Academics

Course #572
Level: 2
Credit: 1
Open to: All Students

This introductory course prepares learners to communicate, explore, and connect across cultures in order to foster attitudes of mutual understanding and respect. By learning in an intercultural context, students acquire communication skills and content knowledge while exploring the products, practices, and perspectives of Spanish-speaking cultures. Equal emphasis is placed on learning the skills of listening, reading, writing, and speaking. Students learn to use multiple strategies to make meaning and express themselves, expanding their literacy strategies and learning to communicate across cultures. The Holy Cross World Language Department uses ACTFL guidelines to prepare curriculum and measure students' growth.  This course is offered at the novice mid to novice high range. 

In alignment with the school’s Portrait of the Crusader, students are taught and encouraged to be inspired learners rooted in effective communication, critical thinking, and problem solving skills. Students are also encouraged to grow as faithful citizens who respect others, demonstrate character and integrity, value the uniqueness of every human being, and respect the traditions of families and cultures across the globe.

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Course #582
Level: 2
Credit: 1
Open to: Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors
Prerequisite: 70% average in Advanced Spanish I 

This second year course prepares students to communicate, explore, and connect across Spanish-speaking cultures in order to foster attitudes of mutual understanding and respect. Using a theme approach, such as foods, family, travel and cultural identity, students learn the vocabulary and structures of the language while exploring the cultures and peoples of diverse Spanish-speaking countries. Equal emphasis is placed on listening, reading, writing, and speaking, and students develop multiple strategies to make meaning and express themselves. Students are encouraged to take risks and develop more complex ways to use vocabulary and grammatical structures to communicate with others. The Holy Cross World Language Department uses ACTFL guidelines to prepare curriculum and measure students' growth. This course is offered at the low to mid intermediate level.

In alignment with the school’s Portrait of the Crusader, students are taught and encouraged to be inspired learners rooted in effective communication, critical thinking, and problem solving skills. Through our study of cultures and traditions, students are also encouraged to be faithful citizens based on respect for others, exuding character and integrity, and valuing the uniqueness of every human being

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Course #581
Level: 1
Credit: 1
Open to: Freshmen who have passed the Proficiency test; Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors
Prerequisite: 92% average in Advanced Spanish I; recommendation of Spanish I teacher

This second year course prepares students to communicate, explore, and connect across Spanish-speaking cultures in order to foster attitudes of mutual understanding and respect. Using a theme approach, such as foods, family, travel and cultural identity, students learn the vocabulary and structures of the language while exploring the cultures and peoples of diverse Spanish-speaking countries. Equal emphasis is placed on listening, reading, writing, and speaking, and students develop multiple strategies to make meaning and express themselves. Students are encouraged to take risks and develop more complex ways to use vocabulary and grammatical structures to communicate with others. The Holy Cross World Language Department uses ACTFL guidelines to prepare curriculum and measure students' growth. This course is offered at the mid intermediate level. The pace of instruction and conversation, the in-depth study of specific structures and topics, and the level of independence required to complete learning activities varies between the CP and Honors levels. 

In alignment with the school’s Portrait of the Crusader, students are taught and encouraged to be inspired learners rooted in effective communication, critical thinking, and problem solving skills. Through our study of cultures and traditions, students are also encouraged to be faithful citizens based on respect for others, exuding character and integrity, and valuing the uniqueness of every human being.

View Syllabus

Course #595
Level: 2
Credit: 1
Open to: Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors
Prerequisite: 70% average in Advanced Spanish II; recommendation of present Spanish teacher

Advanced Spanish III prepares students to communicate effectively in a variety of situations, using increasingly complex vocabulary and grammatical structures. Equal emphasis is placed on listening, reading, writing, speaking, and risk-taking to develop confidence with the language. Spanish III coursework continues to emphasize the importance of cultural competence and understanding so that students may interact with and within other cultures to form relationships, conduct business, and learn more about the world around them. The Holy Cross World Language Department uses ACTFL guidelines to prepare curriculum and measure students' growth.  Spanish III is taught at the ACTFL Intermediate Level. 

In alignment with the school’s Portrait of the Crusader, students are taught and encouraged to be inspired learners rooted in effective communication, critical thinking, and problem solving skills. Through our study of cultures and traditions, students are also encouraged to be faithful citizens based on respect for others, exuding character and integrity, and valuing the uniqueness of every human being.

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Course #594
Level: 1
Credit: 1
Open to: Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors
Prerequisite: 80% average in Spanish II Honors; 92% average in Advanced Spanish II; recommendation of present Spanish teacher

Spanish III prepares students to communicate effectively in a variety of situations, using increasingly complex vocabulary and grammatical structures. Equal emphasis is placed on listening, reading, writing, speaking, and risk-taking to develop confidence with the language. Spanish III coursework continues to emphasize the importance of cultural competence and understanding so that students may interact with and within other cultures to form relationships, conduct business, and learn more about the world around them. The Holy Cross World Language Department uses ACTFL guidelines to prepare curriculum and measure students' growth.  Spanish III is taught at the ACTFL Intermediate Level. The pace of conversation, the in-depth study of specific grammatical structures, the complexity of assignments and assessments, and the level of independence required to complete learning activities is more challenging at the Honors levels.

In alignment with the school’s Portrait of the Crusader, students are taught and encouraged to be inspired learners rooted in effective communication, critical thinking, and problem solving skills. Through our study of cultures and traditions, students are also encouraged to be faithful citizens based on respect for others, exuding character and integrity, and valuing the uniqueness of every human being.

View Syllabus 

Course #598
Level: 2
Credit: 1
Open to: Juniors and Seniors
Prerequisite: 80% average in Spanish Advanced III; recommendation of present Spanish teacher

Advanced Spanish IV prepares students to communicate effectively in varied situations, using increasingly complex vocabulary and grammatical structures. The course prioritizes fluency in all four content areas: reading, writing, listening and speaking, and resources include authentic Spanish and Hispanic readings, blogs, interviews, documentaries, movies, and advanced practice in communication through writing and oral presentations. In this course, students explore the varied histories, cultural practices, and geography of Latin America and learn how cultural competence and understanding improves all facets of life.

In alignment with the school’s Portrait of the Crusader, students are taught and encouraged to be inspired learners rooted in effective communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. Students are also encouraged to grow as faithful citizens who respect others, demonstrate character and integrity, value the uniqueness of every human being, and respect the traditions of families and cultures across the globe.

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Course #598
Level: 2
Credit: 1
Open to: Juniors and Seniors
Prerequisite: 80% average in Advanced Spanish III; recommendation of present Spanish teacher

Spanish IV prepares students to communicate effectively in varied situations, using increasingly complex vocabulary and advanced grammatical structures. The components of this course include authentic Spanish and Hispanic cultural readings, vlogs, blogs, video interviews, and advanced practice in communication by means of composition writing and oral presentations. This course will prioritize fluency in all four content areas: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Spanish IV coursework continues to emphasize the importance of cultural competence so that students may interact with and within other cultures to form relationships, conduct business, and learn more about the world around them.

In alignment with the school’s Portrait of the Crusader, students are taught and encouraged to be inspired learners rooted in effective communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. Students are also encouraged to grow as faithful citizens who respect others, demonstrate character and integrity, value the uniqueness of every human being, and respect the traditions of families and cultures across the globe.

View Syllabus 

Course #534
Level: 2
Credit: 1
Open to: All students

This introductory course prepares learners to communicate, explore, and connect across cultures in order to foster attitudes of mutual understanding and respect. By learning in an intercultural context, students acquire communication skills and content knowledge while exploring the products, practices, and perspectives of Italian-speaking cultures. Students learn to use multiple strategies to make meaning and express themselves, expanding their literacy strategies and learning to communicate across cultures. Equal emphasis is placed on learning the skills of listening, reading, writing, and speaking. The Holy Cross World Language Department uses ACTFL guidelines to prepare curriculum and measure students' growth. This course is offered at the novice low to novice high range. 

In alignment with the school’s Portrait of the Crusader, students are taught and encouraged to be inspired learners rooted in effective communication, critical thinking, and problem solving skills. Students are also encouraged to grow as faithful citizens who respect others, demonstrate character and integrity, value the uniqueness of every human being, and respect diverse traditions and cultures.

View Syllabus

Course #544
Level: 2
Credit: 1
Open to: Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors
Prerequisite: 70% average in Advanced Italian I 

This second year course prepares students to communicate, explore, and connect across cultures in order to foster attitudes of  mutual understanding and respect. Students learn in an intercultural context focused on the regions of Italy while they improve their communication skills and content knowledge. Equal emphasis is placed on listening, reading, writing, and speaking. The Holy Cross World Language Department uses ACTFL guidelines to prepare curriculum and measure students' growth. This course is offered at the novice mid to novice high range.

In alignment with the school’s Portrait of the Crusader, students are taught and encouraged to be inspired learners who have a strong foundation of effective communication, critical thinking, and problem- solving skills. Through our study of cultures and traditions, students are also encouraged to be faithful citizens based on their respect for others, exuding character and integrity while valuing the uniqueness of every human being.

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Course #554
Level: 2
Credit: 1
Open to: Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors
Prerequisite: 70% average in Advanced Italian II

Advanced Italian III prepares students to communicate effectively in a variety of situations, using increasingly complex vocabulary and grammatical structures. Equal emphasis is placed on the skills of listening, reading, writing, speaking, and risk-taking to develop confidence with the language. Italian III coursework continues to emphasize the importance of cultural competence and understanding so that students may interact with and within other cultures to form relationships and learn more about the world around them. The Holy Cross World Language Department uses ACTFL guidelines to prepare curriculum and measure students' growth. Italian III is taught at the ACTFL Intermediate Level. The pace of conversation, the in-depth study of specific grammatical structures, the complexity of assignments and assessments, and the level of independence required is amplified at this level.

In alignment with the school’s Portrait of the Crusader, students are taught and encouraged to be inspired learners rooted in effective communication, critical thinking, and problem solving skills. Through our study of cultures and traditions, students are also encouraged to be faithful citizens based on respect for others, exuding character and integrity, and valuing the uniqueness of every human being. 

View Syllabus 

Course #564
Level: 2
Credit: 1
Open to: Juniors and Seniors
Prerequisite: 80% average in Advanced Italian III; recommendation of present Italian teacher

Advanced Italian IV prepares students to communicate effectively using increasingly complex vocabulary and grammatical structures when listening, reading, writing, and speaking in a variety of situations. Coursework continues to emphasize the importance of cultural competence and understanding so that students may interact with and within other cultures to form relationships, conduct business, and learn more about the world around them. In this course, students have the opportunity to develop cultural competencies through Italian film and other audiovisual media. The pace of conversation, the in-depth study of specific grammatical structures, the complexity of assignments and assessments, and the level of independence required to complete learning activities is amplified at this level.

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