World Languages and Multilingual Learners

Welcome to the MHS World Languages Department!

World language students will develop skills to learn about and communicate with people of other cultures in a variety of settings.  They will be able to compare and contrast different perspectives and participate in the global community.  Students will work towards the World-Readiness Standards (ACTFL) in Spanish, Spanish for Heritage Learners, French, and French Heritage Learners.  Authentic images, audio, video, music, and literature will be used to develop interpretive skills and understanding of cultural perspectives.

We offer courses in the following:

French

French for Heritage Learners

Spanish

Spanish for Heritage Learners

Welcome to the MHS Multilingual Learners Department!

Our staff supports our bilingual and multilingual students throughout their pursuit of English language proficiency. No matter when students join us on their educational journey, we want to put our students at ease and give them a sense of safety and belonging while they are here. 

Our teachers strive to provide students with a balance of English language instruction that develops students’ listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills, as well as offer various content-area curriculum that is age- and skill-appropriate, culturally relevant, timely, and engaging. We encourage our multilingual students to continue developing their home language literacy skills while learning English so that they may stay connected with their communities and remain active participants on a global scale.

FRENCH HERITAGE LEARNERS - BEGINNING - GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION:  This course is designed for students who speak and write French but wish to improve their ability to read and write the language.  Culture, history, and literature of the French-speaking world are interwoven throughout the course.  (ST# 06126A000)

FRENCH 1 - GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION:  The purpose of this course is to acquaint the student with a beginning French vocabulary, accurate pronunciation, and the basic principles of French grammar.  The student will develop a balanced amount of the four skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing.  Culture is interwoven with language development.  Daily class work, regular attendance, and active participation are required for successful completion of this course.  (ST# 06121A000)

FRENCH 2 - GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION:  The second year of French reviews and builds on concepts mastered in French 1.  Vocabulary development increases rapidly.  The student learns new grammar concepts and verb tenses that are integrated into speaking, listening, reading, and writing activities.  Short readings in French focus on geography, history, and culture in the French-speaking world.  During this second year of the language, the student will be required to use the four basic language skills in a more complex manner.   (ST# 06122A000)

FRENCH 3 - GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION:  This course provides a thorough review of vocabulary and language patterns introduced in French 1 and French 2.  Advanced grammar concepts are incorporated as well.  Culturally-based readings and studies are interwoven throughout the course, providing for growth in vocabulary and further development of the four essential language skills.  Most of the class is conducted in French.  (ST# 06123A000)

FRENCH 4 - GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION:  This course is an intense review and enhancement of the four essential language skills.  Students are expected to read, write, listen, and speak with an increased mastery of French.  Students will read, discuss, and write about various works of French literature.  Students are also expected to comprehend French as spoken by native speakers of the French-speaking world.  Culture is integrated throughout the course.  The class is conducted in French.  (ST# 06124A000)

AP FRENCH - GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION: The AP French course emphasizes interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational communication in real-life situations.  To best facilitate the study of language and culture, the course is taught exclusively in French.  The AP French Language and Culture course engages students in an exploration of culture in both contemporary and historical contexts.  The course develops students' awareness and appreciation of cultural products, practices, and perspectives. (ST# 06132A000)

SPANISH HERITAGE LEARNERS - BEGINNING - GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION:  This course is designed for students who speak and write Spanish but wish to improve their ability to read and write the language.  Culture, history, and literature of the Spanish-speaking world are interwoven throughout the course.  (ST# 06106A000)

SPANISH HERITAGE LEARNERS - INTERMEDIATE - GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION:  This course is designed for students who speak and write Spanish but wish to improve their ability to read and write the language.  This course reviews and builds upon the grammar and writing skills acquired in the level one course.  A more advanced study of the culture, history, and literature of the Spanish-speaking world will be interwoven throughout the course.  Students will improve their reading skills in Spanish and learn more about the cultures of Spanish-speaking people.  Enrollment in this course is open to students who have successfully completed Spanish Heritage Learners Beginning or to those who get department chair approval. Please note that students who may be admitted into this course without previously being enrolled in the Spanish Heritage Learners Beginning or Spanish Heritage Learners Intermediate courses will not receive credit for those courses (ST# 06106A00)

SPANISH HERITAGE LEARNERS - ADVANCED - GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION:  This course is designed for students who speak and write Spanish and wish to continue to improve their ability to read and write the language.  This course reviews and builds upon the grammar and writing skills acquired in the level 2 course.  Special emphasis will be placed on writing and reading.  The course will also highlight the influences that history and culture have on present day Hispanic societies.  Enrollment in this course is open to students who have successfully completed Spanish Heritage Learners Intermediate or to those who get departmental approval.  Please note that students who may be admitted into this course without previously being enrolled in the Spanish Heritage Learners Beginning or Spanish Heritage Learners Intermediate courses will not receive credit for those courses.(ST#06106A00)

SPANISH 1 - GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION:  The purpose of this course is to acquaint the student with a beginning Spanish vocabulary, accurate pronunciation, and the basic principles of Spanish grammar.  The student will develop a balanced amount of the four skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing.  Culture is interwoven with language development.  Daily class work, regular attendance, and active participation are required for successful completion of this course.  (ST# 06101A000)

SPANISH 2 - GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION:  The second year of Spanish reviews and builds on concepts mastered in Spanish 1.  Vocabulary development increases rapidly.  The student learns new grammar concepts and verb tenses that are integrated into speaking, listening, reading, and writing activities.  Short readings in Spanish focus on geography, history, and culture in the Spanish-speaking world.  During this second year of the language, the student will be required to use the four basic language skills in a more complex manner.  (ST# 06102A000)

SPANISH 3 - GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION:  This course provides a thorough review of vocabulary and language patterns introduced in Spanish I and Spanish 2.  Advanced grammar concepts are incorporated as well.  Culturally-based readings and studies are interwoven throughout the course, providing for growth in vocabulary and further development of the four essential language skills.  Much of the class is conducted in Spanish.  (ST# 06103A000)

SPANISH 4 - GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION:  This course is an intense review and enhancement of the four essential language skills.  Students are expected to read, write, and speak with an increased mastery of Spanish.  Students will read, discuss, and write about various works of literature of the Spanish-speaking world.  They are also expected to comprehend Spanish as spoken by native speakers.  Culture is integrated throughout the course.  Most of the class is conducted in Spanish.  (ST# 06104A000)

AP SPANISH - GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION:  The AP Spanish course emphasizes interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational communication in real-life situations.  To best facilitate the study of language and culture, the course is taught almost exclusively in Spanish.  The AP Spanish Language and Culture course engages students in an exploration of culture in both contemporary and historical contexts.  The course develops student's awareness and appreciation of cultural products, practices, and perspectives. (ST# 06112A000)

BEGINNING  - GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION:  This class focuses on beginning English oral and written skills.  Students will learn to communicate concrete information in the past, present and future.  Beginning sentence and paragraph writing will be stressed.  Reading instruction will emphasize survey reading and strategies for reading texts.  (ST# 01008A000)

INTERMEDIATE - GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION:  This class focuses on the use of English in an academic setting.  Students will write five paragraph themes and present oral reports.  Students will study American literature as well as advanced grammar and sentence structure.  (ST# 01008A000)

ADVANCED - GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION:  This class focuses on the development of expressing abstract thought both orally and in writing.  Students will study world literature and write themes.  A creative English writing component is incorporated into this course.  (ST# 01008A000)

EL/READING SKILLS - GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION:  This course will support students in their content area while reinforcing strategies in vocabulary and comprehension.  The course includes individual assessment and some computer work. Prerequisites:  EL placement.  (ST# 01067A000)

EL/AMERICAN GOVERNMENT - GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION:  This course will examine the historical evolution of the fundamental principles of American government, including federalism, and balanced government.  Special emphasis is placed on the rights and responsibilities of U.S. citizens under the Constitution.  Political parties, lawmaking, the electoral process, campaigns and elections and the American legal system are some of the units of study.  (ST# 04151A000)

EL/AMERICAN HISTORY - GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION:  This class covers American history from early inhabitants of the Americas to the present.  Special emphasis will be placed on the contributions of all citizens to the rich historical tapestry of the United States and how US actions have impacted the world as a whole.  (ST# 04149A000)

EL/CORE ALGEBRA I - GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION:  This course consists of general Algebraic topics, focusing on selected freshmen-level skill sets.  Various types of equations are solved, graphed & applied.  Exponential, rational and radical expressions are simplified and evaluated.  Students will need a scientific calculator.  (ST# 02051A000)

EL/WORLD CULTURES - GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION:  World Cultures introduces students to the full scope of social studies areas.  This class will highlight world cultures and geography of both Western and non-Western countries.  Family organizations, religion, economic life, political trends, and cultural contributions are given special attention.  (ST# 04061A000)

EL/PROBLEMS & ISSUES - GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION:  Students will investigate important national and international problems, events and controversies that dominate the headlines.  Students will become more informed of the world around them and will learn techniques for analyzing the news.  Students should be prepared to take an active role in class discussions and work on technology-based projects.  (ST#04106A000)