Course Catalog

World Languages

Since language and communication are fundamental to human experience, the department aims to help students establish their roles as citizens of a diverse and changing world by developing language skills and cultural knowledge to communicate successfully. Educating students about the culture and geography of other countries promotes cross-­cultural understanding and communication. All students are expected to develop and maintain proficiency in one other world language. Honors courses are offered in levels III and IV, if enrollment warrants, for students who have demonstrated the ability and willingness to undertake advanced study while still in high school. Subsequent offerings include Advanced Placement Language courses in French, Mandarin Chinese, and Spanish, as well as AP Spanish Literature, followed by Hispanic Cinema Studies. Other electives, which may alternate with AP offerings, include French V Honors, and Advanced Francophone Culture.

Heritage Speakers
After careful consideration of their abilities to communicate in the target language, students will be placed in Middle or Upper School heritage-­speaker Spanish or French courses through an assessment typically consisting of a brief interview in the target language, written and oral placement test, and a teacher’s recommendation. Often there is little correlation between the language levels at which students are enrolled and their grade levels at Palmer Trinity.

  • Grade 6

    The linguistic component of the sixth-grade Discovery Program is designed to introduce the students to three World Languages. All students have the opportunity to study for several weeks in each of the following languages: Chinese, French, and Spanish. Introducing the students to language instruction at an early age whets their appetites for further language study. At the end of the year, students will choose their language of study.

  • Chinese 1 A

    (1 credit)

    This first-year Middle School introductory Chinese course is designed to help students establish the foundation of vocabulary, knowledge of Chinese and communication skills through the natural and gradual integration of language, content, and cultural elements. This course is designed to emphasize the development of communication skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. This first-year Middle School introductory Chinese course is designed for students who have little or no prior knowledge of Chinese. It provides an opportunity for students to learn basic phonetics and pronunciation skills, practice dialogues and short conversations, and gain basic reading and writing skills in the target language. It emphasizes building basic vocabulary and establishing basic skills in listening and speaking Chinese.

  • Chinese 1 B

    (1 credit)

    The Chinese IB course mainly focuses on continuing to help students establish the foundation of vocabulary, knowledge of Chinese and communication skills through the natural and gradual integration of language, content, and cultural elements. This course is designed to emphasize the development of communication skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. This second-year Middle School introductory Chinese course is designed for students who attended Chinese 1A. It provides an opportunity for students to review basic phonetics and practice pronunciation skills, dialogues, and short conversations, and continue to gain basic reading and writing skills in Chinese. It emphasizes building basic vocabulary and establishing basic skills in listening and speaking Chinese. 
    Prerequisite: Chinese 1A (or equivalent).

  • French I A

    (1 credit)

    This course is the first half of the Upper School level I course. is the beginner level that lays the foundation for students to build proficiency through the Novice levels. This course will help students to reflect on the target language through the lens of interculturality. Students will develop communicative skills on a variety of topics via dynamic and engaging activities, interactions, and videos. 

  • French I B

    (1 credit)

    This course is the second half of the Upper School level I course, a continuation of French IA. It focuses on functional communicative proficiency and the acquisition of the fundamentals of applied grammar. The four language skills of speaking, listening comprehension, reading, and writing are developed through contextual language teaching. Utilizing this eclectic approach to language acquisition allows students to hear and see the language in use and move from guided practice to open-ended expressions incorporating higher-order critical thinking.
    Prerequisite: French 1A (or equivalent) departmental assessment placement, and approval.

  • Spanish I A

    (1 credit)

    This course is the first half of the Upper School level 1 course. This is an introductory course to the Spanish language and culture focusing on functional communicative proficiency and the acquisition of the fundamentals of applied grammar. The four language skills of speaking, listening comprehension, reading, and writing are developed through a topical approach to contextual language acquisition utilizing an eclectic approach of hearing and seeing the language in use and moving from guided practice to open-ended expression incorporating higher-order critical thinking skills. 

  • Spanish I B

    (1 credit)

    This course is the second half of the Upper School level I course. It focuses on functional communicative proficiency and the acquisition of the fundamentals of applied grammar. The four language skills of speaking, listening comprehension, reading, and writing are developed through contextual language teaching. Students will also be introduced to the diversity of the Spanish-speaking world with an emphasis on contemporary Latin culture. Specific content includes, but is not limited to, expansions of vocabulary and conversational skills through discussions of selected readings. Contemporary vocabulary stresses activities that are important to the everyday life of the target language-speaking people. 
    Prerequisite: Spanish 1A (or equivalent) departmental assessment placement, and approval.

  • Spanish I S

    (1 credit)

    This course is designed for heritage, near-native, native speakers of Spanish or students with extensive outside experience and exposure. It seeks to reinforce and develop writing and reading skills in Spanish, and to develop proficiency in spelling, vocabulary, and appropriate verb conjugation in cultural context. Several short selections from Hispanic literature and cross-curricular themes provide the basis for studying the Spanish language in a grammatical, cultural, and historical context. Students are expected to discuss grammar and verb conjugations, along with literary and cross-curricular themes, in Spanish.  This course is conducted exclusively in Spanish.
    Enrollment is subject to departmental recommendation or placement test.

  • Spanish II S

    (1 credit)

    This course is designed for heritage, near-native, or native speakers of Spanish or students with extensive outside experience and exposure. It continues seeks to reinforce and develop writing and reading skills in Spanish with an emphasis on developing proficiency in spelling, vocabulary, and appropriate verb conjugation in a cultural context in a more complex and extensive study of the language. Students create projects to reinforce their knowledge of Spanish in context. The use of several short selections from Hispanic literature and cross-curricular themes provides the basis for studying the Spanish language in a grammatical, cultural, and historical context. Students are expected to discuss grammar along with literary and cross-curricular themes, in Spanish. This course is conducted exclusively in Spanish.
    Prerequisite: Spanish I S or equivalent, departmental placement test.

  • Spanish III S

    (1 credit)

    This course is an intermediate-level course designed for heritage, near-native speakers, or students with extensive outside experience and exposure to the Spanish language. It continues to reinforce and develop writing and reading skills while placing a strong emphasis on mastering proficiency in spelling, vocabulary, and grammatical structures of the language previously acquired by students in Spanish IIS. The student is introduced to increasingly more complex aspects of the language through the formal study of grammar as well as through readings on Hispanic culture and literature. 
    Prerequisite: Spanish II S or equivalent or departmental placement test.

Faculty

Main Entrance: 8001 SW 184th Street, Miami, FL 33157
Mailing Address: 7900 SW 176th Street, Miami, FL 33157
Main:     305.251.2230
Admission:     305.969.4208