World Language

Name	Position
Danae Clohan	Spanish 1B ALD 6th, 7th & 8th Grade EL Coordinator
Eva Trockel	Spanish 1A 6th & 8th Grade Spanish Immersion Bridge
Teresa Nino Oliva	7th Grade Spanish Immersion Bridge
Alice Lung	Mandarin 1A & 1B Mandarin Immersion Bridge
Serina Nakazawa	Japanese 1A & 1B
Christy Resinger	French 1A & 1B

Five modern languages are currently available to students – Mandarin Chinese, French, German, Japanese, and Spanish, as well as Spanish and Mandarin Immersion.

The number of students enrolled will determine which class ultimately will be available. With a pre-enrollment of at least 24 students, beginning language courses (the 1A series) will be offered. As soon as course requests are tallied, students will be notified in the event the language they have requested will not be taught at their school of attendance. It is therefore helpful for students to list a first and second choice when selecting a language to study.

Each world language course develops self confidence through the study of a second language and fosters an appreciation for that language and culture. In selecting a language, students should be guided primarily by their own interests. Capable students who wish to study more than one language at a time may do so. Homework in world language classes may be assigned Monday-Thursday.

Seventh graders enroll in the course numbered 1A. In the eighth grade, they continue with the course numbered 1B. This two-year sequence in middle school is equivalent to the first year of high school study. In other words, one year of world language at the middle school level covers the curriculum of and is considered the equivalent to one semester of world language at the high school level.

The district guarantees a sequence of three levels in each language, but the district does not guarantee offering all languages at all middle schools or both high schools. There is a two- year graduation requirement in PAUSD high schools. However, three years are recommended to the UC system.

General Course Description

Students of Mandarin Chinese, French, German, Japanese, and Spanish will develop growing proficiency in four skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing, and gain understanding of the structure of the language appropriate to the level of instruction. They will also gain a familiarity and appreciation of the culture of the linguistic community. Students will have opportunities to participate in diverse cultural/enrichment activities including art, food and celebrating special holidays. Students that begin their language study at the middle school level have a real opportunity to develop native like pronunciation and a solid foundation in grammar. Students are able to spend time acquiring important verbal skills as they participate in a variety of activities: skits, dialogs, interviews, video clips, etc. Please note that language classes are taught in the target language. Teachers do their best to provide instruction in the target language to provide as much an immersion experience in the target language as possible.

Please note:
The Japanese writing systems (Higana and Katakana) are introduced gradually during the first year course and Kanji (Chinese characters) throughout the year.

French 1A French 1B*
Japanese 1A Japanese 1B*
Mandarin Chinese 1A Mandarin Chinese 1B*
Spanish 1A Spanish 1B*
German 1A

*Prerequisite Required
**Prerequisite and/or Application Required

Spanish and Mandarin Bridge Immersion Slides

Spanish Bridge 6 - Mandarin Bridge 6

In 6th grade, Bridge is offered as a literacy enrichment class in the target language that will be offered for one period during the students’ 5-period core (covering Math, Science, English/Language Arts, and History/Social Studies). Interactive strategies such as drama, simulations, field trips, guest speakers, and collaborative projects may be used to provide a language-rich experience, with a focus on students’ communication skills in listening, reading, speaking, and writing, as well as cultural literacy. Students will be expected to communicate in target language at all times in this course, with the instructor as well as among peers.

Spanish Bridge 7 - Mandarin Bridge 7

In 7th grade, Bridge continues as a literacy enrichment class in the target language. Interactive strategies such as drama, simulations, field trips, guest speakers, and collaborative projects may be used to provide a language-rich experience, building on the students’ experiences in Immersion 6 with an added emphasis on increasing their literary skills. Students will be expected to communicate in the target language at all times in this course, with the instructor as well as among peers.

Spanish Bridge 8 - Mandarin Bridge 8

In 8th grade, Bridge at Greene transitions to a more conventional language class. Increasing emphasis is placed on the language structures covered in the high school courses. However, students will continue to be engaged through interactive strategies and simulations that provide rich communication and cultural experiences in the target language. As always, students will be expected to communicate in the target language at all times in this course. Students exiting the middle school grade 8 class should be prepared to enter Spanish 3, Spanish 3 Honors, or Chinese 3.

Student Outcomes

Listening: To understand the language as it is spoken by a native speaker at a normal conversational rate with the vocabulary and grammatical structures appropriate to the level of instruction.
Speaking: To communicate with reasonable fluency in real life situations at a level commensurate with the vocabulary and structure appropriate to the level of instruction.
Reading: To read materials appropriate to the level of instruction; both silently and aloud with understanding.
Writing: To write clearly and correctly within the limits imposed by the vocabulary and grammatical structures at the level of instruction.
Culture: To gain familiarity and appreciation of the culture and to learn differences and similarities in world views, customs, beliefs, and social conventions of the linguistic community.

Mobile/Tablet Menu

Quicklinks

Desktop Menu