Saint John's Curriculum

MS World Languages

The middle school World Language curriculum at Saint John’s is designed to prepare students over the course of two years for placement in the Level II course appropriate for their language in their freshman year. Following the strands and learning standards set forth by the Massachusetts Foreign Language Framework, the middle school curriculum is designed to include communication, culture, comparison, connections, and community. In compliance with the developmental stages of language proficiency prescribed by the framework by the end of Grade 8, students will have acquired the ability to communicate tasks in a variety of areas, including conversational phrases, vocabulary related to description and common objects, and formation of basic sentences. Instruction also includes information about cultural events pertinent to the language studied.

 

Below are the freshmen level World Language course options:

  • Advanced Spanish l (H)

    This course taught primarily in Spanish is designed for those students who have shown some background in Spanish on the Language Placement exam and who have demonstrated above average aptitude on the entrance exam. Following a thorough review of basic vocabulary
    and grammar, the course continues to develop situational vocabulary, to introduce more advanced grammar and to offer the student ample opportunity to increase his practical communicative skills. Reading passages of increasing length and difficulty present the student to the broad
    spectrum of Hispanic cultures. Dialogues and compositions allow the student to express his ideas creatively while reinforcing acquired vocabulary and grammar.
    Note: A student who has little or no language experience, but who demonstrated high aptitude on the entrance exam, may be invited into the Advanced Spanish 1 (Honors) program.

  • Chinese I (1)

    Chinese I introduces students to Mandarin, the standard language in China. Students begin with the Pinyin system of romanization to learn the pronunciation of Mandarin and will soon learn to write simplified characters. Students learn to communicate about topics such as getting to know
    each other, families, feelings, hobbies, the date and time, location, daily routines, shopping, school life and weather.
    The goal of this course is to develop communicative competency in listening, speaking, reading and writing skills at the elementary level. Chinese culture and history are woven into the language lessons to lend a sense of vitality.

  • Chinese I (H)

    Chinese I introduces students to Mandarin, the standard language in China. Students begin with the Pinyin system of romanization to learn the pronunciation of Mandarin and will soon learn to write simplified characters. Students learn to communicate about topics such as getting to know
    each other, families, feelings, hobbies, the date and time, location, daily routines, shopping, school life and weather.
    The goal of this course is to develop communicative competency in listening, speaking, reading and writing skills at the elementary level. Chinese culture and history are woven into the language lessons to lend a sense of vitality.

  • Chinese II (H)

    After the successful completion of Chinese J, Chinese II (H) continues students' study of the Pinyin system of Romanization. However, greater emphasis is now paid to the writing and reading, simplified characters and relying less on the help of Pinyin. More advanced topics such as food,
    sports, travel, going to a party, and renting an apartment are studied. The goal of this course is to develop accuracy in the fundamentals of Mandarin. Students accepted into the honors section must have a minimum A- average in
    Mandarin 1, and the recommendation of that teacher.

  • French I (1)

    This course is designed for those students who have had little or no background in French. A thorough introduction to situational vocabulary and basic grammatical concepts allows the student to develop his communicative skills in listening,
    speaking, reading, and writing. The student is introduced to the diversity of the Francophone world through cultural readings and audio/ visual materials. Dialogues, written and presented by students, provide the opportunity for creative and practical use of the acguired skills.

  • French I (H)

    This course taught primarily in French is designed for those students who have shown some background in French on the Language Placement Exam and who have demonstrated above average aptitude on the Entrance Exam. Following a thorough review of basic vocabulary and grammar, the course continues to develop situational vocabulary, to introduce more advanced grammar and to offer the student ample opportunity to increase his practical communicative skills. Reading passages of increasing length and difficulty present the student to the broad spectrum of Francophone cultures. Dialogues and compositions allow the student to express his ideas creatively while reinforcing acguired vocabulary and grammar.
    Note: A student who has little or no language experience, but who has demonstrated high aptitude on the Entrance Exam, may be invited into the Advanced French I (Honors) program.

  • French II (H)

    This course, taught primarily in French, is designed for those students who have mastered the major elements of either the Advanced French I or the Beginning French I curriculum. In French II, the student is presented with an in-depth review of the important structures and vocabulary of French I. Paired groupings, situational dialogues and audio/visual materials allow the student to develop his aural/oral proficiency. The course continues to develop all major tenses (simple and compound) of the indicative as well as to introduce some basic concepts of the subjunctive.
    Cultural readings introduce the diversity of the Francophone cultures. Compositions and dialogues provide the student the opportunity to express his ideas creatively and to reinforce his acquired vocabulary and grammar.

  • Spanish I (1)

    This course is designed for those students who have had little or no background in Spanish. A thorough introduction to situational vocabulary and basic grammatical concepts allows the student to develop his communicative skills in listening, speaking, reading and writing. The student is introduced to the diversity of the Hispanic world through cultural readings and audio/visual materials.
    Dialogues, written and presented by students, provide the opportunity for creative and practical use of the acquired skills.

  • Spanish II (H)

    This course, taught primarily in Spanish, is designed for those students who have mastered the major elements of either the Advanced Spanish I or the Beginning Spanish I curriculum. In Spanish II, the student is presented with an in-depth review of the important structures and vocabulary of Spanish I. Paired groupings, situational dialogues and audio/ visual materials allow the student to develop his aural/ oral proficiency. The course continues to present all major tenses (simple and compound) of the indicative, as well as to introduce some basic concepts of the subjunctive.
    Cultural readings introduce the diversity of the
    Hispanic cultures. Compositions and dialogues afford the
    student the opportunity to express his ideas creatively and
    to reinforce his acquired vocabulary and grammar.

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Saint John's High School

378 Main Street, Shrewsbury, MA 01545    (508) 842-8934
Saint John’s High School has educated young men under the sponsorship of the Xaverian Brothers since 1898. Through the Saint John’s strong college preparatory curriculum, over 900 students in grades seven through twelve pursue personal and intellectual growth in an environment that is committed to the development of the whole person and recognizes a moral dimension of life through service to God and to others.