Skip To Main Content

World Languages

Charles County Public Schools offers the following World Languages: French, Spanish, German, Latin, and American Sign Language.

The World Language Program embraces the World-Readiness Standards for Learning Languages which identifies five goal areas in Communication, Cultures, Connections, Comparisons, and Communities. These goals stress the application of learning a language beyond the instructional setting and are essential for citizens in a global community and marketplace.

Students are required to earn 2 credits of the same world language in order to graduate. Some colleges and universities require three years of high school study in the same World Language. Students should determine if the college or university of their choice has such a requirement.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT FRENCH LANGUAGE AND CULTURE
050554                                      1 credit             Grades 10, 11, 12                     Code: W*

Prerequisite: French IV 

This course is designed for students who wish to take the College Board Advanced Placement French Language examination. The course involves reading original works, writing extended assignments, and analyzing linguistics. Timed writings and analysis of texts will form major components of the course. Attaining intermediate to high-level proficiency in listening and speaking will be emphasized. Advanced work in the World Language and a solid foundation in levels I through IV are required.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT LATIN
052064                                      1 credit             Grades 10, 11, 12                     Code: W*

Prerequisite: Latin III or IV

This course is designed for those Latin students interested in progressing to college-level reading, translating, analyzing, and interpreting Latin from original works. The AP Latin students are expected to translate accurately from Latin poetry and prose to English and to demonstrate an in-depth grasp of Latin grammatical structures and vocabulary. Stylistic analysis is an integral part of the course. Cultural, social, and political contexts also are examined. This course focuses on Vergil’s Aeneid and Caesar’s Gallic Wars.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT SPANISH LANGUAGE AND CULTURE
051554                                      1 credit             Grades 10, 11, 12                     Code: W*

Prerequisite: Spanish IV or Heritage and Native Spanish III 

This course is designed for students who wish to take the College Board Advanced Placement Spanish Language and Culture examination. The course involves reading original works, writing extended assignments, and analyzing linguistics. Timed writings and analysis of texts will form major components of the course. Attaining intermediate to high-level proficiency in listening and speaking will be emphasized. A solid foundation in levels I through IV is required.

AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE
052111                                      1 credit             Grades 11, 12

This course is designed to teach students basic conversational skills in American Sign Language. Students will also learn the history of Deaf Culture, as well as the structure and syntax of the language. The course will focus on three major areas, which include manual communication, Deaf Culture, and history/progress of Deaf Culture in America.

FRENCH I
050514                                      1 credit             Grades 9, 10, 11, 12

This course stresses the communication skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing in French. These skills are taught through the use of the language in everyday situations typical of the French culture. Vocabulary and grammar are taught by means of oral and written drills based on the curriculum. Students are expected to master the written forms of material covered orally. Much of the teaching is done in French. Memorization is required and stressed through practice in class and at home. Various media resources are used to increase vocabulary and cultural awareness. Students are expected to master oral and written material in French on a daily basis.

FRENCH II
050524                                      1 credit             Grades 9, 10, 11, 12

Prerequisite: French I

This course builds on listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills learned in French I. Activities and conversations are used in class to enable students to relate to French culture through their own lives. The majority of classroom instruction is done in French. Various media resources remain an integral part of the program in order to present an authentic image of the French-speaking world today.

FRENCH III (HONORS)
050535                                      1 credit             Grades 10, 11, 12                     Code: W

Prerequisite: French II

This course provides oral practice of more advanced grammatical and idiomatic forms of French. Increased emphasis is placed upon listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Various media resources remain an integral part of the program in order to present an authentic image of the French-speaking world today. Classroom instruction is conducted in French.

FRENCH IV (HONORS)
050544          1 credit           Grades 11, 12          Code: W

Prerequisite: French III

This course is an extension of the third-year activities. Students are expected to speak French almost exclusively. Students read French literature and articles from the French-speaking world, which include classic and contemporary works. Timed writings and analysis of texts will form major components of the course. Attaining intermediate to high-level proficiency in listening and speaking is emphasized. Classroom instruction is conducted in French.

HERITAGE AND NATIVE SPANISH I
051614          1 credit          Grades 9, 10, 11, 12

Prerequisite: Proficiency Assessment, World Language teacher recommendation, or counselor after reviewing educational history

This course is designed specifically for heritage and native speakers of Spanish who already have Novice oral and written language proficiency. The purpose of this course is to enable students whose heritage language is Spanish to develop, maintain, and enhance proficiency in all domains of Spanish by providing them the opportunity to listen, speak, read, and write in a variety of contexts and for a variety of audiences including the family, school, and the community. Students taking HNS I will gain a better understanding of the nature of their own language and will develop cross-language literacy skills. Students taking this course must have a home language of Spanish and must have taken the approved Spanish proficiency test and scored within the proficiency range for HNS I, be recommended by a Spanish teacher, or be recommended by a counselor after a review of the student’s educational history.

HERITAGE AND NATIVE SPANISH II
051624          1 credit          Grades 9, 10, 11, 12

Prerequisite: Proficiency Assessment, World Language teacher recommendation, or successful completion of Heritage and Native Spanish I, or counselor after reviewing educational history

This course is designed specifically for heritage and native speakers of Spanish who already have Intermediate-Low oral and written language proficiency. The purpose of this course is to enable students whose heritage language is Spanish to develop, maintain, and enhance proficiency in all domains of Spanish by providing them the opportunity to listen, speak, read, and write in a variety of contexts and for a variety of audiences including the family, school, and the community. Students taking HNS II will gain a better understanding of the nature of their own language and will develop cross-language literacy skills. Students taking this course must have a home language of Spanish and must have taken the approved Spanish proficiency test and scored within the proficiency range for HNS II OR have successfully completed Heritage and Native Spanish I, be recommended by a Spanish teacher, or be recommended by a counselor after a review of the student’s educational history.

HERITAGE AND NATIVE SPANISH III
051634          1 credit          Grades 9, 10, 11, 12          Code: W

Prerequisite: Proficiency Assessment, World Language teacher recommendation, or successful completion of Heritage and Native Spanish II, or counselor recommendation after reviewing educational history

This course is designed specifically for heritage and native speakers of Spanish who already have Intermediate-High oral and written language proficiency. The purpose of this course is to enable students whose heritage language is Spanish to develop, maintain, and enhance proficiency in all domains of Spanish by providing them the opportunity to listen, speak, read, and write in a variety of contexts and for a variety of audiences including the family, school, and the community. Students taking HNS III will gain a better understanding of the nature of their own language and will develop cross-language literacy skills. Students taking this course must have a home language of Spanish and must have taken the approved Spanish proficiency test and scored within the proficiency range for HNS III OR have successfully completed Heritage and Native Spanish II, be recommended by a Spanish teacher, or be recommended by a counselor after a review of the student’s educational history.

LATIN I
052014          1 credit          Grades 9, 10, 11, 12

This course is an introduction to the study of the Latin language. Stress is placed upon linguistic structures and cognates. Latin components are used to develop vocabulary in both Latin and English. Students will learn to read Latin and write simple sentences. Brief narratives on Roman history and mythology serve for analysis of language structures and punctuation.

LATIN II
052024
          1 credit          Grades 10, 11, 12

Prerequisite: Latin I

This course builds upon skills acquired in Latin I. Concepts in grammar are complex. Readings from Latin literature, covering a wide range of topics and literary forms, are studied. Students continue study of the Roman culture. Acquisition of vocabulary and comprehension of basic reading materials are goals of the course. The application of verbal concepts to English language development is emphasized.

LATIN III (HONORS)
052035           1 credit          Grades 11, 12          Code: W

Prerequisite: Latin II

This course emphasizes recognition of the stylistic elements and linguistic functions in Latin literature. Students study a range of Latin prose as examples of the Latin linguistic system and its influence upon Western culture and literacy style. Students will be expected to expand their capabilities in regard to listening, speaking, and reading aloud, reading and analyzing, and writing in Latin. Grammatical constructs will be taught as the functions of language. Literary works, both prose and poetry, will be subjects of class analysis. Aspects of Latin culture as they pertain to Western civilization and letters will be discussed. Upon completion of this course, students should be able to read and understand Latin literature, pronounce the majority of vocabulary words properly, comprehend Latin cultural concepts, and interpret the grammatical constructs accurately.

LATIN IV (HONORS)
052044          1 credit          Grade 1          Code: W

Prerequisite: Latin III

This course is concerned with reading and appreciating Latin literature, particularly poetry. In addition to utilizing language skills acquired in previous course work, the student will concentrate on figures of speech, the definition of poetry, poetic structures, and the cultural setting of the epic. Grammar is taught as a linguistic function to be used for accurate translation of ideas and concise expression. Opportunity for research in many phases of classical civilization is provided.

SPANISH I 
051514          1 credit          Grades 9, 10, 11, 12

This course stresses the communication skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing in Spanish. These skills are taught through the use of the language in everyday situations typical of the Spanish culture. Vocabulary and grammar are taught by means of oral and written drills based on the curriculum. Memorization is required and stressed through practice in class and at home. Various media resources are used to increase vocabulary and cultural awareness. Students are expected to master oral and written material in Spanish on a daily basis.

SPANISH II 
051524          1 credit          Grades 9, 10, 11, 12

Prerequisite: Spanish I

This course builds on listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills as learned in Spanish I. Activities and conversations are used in class to enable students to relate to Spanish culture through their own lives. The majority of classroom instruction is versed in Spanish. Various media remain an integral part of the program in order to present an authentic image of the Spanish-speaking world today.

SPANISH III (HONORS)
051535          1 credit           Grades 10, 11, 12           Code: W

Prerequisite: Spanish II

This course provides oral practice of more advanced grammatical and idiomatic forms of Spanish. Increased emphasis is placed upon listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Various media remain an integral part of the program in order to present an authentic image of the Spanish-speaking world today. Classroom instruction is conducted in Spanish.

SPANISH IV (HONORS)
051544          1 credit          Grades 9, 10, 11, 12          Code: W

Prerequisite: Spanish III

This course is an extension of the third-year activities. Students are expected to speak Spanish almost exclusively. Students read Spanish literature and articles from the Spanish-speaking world, which include classic and contemporary works. Timed writings and analysis of texts will form major components of the course. Attaining intermediate to high-level proficiency in listening and speaking is emphasized. Classroom instruction is conducted in Spanish.

SPANISH V (HONORS)
051545         1 credit          Grades 9, 10, 11, 12          Code: W

Prerequisite: Spanish IV

This course is an extension of Spanish IV. Students are expected to participate in Spanish exclusively. Students read Spanish literature and articles from the Spanish-speaking world, which include classic and contemporary works. Timed writings and analysis of texts will form major components of the course. Attaining Intermediate-High level proficiency in all four domains (listening, reading, writing, speaking) is emphasized. Classroom instruction is conducted in entirely in Spanish. This course is designed to prepare students for the rigor of AP Spanish Language and Culture.