Foreign Languages

The Foreign Language Department acknowledges God’s purpose in creating language as a way to communicate with both Him and humanity. Through language, God has given us the means of understanding His love so we may express that love to others (Matthew 28:19-20). The gift of language gives us understanding of different cultures, thus instilling a respect for the diversity of God’s kingdom. The primary academic goal of the Foreign Language Department is to assist students in developing both oral and written proficiency in a target language enabling them to communicate through reading and writing.

Modern Language Department Courses

Spanish I

Spanish I is an introductory, elementary Spanish course. Students will be able to communicate God’s love through basic Spanish conversation. Students are introduced to Spanish- speaking cultures and begin to develop basic speaking, listening, writing, and reading skills necessary for interaction with Spanish speakers in the United States.

Full year—1 credit

Spanish II

Spanish II is a continuing elementary, lower-intermediate course which provides students with the opportunity to further develop communicative proficiency in Spanish. Students will be able to communicate God’s love through conversation and scripture reference. The course develops the communicative skills necessary for extended travel, study, and residency in a Spanish-speaking country. Students will practice reading, writing, and speaking to achieve “Novice High to Intermediate Low” communicative proficiency, as defined by the American Teachers of Foreign Languages.

Prerequisite: Spanish 1

Full year—1 credit

Spanish III

Spanish III is an intermediate course, which provides students the opportunity to further develop their communicative proficiency in Spanish. Students will begin to analyze class content from a Christian worldview. Students will study sophisticated grammatical structures of the language, while gaining knowledge and awareness of Spanish-speaking cultures in Europe, Latin America, Africa, and the United States. Students speak, write, and read to develop “Intermediate-High” proficiency, as defined by the American Teachers of Foreign Languages. Students study Spanish language literature, art, history, and social customs from diverse Spanish-speaking communities. Students engage in research projects intended to further their knowledge of Spanish-speaking cultures’ history, art, literature, music, politics, and current events.

Prerequisite: Spanish 2

Full year—1 credit

American Sign Language I

American Sign Language (ASL) I is a complete, complex language that employs signs made with the hands and other movements, including facial expressions and postures of the body. ASL I enables students to begin to acquire proficiency in American Sign Language through a linguistic, communicative, and cultural approach. Emphasis is placed on the development of receptive and expressive signing skills and on the acquisition of the fundamentals of applied grammar. An exposure to the deaf and hard-of-hearing culture will be presented; students are expected to participate in this culture and analyze it from a Christian worldview. This course can be used to satisfy the foreign language requirement for graduation.

Full year-1 credit.

American Sign Language II

American Sign Language (ASL) II continues to emphasize communication using ASL. The grammatical and structural formation of ASL II is further developed using vocabulary units, themes, dialogues, and narratives. Students will continue to develop skill receptively and expressively in ASL II as well as glossing/transcribing English into ASL. Students will broaden their understanding of what it means to be deaf and will continue to explore deaf culture. Through signing praise songs and scripture, students will be able to worship and glorify God. This course can be used to satisfy the foreign language requirement for graduation.

Prerequisite: ASL I with a grade of “C” or better, or permission/recommendation from the program coordinator/teacher.

Full year-1 credit.

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