Embed

portal links

Top Row

World Language

Familiarity with a language other than English is imperative in today’s global and multicultural society. As a result, Fremont High School is pleased to offer our students the opportunity to study Chinese, French, Japanese and Spanish in our World Languages Department.

The mission of the Department of World Languages is to promote academic excellence by providing FHS students with the opportunity to learn to communicate effectively in writing as well as orally in a language other than English. Additionally, the department fosters human understanding by exposing students to diverse cultures and by urging them to undertake cultural experiences that enhance their vision as global citizens.

Lead with Languages

Staff Directory

Branco, Jessica (408) 522-2488 ex.3805 World Language Teacher (Spanish)
DeRuiter, Cristina (408) 522-3858 World Language Teacher (Spanish)
Duus, Erik (408) 522-2488 ex.3816 World Language Teacher (Japanese)
Gonzalez, Israel (408) 522-2488 ex.3859 World Language Teacher (Spanish)
Li, Freya  (408) 522-2488 World Language Teacher (Chinese)
Musser, John (408) 522-2488 ex.3886 World Language Teacher (Spanish)
Rich, Janene (408) 522-2488 ex.3837 World Language Teacher (French)
Villa, Ms. (408) 522-2488 ex.3839 World Language Teacher (Spanish)

Courses

Chinese

Level 1

Students will learn to address elements of daily life in both oral and written form, gain a new perspective on the world as they are introduced to other cultures and traditions, and learn the fundamental grammatical structures of the language to convey meaning. Class activities will allow students to become proficient in reading, writing, listening and speaking the target language for real- world language use.

Note: This course will be offered if interest and availability allows.

Level 2

Recommended: C or better in Level 1, or language skills check. The primary goal continues to be the development of communicative competence. Students will use the target language to reinforce and expand their knowledge and to acquire new information about the target language and culture. They continue to build their language skills through more advanced reading, writing, speaking, and listening activities.

Note: This course will be offered if interest and availability allows.

Level 3

Recommended: C or better in Level 2, or language skills check. Students will learn more advanced vocabulary and grammar, and will improve communicative competence in the target language. More formal writing skills begin to be developed. Cultural study promotes a deeper understanding of the people who speak the language. They will begin to develop the ability to understand the language spoken at the pace of a native speaker. The course will be conducted primarily in the target language.

Note: This course will be offered if interest and availability allows.

Level 4

Recommended: C or better in Level 3, or language skills check. The course includes advanced grammar and vocabulary. The goal will continue to be communicative competence, with an emphasis on understanding and using more complex and precise language. The students read and respond to a variety of texts in the target language to reinforce and expand their language skills. There is a focus on writing well-structured responses to a variety of prompts. The study of culture continues to be an integral part of the course. Level 4 Honors is conducted entirely in the target language.

Note: This course will be offered if interest and availability allows.

Level 5 AP

Recommended: C or better in Level 4 Honors, or language skills check. The Advanced Placement course aims to develop overall fluency in the language. Students will continue to expand and refine their skills with college level coursework. The course prepares students to demonstrate their advanced level of proficiency across three communicative modes: interpersonal (interactive communication), interpretive (receptive communication) and presentational (productive communication). Students will hone their ability to respond to written material, both fiction and non-fiction, as well as a variety of multimedia. One of the goals of the course is to prepare students for the AP Language Exam. A student may receive college credit by earning a passing grade on this national exam.

Note: This course will be offered if interest and availability allows.

 

French

Level 1

Students will learn to address elements of daily life in both oral and written form, gain a new perspective on the world as they are introduced to other cultures and traditions, and learn the fundamental grammatical structures of the language to convey meaning. Class activities will allow students to become proficient in reading, writing, listening and speaking the target language for real- world language use.

Note: This course will be offered if interest and availability allows.

Level 2

Recommended: C or better in Level 1, or language skills check. The primary goal continues to be the development of communicative competence. Students will use the target language to reinforce and expand their knowledge and to acquire new information about the target language and culture. They continue to build their language skills through more advanced reading, writing, speaking, and listening activities.

Note: This course will be offered if interest and availability allows.

Level 3

Recommended: C or better in Level 2, or language skills check. Students will learn more advanced vocabulary and grammar, and will improve communicative competence in the target language. More formal writing skills begin to be developed. Cultural study promotes a deeper understanding of the people who speak the language. They will begin to develop the ability to understand the language spoken at the pace of a native speaker. The course will be conducted primarily in the target language.

Note: This course will be offered if interest and availability allows.

Level 4

Recommended: C or better in Level 3, or language skills check. The course includes advanced grammar and vocabulary. The goal will continue to be communicative competence, with an emphasis on understanding and using more complex and precise language. The students read and respond to a variety of texts in the target language to reinforce and expand their language skills. There is a focus on writing well-structured responses to a variety of prompts. The study of culture continues to be an integral part of the course. Level 4 Honors is conducted entirely in the target language.

Note: This course will be offered if interest and availability allows.

Level 5 AP

Recommended: C or better in Level 4 Honors, or language skills check. The Advanced Placement course aims to develop overall fluency in the language. Students will continue to expand and refine their skills with college level coursework. The course prepares students to demonstrate their advanced level of proficiency across three communicative modes: interpersonal (interactive communication), interpretive (receptive communication) and presentational (productive communication). Students will hone their ability to respond to written material, both fiction and non-fiction, as well as a variety of multimedia. One of the goals of the course is to prepare students for the AP Language Exam. A student may receive college credit by earning a passing grade on this national exam.

Note: This course will be offered if interest and availability allows.

 

Japanese

Level 1

Students will learn to address elements of daily life in both oral and written form, gain a new perspective on the world as they are introduced to other cultures and traditions, and learn the fundamental grammatical structures of the language to convey meaning. Class activities will allow students to become proficient in reading, writing, listening and speaking the target language for real- world language use.

Note: This course will be offered if interest and availability allows.

Level 2

Recommended: C or better in Level 1, or language skills check. The primary goal continues to be the development of communicative competence. Students will use the target language to reinforce and expand their knowledge and to acquire new information about the target language and culture. They continue to build their language skills through more advanced reading, writing, speaking, and listening activities.

Note: This course will be offered if interest and availability allows.

Level 3

Recommended: C or better in Level 2, or language skills check. Students will learn more advanced vocabulary and grammar, and will improve communicative competence in the target language. More formal writing skills begin to be developed. Cultural study promotes a deeper understanding of the people who speak the language. They will begin to develop the ability to understand the language spoken at the pace of a native speaker. The course will be conducted primarily in the target language.

Note: This course will be offered if interest and availability allows.

Level 4

Recommended: C or better in Level 3, or language skills check. The course includes advanced grammar and vocabulary. The goal will continue to be communicative competence, with an emphasis on understanding and using more complex and precise language. The students read and respond to a variety of texts in the target language to reinforce and expand their language skills. There is a focus on writing well-structured responses to a variety of prompts. The study of culture continues to be an integral part of the course. Level 4 Honors is conducted entirely in the target language.

Note: This course will be offered if interest and availability allows.

Level 5 AP

Recommended: C or better in Level 4 Honors, or language skills check. The Advanced Placement course aims to develop overall fluency in the language. Students will continue to expand and refine their skills with college level coursework. The course prepares students to demonstrate their advanced level of proficiency across three communicative modes: interpersonal (interactive communication), interpretive (receptive communication) and presentational (productive communication). Students will hone their ability to respond to written material, both fiction and non-fiction, as well as a variety of multimedia. One of the goals of the course is to prepare students for the AP Language Exam. A student may receive college credit by earning a passing grade on this national exam.

Note: This course will be offered if interest and availability allows.

 

Spanish

Level 1

Students will learn to address elements of daily life in both oral and written form, gain a new perspective on the world as they are introduced to other cultures and traditions, and learn the fundamental grammatical structures of the language to convey meaning. Class activities will allow students to become proficient in reading, writing, listening and speaking the target language for real- world language use.

Note: This course will be offered if interest and availability allows.

Level 2

Recommended: C or better in Level 1, or language skills check. The primary goal continues to be the development of communicative competence. Students will use the target language to reinforce and expand their knowledge and to acquire new information about the target language and culture. They continue to build their language skills through more advanced reading, writing, speaking, and listening activities.

Note: This course will be offered if interest and availability allows.

Spanish for Spanish Speakers (Spanish 2)

Recommended: Recommendation of an instructor. This course is for students who already speak Spanish, but who would like to improve their academic literacy skills in the language. Students develop their reading and writing skills in Spanish. At the same time, there is intensive work on correcting common grammatical errors, in both spoken and written form. Students develop academic language through content. Students who successfully complete the course receive credit for Spanish 2 and are guided toward advanced Spanish.

Note: This course will be offered if interest and availability allows.

Level 3

Recommended: C or better in Level 2, or language skills check. Students will learn more advanced vocabulary and grammar, and will improve communicative competence in the target language. More formal writing skills begin to be developed. Cultural study promotes a deeper understanding of the people who speak the language. They will begin to develop the ability to understand the language spoken at the pace of a native speaker. The course will be conducted primarily in the target language.

Note: This course will be offered if interest and availability allows.

Spanish for Spanish Speakers (Spanish 3)

Recommended: Recommendation of an instructor. This course is for native Spanish-speakers or students that have attained native-like Spanish skills. Students can take Spanish for Spanish-Speakers 3 after successfully completing Spanish for Spanish-Speakers 2 or by demonstrating required skills on a placement exam. The course is taught entirely in Spanish and organized in thematic units that explore concepts relevant to the Spanish-speaking world and Spanish-speaking communities in the United States. In every unit, students engage with the theme by various means, including but not limited to the following authentic Spanish materials: short stories, novels, poems, news articles, autobiographies, plays, songs, testimonies, art, films, video clips, documentaries and
podcasts. Throughout the length of the course, students use the three modes of communication: interpretive, interpersonal and presentational in a variety of assignments to demonstrate communicative proficiency in Spanish. Upon completing this course, students will be prepared to take the AP Spanish Language and Culture course the following year.

Note: This course will be offered if interest and availability allows.

Level 4

Recommended: C or better in Level 3, or language skills check. The course includes advanced grammar and vocabulary. The goal will continue to be communicative competence, with an emphasis on understanding and using more complex and precise language. The students read and respond to a variety of texts in the target language to reinforce and expand their language skills. There is a focus on writing well-structured responses to a variety of prompts. The study of culture continues to be an integral part of the course. Level 4 Honors is conducted entirely in the target language.

Note: This course will be offered if interest and availability allows.

Level 5 AP

Recommended: C or better in Level 4 Honors, or language skills check. The Advanced Placement course aims to develop overall fluency in the language. Students will continue to expand and refine their skills with college level coursework. The course prepares students to demonstrate their advanced level of proficiency across three communicative modes: interpersonal (interactive communication), interpretive (receptive communication) and presentational (productive communication). Students will hone their ability to respond to written material, both fiction and non-fiction, as well as a variety of multimedia. One of the goals of the course is to prepare students for the AP Language Exam. A student may receive college credit by earning a passing grade on this national exam.

Note: This course will be offered if interest and availability allows.

 

World Language Placement Tests

If a student is enrolling in a World Language course for the first time at FHS and speaks the language at home, he or she will need to take a placement exam to ensure that he or she is enrolled in the correct level of that World Language program.  The locations of the placement test are explained below. 

The Spanish Placement Test will take place on the following dates:

  • Thursday, March 21, 2019 at Sunnyvale Middle School at 8:30 am:
    • this test will be ONLY for current Sunnyvale Middle School students
    • students will receive a pass from SMS explaining when and where to report for testing
  • Friday, March 29, 2019 at Columbia Middle School  at 8:30 am:
    • this test will be ONLY for current Columbia Middle School students
    • students will receive a pass from CMS explaining when and where to report for testing
  • Thursday, April 4, 2019 at Fremont High School at 1:30 or 3:45pm:
    • this test is for any incoming 9thgrader and current FHS students
    • students should report to FHS room 24 for testing (located upstairs in the main building)
    • Please fill out this form to reserve your spot.

Chinese placement exams will be arranged through the FUHSD district office and will take place on the following date.  For more information contact Marianne Hew at marianne_hew@fuhsd.org.

  • Thursday, April 4, 2019at Fremont High School at 3:45pm(computer basedexam).
    • Students should report to room A-202
    • Please fill out this formto reserve you spot.

The French placement exams will take place:

  • Thursday, April 4, 2019at Fremont High School at 1:30 or 3:45pm:
    • this test is for any incoming 9thgrader and current FHS students
    • Students should report to room 20 (located upstairs in the main building)
    • Please fill out this formto reserve your spot.

The Japanese placement exams will take place:

  • Thursday, April 4, 2019at Fremont High School at 1:30 or 3:45pm:
    • this test is for any incoming 9thgrader and current FHS students
    • Students should report to room 22 (located upstairs in the main building)
    • Please fill out this formto reserve your spot.

NOTE! A student does NOT need to take a Placement test if…

  1. he / sheis enrolling in Level 1 (e.g., Spanish 1) AND does not speak the language at home
  2. he / shehas taken the equivalent of Spanish 1 at Cupertino Middle School, or a FUHSD high school and has the teacher’s recommendation to enroll in Spanish 2.  Those students may enroll in Spanish 2. 
  3. he / sheis currently taking the requested World Language course at FHS (e.g., the student is currently in Spanish 1 at FHS and is requesting Spanish 2).

For more information, please contact the Guidance Department of FHS or Assistant Principal Jeff Rosado at jeff_rosado@fuhsd.org.

World Language Honors Societies

SPANISH HONORS SOCIETY - SOCIEDAD HONORARIA HISPÁNICA (SHH)

The SHH is an honor society for high school students enrolled in Spanish language, sponsored by the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese.  

The SHH was formally organized as the Spanish National Honor Society in 1953. The name was changed to Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica in 1959. At present there are over 2,500 national and international chapters of the SHH.

The mission of the Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica is to recognize high school achievement in Spanish and Portuguese and to promote interest in Hispanic and Luso-Brazilian studies.

Any secondary school student who has maintained an honor average in the study of Spanish or Portuguese for a minimum of three semesters and is in the 10th grade or higher is eligible to be a member of the SHH. 

See Sr. Musser in room 23 for more information.

French Club and Honor Society

The French Honors Society meets every Wednesday at lunch.  Students plan cultural events for the French Club such as a Mardi Gras Mask-Making Party, a Crepe Party and a French Cinema Night. They also offer FREE tutoring service for other French students during FLEX and Friday Morning Office Hours. All students are welcome to join the festivities at the French Club events. To be a member of the French Honors Society, students must be enrolled in a French class and meet the club requirements.  See the Club page for more information.

Japanese Club

The Japanese Club meets every Wednesday to discuss cultural happenings in Japan. They also plan fun activities, such as making Mochi for Tastes of the World Day.

Learning Outcomes

Expected Student Learning Outcomes by Language Course

Click on the following links to view the expected learning outcomes for each language course by year. These documents will be updated as available.

SPANISH

FRENCH

  • French 1
  • French 2
  • French 3
  • French 4 Honors
  • French AP

JAPANESE

  • Japanese 1
  • Japanese 2
  • Japanese 3
  • Japanese 4 Honors
  • Japanese AP

CHINESE

  • Chinese 1
  • Chinese 2
  • Chinese 3
  • Chinese 4 Honors
  • Chinese AP