World Language

The goal of this course is to build confidence and competency in French. Students develop four communication skills in:

With these tools, students are able to gain insight into a culture different from their own. Communicative competency and cultural understanding are the foundation of the course. The French program is supported by a variety of e-learning resources, as well as live activities, that enhance and provide opportunities for linguistic and cultural understanding.

Paired-practice, involving two students practicing the language together, is used to increase opportunities for involvement and participation, promote realism, and reduce stress or reluctance. French is used almost exclusively, and students are encouraged and expected to use the language spontaneously and creatively. Our e-learning program accompanies the e-text to give students the opportunity to hear other speakers and to test their own listening comprehension skills. Dialogues, stories, question/answer activities, pronunciation and sound discrimination drills help sharpen listening skills.

The goal of this course is to build upon the skills developed in the course French IA. Students will be able to use French as a communicative tool to gain a better understanding of its culture, traditions and values. Students will be prepared to enter French II in Upper School upon successful completion of the sequence and a consistent test average of B- or higher.

Communicative competence and cultural understanding are the foundation of the course work. The French program is supported by a variety of e-learning resources with e-video and e-audio components included, as well as live activities that enhance and provide opportunities for listening comprehension, linguistic and cultural understanding. French is used almost exclusively, and students are encouraged and expected to use the language spontaneously and creatively. Dialogues, stories, question/answer activities, pronunciation and sound discrimination drills are exercised to help sharpen students' listening skills.

This course introduces students to the Chinese language and immerses them in the culture of the Chinese-speaking world. The emphasis of the course is placed on:

Units of study are developed around practical topics, allowing the grammar to be learned in a contextual environment. Through a wide variety of student-centered activities, lectures, videos, songs, online resources and language-focused games, students learn the vocabulary, culture and grammar of Mandarin Chinese and begin to obtain initial communicative competence in the language.

In Mandarin Chinese IB, students continue to perfect their Mandarin pronunciation while further developing the four major language skills:

Class is conducted in Chinese to the greatest degree possible, enhancing not only the students’ comprehension of the vocabulary, grammar and culture, but also their ability to communicate with increasing fluency and accuracy. The grammar and expressions studied in Mandarin Chinese IB begin to be more complex in preparation for the next level of the language. Successful completion of the course and a consistent test average of B- or higher is necessary to advance to Mandarin Chinese II in Upper School.

This course transitions students from Lower to Middle School and immerses them into the language and culture of the Spanish-speaking world. Grade 5 students activate knowledge from Lower School while incorporating new grammar and vocabulary with emphasis on:

Students develop level-based communicative competence through role-play, lectures, internet connections, creative projects and student-centered activities. The Spanish program is supported by a variety of e-learning resources with e-video and e-audio components included, as well as live activities that enhance and provide opportunities for listening comprehension, linguistic and cultural understanding.

In Grade 5 Spanish, students acquire and hone their analytic skills to apply grammatical themes in a structured and meaningful context. The curriculum features content and expectations that support the students' transition into Grade 6 Spanish. Students new to Spanish in Grade 5 will be offered a modified curriculum.

In this course, Grade 6 students broaden their vocabulary and fine-tune their pronunciation in a class conducted in Spanish. An emphasis on grammar and mechanics provides a foundation for developing more complex oral and written communication at this level and beyond. The course also integrates online resources which continuously facilitate the mastery of grammar and vocabulary in and out of the classroom. In addition, our e-videos with accompanying activities foster the growth of students’ communicative skills, while offering a cultural view of the Spanish-speaking world.

Areas of Study:

The Grade 6 Spanish course expands linguistic proficiency as students prepare for the next level of foreign language in Grade 7. Students new to Spanish and heritage speakers will be offered a modified curriculum.

This course is designed for students new to Spanish or who need to strengthen their linguistic foundation. Students are introduced to cultures of the Spanish-speaking world and receive a base in oral and written expression.

Introduction to:

Students develop level-based communicative competence through role-play, lectures, e-connections, creative projects and student-centered activities. The Spanish program is supported by a variety of e-learning resources and components as well as activities that enhance and provide opportunities for listening comprehension and linguistic and cultural understanding.

This course introduces and immerses students into the language and cultures of the Spanish-speaking world. From the first day, students begin to practice the four major language skills:

Units of study are developed around a practical vocabulary theme, allowing the grammar to be learned in a meaningful, contextual environment. Through a variety of student-centered activities, lectures, e-resources, songs, and language-focused games, students learn the vocabulary, culture and grammar of Spanish and begin to build initial communicative competence in the language.

In Spanish IB, students continue developing and expanding the four critical language skills:

There is a heavy emphasis placed on the use of the target language in the classroom, enhancing not only the students' comprehension of vocabulary, grammar and culture, but also their ability to communicate with increasing fluidity and accuracy. The grammatical themes of Spanish IB are advanced, thus challenging learners to think critically and analytically to be as prepared as possible for the next level of the language.

Successful completion of the course and a consistent test average of B- or higher is necessary to advance to Spanish II in the Upper School.

Spanish II students expand upon the vocabulary and grammatical concepts introduced in Grades 5 and 6. Readiness for Spanish IIA is determined based on progress made in Spanish 6. Teacher recommendation required.

Students refine their critical and analytic skills through the introduction and application of more complex grammatical concepts.

Present tense conjugations are reviewed before moving on to the study of past tenses. Units of study are designed around practical vocabulary introduced in tandem with complementary grammatical structures and topics of cultural study from throughout the Spanish-speaking world. Students continue to strengthen their oral and written communicative skills through role-play, oral presentations, vocabulary games, written work and creative projects designed to facilitate the application of grammatical structures and vocabulary in a meaningful context.

Spanish IIB is the second in a two-part series designed to prepare students for Upper School Spanish III. Class is conducted in the target language, enhancing not only the students’ comprehension of vocabulary, grammar, and culture but also their ability to communicate with increasing fluidity and accuracy.

The grammatical themes are advanced; topics covered include the distinction between preterite and imperfect, present and past perfect tenses, future tense, commands and pronoun usage.

Students continue to develop proficiency in their reading, writing, listening and speaking skills via role-playing, oral presentations, vocabulary games, written work and creative projects. This is designed to facilitate the application of grammatical structures and vocabulary in a meaningful context. Students new to LJCDS, with some background in the language, take a placement test in order to determine their appropriate course level.