Courses Offered - Foreign Language Department

Courses Offered
French	Latin	Spanish	Chinese

The first three levels of the French program are driven by a proficiency-based curriculum that stresses the importance of the Communicative Approach through daily exposure to the target language and a full laboratory program.

The level one course introduces the student to the basic structures of the language with emphasis on communicative skills. While the course stresses all four basic skills (speaking, listening, reading, and writing), it also encourages the students to develop their abilities to understand the culture of the French-speaking world either implicitly or explicitly throughout every phase of learning through contextual themes.

The course primarily conducted in French, expands the knowledge acquired in French I, with emphasis on a variety of communicative situations. Expanded vocabulary, idiomatic expressions and grammatical structures are recycled continually. Writing skills are augmented through periodic compositions and written exercises. The students are encouraged to use the language in class through group activities and oral presentations. Reading is developed and assessed through dialogues and written information in the textbooks and in the workbook.

The course, while exclusively taught in French, expands on the knowledge acquired in French I with emphasis on a variety of communicative situations. A more expanded vocabulary, idiomatic expressions and grammatical structures are continually recycled. Writing skills are augmented by lengthy periodic compositions and written exercises. In addition, selected short stories and articles pertaining to French culture are read and discussed in class. Students are required to maintain a daily journal.

At this level, the study of most grammatical structures of the language is completed. The emphasis on the oral-aural skills continues to be the primary objective. The course is taught entirely in French. Students read various selections about France and other French-speaking countries in addition to newspaper articles, samples of great literature, poems, and songs. Thus, French culture is taught implicitly and explicitly throughout every phase of language learning.

At this level, the study of grammatical structures of the language is completed. Emphasis is placed on systematically building and refining what has already been learned until students can use French as a tool to communicate as spontaneously as possible. The development of the oral-aural skills continues to be the primary objective. Students will develop communicative strategies that will allow them to negotiate real-life situations. The course is taught entirely in French. Students will read several brief literary pieces from selected French prose writers as well as a collection of modern short stories, newspaper article, literature, poems, and songs. A daily journal is a requirement in this course.

Prerequisite: Grade of 85 or higher in Honors French II or departmental consent. Grade of 90 or higher in French II or departmental consent.

This course is offered to those who are interested and motivated to continue their study of the French language beyond the three years requirements. Students enrolled will already have a good command of the grammar and considerable competence in the four skills. The course has the following objectives:

1. Ability to express oneself in French accurately and resourcefully both orally and in writing with reasonable fluency.

2. The development of a French vocabulary sufficiently ample for reading of newspaper and magazine articles, literary texts, and other non-technical writings without dependence on a dictionary.

Prerequisite: Grade of 78 or higher in Regular or Honors French III or departmental consent.

The AP French Language examination measures the student’s functional ability in each of the four skills involved in foreign language learning. Thus, Berkeley’s AP language course challenges able students while providing them a means of obtaining college credits. Emphasis is placed on developing a high level of proficiency and on developing the following skills:

i. The ability to understand spoken French in various contexts and to communicate facts and feelings readily understandable by native speakers, and to discuss topics and personal opinions using hypotheses and conjunctures

ii. To read expository and narrative prose with good comprehension, to understand French magazine articles, and to draw inference from reading material even when recognition of subtle nuances is limited.

iii. To be able to use a variety of grammatical structures and vocabulary that will allow students to set forth and develop ideas in a clear and logical manner

Prerequisite: Grade of 85 or higher in Honors French III and departmental consent. Grade of 90 or higher in French III and departmental consent.

In this course, students follow the prescribed curriculum leading to the AP examination in French literature by mastering the ability to read, analyze critically and discuss perceptively representative works of French literature, works of prose, poetry, and drama from different periods. The students also acquire the basic concept and terminology of textual analysis and a fuller understanding and appreciation of both the art and meaning of a literary work. The last month of the course is devoted to a thorough review of each author’s style, techniques, philosophy, and import in the context of the French literary scene. The AP examination may be taken at the instructor’s recommendation. Students keep a daily journal for the class.

Prerequisite: Grade of 85 or higher in AP French IV and departmental consent. Grade of 90 or higher in Honors French IV and departmental consent.

This course serves as an alternative the Advanced Placement Literature course for students who successfully completed French Four Honors or French AP Language and want to continue developing their language skills. The course covers a variety of materials including films, short stories, newspapers and magazines articles. Great emphasis is placed on oral participation and classroom discussions. A daily journal is kept by students.

Prerequisite: Grade of 78 or higher in Honors French IV or departmental consent.

The course refines the skills taught in Latin A and enlarges on grammatical and syntactical concepts. Sight reading is stressed and the cultural appetite is stimulated by films, videos, projects, papers, trips and shared experiences.

Latin I combines Latin A and B into one course for the Upper Division. This course offers an introduction to the grammar and vocabulary of the Latin language. The student learns to read and write in basic Latin and develops the skills needed to study Roman authors in the original Latin in higher level courses.

The earlier part of the year consists of a thorough review of grammar, after which syntax not introduced in Latin B is covered. Then selections from Livy’s Ab Urbe Condita are read. The course also includes work in mythology, derivatives, classical literacy, and a brief survey of the chief prose authors of the Roman Republic and Empire.

The earlier part of the year consists of a thorough review of grammar, after which syntax not introduced in Latin B is covered. After the grammar is covered, the class studies the life and military campaigns of Julius Caesar and reads selections from the Gallic Wars. The course also includes work on mythology, derivatives, classical literacy, and an examination of prominent figures of the Roman monarchy and republic, a look at Roman social structure and customs, and a brief survey of the chief prose authors of the Roman Republic and Empire.

The more advanced grammatical concepts introduced in Latin II are reviewed. Emphasis is placed on reading with increased ease. This skill is improved through selections from a broad range of readings. There are also units on Roman daily life, classical literacy, and further work on vocabulary-building through derivatives.

The more advanced concepts introduced in Latin II are reviewed, and more arcane points of grammar are introduced. The year begins with a continuation of Julius Caesar, after which the class studies a variety of Roman poets. In conjunction with these, the class studies figures of speech, the basics of rhetoric, and Roman daily life and government. Representative Roman prose and verse writers (including Cicero and Ovid) are covered in the second semester. Students continue work on derivatives and on classical literacy introduced in Latin II.

Prerequisite: Grade of 85 or higher in Honors Latin II or departmental consent. Grade of 90 or higher in Latin II or departmental consent.

Selections from Books 1, 2, 4, 6, 10 and 12 of Vergil's Aeneid are read, with a view toward understanding the literature of the Augustan Age and the problems facing Vergil in writing his epic. Metrics and literary devices and grammar review are also treated in this course. Students may take the AP examination at the instructor's recommendation. Offered in alternate years with Latin Literature.

Prerequisite: Grade of 85 or higher in Honors Latin III and departmental consent. Grade of 90 or higher in Latin III and departmental consent.

Selections from the poetry of Catullus and either the Odes of Horace, the Pro Caelio of Cicero, or the Amores and Metamorphoses of Ovid. Catullus and Cicero are read with a view toward their picture of life and literature in the late Republic; Catullus and Horace or Ovid are compared and contrasted through examination of their writings on love, friendship, religion, politics, poetry, and other topics. Metrics and literary devices and grammar review are also treated in this course. Students may take the AP examination at the instructor's recommendation. Offered in alternate years with Vergil.

Prerequisite: Grade of 85 or higher in AP Latin IV and departmental consent. Grade of 90 or higher in Honors Latin IV and departmental consent.

The first three levels of the Spanish program are driven by a proficiency-based curriculum that stresses the importance of the Communicative Approach through daily exposure to the target language and a full laboratory program.

The level one course introduces the student to the basic structures of the language with emphasis on communicative skills as well as to the culture of the Spanish-speaking world. While the course stresses all four basic skills (speaking, listening, reading, and writing), it encourages the students to develop their abilities to understand and speak the target language.

The course expands the knowledge acquired in Spanish I, with emphasis on a variety of communicative situations. Expanded vocabulary, idiomatic expressions and grammatical structures are recycled continuously. The uses of the subjunctive mood in noun/adverbial/adjective clauses are taught. Writing skills are augmented through periodic compositions and written exercises. The students are encouraged to use the language in class through group activities and oral presentations. By year's end, a large part of the class is conducted in Spanish. Reading is developed and assessed through dialogues and written information in the textbook and in the workbook.

The course expands the knowledge acquired in Spanish I, with emphasis on a variety of communicative situations. A more expanded vocabulary, idiomatic expressions and grammatical structures are continually recycled. The uses of the subjunctive mood in noun/adverbial/adjective clauses are taught. Writing skills are augmented by lengthy periodic compositions and written exercises. By year's end, the course is taught almost exclusively in Spanish.

At this level, the study of most grammatical structures of the language is completed. The uses of the subjunctive mood in noun/adverbial/adjective clauses are reviewed and contrary-to fact statements are taught. The development of the oral-aural skills continues to be the primary objective. The course is primarily in Spanish. Students read various selections about Spain and other Spanish speaking countries presented in the textbook and in the workbook.

At this level, the study of grammatical structures of the language is completed. Emphasis is placed on the uses of the subjunctive mood in noun/adjective/adverbial clauses and contrary-to-fact statements are taught. The development of oral-aural skills continues to be the primary objective. The course is taught entirely in Spanish. Students will read several brief literary pieces from selected Hispanic prose writers as well as a collection of modern short stories.

Prerequisite: Grade of 85 or higher in Honors Spanish II or departmental consent. Grade of 90 or higher in Spanish II or departmental consent.

Designed for students in the track course, it stresses the study of advanced grammar. During the first semester emphasis is placed on the development of the four language skills (listening, speaking, reading and writing). There is special emphasis on reading and writing in the second semester. Students read short stories by modern writers of the Spanish-speaking world. Greater emphasis is placed in oral participation.

Prerequisite: Grade of 80 or higher in Honors Spanish II Special Track or department consent.

This course serves as an alternative to the Advanced Placement Language course for students who have successfully completed Spanish III and want to continue developing their language skills. The course places especial emphasis on reviewing the more complex aspects of the Spanish grammar and it strengthens the four basic skills: speaking, listening, reading and writing. Particular emphasis is made on speaking through oral presentations and discussions. Students are exposed to different aspects of the Hispanic culture through newspaper articles, short stories from different Spanish speaking authors, video, film and on-line material.

Prerequisite: Grade of 78 or higher in Spanish III, Honors Spanish III, Honors III Special Track or departmental consent.

This sequence completes a review of the more complex aspects of the Spanish grammar that broadens the speaking, reading and writing skills. Special emphasis is placed in the development of oral skills through frequent discussions and oral presentations. Materials include short stories, films, newspapers, magazine articles and Internet sites. In addition to this, extensive acculturation takes place throughout the year in anticipation to the following summer’s travel to Spain. Greater emphasis is placed in oral participation.

Prerequisite: Grade of 80 or higher in Honors Spanish II Special Track or department consent.

This intensive conversation course is designed to immerse students totally in the Spanish language and the culture of Spain. Students spend six weeks in Spain, during which they receive formal instruction, live with Spanish-speaking families, interact at all times with native speakers in real-life situations, and donate one week of their free time to serving the needs of a local philanthropic organization.

Prerequisite: Grade of 80 or higher in Honors Spanish IV Tract or departmental consent.

This course serves as an alternative to the Advanced Placement Literature course for students who have successfully completed Spanish IV Honors or Spanish IV Special Track and want to continue developing their language skills. This course covers a variety of films and Spanish-speaking writers in more depth such as Devevi, Cervantes, Borges, Matute, Quiroga, Cortazar, Garcia Marquez, and Esquivel among others. Students keep a daily journal. Great emphasis is placed on oral participation and classroom discussions.

Prerequisite: Grade of 78 or higher in Honors Spanish IV, Honors IV Special Track or departmental consent.

In this course, students polish their previously acquired knowledge of Spanish. Several works of representative Hispanic authors are read in their entirety: they serve to stimulate extensive discussions and compositions, and to provide a basis for a contextualized review of the language's grammatical structures, in preparation for the AP examination (which may be taken at the instructor's recommendation).

Prerequisite: Grade of 85 or higher in Honors Spanish III and departmental consent. Grade of 90 or higher in Spanish III and departmental consent, 80 or higher in Honors Spanish IV Special Track.

In this course, students follow the prescribed curriculum leading to the AP examination in Hispanic literature by studying in depth, the works of Unamuno, Matute, Lorca, Borges and Garcia Marquez. The last month of the course is devoted to a thorough review of each author's style, techniques, philosophy, and import in the context of the Hispanic literary scene. The AP examination may be taken at the instructor's recommendation.

Prerequisite: Grade of 85 or higher in AP Spanish IV and departmental consent. Grade of 90 or higher in Honors Spanish IV and departmental consent

560 MANDARIN CHINESE I (Berkeley Campus)
This course introduces the student to the four language skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking. It places substantial emphasis on oral communication as it deals with daily life situations, and it gives special attention to the four tones of the language, which is crucial if the student is to speak and understand Mandarin Chinese. The course also familiarizes the student with the importance of syntax. Most of the basic strokes necessary to writing the language are also taught. At this level, the student relies substantially on Pinyin Romanization.

561 MANDARIN CHINESE II (Study Abroad Program in Shanghai, China)
This level reviews and expands on the student’s previously acquired knowledge: it continues to train the student in the four language skills and maintains its emphasis on oral communication and tone discrimination. As this course is taught in Shanghai, China at the Fudan University High School, this progressive metropolis serves as a natural language laboratory in which to practice extensively. The course increases significantly the student’s knowledge of useful vocabulary and idiomatic expressions, always within the prescribed rules of syntax. At this level, the student leans to appreciate and employ properly the art of calligraphy-a most important skill for written communication. Both Pinyin Romanization and characters are employed.

562 MANDARIN CHINESE III (Berkeley Campus)
This level expands on the integration of communicative activities dealing with daily life situations as it continues to refine the four language skills. The course is taught mostly in the target language; it expands further the student’s knowledge of vocabulary, characters, syntax, and grammar, while making the incorporation of cultural information a significant portion of the course content. The student translates materials of medium difficulty to and from Mandarin Chinese with the aid of a dictionary. The student also has ample opportunities to become better involved in cultural activities associated with China, such as chess, Majiang, Taiji boxing, folk songs, cooking, et al. Increasingly, Piyin Romanization gives way to characters in written communication.

If a student can not comply with the commitment of taking Chinese II in China, he/she will have to take Latin, French or Spanish and its regular 3 year sequence to comply with the 3 sequential years of a foreign language in order to meet the graduation requirement.