World Languages
The World Languages Department at Rocklin High School offers a dynamic and comprehensive curriculum to equip students with valuable communication skills in today’s global society. Currently, the department offers courses in Spanish and French, with American Sign Language (ASL) and World Cultures also available to expand cultural understanding and language exposure.
To meet RHS graduation requirements, students must complete at least one year of a world language; however, the department strongly recommends completing two or more years to remain competitive for college and university admissions. Whether students aim to fulfill graduation requirements, explore a new language, or enjoy the learning experience, Rocklin High’s World Languages program provides multiple opportunities to develop listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in the target language.
Courses Offered:
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American Sign Language (ASL)
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World Cultures
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French 1, 2, 3, 3 Honors, Dual Enrollment (DE) French
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Spanish 1, 2, 2 Advanced, 3, 3 Honors, 4 Honors, Dual Enrollment (DE) Spanish
Courses
Courses![]()
ASL I
American Sign Language I is a beginning foreign language course offered in the high school setting. This course offers students the beginning foundation for American Sign Language skill acquisition to include: fingerspelling, numbers, basic signs, non-manual signals, grammar and syntax. Students will practice and create dialogs to demonstrate expressive and receptive communicative competence. Students will acquire knowledge and appreciation for the Deaf culture through literature, art, various readings, Deaf events and visitations by Deaf guest speakers.
This course has the dual purpose of laying a strong foundation for American Sign Language skill acquisition as well as developing a deep understanding for the Deaf community. Through interactive classroom participation in dialogues and conversing in ASL, students gain fluency in signing the alphabet, numbers, words, and syntactically correct sentences incorporating essential grammatical non-manual signals. Exposure to various learning opportunities promotes understanding and appreciation for the Deaf culture. This will be accomplished through: ASL guest speakers, DVDs, audiovisual deaf biographies, various readings and Deaf cultural events.
ASL II
Grade Level: 10 – 12
Prerequisite: ASL I
American Sign Language 2 is a continuation of the basic study of the language and culture acquired in ASL 1. At this level, emphasis will be on ASL grammar including facial expression, body language and introduction to conversational regulators. Students will attend one deaf event per semester, will be assigned reports, and projects emphasizing appreciation of Deaf culture.
ASL III
Grade Level: 11 – 12
Prerequisite: ASL II
American Sign Language 3 is a rigorous class designed to enhance proficiency in American Sign Language through a linguistic, communicative, and cultural approach to language learning. 90 percent of the class will be taught in sign language with complete voices off. There is a continued emphasis on the development of receptive and expressive signing skills. Experiences with American Sign Language and Deaf literature are broadened. Cross-cultural understanding is fostered and real-life applications are emphasized throughout the course.
French I
This course is designed to introduce students to the basics of the French language and culture. The focus of the course is communication and using French to accomplish simple tasks. For example, students will learn to greet each other in French, rather than just learn French grammar. Students will learn the language by using it both in and out of the classroom. Classroom activities will include paired and group activities, simulations, role-playing, games, songs, skits, videos, presentations, art related projects, exercises, and oral/written exams.
French II
Grade Level: 10 – 12
Prerequisite: Successful completion of French 1
French II is a year-long course designed to build upon the grammar and culture that students learned in French I. The focus of the course is communication, using French to accomplish tasks. Students learn to converse in French along with learning the rules. Students will begin to form complex sentences and initiate conversations with others.
French III Honors
Grade Level: 11 – 12
Prerequisite: Grade of an “A” or “B” in French II
French III Honors is a rigorous course and is designed to challenge the student to better communicate in the target language. The course is taught in the target language and focuses on advanced grammatical concepts, literature, speaking, and listening skills. Classroom activities will include paired and group activities, simulations, role-playing, games, songs, skits, plays, videos, and presentations. Students will use complex to advanced sentences and will further develop skills that will allow them to communicate effectively with French speakers.
French IV Honors
Grade Level: 12
Prerequisite: Successful completion of French III H
This option is a rigorous, college-level class. Therefore, you will receive college credit for this course. In this class, the syllabus of a Sierra College Intermediate - level French course will be followed. Grammatical topics included are the conditional, present subjunctive, future simple, reflexive verbs, and object pronouns. However, the emphasis is not on grammar but rather on communication skills (reading, writing, speaking and listening). There will be essays to write and oral presentations. We will sing songs and read short stories. There will be extensive thematic vocabulary lists as well as cultural topics. It is a fun opportunity to become more fluent in French. This course will be conducted primarily in French. The first semester of the course will focus on preparing you for the Sierra College curriculum, and the second semester will be the Sierra College portion of the class. The textbook will be Espaces, published by Vista Higher Learning.
Spanish I
Spanish I is a one-year course designed so that the student will study vocabulary, have a basic mastery of regular and irregular verb conjugations in the present tense, and be able to answer basic questions in a staged setting. In addition, students will begin to develop a stronger cultural awareness, which is an essential aspect of learning a language. Students will start to develop a sound vocabulary base and learn many basic rules that govern Spanish grammar. Classroom activities will include paired and group activities, songs, skits, translations, games, videos, presentations, art related projects with a grammar component, daily warm-ups, daily language activities, quizzes, and tests (written and oral).
Spanish II
Grade Level: 9 – 12
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Spanish I
Spanish II is designed to expand students’ understanding of Spanish language and culture. The focus of the course is to increase students' language base. Attention will be devoted to vocabulary acquisition and additional grammatical concepts and new tenses. Students will begin to form more complex sentences and initiate conversations with others. Classroom activities will include paired and grouped activities, simulations, role-playing, daily grammar work, dictations, storytelling, games, songs, skits, plays, videos, and presentations.
Spanish III
Grade Level: 10 – 12
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Spanish II
Spanish III is designed to build upon the grammar and culture that the students learned in Spanish II. The focus of this course is communication and grammar. The students will learn the language by using it both in and out of the classroom. Classroom activities will include paired and grouped activities, simulations, role-playing, daily warm-ups, dictations, storytelling, games, songs, skits, plays, videos, and presentations.
Spanish III H
Grade Level: 10 – 12
Prerequisite: Grade of a “B” or better in Spanish II or Spanish II Advanced
Spanish III Honors is a more rigorous course than Spanish III and is designed to prepare students for either Dual Enrollment Intermediate Spanish or Spanish IV Honors. The course focuses on advanced grammatical concepts, literature, speaking, and listening skills. Students will use complex to advanced sentences and will further develop skills that will allow them to communicate effectively with Spanish speakers.
Spanish IV Honors
Grade Level: 11 – 12
Prerequisite: Grade of a “B” or better in Spanish III or Spanish III Honors
Spanish IV Honors is an advanced Spanish course that focuses on developing skills in writing, reading, speaking, and listening by using previous knowledge of grammatical concepts. The verb tenses will be reviewed and additional grammatical concepts will be covered. The course is taught primarily in the target language. Classroom activities will include individual, paired, and group activities, simulations, dictations, music, movies, and presentations. We will also study and learn about many Spanish speaking cultural concepts.
INTERMEDIATE SPANISH (Dual Enrollment)
Grade Level: 11 – 12
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Spanish III/IIIH or Spanish IVH.
Dual Enrollment: Sierra College/SPAN 0003
Intermediate Spanish is a rigorous, college-level class. Therefore, you will receive college credit for this course. In this class, the syllabus of a Sierra College Intermediate - level Spanish course will be followed. Grammatical topics included are imperfect vs. preterite, the present subjunctive, and object pronouns. However, the emphasis is not on grammar but rather on communication skills (reading, writing, speaking and listening.) There will be essays to write and oral presentations. We will sing songs and read short stories. There will be extensive thematic vocabulary lists as well as cultural topics. It is a fun opportunity to become more fluent in Spanish. This course will be conducted primarily in Spanish. The first semester of the course will focus on preparing you for the Sierra College curriculum, and the second semester will be the Sierra College portion of the class. The textbooks will be “Ven Conmigo 3” and “Spanish Grammar”, chapters 1-5 for first semester and "Imagina," chapters 1-5 for second semester.
