Proficiency Level: Novice Mid

Chinese 1B follows Chinese 1A as the second half of Chinese 1, which is split into two years in middle school. We use the TPRS methodology (Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling) to teach fundamental grammatical structures, vocabulary, and pronunciation with a focus on comprehension. Emphasis is placed on the most frequently used words and structures in the Chinese language, poising students to become conversationally proficient as quickly as possible. Stories introduce new words and sentence structures. Students practice speaking and demonstrate leadership and teamwork skills by shaping stories together and acting out various character roles. Global perspective is encouraged through exposure to Chinese culture, values, and traditions. Trimester projects and presentations ask students to demonstrate creative thinking and initiative by using digital technologies to communicate ideas and tell stories in Chinese focused on three trimester themes -Personal Identity; Beauty and Aesthetics; and Global Challenges- all within the Barrie 7th grade theme of Respect for Self.

Book List:

Ni Wo Ta: Developing Chinese Fluency: An Introductory Course Simplified, Volume 1 (World Languages) by Phyllis Zhang

Chinese Level II

ACTFL Proficiency Level: Novice High

In Chinese II, students focus more on comprehension of the Chinese language and culture as well as on speaking ability using Chinese vocabulary and linguistic functions acquired in previous years. Students are encouraged to exhibit adaptability, initiative, and a positive attitude towards risk-taking by exploring more complex concepts in an immersion environment. The TPRS methodology (Total Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling) continues to play an integral role in teaching linguistic functions and vocabulary in context. Global perspective, integrity, and empathy are taught through more authentic encounters with Chinese culture. This is done using primary source materials such as film, music, television, newspapers, and magazines. End-of-trimester and short research projects encourage the use of digital technologies and analytical and creative thinking. The Level II course focuses on three trimester themes -Global Challenges; Contemporary Life; and Science and Technology- all within the Barrie 8th grade theme of Respect for Others.

Book List:

Ni Wo Ta: Developing Chinese Fluency: An Introductory Course Simplified, Volume 1 (World Languages) by Phyllis Zhang