This introductory course is designed for students who have no formal background in learning Chinese. It introduces the Pinyin (Chinese phonetic symbols) system, simplified characters, basic grammatical structures and functional daily use. The course covers approximately 300 basic Chinese characters and associated phrases. It emphasizes all four language skills (listening, speaking, reading and writing). The exploration of Chinese culture also has an important place in daily lessons. After completion of this course, students are able to use basic vocabulary and language skills to operate in a variety of authentic situations. UC-approval for this course is pending. Pre-Requisite: Student must be a freshman or sophomore or have already successfully completed the study of a language other than English.

Mandarin II is an intermediate course, the continuation of Mandarin I. It focuses on developing students' abilities in each of the four language skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing). The course will introduce approximately 320 new characters with a review of grammar and further development of speaking, reading, and writing skills in Mandarin. Students will learn to communicate in basic Chinese and learn more about Chinese customs and cultural practices. UC-approval for this course is pending. Pre-Requisite: Student must have earned a C- or higher in Mandarin I.

This course introduces students to the French Language. Through speaking activities, the study of grammar, writing assignments, and short reading samples, the student gains a basic knowledge of the language. The exploration of French culture also has an important place in daily lessons. After completion of this course, students are able to converse in a variety of situations using basic French. Pre-Requisite: Student must be a freshman or sophomore or have already successfully completed the study of a language other than English.

This course continues to emphasize oral comprehension and speaking skills while developing a stronger grasp of vocabulary and correct grammatical structures. Individual and group work refines speaking and writing skills. Students continue to study French culture and begin engaging elementary reading selections. Pre-Requisite: Student must have earned a C- or higher in French I.

This advanced course is conducted primarily in French. The goal of this course is to develop communication, comprehension, grammar, and understanding of culture and literature. Classes are designed to give the learner an opportunity to use the language in authentic socio-cultural contexts. The students read unabridged short stories, poetry, and current events in French. Oral fluency is stressed and writing skills are polished. Pre-Requisites: Student must have earned a B- or higher in French II and have department approval.

This advanced course is conducted entirely in French. Students are expected to communicate in French during class at all times. Oral fluency, vocabulary building, essay writing, and the discovery of French civilization are the primary goals of the course. The learners will read and analyze unabridged novels, short stories, poetry, and current events material. Students will develop a portfolio of their work and formally present it to the class at the end of each semester. Students are required to peer-tutor lower-division French-language students during flex time (to be coordinated by the instructor). Students with exceptional writing, reading, speaking, listening, and analytical abilities may qualify with departmental approval to prepare for the AP exam on an independent study basis while taking this course. Pre-Requisite: Student must have earned a B- or higher in French III.

This course introduces students to the Spanish Language. Through speaking activities, the study of grammar, writing assignments, and short reading samples, the student gains a basic knowledge of the language. The exploration of Spanish culture also has an important place in daily lessons. After completion of this course, students are able to converse in a variety of situations using basic Spanish and read and write simple paragraphs. Pre-Requisite: Student must be a freshman or sophomore or have already successfully completed the study of a language other than English.

This course continues to emphasize listening comprehension, writing, and speaking skills learned in Spanish I while developing a broader and stronger grasp of vocabulary and grammatical structures. Students also read current-event articles in Spanish and write more complex paragraphs. Pre-Requisite: Students must have earned a C- or better in Spanish I or have demonstrated mastery on the Spanish Challenge Exam.

This is an accelerated course with emphasis on listening and written comprehension and oral and written expressions. Students will enrich their vocabulary and knowledge of grammar. Students will also read articles about current events from Spanish newspapers and magazines and write short essays. Students who earn a C- or higher receive an extra point towards their grade point average. Pre-Requisites: Students must have earned an A- or better in Spanish I, submit the online application by the published deadline, and have department approval. Estimated homework load / types of homework required: Homework is assigned on a daily basis. The estimated homework load is about 20-30 minutes per night. Types of homework include written, reading, and oral practice.

This advanced course is conducted primarily in Spanish. This course is for serious Spanish Language students who want to increase their fluency and improve their understanding and writing skills. Vocabulary knowledge is increased through the mediumÊof games, short contemporary texts, and listening comprehension. Students are required to write in a variety of tenses, be able to summarize texts, and present a minimum of one cultural project to the class per semester. Pre-Requisites: Student must have earned a B- or higher in Spanish II and have department approval.

This advanced course is conducted primarily in Spanish. This course is for the very serious Spanish learner. It is an accelerated course that emphasizes conversation and essay writing. Students enhance Spanish comprehension by reading contemporary texts and are required to complete a major project each quarter. The learner increases vocabulary through reading and writing and begins to understand the finer points of Spanish grammar. Students who earn a C- or higher receive an extra point towards their grade point average. Pre-Requisites: Student must have earned an A- or higher in Spanish II or a B- or higher in Honors Spanish II, submit the online application by the published deadline, and receive department approval. Estimated homework load / types of homework required: The estimated homework load is approximately 30-40 minutes per class to complete grammar exercises.

This advanced course is conducted entirely in Spanish. Students are expected to deliver short presentations and conduct discussions in Spanish. They read short stories and poetry by well-known authors. Students also write essays and summarize stories and movies. In addition, a major cultural project per semester is required. Grammar is addressed as needed in written and oral work. In the second semester, students attend Napa Valley Language Academy once per week to assist teachers with elementary school children in Spanish-speaking classrooms. Pre-Requisite: Student must have earned a B- or higher in Spanish III or Honors Spanish III. Estimated homework load / types of homework required: Students should expect to spend 40-60 minutes per class to work on reading comprehension, writing up vocabulary, studying for quizzes or tests, or preparing research and projects.

This is the equivalent of an upper-intermediate college-level course that emphasizes communication (understanding and being understood by others) by applying interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational skills in real-life situations. It includes vocabulary usage, language control, communication strategies, and cultural awareness. The course strives not to overemphasize grammatical accuracy at the expense of communication. The course is taught almost exclusively in Spanish and engages students in an exploration of culture in both contemporary and historical contexts. The course develops students' awareness and appreciation of cultural products (e.g., tools, books, music, laws, conventions, institutions); practices (patterns of social interactions within a culture); and perspectives (values, attitudes, and assumptions) by exploring six themes: Beauty and Aesthetics, Contemporary Life, Families and Communities, Global Challenges, Personal and Public Identities, and Science and Technology. Pre-Requisites: Student must have earned an A- or higher in Honors Spanish III or a B or higher in Spanish IV, submit the online application by the published deadline, and receive departmental approval.