World Languages

ASL 1 is the first of a series of four sequential courses that will teach students introductory level vocabulary, basic grammar structure, Deaf history, and the cultural background needed to communicate with Deaf individuals. Instruction will include the language functions, asking for and giving information, making requests, giving directions, agreeing and disagreeing, expressing likes and dislikes as well as many other skills required to communicate on a novice level. ASL 1 offers students a variety of experiences that will develop their awareness of the world around them. Likewise, the multimedia exposure students experience in this class will help them better understand the Deaf culture. As the course is derived from the New York State Learning Standards for Languages Other than English, this course satisfies the criteria required by New York State to earn the Languages other than English (LOTE) course credit.* The course is also aligned to the national proficiency guidelines published by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL).

ASL 2 is the second of a series of four sequential courses that will teach students introductory level vocabulary, grammar structure, Deaf history, and the cultural background needed to communicate with Deaf individuals. Instruction will include the language functions, asking for and giving information, making requests, giving directions, agreeing and disagreeing, expressing likes and dislikes, introducing classifiers and facial expressions as important components of ASL grammar, as well as many other skills required to communicate on a novice-high level. ASL 2 offers students a variety of experiences that will increase their awareness of the world around them. Likewise, the multimedia exposure students experience in this class will help them better understand the Deaf culture. This course is derived from the New York State Learning Standards for Languages Other Than English. The course is also aligned to the national proficiency guidelines published by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL).

Prerequisite: American Sign Language 1

ASL 3 is the third of a series of four sequential courses that will teach students introductory level vocabulary, grammar structure, Deaf history, and the cultural background needed to communicate with Deaf individuals. Students will learn how to use various types of classifiers with complex grammar structures, learn to narrate compound situations that occur in everyday life, use advanced grammar structures and sentence types, and gain the confidence to interact in the Deaf community. ASL 3 is largely project based and centers around the interests and curiosities of students through a series of personalized projects. This course is derived from the New York State Learning Standards for Languages Other than English. The course is also aligned to the national proficiency guidelines published by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL).

Prerequisite: American Sign Language 2.

ASL 4 is the final course in a series of four sequential courses that will teach students to develop advanced skills in American Sign Language. Through twelve units of study on topics such as Deaf Literature, Deaf refugees, Complex Classifiers, and Geographical signs, students will further develop previously learned skills as well as learn news skills in American Sign Language. Students will use presentational/expressive and receptive language skills to meet expectations. This course is derived from the New York State Learning Standards for Languages Other than English. The course is also aligned to the national proficiency guidelines published by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL).

Prerequisite: American Sign Language 3.

This is the first of a two-year sequence that will progress through the second level of traditional language study. This is a sequential course that continues the teaching of Chinese beginning at the Checkpoint B of the New York State standards. The student enters the course with basic concepts of Chinese. Students build upon vocabulary, grammar and character writing. Students will begin to express themselves with some degree of fluency and fluidity in all four language skills of speaking, listening, writing, and reading.

The student learns to understand, speak, read and write simple, everyday sentences on a variety of topics, fulfilling the functions and proficiencies of Checkpoint A of the New York State Syllabus. Additionally students learn and master basic grammar structures to acquire a proficiency in oral and written Spanish, stressing communication skills. The student learns to appreciate and open their minds to the culture and lifestyles of Spanish-speaking peoples.

Students continue with their communicative skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing). More advanced grammatical structures and verbal expressions are introduced. Vocabulary is expanded to include broader situations and experiences. Students learn all tenses required for the New York State Exam at the end of Spanish 3. Students will participate daily in language development activities as well as cultural activities. They will complete writing assignments and projects in the target Language.

Prerequisite: Spanish 1

Students participate in daily listening, reading, speaking and writing activities to prepare for New York State Checkpoint B exam. Students will read an abridged version of an epic poem in Spanish. This course includes review of grammar and introduction of regular future, conditional, perfect tenses and review of preterite and imperfect, along with vocabulary to prepare for the Checkpoint exam.

Prerequisite: Spanish 2

This course is offered under a dual-enrollment program at Mohawk Valley Community College (MVCC). It is an intermediate level class in Spanish and follows the same syllabus and requirements as the classes on the MVCC campus and may earn the student college credits which can be transferred to many colleges. There is no charge for the college credits offered with 191. Each course is a separate entity offered for one semester, 191 in the fall and 192 in the spring. This is a grammar review course, but will incorporate culture and Hispanic literature as well. Final exam administered in January.

Prerequisite: Spanish 3 This course is offered every other year and will be offered in 2027-2028.

This course is offered under a dual-enrollment program at Mohawk Valley Community College (MVCC). It is an intermediate level class in Spanish that follows the same syllabus and requirements as the classes on the MVCC campus and may earn the student college credits which can be transferred to many colleges. There is no charge for the college credits offered with 192. Each course is a separate entity offered for one semester, 191 in the fall and 192 in the spring. This is a grammar review course, but will incorporate culture and Hispanic literature as well. Final exam administered in June.

Prerequisite: Spanish 3 This course is offered every other year and will be offered in 2027-2028.

This intermediate Spanish 201 class will focus mostly on the discussion of Spanish literary texts, mostly short stories and poems. This course is offered under a dual-enrollment program at Mohawk Valley Community College (MVCC). This course follows the same syllabus and requirements as the classes on the MVCC campus and may earn the student college credits which can be transferred to many colleges. Each course is a separate entity offered for one semester, 201 in the fall and 202 in the spring. The intermediate sequence is designed to continue the development of the student’s ability to communicate in the language through the skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The sequence includes a review and further study of pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary. Materials concerned with culture, civilization, literature, contemporary issues, and everyday situations constitute the subject matter for communication. The courses will be primarily skills-based (proficiency in speaking, reading, listening and writing), with the teaching of grammar secondary and as needed to reinforce the skills. Examination given in January.

Prerequisite: Spanish 3 This course is offered every other year and will be offered in 2026-2027.

This intermediate Spanish 202 class will focus mostly on the discussion of Spanish literary texts, mostly short stories and poems, in Spanish. This course is offered under a dual-enrollment program at Mohawk Valley Community College (MVCC). This course follows the same syllabus and requirements as the classes on the MVCC campus and may earn the student college credits which can be transferred to many colleges. Each course is a separate entity offered for one semester, 201 in the fall and 202 in the spring. The intermediate sequence is designed to continue the development of the student’s ability to communicate in the language through the skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The sequence includes a review and further study of pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary. Materials concerned with culture, civilization, literature, contemporary issues, and everyday situations constitute the subject matter for communication. The courses will be primarily skills-based (proficiency in speaking, reading, listening and writing), with the teaching of grammar secondary and as needed to reinforce the skills.Examination given in June and Final Literature Portfolio submitted in June.

Prerequisite: Spanish 3 This course is offered every other year and will be offered in 2026-2027.