Chinese B, Mandarin IV SL
Grades 11/12
Full Year – 1 Unit
The course will review and reinforce the approximately 800 characters learned previously and introduce 500 new characters. Language skills based on modern Chinese life as well as traditional Chinese culture will be developed. Students will learn the basic knowledge about the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature, traditional regional operas, geography of Chinese provinces and 56 ethnic nationality traditions. Students will also have a chance to read the China Daily news from Chinese websites, and learn about the current policy in China, such as the One Belt, One Road Policy, the New Country Policy, and the Hope Project. By the end of this course, students will be able to make conversation with native speakers and share their own opinion about major popular topics. To receive International Baccalaureate credit on a Shaker Heights High School transcript, the student must complete the IB Internal and External Assessments. Students may also be eligible to participate in the assessment to receive the Seal of Biliteracy.
Recommended: Mandarin Chinese III Honors with grade of C or above or Permission of Dept. Chair
Chinese B, Mandarin V SL
Grade 12
Full Year – 1 Unit
At this higher level of Chinese learning, students will be expected to be able to read and discuss daily Chinese news and be able to present ideas on specific topics. They will also read, write and discuss the topics of global challenges, science and technology, contemporary life, personal and public identities, families and communities, and beauty and aesthetics. Language skills will reinforce the approximately 1,000 characters learned previously and introduce 500 new ones. Language skills based on modern Chinese life as well as traditional Chinese culture will be developed. Students will delve further into the study of Chinese culture including geography, history and traditions and customs that are found in all different regions of the world including Chinatowns, Singapore and Malaysia. Students will also have a chance to read the China Daily news, and learn about the current policy in China, such as the One Belt, One Road policy, the New Country Policy, and the Hope Project. By the end of this course, students will be able to make conversation with native speakers and share their own opinion about major popular topics. To receive International Baccalaureate credit on a Shaker Heights High School transcript, the student must complete the IB Internal and External Assessments. Students may also be eligible to participate in the assessment to receive the Seal of Biliteracy.
Recommended: Mandarin Chinese IV Honors (or equivalent) with grade of C or above or Permission of Dept. Chair
Chinese B, Mandarin VI SL
Grade 12
Full Year – 1 Unit
At this higher level of Chinese learning, students will be expected to be able to read and discuss daily Chinese news and be able to present ideas on specific topics. They will also read, write and discuss the topics of global challenges, science and technology, contemporary life, personal and public identities, families and communities, and beauty and aesthetics. Language skills will reinforce the approximately 1,000 characters learned previously and introduce 500 new ones. Language skills based on modern Chinese life as well as traditional Chinese culture will be developed. Students will delve further into the study of Chinese culture including geography, history and traditions and customs that are found in all different regions of the world including Chinatowns, Singapore and Malaysia. Students will also have a chance to read the China Daily news, and learn about the current policy in China, such as the One Belt, One Road policy, the New Country Policy, and the Hope Project. By the end of this course, students will be able to make conversation with native speakers and share their own opinion about major popular topics. To receive International Baccalaureate credit on a Shaker Heights High School transcript, the student must complete the IB Internal and External Assessments. Students may also be eligible to participate in the assessment to receive the Seal of Biliteracy.
Recommended: Mandarin Chinese V (or equivalent) with a grade of C or above or Permission of Dept. Chair
French B, IV SL
Grade 11
Full Year – 1 Unit
In the IB French SL learners build upon the grammar, culture and vocabulary they have learned in previous French courses. At this level, students are expected to be independent learners who will use previous knowledge to become better communicators with an in-depth understanding of current issues in the francophone world. It is expected that students should be able to function linguistically and culturally in a French-speaking country. We will also emphasize the way in which language influences knowledge as well as thought, and how the world can be perceived differently through the lens of a new language. Through various media (literature, movies, current news, podcasts or magazines), students will examine themes: Identities, Experiences, Social Organization, Human Ingenuity and Sharing the Planet, all through the lens of cultural diversity. Students will need to have an understanding of different registers of language using a wide variety of texts. To receive International Baccalaureate credit on a Shaker Heights High School transcript, the student must complete the IB Internal and External Assessments. Students may also be eligible to participate in the assessment to receive the Seal of Biliteracy.
Recommended: French III Honors (or equivalent) with grade of C or above or Permission of Department Chair
French B, V SL/HL
Grade 12
Full Year – 1 Unit
Through various media (literature, movies, current news, podcasts or magazines), students will examine themes: Identities, Experiences, Social Organization, Human Ingenuity and Sharing the Planet, all through the lens of cultural diversity with particular emphasis on the Francophone world. Students will be asked to demonstrate mastery of different registers of language in interpersonal and presentational communication. To receive International Baccalaureate credit on a Shaker Heights High School transcript, the student must complete the IB Internal and External Assessments. Students may also be eligible to participate in the assessment to receive the Seal of Biliteracy.
Recommended: French IV Advanced (or equivalent) with grade of C or above or Permission of Department Chair
French B, VI HL
Grade 12
Full Year – 1 Unit
This course is designed for the IB HL two year student. Students are included in a French V/VI looped class where they will explore different topics while perfecting their French and preparing for the French HL exam. Students may also be eligible to participate in the assessment to receive the Seal of Biliteracy.
Recommended: French IV Advanced (or equivalent) with grade of C or above or Permission of Department Chair
German I ab initio
Grades 11
Full Year – 1 Unit
Students will learn basic vocabulary and pronunciation, gradually building a foundation in speaking and understanding German. Some reading and writing follow in the natural development of language skills. Students become acquainted with German culture and gain insight into cultural similarities and differences. To receive International Baccalaureate credit on a Shaker Heights High School transcript, the student must complete the IB Internal and External Assessments. Students who opt for the IB AB INITIO component will be 11th grade students in the IB Diploma Programme.
German II ab initio
Grades 11/12
Full year – 1 Unit
Students will learn new concepts and linguistic structures at an accelerated pace. The four language communication skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) will be further developed. Students will learn about various aspects of Germanic culture and German-speaking regions of the world. To receive International Baccalaureate credit on a Shaker Heights High School transcript, the student must complete the IB Internal and External Assessments. Students who opt for the AB INITIO component will be 11th or 12th grade students in the IB Diploma Programme.
Recommended: German I
German III ab initio
Grade 12
Full Year – 1 Unit
This course is designed to further the acquisition and production of German communicative structures and strategies introduced in the first two years of German study. All units are strongly contextualized and may focus on German popular culture and history as well as major movements in literature, politics and art. The course emphasizes the use of interactive technology as a bridge between cultures and a tool for achievement. Students continue to improve their skills in listening and reading comprehension, vocabulary knowledge and advanced grammar topics and additional emphasis is placed on speaking and writing in the target language. To receive International Baccalaureate credit on a Shaker Heights High School transcript, the student must complete the IB Internal and External Assessments. Recommended: German II with grade of C or above or Permission of Department Chair
German B, IV SL
Grade 12
Full Year – 1 Unit
This is a college-level course conducted almost entirely in German. Students will read, discuss and write about current events, literary works and films as they fit into the major themes of global challenges, science and technology, contemporary life, personal and public identities, families and communities, and beauty and aesthetics. Proficiency in speaking and listening and a command of advanced grammar topics are a major focus in preparation for the Advanced Placement and IB exams. In addition to fostering advanced German linguistic ability, the course also emphasizes strong target cultural knowledge. To receive International Baccalaureate credit on a Shaker Heights High School transcript, the student must complete the IB Internal and External Assessments. Students may also be eligible to participate in the assessment to receive the Seal of Biliteracy.
Recommended: German III (or equivalent) with grade of C or above or Permission of Department Chair
German B, V SL/HL
Grades 11/12
Full Year – 1 Unit
Through various media (literature, movies, current news, podcasts or magazines), students will examine themes: Identities, Experiences, Social Organization, Human Ingenuity and Sharing the Planet, all through the lens of cultural diversity and with particular emphasis on the German-speaking world. Students will be asked to demonstrate mastery of different registers of language in interpersonal and presentational communication. To receive International Baccalaureate credit on a Shaker Heights High School transcript, the student must complete the IB Internal and External Assessments. Students may also be eligible to participate in the assessment to receive the Seal of Biliteracy.
Recommended: German IV Advanced (or equivalent) with grade of C or above or Permission of Department Chair
German B, VI HL/SL
Grade 12
Full Year – 1 Unit
Through various media (literature, movies, current news, podcasts or magazines), students will examine themes: Identities, Experiences, Social Organization, Human Ingenuity and Sharing the Planet, all through the lens of cultural diversity and with particular emphasis on the German-speaking world. Students will be asked to demonstrate mastery of different registers of language in interpersonal and presentational communication. To receive International Baccalaureate credit on a Shaker Heights High School transcript, the student must complete the IB Internal and External Assessments. Students may also be eligible to participate in the assessment to receive the Seal of Biliteracy.
Recommended: German V (or equivalent) with grade of C or above or Permission of Department Chair
Latin V SL/HL
Grade 12
Full Year – 1 Unit
Students will study the AP Latin curriculum, which includes selections from Caesar’s Gallic War and Vergil’s Aeneid in preparation for the AP exam in May. Students may also be eligible to participate in the assessment to receive the Seal of Biliteracy.
Recommended: Latin IV with grade of C or above or Permission of Department Chair
Latin VI SL/HL
Grade 12
Full Year – 1 Unit
This class will prepare IB HL students for their HL assessment at the end of the year. Additionally, this class will concentrate on written composition of Latin utilizing video recordings, songs, games and story writing to build vocabulary and incorporate grammatical constructions into everyday conversations and writings. To receive International Baccalaureate credit on a Shaker Heights High School transcript, the student must complete the IB Internal and External Assessments. Students may also be eligible to participate in the assessment to receive the Seal of Biliteracy.
Recommended: Latin V (or equivalent) with grade of C or above or Permission of Department Chair
Spanish B, I ab initio
Grade 11
Full Year – 1 Unit
This course will introduce students to the Hispanic world. Activities will focus on how to understand, speak, read and write Spanish. Students will also develop an appreciation of the diverse Spanish culture through the use of textbooks, visuals, audio, videos and technology. To receive International Baccalaureate credit on a Shaker Heights High School transcript, the student must complete the IB Internal and External Assessments in the 2nd year of the AB initio program. Students who opt for the ab initio component will be 11th grade students in the IB Diploma Programme.
Spanish B, II ab initio
Grades 11/12
Full year – 1 Unit
Students will learn new concepts and linguistic structures at an accelerated pace. The four language communication skills, (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) will be further developed. Students will learn about various aspects of Hispanic culture and Spanish-speaking regions of the world. To receive International Baccalaureate credit on a Shaker Heights High School transcript, the student must complete the IB Internal and External Assessments. Students who opt for the AB initio component will be 11th or 12th grade students in the IB Diploma Programme.
Recommended: Spanish I with grade of C or above
Spanish B, III ab initio
Grade 12
Full Year – 1 Unit
Spanish III concentrates on improving students’ ability to communicate in Spanish. The class provides students the ability to master both productive and receptive communication skills with extensive listening, reading, speaking and writing practice. Students will learn about Spanish countries and their customs in more detail. They will read literature of the Hispanic world and review grammar as needed. Most class activities will be conducted in Spanish. To receive International Baccalaureate credit on a Shaker Heights High School transcript, the student must complete the IB Internal and External Assessments.
Recommended: Spanish II with grade of C or above or Permission of Department Chair
Spanish B IV SL
Grades 11/12
Full Year – 1 Unit
This course builds upon the grammar and culture learned at previous levels. The focus is on language development and acquisition with the ultimate objective of becoming competent communicators. We seek to foster a positive interest in the culture of all Spanish-speaking countries and to promote real understanding. Students will appreciate that learning another language can enrich their lives and broaden their horizons, and possibly be an opportunity for international travel and work. Through various media (literature, movies, current news, podcasts or magazines), students will examine themes: Identities, Experiences, Social Organization, Human Ingenuity and Sharing the Planet,, all through the lens of cultural diversity. To receive International Baccalaureate credit on a Shaker Heights High School transcript, the student must complete the IB Internal and External Assessments. Students may also be eligible to participate in the assessment to receive the Seal of Biliteracy.
Recommended: Spanish III Honors with grade of C or above or Permission of Department Chair
Spanish B, V SL/HL
Grade 12
Full Year – 1 Unit
Spanish V provides students with the opportunity to communicate in Spanish, using their understanding of Hispanic culture and their knowledge of the Spanish language. Topics explored include personal and public identities, family and community, aesthetics, science and technology, and world challenges. Instructional materials will include books, movies, podcasts, music, interviews and other technology. The fifth-year course is conducted in Spanish and the consistent use and continual improvement of spoken Spanish is calculated as a part of the class grade. Students learn to glean information, find and process main ideas, infer from linguistic, cultural and contextual clues, and synthesize ideas with a view to producing original thoughts on material they have heard or read. To receive International Baccalaureate credit on a Shaker Heights High School transcript, the student must complete the IB Internal and External Assessments. Students may also be eligible to participate in the assessment to receive the Seal of Biliteracy.
Recommended: Spanish IV with grade of C or above or Permission of Department Chair
Spanish B, VI SL/HL
Grade 12
Full Year – 1 Unit
The sixth-year course is conducted in Spanish with some of the learning delivered to the cohort as an independent and collaborative study. Students will consistently use Spanish to communicate for continual improvement of spoken Spanish. Students will delve into Spanish and Latin American literature through the study of 16 different authors and the historical context ranging from Medieval times through more contemporary works. Students will continue to hone their skills in reading, writing, speaking and listening. To receive International Baccalaureate credit on a Shaker Heights High School transcript, the student must complete the IB Internal and External Assessments. Students may be eligible to participate in the assessment to receive the Seal of Biliteracy.