Foreign Languages

There are three foreign languages that Sisters High School offers. They are German, Spanish and American Sign Language. They are taught by Mrs. Hedemark, Mrs. Quiros and Ms. Dempsey.

Mrs. Hedemark

Mrs. Hedemark German 1: This course will develop a working knowledge of the German sound system, basic sentence structure, and fundamental grammatical concepts and related terminology. Basic language skills of reading, listening, speaking and writing will be targeted with emphasis on working towards Benchmark II performance standards. Students will also be introduced to the cultural and geographic environment of Germany and Austria. German 2: This course will include a substantial review of material covered in German 1, as well as the introduction of geographic and cultural aspects of Switzerland. It will aim at keeping pronunciation at perfection level and expand vocabulary and grammatical concepts in the topic areas that are required for proficiency at Benchmark III. Students achieving this proficiency will be well equipped to successfully complete an on location or online first year college credit course in German, as independent study during high school.

Mrs. Quiros Spanish 1: This introductory course gives students the opportunity to learn about Spanish speaking countries, people, and their cultures. The basic grammar and vocabulary will help students communicate with each other as well as native speakers. Students will use text, listen to tapes, interview classmates , write short compositions, and see films. With the addition of art and history sums up the first course of Spanish. Spanish 2: After reviewing basic grammatical structures and vocabulary learned in Spanish 1, students will expand their ability to express orally the language. Reading short articles and orally participating in class will increase their communication skills, cultural awareness and gain oral proficiency. Tapes, films, music, slides will be part of class activities in addition to oral communication, oral reports incorporating cultural and historical events of the foreign languages, and original dialogues. Spanish 3: The third class offers a continuation of all previous work completed. In addition to the usual grammar and vocabulary building, students will read short stories, a short novels, poetry, and translate newspaper and magazine articles. There will be more emphasis on communicating only in Spanish. Students will sustain simple conversations, use questions and answers, and interact in limited situation in past, present, and future tenses. Spanish 4: Conversations in Spanish. Specific topics to be announced.

Mrs. Quiros

Mrs. Dempsey

Mrs. Dempsey American Sign Language 1: This course will focus on the use and study of American Sign Language (ASL). It will include basic ASL vocabulary, grammatical structures, and conversational behaviors. American Sign Language 2: After reviewing basic grammatical structures, vocabulary and conversational behavior learned in ASL 1, students will expand their ability to express themselves "orally" with the addition of values and beliefs shared by the deaf community.