Niskayuna Central School District > Academics > Niskayuna High School Program of Studies 2025-26 > NHS Program of Studies: World Language

NHS Program of Studies: World Language

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2022-23 Seal School, NYS Seal of Biliteracy New York State Seal of Biliteracy 2 Languages in addition to English 2022 New York State Seal of Biliteracy Veteran (5+ Years)

Modern: French, German, Spanish, Chinese Classical: Latin

The aim of instruction in modern languages is to provide increasing competence in listening, speaking, reading, writing and cultural understanding. To attain maximum skill development, students should plan a four-year high school sequence, after having completed Level I by the end of the eighth grade. Concurrent with the development of language skills, instruction will aim to provide cultural insight and understanding of other people, their land and geography, their history, their thought and action.

Please note:

  1. To qualify for a New York State Regents Diploma with Advanced Designation, students must pass the Regents equivalent Checkpoint B exam in a world language or complete a five-unit sequence in art, music or technology.
  2. New York State regulations require one high school credit in Languages Other Than English (LOTE) in order to graduate from high school. This credit may be earned via the Checkpoint A exam at the conclusion of grade 8, or by the successful completion of a Level I world language course at the high school.

Sequences in World Languages

Instruction in French and Spanish begins in grade 6 at the middle school, continues through grade 7, and is assessed at the end of Grade 8 using the Checkpoint A exam. Instruction in Chinese*, Latin and German begins in grade 9. Course offerings at the middle school include:

French 6 Spanish 6
French 7 Spanish 7
French I (Lang. 8) Spanish I (Lang. 8)

At the end of eighth grade instruction, teachers will recommend students for Language I, II R or II H.

Students who accept the Honors recommendation or elect to pursue Honors under the Open Enrollment Option should plan, with quality achievement, to remain in the Honors program during their high school years.

Placement for Freshmen or Beginning Students

Moving into grade 9, students will find the following courses available:

French I German I Spanish I Latin I Chinese I*
French IIR German II Spanish IIR Latin Accelerated I/II Chinese II*
French IIH German IIH Spanish II Chinese III*
German Accelerated I/II Chinese IV

*The Chinese IV Checkpoint B Exam (needed for Regents Diploma with Advanced Designation) will only be available if the Chinese IV course has sufficient enrollment to run.

The Language I course provides an entry level language course for students with no previous world language instruction and for those who did not successfully complete middle school Language I. It is also intended for students who want to begin an additional language or to change to a different language. Placement in Language II, as an introductory course, requires the approval of the department.

Checkpoint B Exam Information

The world language curriculum provides students with instruction over four years (Grades 8-11), in order to prepare them to take the Checkpoint B exam at the end of their junior year. While the New York State Education Department allows students to take the exam after their third year of instruction, typically their sophomore year, the department encourages all students to complete their four years of study for full preparation for the exam. Students who opt to take the exam after level III should be aware that they will be missing the instruction and review process planned during the fourth year of the course.

Courses offered in the high school program include:

  • Chinese I*, II*, III*, IV*
  • French I, II R, II H, III R, III H, IV R, IV H, V PR, V H
  • German I, II R, Accel I/II, II H, III R, III H, IV R, IV H, V PR, V H
  • Spanish I, II R, II H, III R, III H, IV R, IV H, V PR, V H
  • Latin I, II, Accel I/II, III, IV H, V H

R=Regents, H=Honors, PR=Post Regents, AP=Advanced Placement

The Regents equivalent Checkpoint B exam will be administered to all students at the completion of the Language IV R and IV H courses in French, German, Spanish, and Chinese and Latin III.

*The Chinese IV Checkpoint B Exam (needed for Regents Diploma with Advanced Designation) will only be available if the Chinese IV course has sufficient enrollment to run.

Honors Program

Honors courses in modern languages are offered in French, Spanish and German II, III, IV and V. In general, these classes meet basic course objectives and provide supplementary readings and provide greater opportunity for language usage and enrichment leading to a higher proficiency level. Students are recommended by their teachers for this program. Students who wish to pursue open enrollment for “Honors” after Level II should speak to their classroom teacher and then to the director of world language. Recommended preparation may include a study plan designed to facilitate a smooth transition into the Honors class.

World Language Courses

Modern Language Courses

Latin Courses

MODERN LANGUAGES

46100 CHINESE I*
41100 FRENCH I
42100 GERMAN I
43100 SPANISH I

1 year, 1 credit, Grade 9-12

This introductory course is organized around the communicative functions of socializing, providing and obtaining information, expressing personal feelings, and persuading. Emphasis will be given to listening and speaking. Reading and writing skills will also be developed. The topics of self, family and community, health and welfare, travel and leisure, meal taking and food, and shopping will be introduced. Grammatical structures, vocabulary and culture consistent with the NYS Syllabus at Checkpoint A will be presented.

*The Chinese IV Checkpoint B Exam (needed for Regents Diploma with Advanced Designation) will only be available if the Chinese IV course has sufficient enrollment to run.

42150 GERMAN I/II ACCELERATED H

1 year, 1 credit, Grade 9-12

Students will be able to complete two years of German during their first year of study. Successful completion of this course would allow them to register for German III. Communicative function, grammar and verb tenses will be stressed. Authentic materials will be used.

46200 CHINESE II*
41220 FRENCH II R
42220 GERMAN II R
43220 SPANISH II R

1 year, 1 credit, Grade 9-12

Students will continue to develop proficiency skills moving toward Checkpoint B, via the further development of the communicative functions. Topics will be expanded and treated in greater depth. The concept of tense will be developed and differentiated. Authentic materials will be used to increase reading and cultural comprehension.

*The Chinese IV Checkpoint B Exam (needed for Regents Diploma with Advanced Designation) will only be available if the Chinese IV course has sufficient enrollment to run.

41250 FRENCH II H
42250 GERMAN II H
43250 SPANISH II H

1 year, 1 credit, Grade 9-12

These are the first courses in the Honors sequence. They are designed for those students who have demonstrated the ability, motivation and work ethic required for a linguistic experience of greater depth and breadth. Basic course materials will be covered with greater expectations for student performance in the areas of speaking and writing. Reading texts and written assignments will be longer and more complex. The study of tenses will be more extensive, and authentic materials will be introduced.

46300 CHINESE III*
41320 FRENCH III R
42320 GERMAN III R
43320 SPANISH III R

1 year, 1 credit, Grades 10-12

Students will continue to develop understanding of the structure and the communicative functions of the target language. Additional verb tenses and sequencing will be included. Vocabulary and topics will be expanded. Students will learn to appreciate various aspects of target culture.

*The Chinese IV Checkpoint B Exam (needed for Regents Diploma with Advanced Designation) will only be available if the Chinese IV course has sufficient enrollment to run.

41350 FRENCH III H
42350 GERMAN III H
43350 SPANISH III H

1 year, 1 credit, Grade 10-12

Students will continue to explore topics in a more thorough manner. Emphasis will be on more sophisticated comprehension and use of language that will lead to greater proficiency in all communicative skills. Literary topics will be included. Various verb forms will be introduced and students will be expected to manipulate more complex vocabulary and structures. Projects will emphasize a higher skill level.

46300 CHINESE IV*
41420 FRENCH IV R
42420 GERMAN IV R
43420 SPANISH IV R

1 year, 1 credit, Grades 11-12

All four skill areas will continue to be developed and assessed. Presentations and projects in the target language will show more depth and complexity. Authentic materials will be used as the basis for listening, speaking, reading and writing. Speech samples will be longer, more detailed and more complex. All major tenses will be included. Examples from the literature and films of the target culture will be used. The final exam for this course marks the completion of Checkpoint B.

*The Chinese IV Checkpoint B Exam (needed for Regents Diploma with Advanced Designation) will only be available if the Chinese IV course has sufficient enrollment to run.

41450 FRENCH IV H
42450 GERMAN IV H
43450 SPANISH IV H

1 year, 1 credit, Grade 11-12

These courses will introduce additional literary topics. All major verb tenses will be presented. Writing and speaking will be of greater depth and complexity. Projects will continue to emphasize higher level skills and enrichment. Speech samples and authentic documents will be longer and more sophisticated. The Regents examination or Checkpoint B exam and a final project will be required at the end of this course.

41500 FRENCH V PR
42500 GERMAN V PR
43500 SPANISH V PR
(French & Spanish –University in the High School Program)

1 year, 1 credit, Grade 12

This post-Regents senior elective will allow students to enhance and maintain their linguistic and cultural skills. Contemporary documents and literature will be used to build skills at Checkpoint C. Emphasis will be given to the preparation of language projects to evaluate the development of Checkpoint C (post-Regents) proficiency. Students enrolled in this program will be able to earn three university credits via cross-registration with SCCC (French, Spanish).

41550 FRENCH V H
42550 GERMAN V H
43550 SPANISH V H
(French & Spanish – University in the High School Program)

1 year, 1 credit, Grade 12

Students enrolled in this program will be able to earn three university credits via cross registration with SCCC (French, Spanish). A college-level curriculum is followed that includes literature, contemporary language, film and culture. In addition, since learning standards for this level are commensurate with the skills required for success on the AP Examination in Language, students in language V H may register for this exam.

LATIN

The course of study in Latin will include audio-lingual work, grammar, reading, writing, translation and simple conversation. The language laboratory will be used occasionally in the Latin class. The course of study will strive to accomplish our stated objectives: (a) to acquire functional control of certain aspects of the Latin language; (b) to read Latin effectively with minimum reference to English; (c) to read literature in Latin with understanding and appreciation; (d) to situate the Latin language within the family of languages — especially with respect to English; (e) to understand the place of Rome in the Ancient World and in subsequent world history; (f) to gain insight into Roman civilization (including the legacy of Greece); and (g) to expand intellectual and esthetic horizons through literary and other experiences.

44100 LATIN I

1 year, 1 credit, Grades 9-12

The structure of Latin as a highly inflected language is introduced. Structure and vocabulary are introduced through readings in Latin drawn from material on everyday life of the Romans, mythology, legends and fables. Topics for study include a brief outline of Roman history, some geography in reference to principal places mentioned in readings, and Roman contributions in various fields such as architecture and government. Stress is placed on word study and on reading for general comprehension, as well as for exact content.

44220 LATIN II

1 year, 1 credit, Grades 10-12

Structure and vocabulary continue to be introduced through reading. Readings, primarily in Latin, cover the periods from the mythological and legendary origins of Rome through the historically documented period of the second century B.C. and later. Students read other supplementary material on related topics as interest and time dictate. Work on word study and comprehension continues.

44150 LATIN ACCELERATED I/II H

1 year, 1 credit, Grades 9-12

Selected students would be able to complete two years of Latin during their first year of study. Successful completion of this course would allow them to register for Latin III. They would then be eligible for Latin IV H as the post-Regents course.

44350 LATIN III

1 year, 1 credit, Grades 10-12

Work on structure, vocabulary, word study and Roman civilization continues as students prepare for the Checkpoint B examination. A major focus is placed upon analyzing passages in Latin for content and syntax. Students will exhibit their knowledge of the impact of the Latin language and Roman civilization as they relate to the modern world.

44450 LATIN IV H (University in the High School Program)

1 year, 1 credit, Grades 11-12

Students enrolled in this program will be able to earn three university credits via cross registration with SUNY Albany. A college-level curriculum consisting of authentic materials from ancient authors will be studied. This post-Regents class will allow students to enhance and maintain their linguistic and cultural skills as well as relate the ancient world to that of modern day through projects, art, music and discussion.

44450 LATIN V H (University in the High School Program)

1 year, 1 credit, Grades 11-12

This is the second year of a college-level Latin curriculum consisting of authentic materials from ancient authors. This post-Regents class will allow students to enhance and maintain their linguistic and cultural skills as well as relate the ancient world to that of modern day through projects, art, music and discussion. Students enrolled in this program will be able to earn three university credits via cross registration with SUNY Albany.

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