A global perspective has become an essential component of effectively preparing students to become life-long learners, to pursue their personal and professional development, and to contribute to our technological society. Knowledge of and the ability to use other languages is a basic tool for engaging with the expanding global arena that effects the daily life of Americans and all people around the world. The University High School requires that students take at least three years of Spanish. Spanish is rapidly becoming a second-language throughout the United States and is particularly significant in Hartford since at least one-third of Hartford residents are native Spanish speakers or children of native Spanish speakers. Admission to most colleges and universities requires that students study at least two years of a foreign language, but three years is preferred. For this reason, it is recommended that all University High School students take at least three years of Spanish.

World Language Learning Outcomes

• Students will engage in conversation, provide and obtain information, express feelings and exchange opinions using the Spanish language.
• Students will understand and interpret spoken and written Spanish on a variety of topics and will communicate information, concepts and ideas on a variety of topics both in oral and written Spanish.
• Students will demonstrate an understanding of the concept of culture through comparisons of the range of Spanish cultures in Europe, Latin America and the United States.
• Students will reinforce and expand the knowledge acquired in the Global Studies curricula through their study of Spanish language.

Since many schools in the Grater Hartford area require language study prior to high school, it is expected the many students will begin their Spanish classes at the intermediate level. Advance Spanish classes will be offered for students with demonstrated proficiency in both written and oral Spanish. These classes are particularly recommended for native Spanish speakers. The focus of the advance Spanish classed is the study and interpretation of Spanish literature and the development of critical analysis using the Spanish language. Students have the option of taking courses in Spanish literature at the University of Hartford.

Teachers

Ariadna Beauchamp

Irene Killian

Alfredo Medina