World Languages
The Schreiber World Language program offers students the opportunity to continue their study of the language begun in the Middle School and/or to begin a new language. Students must earn one credit of World Language to graduate from high school as per the New York State Department of Education. Students may earn an Advanced Regents Diploma by completing a three- unit “Regents” sequence in a world language and passing the FLACS B Exam (formerly known as the Language Regents Exam). The courses are still entitled “Regents” or “R” since the State still recognizes them as such.
The FLACS B Exam is recognized as an official exam by the New York State Education Department and serves as a pathway for an Advanced Regents Diploma. Students are encouraged to take a second and possibly a third world language. For students continuing consecutively beyond Regents level through senior year, either in the same or a second language, a Diploma with Distinction in World Language will be awarded.
Juniors and Seniors that are enrolled in Honors level or AP courses have the option to apply for credits through the St. John’s College Advantage Program. Students have the opportunity to earn up to 12 college credits currently at a nominal fee of $325.00 for 3 credits. Students must meet the criteria set forth by St. John’s before completing the online application which are transferable to many American universities and colleges. Students should check with individual universities and colleges to check transferability.
FRENCH COURSES
FRENCH 2**
Prerequisite: French 1
A continuation of French 1, this course will further develop the four skills and will provide students with the opportunity to broaden their vocabulary.
FRENCH 3 REGENTS**
Term: Full Year
Prerequisite: French 2
Students in this course will build further upon the skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing acquired in the first two levels in order to be able to read French without translating, write short compositions, comprehend spoken French designed for their level of comprehension and speak with some facility. Students taking this course will be prepared for and required to take the FLACS Checkpoint B (Regents) in June.
FRENCH 3 HONORS**
Term: Full Year
Prerequisite: French 2 plus teacher recommendation
Speaking, listening, reading and writing assignments in this Honors course will prepare students for further advanced Honors work. More advanced readings and use of grammatical structures will be expected. Final evaluation of students will be based upon the required FLACS Checkpoint B (Regents) and appropriate Honors assessments.
ADVANCED FRENCH CIVILIZATION AND CULTURE**
Term: Full Year
Prerequisite: French 3 Regents, French 3 Honors or Advanced French Language
For the student who wants to continue the study of French language, culture and civilization through the medium of films, newspapers, internet, and literature.
(NOT offered 2022-23)
Note: Upon completion of this class, a student, with the teacher’s recommendation, may take Advanced French Language.
(Offered 2023-2024)
ADVANCED FRENCH LANGUAGE**
Term: Full Year
Prerequisite: French 3 Regents, 3 Honors or Advanced French Civilization and Culture.
For the student who wants to continue the study of French language through the use of the four basic skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. Concentration will focus especially on preparing the student to deal with the written expression at an advanced level.
(NOT offered 2023-24)
Note: Upon completion of this class, a student, with the teacher’s recommendation, may take Advanced French Civilization and Culture.
ADVANCED FRENCH 4 HONORS**
Term: Full Year
Prerequisite: French 3 Honors and / or teacher recommendation.
For the student who wants to continue the study of French language and francophone cultures through the medium of films, newspapers, internet and literature at an in-depth and accelerated pace. Its aim is to prepare students to deal with written as well as oral expressions at an advanced level. This course is a prerequisite for entrance into Advanced Placement French Language & Culture the subsequent year.
AP FRENCH LANGUAGE AND CULTURE**
Term: Full Year
Prerequisite: French Culture & Civilization Honors or Advanced French Language Honors
Students may take this course at the conclusion of a departmentally approved sequence of French courses. Admittance will be based on the following criteria: teacher recommendation and successful completion of French Civilization & Culture Honors or Advanced French Language Honors.
The Advanced Placement Program in French is designed for students who have advanced language skills. Preparation for the AP examination will stress grammar, syntax, style, composition and culture. All students will take the AP exam in May.
Students may earn up to 6 credits at St. John’s University upon payment of a reduced tuition and successful completion of the course.
INTENSIVE FRENCH**
Term: Full Year
Prerequisite: Completion of a Regents sequence or a concurrent registration in a different language.
An intensive course in French stressing the four language skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. The work will include the material from level 1 and level 2. This course will prepare the students to continue to level 3 Regents or 3 Honors depending upon the teacher’s recommendation. (2 credits will be given) (Offered 2023-2024).
ITALIAN COURSES
ITALIAN 1**
Term: Full Year
If you have not studied Italian before or if you wish to add a second foreign language sequence to your program, this beginning course concentrates on the four basic language skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing.
ITALIAN 2**
Term: Full Year
Prerequisite: Italian 1
This course is a continuation of Italian 1 giving the opportunity to practice and improve skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing.
ITALIAN 3 REGENTS**
Term: Full Year
Prerequisite: Italian 2
Students in this course will build further upon the listening, speaking, reading and writing skills acquired in the first two levels in order to be able to read Italian, write short compositions, comprehend spoken Italian designed for the level of comprehension and speak with some fluency. Students taking the course will be prepared to take the required FLACS Checkpoint B (Regents) examination in June which will also serve as the final exam of this course.
ITALIAN 3 HONORS**
Term: Full year
Prerequisite: Italian 2 plus teacher recommendation. Speaking, listening, reading and writing assignments in the Honors course will prepare students for further advanced Honors work. More advanced readings and use of grammatical structures will be expected. Final evaluation of students will be based upon the required FLACS checkpoint B (Regents) exam and appropriate assessments.
ADVANCED ITALIAN LANGUAGE**
Term: Full Year
Prerequisite: Italian 3 Regents, 3 Honors or Advanced Italian Civilization and Culture
For the student who wants to continue the study of the Italian Language through the use of the four basic skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. Concentration will focus especially on preparing the student to deal with written and oral expressions at an advanced level.
(NOT offered 2023-24)
Note: After completion of this class, students will have the option to take Advanced Italian Civilization and Culture.
ADVANCED ITALIAN CIVILIZATION & CULTURE**
Term: Full Year
Prerequisite: Italian 3 Regents, 3 Honors or Advanced Italian Language
For the student who wants to continue the study of the Italian language, culture and civilization through the medium of films, newspapers, internet, and literature.
(Offered 2023-2024)
Note: Upon completion of this class, a student, with the teacher’s recommendation, may take Advanced Italian Language.
PLEASE NOTE THAT ADVANCED ITALIAN CIVILIZATION & CULTURE & ADVANCED ITALIAN LANGUAGE ARE OFFERED ALTERNATE YEARS.
ADVANCED ITALIAN 4 HONORS**
Term: Full Year
Prerequisite: Italian 3 Honors and / or teacher recommendation
For the student who wants to continue the study of Italian language and culture through the medium of films, newspapers, internet and literature at an in-depth and accelerated pace. Its aim is to prepare students to deal with written as well as oral expressions at an advanced level. This course is a prerequisite for entrance into Advanced Placement Italian Language & Culture the subsequent year.
AP ITALIAN LANGUAGE & CULTURE **
Term: Full Year
Prerequisite: Admittance will be based on the following criteria: teacher recommendation and successful completion of Advanced Italian Language Honors or Advanced Italian Civilization and Culture Honors Students may take this course at the conclusion of a departmentally approved sequence of Italian courses. Admittance will be based on the following criteria: teacher recommendation and successful completion of Italian Civilization & Culture Honors or Advanced Italian Language Honors.
The Advanced Placement Program in Italian is designed for students who have advanced language skills. Preparation for the AP examination will stress grammar, syntax, style, composition and culture. All students will take the AP exam in May.
Students may earn up to 6 credits at St. John’s University upon payment of tuition and successful completion of the course.
LATIN COURSES
LATIN 2**
Term: Full Year
Prerequisite: Latin 1
Latin 2 is designed to follow Latin 1 studies. These students, at the completion of Latin 2 would enter a Regents level of study. Geography of the Roman World, prominent historical characters from Roman history, and a continuing emphasis on culture will be targeted in this course. Students will build their understanding of Latin Grammar. Skills of translation will be learned. Comprehension skills will be developed via the reading method. The opportunity to take the National Latin Exam will be given to students in March. Emphasis will be placed on the relationship between English and Latin in preparation for the upcoming SAT’s.
INTENSIVE LATIN**
Term: Full Year
Prerequisite: Completion of a Regents sequence or a concurrent registration in a different language.
This course will focus on vocabulary building and grammar structure as each relates to the English language. Mythology, culture and history will be intertwined with language study. The 12 Olympians, (Greek and Roman names) along with associated myths will be covered. The city life of Rome, e.g....., Circus Maximus, Coliseum, the forum, Palatine Hill, Tiber River, Appian Way. Geography of the Roman world, prominent historical characters from Roman history and continuing emphasis on culture will be targeted in this course. Students will build their understanding of Latin grammar. Skills of translation will be learned. Comprehension skills will be developed via the reading method. The opportunity to take the National Latin Exam will be given to students in March. At course completion, the students will be able to go on to level 3
Regents. (2 credits will be given) (NOT offered 2023-24)
LATIN 3 REGENTS**
Term: Full Year
Prerequisite: Latin 2
Students will expand upon their knowledge of Latin grammar by understanding forms in context. Students will read original Latin texts which may include Cicero, Sallust, Pliny and Livy. Emphasis will be given to the study of late Republican history. Cultural information dealing with the military and political lives of the Romans will be a focus. An expanded list of Latin expressions, mottos and abbreviations will be learned, along with mythological stories. The required FLACS B (Regents) exam will be given at the end of this course and will count as the final examination.
Students who are planning to take Latin AP examination may use this course as one of the prerequisites along with Latin Literature for admission into the AP Virgil. Students who are willing to do honors level work may apply for Honor Status at the beginning of the course in order to assist them in preparing for the rigorous AP course.
Students taking the course must take the required FLACS Checkpoint B (Regents) examination in June.
LATIN LITERATURE: PROSE**
Term: Full Year
Prerequisite: Latin 3 Regents and a passing grade on the FLACS B (Regents) examination
Students will read selections from Caesar’s De Bello Gallico and from Livy’s Ab Urbe Condita. Students will gain the skills in this course to write literal translations, to comment on figures of speech used by the author, to discuss the evolution of classical literature, and to discuss motifs and themes used by a particular author. Students may use this course as one of the prerequisites for their admission into AP Latin or go into Latin Literature: Poetry.
(Offered 2023-2024)
LATIN LITERATURE: POETRY**
Term: Full Year
Prerequisite: Latin 3 Regents and a passing grade on the FLACS B (Regents) or equivalent. Students may take this course at the conclusion of a departmental approved sequence of Latin courses. Admittance will be based on the following criteria: teacher recommendation and successful completion of Latin 3.
Students will read selections from Vergil’s Aeneid and from Catullus’s poems. Students will gain the skills in this course to write literal translations, to comment on figures of speech used by the author, to discuss the evolution of classical literature, and to discuss motifs and themes used by a particular author. Students may use this course as one of the prerequisites for their admission into the AP Vergil. Those students who are willing to complete honors level work may apply for honor status at the beginning of the course in order to prepare them for the rigorous AP course. Students need to apply for the honor’s option in order to be considered for AP Latin. Students may earn up to 6 credits at St. John’s University upon payment of a reduced tuition and successful completion of the course.
(NOT offered 2023-2024)
AP LATIN**
Term: Full Year
Prerequisite: Students may take this course at the conclusion of a departmentally approved sequence of Latin courses. Admittance will be based on the following criteria: teacher recommendation and successful completion of Latin Literature.
Students will read both the epic, Aeneid as well as Caesar’s De Bello Gallico. Critical appreciation of both works will involve being able to translate literally, to analyze, to interpret, and to scan dactylic hexameter. Students will become familiar with pertinent cultural, social and political history and the study of ancient poetry and prose as literary genres. Analogies will be highlighted from Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey. The geography and archaeological studies from these works will also be explored. This is an Advanced Placement course and students must sit for the AP exam.
Students may apply for up to 6 credits from St. John’s University.
SPANISH COURSES
SPANISH 1B**
Term: Full Year
This is a beginning course whose aim is to introduce students to the Spanish language. This course is designed for the student who might have had previous difficulty with the study of Spanish or other world languages. The pace of the course is slower with more reinforcement of grammatical concepts than Spanish 1A. Students will learn Spanish grammar and culture as they develop communication skills. Upon completion of this course, students will go into Spanish 2B.
SPANISH 1A**
Term: Full Year
This is a beginning course whose aim is to introduce students to the Spanish language. Students will learn Spanish grammar and culture at a quicker pace than those in Spanish 1B. Students will develop advanced communication skills in preparation for Spanish 2A the subsequent year. This course is ideal for those students with a strong academic background as well as those who formally study or have studied another World Language.
(Upon completion of this course, students will go into Spanish 2A).
SPANISH 2A**
Term: Full Year
Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation
This course is for students who began studying Spanish in the 6th grade at Weber and were recommended by their 8th grade teacher. Upon completion of this course, students will go into 3 Regents, unless they need remedial work. Students will develop their listening, reading, writing and speaking skills. Exceptional students, with teacher recommendation, will be placed into Spanish 3H. Students in this course read some excerpts and study vocabulary that is important for the AP literature examination.
SPANISH 2B **
Term: Full Year
This course is for students, who began studying Spanish in the 7th or 8th grade in Weber, or students who did not attend Weber and those who have completed Spanish 1 at Schreiber. Students who had difficulty with Spanish in 8th grade may also go into 2B.
Upon completion of this course, 2B students will be placed into Spanish 3, hence allowing them an additional year to prepare for the FLACS exam (former language Regents). In those cases when a teacher believes that a student’s grades and ability would allow them to continue their study of Spanish at a more accelerated pace, teachers might recommend that a student be placed in Spanish 3 Regents with a Lab. It is mandatory that students who go to Spanish 3R from Spanish 2B take the Lab course in conjunction with Spanish 3R. The two extra days of Spanish study per cycle will enable students to bridge the year’s gap of information that they would have done in Spanish 3.
INTENSIVE SPANISH 2 & 3 **
Goals of the Course: First course in a four-year sequence for accelerated students of Spanish who will start an in-depth preparation for subsequent year’s Accelerated AP Spanish Language and Culture course.
Term: Full Year
Prerequisite: An entrance exam and department recommendation is required. Students must be proficient in the Spanish language as the class will be conducted entirely in Spanish.
This course is geared toward those students who are highly proficient in the Spanish Language and will take the Accelerated AP Spanish Language and Culture course the subsequent year. This two-credit course is a combination of two courses that constitute the second and third year of Advanced Spanish instruction. This will enable students to complete a second Spanish AP course in Literature during their senior year; hence, affording them the opportunity of receiving six AP Spanish credits during their High School career. The students enrolled in this course will have ample opportunities to further improve their proficiency skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The course will be conducted entirely in Spanish and it will follow the thematic units established by the College Board.
SPANISH 3 REGENTS **
Term: Full Year
Prerequisite: Spanish 2A
Students in this course will build further upon the listening, speaking, reading and writing skills acquired in the first two levels in order to be able to read Spanish, write short compositions, comprehend spoken Spanish designed for the level of comprehension and speak with some fluency. Students taking the course will be prepared to take the required FLACS Checkpoint B (Regents) examination in June which will also serve as the final exam of this course.
SPANISH LAB
Term: Full Year
Prerequisite: Department recommendation
Students coming from 2B will receive additional support by working to improve skills such as reading, writing, listening, and speaking. This course is required for students coming from 2B and taking 3 Regents. It meets two days out of the six-day cycle. The grade received in this course accounts for twenty-five percent of the 3 Regents’ grade.
SPANISH 3 HONORS **
Term: Full Year
Prerequisite: Spanish 2A and teacher recommendation
Speaking, listening, reading and writing assignments in this Honors course will prepare students for further advanced Honors work. More advanced readings and use of grammatical structures will be expected. Final evaluation of students will be based upon the FLACS Checkpoint B and appropriate Honors assessments. Students in this course read literary works from the Spanish AP Literature and Culture Curriculum and study vocabulary that is important for the AP literature curriculum.
SPANISH 3 **
Term: Full Year
Prerequisite: Spanish 2
Students in this course will postpone the taking of the Regents examination for an additional year and thus will be able to focus on developing their listening, speaking, reading and writing skills.
SPANISH 4 REGENTS **
Term: Full Year
Prerequisite: Spanish 3
Students will prepare to take the FLACS B examination through the study of grammar. They will also read and discuss essays and short stories. Emphasis will be placed on writing short compositions and building vocabulary, as well as listening and speaking skills. Students taking this course will be prepared to take the required FLACS B examination in June.
ADVANCED SPANISH COMMUNICATION **
Term: Full Year
Grade: 12
Prerequisite: Successful completion of 3 Regents / 4 Regents
For students who enjoy the spoken language. Emphasis will center on everyday practical Spanish through various activities such as typical day to day situations, current events, and cooking. The four skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) will be developed and enhanced through various media such as periodicals, film, readers and interactive websites. In addition, students will acquire a basic knowledge of Spanish culture.
ADVANCED VARIEDADES **
Term: Full Year
Grade: 11
Prerequisite: Successful completion of 3 Regents / 4 Regents
A variety of short stories and short writings will be read as well as some plays, short novels, poetry and films will be used as the basis for discussions and writing in Spanish. This course offers the opportunity to discuss literature, films, music and culture while continuing to develop their writing, reading and speaking skills.
ADVANCED SPANISH 4 HONORS - Literature **
Term: Full Year
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Regents 3 Honors and teacher recommendation
Novels, short stories and plays will be read and discussed in Spanish. Films will be used as well as trips to the Spanish Repertory Theatre in Manhattan. The four skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing correctly will be emphasized as well as good insights into Spanish/Latin American culture and more. Students will be introduced to authors such as: Marquez, Unamuno, Lorca and others. Students will develop their reading and writing and fine tune their speaking skills. This course will be the first year of a two-year sequence in preparation for the AP Spanish Literature examination. Students will continue to read works set forth by the AP curriculum, which began in 3 Honors.
Students may earn up to 6 credits at St. John’s University upon payment of a reduced tuition and successful completion of the course.
ADVANCED SPANISH 4 HONORS - Language **
Term: Full Year
Prerequisite: Spanish 3 Regents or Spanish 3 Honors and department recommendation
For the student who wants to continue the study of the Spanish language, culture and civilization through the medium of films, newspapers, internet, and literature while continuing to improve the four language skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. This course is a prerequisite for students who plan to take the Advanced Placement Spanish Language and Culture course in their senior year. It will begin to introduce the thematic units as set forth by the College Board as to aid students to prepare for the vigorous AP Language & Culture Exam at the end of the subsequent year.
Students may earn up to 6 credits at St. John’s University upon payment of a reduced tuition and successful completion of the course.
AP SPANISH LITERATURE & CULTURE**
Prerequisite: Spanish 4 Honors. Students may take this course at the conclusion of a departmentally approved sequence of Spanish courses. Admittance will be based on the following criteria: teacher recommendation and successful completion of Spanish 4 Honors.
The remaining works of the literature established by the AP curriculum that were started at the 3 Honors level will be covered. An overall review of the entire AP Literature syllabus will be given. The class will review all past works done and required for the AP examination. When available, films will be used as well as field trips to assist the review process. A focus will also be given to practice poetic analysis. All this will be done in preparation for the AP examination given in May. The AP Examination is required.
Students may earn up to 6 credits at St. John’s University upon payment of reduced tuition and successful completion of the course.
AP SPANISH LANGUAGE & CULTURE **
Term: Full Year
Prerequisite: Admittance will be based on the following criteria: teacher recommendation and successful completion of Advanced Spanish Language & Civilization Honors.
Students may take this course at the conclusion of a departmentally approved sequence of Spanish courses. Admittance will be based on the following criteria: teacher recommendation and successful completion of Advanced Spanish Language & Civilization Honors.
The Advanced Placement Program in Spanish is designed for students who have advanced language skills. Preparation for the AP examination will stress grammar, syntax, style, composition and culture. All students will take the AP exam in May.
Students may earn up to 6 credits at St. John’s University upon payment of tuition and successful completion of the course.
ACCELERATED AP SPANISH LANGUAGE & CULTURE **
Term: Full year
Prerequisite: Intensive Spanish II and III.
This course is offered to students that are highly proficient in the Spanish language and that have fulfilled the prerequisite of Intensive Spanish II and III. This course will continue to afford students the opportunity to become proficient in the Spanish language by addressing the four major skills: speaking, listening, reading and writing. The course will be conducted entirely in Spanish and it will follow the six thematic units presented in the AP Language curriculum. The course will address higher levels of syntax and vocabulary while making connections and comparisons between the native and target language. The course will prepare students to take the AP Language and Culture Exam at the end of the school year. By taking this course in the sophomore year, students will be able to continue their Spanish education and prepare the students to take a second AP course in Literature in their senior year.
SENIOR EXPERIENCE - MULTICULTURAL COMPARATIVE LANGUAGE & FILM STUDY
Term: Full Year
Grade 12 only
Prerequisite: NONE
This course is designed for students who are interested in exploring and comparing diverse cultures and practices through the world of film. This course will aim to analyze various themes and how they are treated within different societies. Students will also be provided an opportunity to examine language and its etymology. This course is part of the Senior Experience Program.
*This course meets to NYC Music/Art graduation requirements
** This course approved by the NCAA