12 minute read
World Languages, Literatures, And Cultures
confident in their mastery of skills through appropriately challenging work and appropriately rigorous expectations. Finally, we know that this process is a developmental one; that is, students will make progress at a rate commensurate with their own aptitudes and experiences, rather than at a particular chronological age or grade level. Our aim is to help each student set challenging yet attainable personal goals for the study and analysis of literature and to achieve these goals within an atmosphere of shared excitement and intellectual curiosity. Our aim is to help each student set challenging yet attainable personal goals for the study and analysis of literature and to achieve these goals within an atmosphere of shared excitement and intellectual curiosity.
409 English 9
1 credit, full year
The major emphasis of this course is the sharpening and refinement of language skills, including critical reading and literary analysis as well as experiential and imaginative writing. Grammar and usage review will be incorporated into the writing component of the course, with a focus on errors arising in student compositions. At the conclusion of the course, a student should be able to write a clearly-organized, multi-paragraph essay developing and supporting a thesis. Literature study explores the themes of storytelling and how humans communicate through literature. Texts may include: The Book of Unknown Americans, Persepolis, Homegoing, Station Eleven, Romeo and Juliet, The Color of Water, selected poetry, and shorter pieces of fiction and nonfiction. A film study and public speaking projects are also special features of this course. The culminating project requires students to consider storytelling from their own perspective and apply what they have learned over the course of the year to produce a formal analytical or creative piece. This project requires the application of associative and critical thinking skills, creative skills, strong written and oral communication skills, as well as the ability to work and plan independently.
410 English 10
1 credit, full year
English 10 explores the theme of conformity and rebellion, and the power of literature to endorse or question societal norms, to reflect and shape personal and cultural identity, and to pursue social justice. Students consider the ways in which literature can help us to understand and challenge power and privilege. The course explores different literary genres, including fiction (novels and short fiction), drama, poetry, and literary nonfiction. Students build on literary understandings and writing skills developed in English 9. Varied writing assignments offer students the opportunity to hone their expressive skills through analytical, creative, personal, and persuasive writing tasks. A public speaking unit, regular class discussions, and collaborative presentations will challenge students to fine tune their oral communication skills. Texts may include: Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun, Lan Samantha Chang’s Hunger, Trevor Noah’s Born a Crime, Shakespeare’s Othello, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, and additional plays, short stories, poems, and works of nonfiction.
415 English The Art of Persuasion 11/12 (11, 12, no IB credit) 416 English SL IB (11,12) The Art of Persuasion 417 English HL IB (11, 12) The Art of Persuasion
1 credit, full year
Persuasive writing and speaking are key points of focus for English 11/12. Texts are unified by the themes of power and persuasion. Texts to be studied will include works in translation such as Hualing Nieh’s Mulberry and Peach, poetry of Gabriela Mistral, and No Exit, by Jean Paul Sartre. Works may also include Jane Austen’s Persuasion, Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream, and the essays of James Baldwin and short stories of Ted Chiang. Students build on their speaking skills with both formal and informal oral presentations and they also write both formal and informal responses to literature to develop their analytical abilities. Throughout both semesters, daily preparation for class, reading quizzes, creative writing exercises, and discussion will give students the opportunity to practice their critical thinking skills in a variety of ways. In preparation for the written and oral IB assessments, there will be a particular emphasis on identifying and explicating literary and persuasive techniques within each work. Students will be required to maintain a Learner’s Portfolio, a compilation of formative writing responses, creative and analytical, throughout the year.
413 Independent Study: IB Self-Taught Literature
SL, Year 2
Where a student’s mother tongue cannot be supported through a traditionally taught literature class, the school supported self-taught (SSST) option is available for language A: literature SL. The SSST option is for motivated students who are seeking a bilingual IB diploma through completion of two literature courses: 1) IB Literature: HL or SL English, and 2) SSST Literature: SL mother tongue. The designation “IB Self-Taught Literature SL” will appear on a student’s WFS transcript, but will not be accompanied by a grade (NG) or credit. Students will complete all IB assessment components and will receive an IB certificate upon successful completion of the requirements.
The ultimate goal of the world language department is a high degree of communicative competence. All pedagogical activities point toward this end. We teach the four basic skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. All upper school classes are taught in the total immersion method. Using only the target language, we reinforce the study of grammar and vocabulary
through open-ended scenarios, skits, and dialogues, which might include such real-life situations as travel plans, negotiating purchases, and college interviews. We discuss and debate contemporary issues, read target-language newspapers and magazines, view films, and study the literature and culture of many countries in which our target languages are spoken. We enrich the experience with field trips, images, recordings, video clips, documentaries, and video filming.
The study of world languages is an increasingly important way to nurture the globally conscious student. Every year, the presence of AFS students at Friends encourages awareness of other cultures. In addition, we actively educate our students about available exchange and home-stay programs, such as Friends School summer study and service-learning trips to France, Spain or Central America/Caribbean, and China. As a member of the School Year Abroad (SYA) program, a national consortium of schools committed to international education, WFS is eager to have our students spend one school year in France, Spain, Italy, or China.
For a Wilmington Friends diploma, upper school students must complete world language study through level three of one language, which must include at least two years of study in the same language. New students entering the upper school with prior world language experience will be asked to take a placement exam to determine the appropriate course assignment. All students considering the full IB Diploma Programme, especially those beginning upper school at level I of a language, will be advised on how to plan for HL or SL language study. In some cases, IB Diploma candidates may have to obtain permission to enroll in six majors in order to fulfill the language requirement (or enroll in independent study during the school year, or undertake independent summer study and pass a challenge exam to advance to the necessary level of language study). In some special circumstances we can offer the ab initio version of a language for IB Diploma candidates. Please note that some high-level languages classes (such as HL year 3) will be offered only when there are qualifying students. The department will make every effort to work with students to maximize their options and opportunities.
510 French 1 (9, 10, 11, 12)
1 credit, full year
In this immersion course, we pay particular attention to developing fundamental, everyday skills in listening, reading, writing, and speaking French by using grammar and vocabulary in context. Students move rapidly from mechanical understanding to creative use of the language. In addition, the cultures, traditions, and geography of France and the Francophone world are introduced.This course will be offered depending on enrollment numbers.
1 credit, full year
In this course, the main focus is on strengthening communicative skills by expanding the repertoire of verbs, tenses, and vocabulary. There is special emphasis on improving extemporaneous communication. We begin to study the cultures and geography of the Francophone world, and also study Paris in depth. Activities may include listening exercises, paired or small-group work, films, video clips, video filming, readings, authentic advertisements, songs, slideshows, student-created skits, photograph analysis, cultural projects, or cooking.
512 French 3 (10,11,12)
1 credit, full year
In this course, students continue to strengthen oral skills and to increase their working vocabulary with an emphasis on idioms and extemporaneous speech. We continue the study of complex grammar and focus on writing skills through various readings, songs, films, video clips, and poems related to the themes. Students continue to study the geography of the French-speaking world and focus on the regions of France. Activities may include oral presentations, skits, video filming, cultural presentations and response to visual or audio stimuli.
1 credit, full year
In this course, we strengthen and develop communication skills. Emphasis is placed on spontaneous and studied oral expression (such as role playing and debate), excellence in writing, and refinement of grammar. We study the Francophone world through various global topics, including cultural diversity, interpersonal relationships, science and technology, media and advertising, social change, world migrations, and sustainable development.
Many different sources (newspaper articles, magazines, short stories, graphic novels, films, songs, and websites) are used to reflect the diversity of the French language spoken and written in the Francophone world. Social change, for example, might be studied through an examination of popular demonstrations and how they are reported in related news items, followed by the film Potiche.
514 French 5 (12, no IB credit) 514HL IB French Higher Level, Year 2 (12) 514SL2 IB French SL2
1 credit, full year
The aim of this course is to continue working toward the goal of true fluency in all four skill areas. We continue to examine French literature, culture, and contemporary language and society through the study of authentic materials, which include poetry, plays, films, and Francophone news media sources. The study of grammar is pursued at the advanced level. Literature may include Camus’ L’Étranger, Guène’s Kiffe Kiffe Demain, or
516HL3 IB French Higher Level, Year 3 (12)
1 credit, full year
This course is designed for advanced students who have successfully completed all previous course offerings in French. The aim of the course is to refine students’ writing even further, focusing particularly on complex tenses, idiomatic expressions, and rhetorical devices. In addition, students watch films and read two novels and a variety of articles addressing global issues in preparation for the IB HL French exam. An emphasis is placed on advanced conversation. Prerequisite: IB French Higher Level, Year 2.
517 Spanish 1 (9,10,11,12)
1 credit, full year
In this course, we pay particular attention to developing basic, everyday skills in listening, reading, writing, and speaking Spanish by using grammar and vocabulary in context. Students are introduced to the cultures and traditions of Spain and to the geography of the Spanish-speaking world.
518 Spanish 2 (9,10,11,12)
1 credit, full year
In this course, students continue to develop the communication skills (listening, reading, writing, and speaking) begun in Spanish I or in middle school Spanish 7 and 8. We expand the study of basic vocabulary and grammar. We study the culture of Hispanic countries through short readings, songs, and films.
519 Spanish 3 (10,11,12)
1 credit, full year
In this course, we place particular emphasis on the development of conversational skills, the acquisition of a variety of verb tenses and moods, and the expansion of vocabulary. Students also begin to develop composition skills. Through readings, short videos and/or films, songs, and special presentations, students begin to address cross-cultural issues directly, as they relate to Latin American and Spanish cultural traditions and values, as well as students’ own experiences.
1 credit, full year
Through works of contemporary Hispanic writers, movies, and newspaper articles, the highest-order grammatical skills are employed as students explore topics such as, but not limited to, Hispanic immigration in the U.S., environmental problems, and the lives and concerns of young people. Students will make comparisons to and connections between their own culture and the different cultures related to Spanish language, and will examine the relationships among Spanish and Latin-American short stories, legends, poetry, art, and film making. For example, students might study the Spanish Civil War through the
521 Spanish 5 (12, no IB credit) 521HL IB Spanish Higher Level, Year 2 (12) 521SL2 IB Spanish Standard Level, Year 2
1 credit, full year
Toward the goal of true fluency, this course emphasizes extensive authentic conversation. Readings focus on the conversation process and help the students to understand their role in it. A study of Latin-American and Spanish culture is continued through original readings, lectures, and audio-visuals. In addition, the students are expected to read one major work, as well as selected short stories written by Spanish and Latin-American writers. The study of grammar is pursued at the advanced level.
522HL3 IB Spanish Higher Level, Year 3 (12)
1 credit, full year
This course is designed for advanced students who have successfully completed all previous course offerings in Spanish. The aim of the course is to refine students’ writing and speech even further, focusing particularly on complex tenses, idiomatic expressions, and rhetorical devices. In addition, students read at least one novel and/or significant play, and a variety of articles addressing global issues in preparation for the IB HL Spanish exam. An emphasis is placed on advanced conversation. Prerequisite: IB Spanish Higher Level, Year 2.
524 Chinese 1 (9)
1 credit, full year
This course introduces students to the Mandarin Chinese language and to the geography, culture, history, and traditions of China. Particular emphasis is placed on learning pronunciation and tonality, as well as simplified characters (with their Romanized Pinyin forms) and their radicals. Basic grammatical structures are learned through exercises involving listening, speaking, reading, and writing in everyday situations. This course will be offered depending on enrollment numbers.
525 Chinese 2 (9,10)
1 credit, full year
Chinese 2 is a continuation of level one and the Middle School program. Students refine their pronunciation, intonation, and character recognition of Mandarin Chinese. More than 200 essential new characters are introduced through Pinyin Romanization, and through written form (character) and meaning together. Structures are learned through exercises involving listening, speaking, reading, and writing in everyday situations. Communication skills focus on authentic and meaningful interaction in various social and cultural contexts. Cultural topics will include health and well-being, interpersonal relationships, food, celebrations, and travel and finding one’s way in unfamiliar situations.
