Academics

Departments

World Languages

Main Number: (415) 334-0525   Fax Number: (415) 334-9726

Name/Title/Profile	E-mail	Ext.
Paula McLaughlin Department Chair/Teacher BA, UCLA Teaching Credential, San Francisco State University Read about Madame's Moroccan Adventure		x320
John Stering Teacher BA, Sonoma State University BA, Cal State University Chico		x323
Tanya Hidalgo de Keck Teacher MA, San Jose State University BA, Universidad Americana , Nicaragua		x381
Cynthia Ovares MAP Coordinator / Teacher BS, New York University NY Teaching Credential, NYU CA Teaching Credential		x326

 

Department Profile

The World Language Department offers a four-year college preparatory program in French, Spanish and Spanish for Native Speakers (SNS). Special options include Honors placement in Spanish III, SNS III and French III; Advanced Placement in Spanish IV, SNS IV and French IV. The course in AP Spanish Literature is the highest level available. A one-semester course in American Sign Language is available for juniors and seniors.

 

Requirements

To graduate from Mercy High School, a student must complete two years of the same world language. She may not change languages after the first year, until she has completed the minimum two-year requirement. See Course Catalog for grade requirements to advance to next levels.

The University of California (U.C.) and the California State University (C.S.U.) systems strongly encourage a third and even a fourth year of world language study for entrance. Students are encouraged to complete all four years of language study to achieve fluency as well as other educational benefits (awareness of world’s cultures, increased vocabulary acquisition and transfer of reading comprehension skills to English, connection to other disciplines, etc.)

 

Goals & Methods

The study of world languages is integral to any educational program for the young in today’s world. Knowledge and appreciation of other languages and cultures are crucial for our future citizens in order to further international trade, world peace, and the protection of the environment.

All world language classes at Mercy have the same basic goals: to develop conversational ability, to build reading, writing and comprehension skills, and to instill an appreciation of different cultures. Working toward these goals, students use the target language with increasing frequency in the classroom. They are expected to be prepared and to participate orally on a daily basis. Structured exercises are followed by more personalized, spontaneous conversations about everyday situations in order to develop oral proficiency. At times, only the target language is used in the classroom. Any other contact with the foreign language outside the class is greatly encouraged: the Internet, television, radio, films, newspapers, books, magazines, museums and special events are possible sources.

 

Homework

Daily oral practice and preparation for class are of prime importance in learning another language. Normally, about 40 to 60 minutes of homework (both oral and written) will be assigned between classes. In addition, students should review previously learned material on a regular basis as success in learning a world language depends on memorizing ever increasing amounts of material.

 

Courses Offered

• French I, II, III, Honors III, IV and IV AP
• Spanish I, II, III, Honors III, IV and IV AP
• Spanish for Native Speakers I, II, III, III Honors, IV and IV AP
• AP Spanish Literature
• American Sign Language (one semester, upper division only)