Our mascot, the indefatigable Canary

WILLIAM ALLEN HIGH SCHOOL  Academics

126 N. 17th Street
Allentown PA 18104
1 (484) 765-5000
CANARIES

World Languages/ESOL

Buenos Días Guten Tag Buon Giorno Chair
Linda Nagy

World Languages
Susan Artiachi
Magalie Danier-O'Connor
Anna Farrell
Luisa Gruver
Debra Lakatosh
Mary Beth Lane
Linda Perilla
Gail Phelps
Cameron Smith
Laurie Ann Smith

ESOL
Jennifer David

Mark Emerick
Lindsay Houston
Amie Krauth
Loretta Lockner
Chelsea Shive
Clara Wolfe

Salve Bonjour

Programs: French German Spanish Latin

English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) helps students for whom English is a foreign language to learn the skills they need to succeed in our regular classrooms. ESOL students bring a breadth of experience and diversity of culture that strengthens our footing in the global community.

WORLD LANGUAGES COURSES

Since the objectives of learning all world languages are identical, the following descriptions of the various language levels apply equally to the languages taught. Special problems of each language are dealt with through modifications in pace and content.

LEVEL I (ALL LANGUAGES) Emphasis is placed on developing the four basic language skills; listening, speaking, reading and writing. Proper language habits are fostered through basic dialogues and through pattern practices of various kinds. Reading and writing involves material previously learned on the listening and speaking level. Culture is introduced. Latin stresses the etymological background of English words and the relationships among the various languages of Indo-European origin. Latin I is designed to gain a better knowledge of the English language. An intense study of the classical roots makes clear the meaning of difficult English words. In addition, the Roman heritage in language, government, history, art and literature is examined.

LEVEL II (ALL LANGUAGES) Prerequisite: Completion of level one Work continues on the four basic skills. Grammatical structure is more complex. Class conversation arises from the reading lessons expanding into real-life situations. Use of oral language is increased. Culture is explored. In Latin II there is continued emphasis on the classical roots of the English language. The Roman heritage in language, government, history, art, and literature is continued.

LEVEL III (ALL LANGUAGES) Prerequisite: Completion of level two Stress on reading and writing is now equal to that of listening and speaking. Reading delves more deeply into cultural materials. Writing exercises include autobiographical descriptions and picture descriptions. Language production, in speech or in writing, reflects a greater measure of student independence but emphasis is placed on using only those patterns which are thoroughly controlled.

LEVEL IV (ALL LANGUAGES) Prerequisite: Completion of level three The program is similar to the third level but with a higher degree of difficulty. Listening and speaking receive the attention due, but reading and writing take the foreground. Readings are more ambitious and may include such materials as newspapers and magazines. Writing becomes more spontaneous and free, and paragraphs of reasonable sophistication and competence are expected.

LEVEL V (ALL LANGUAGES) Prerequisite: Completion of level four At this level the student reaps the rewards of the previous year's work by his/her ability to use the language with considerable ease and facility. In the case of "mixed classes," more work of an independent nature will be required.

LEVEL VI (ALL LANGUAGES) Prerequisite: Completion of level five Listening Comprehension is stressed. Considerable attention is given to some of the outstanding works of the given language. Composition and essays are required.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT Prerequisite: Completion of level five and teacher recommendation in French, German, and Spanish. Completion of level three and teacher recommendation in Latin. Reading selections for the Advanced Placement courses are those suggested as preparation for the Advanced Placement Examinations. Students are introduced to the techniques of literary analysis and criticism as they apply both to poetry and to prose. A thorough review of the grammar and syntax of the language is also provided.

Asterisk (*) before a course indicates weighting of grade.

FRENCH I 5 Periods 1 Year 1.0 Unit Grade 9, 10, 11, 12

FRENCH II 5 Periods 1 Year 1.0 Unit Grade 9, 10, 11, 12

FRENCH III 5 Periods 1 Year 1.0 Unit Grade 9, 10, 11, 12

*FRENCH IV - HONORS 5 Periods 1 Year 1.0 Unit Grade 10, 11, 12

*FRENCH V - HONORS 5 Periods 1 Year 1.0 Unit Grade 11, 12

*FRENCH VI - ADVANCED PLACEMENT 5 Periods 1 Year 1.0 Unit Grade 12

GERMAN I 5 Periods 1 Year 1.0 Unit Grade 9, 10, 11, 12

GERMAN II 5 Periods 1 Year 1.0 Unit Grade 9, 10, 11, 12

GERMAN III 5 Periods 1 Year 1.0 Unit Grade 9, 10, 11, 12

*GERMAN IV - HONORS 5 Periods 1 Year 1.0 Unit Grade 10, 11, 12

*GERMAN V - HONORS 5 Periods 1 Year 1.0 Unit Grade 11, 12

*GERMAN VI - ADVANCED PLACEMENT 5 Periods 1 Year 1.0 Unit Grade 12

SPANISH FOR SPANISH SPEAKERS (LEVELS I, II, III)
5 Periods 1 Year 1.0 Unit Grade 9, 10, 11, 12

At each of the first three levels of Spanish, a separate course is offered to students who speak and understand Spanish as a native. The courses concentrate less on listening and speaking and focus more on reading and writing. These courses are intended for students who already have an oral proficiency but need instruction in structure and grammar. All students who are native Spanish speakers must enroll in one of these three courses.

SPANISH I FOR SPANISH SPEAKERS 5 Periods 1 Year 1.0 Unit Grade 9, 10, 11, 12

SPANISH II FOR SPANISH SPEAKERS 5 Periods 1 Year 1.0 Unit Grade 9, 10, 11, 12

SPANISH III FOR SPANISH SPEAKERS 5 Periods 1 Year 1.0 Unit Grade 9, 10, 11, 12

SPANISH I 5 Periods 1 Year 1.0 Unit Grade 9, 10, 11, 12

SPANISH II 5 Period 1 Year 1.0 Unit Grade 9, 10, 11, 12

SPANISH III 5 Periods 1 Year 1.0 Unit Grade 9, 10, 11, 12

*SPANISH IV - HONORS 5 Periods 1 Year 1.0 Unit Grade 10, 11, 12

*SPANISH V - HONORS 5 Periods 1 Year 1.0 Unit Grade 11, 12

*SPANISH VI - ADVANCED PLACEMENT 5 Periods 1 Year 1.0 Unit Grade 12

LATIN I 5 Periods 1 Year 1.0 Unit Grade 9, 10, 11, 12

LATIN II 5 Periods 1 Year 1.0 Unit Grade 10, 11, 12

*LATIN III - HONORS 5 Periods 1 Year 1.0 Unit Grade 11, 12

*LATIN IV - ADVANCED PLACEMENT 5 Periods 1 Year 1.0 Unit Grade 12

ENGLISH TO SPEAKERS OF OTHER LANGUAGES PROGRAM (ESOL)

The ESOL Program provides instruction designed to serve the needs of English Language Learners. Students are placed in appropriate English as A Second Language (ESL) courses based on English Proficiency Levels as measured by a standardized test. Sheltered content classes within the ESOL department are appropriate for students at beginning levels of English Language Proficiency. These courses are taught by certified content teachers and meet the same standards as other core content classes; however, the language is “sheltered” to provide comprehensible input for English Language Learners. They are appropriate for students at Proficiency Levels 1 and 2. Some students at Proficiency Level 3 may also find it appropriate to register for “sheltered” content classes. Level 3 students can only register for these courses based on the recommendation of the ESOL teacher.

ESL I ENGLISH
15 Periods 1 Year 3.0 Units Grades 9, 10, 11, 12

This is a fundamental English course for newcomers only. Essential content level and survival vocabulary are stressed. All four domains (listening, speaking, reading and writing) are taught with an emphasis on establishing literacy skills for success in high school. Students who take this course satisfy one of the four English units required for graduation.

ESL II ENGLISH
10 Periods 1 Year 2.0 Units Grades 9, 10, 11, 12

This is a basic English course stressing all four domains (listening, speaking, reading and writing). Students at this proficiency level focus on forms and conventions of syntax and structure, and vocabulary development, while improving literacy skills. Students who take this course satisfy one of the four English units required for graduation.

ESL III ENGLISH
10 Periods 1 Year 2.0 Units Grades 9, 10, 11, 12

This English course continues to emphasize vocabulary development, language form, and literacy skills. Reading skills and strategies, especially in authentic literature, are emphasized, and there is extensive work on writing skills. Students who take this course satisfy one of the four English units for graduation.

ESL IV ENGLISH
5 Periods 1 Year 1.0 Unit Grades 9, 10, 11, 12

This course in English makes extensive use of authentic literature materials. Emphasis is placed on comprehension of a variety of genres. Writing is stressed with an emphasis on the writing process. This course satisfies one of the four English units required for graduation.

UNITED STATES HISTORY I (sheltered ESOL)
5 Periods 1 Year 1.0 Unit Grades 9, 10, 11, 12

This course presents an overview of events significant in shaping American culture and history. Vocabulary and learning strategies will be emphasized. This course satisfies one course unit of social studies required for graduation.

WORLD CULTURES (sheltered ESOL)
5 Periods 1 Year 1.0 Unit Grades 9, 10, 11, 12

World Cultures traces the development of civilization from ancient to modern times. Consideration will be given to cultures in a global setting. Western, Eastern, African and Middle Eastern and Latin cultures will be studied in current and historical perspective. This course satisfies one unit of social studies required for graduation.

ALGEBRA I (sheltered ESOL)
5 Periods 1 Year 1.0 Unit Grades 9, 10, 11, 12

Algebra I develops basic concepts of symbolic reasoning and calculations with symbols. In problem solving situations, the student will apply properties of real numbers, simplify numeric and rational expressions, solve and graph linear equations, inequalities and systems, solve quadratic equations and analyze patterns and functions.

BIOLOGY I (sheltered ESOL)
5 Periods 1 Year 1.0 Unit Grades 9, 10, 11, 12

This course presents the basic biological concepts that contribute to the unity and diversity of all living things. Areas of study include structure, function, growth, development, organization, classification, interaction and interdependence. The student is given insights into problem solving in the biological sciences as well as the practical applications of biological principles to their own lives.

SURVEY OF SCIENCE (sheltered ESOL)
5 Periods 1 Year 1.0 Unit Grades 9, 10, 11, 12

This course introduces the beginning ESOL student to basic science vocabulary and contextual development. Emphasis is placed upon biology, chemistry, physics, earth science, and astronomy in order to prepare the student for further study. This course satisfies one unit of the science requirement for graduation.