God created language to communicate with his creation. As we listen for his voice and read his Word, God reveals his nature and his perfect plan for humanity.
As we express our thoughts to God in words or in writing, we are able to express our gratitude for his actions and our pleas for his intervention. As we listen and speak with one another, we are able to communicate to our fellowman, to share in each other’s joys and sufferings and to ultimately share with each other what God has shared with each of us.
As we learn a second language, our view of God’s world expands. We learn about cultural values through vocabulary and grammatical construction, and our understanding of these aspects of culture empowers us to learn about still others. When we can understand and comprehend a second language, it opens doors to learn about foreign facets of the universe and the God who created it. With an understanding of language, we can interact with others, read literature, and experience life in ways different from those to which we have become accustomed. Our view of life, of our surroundings, and of God grows and expands.
Spanish 1
An introduction to Spanish, we concentrate on vocabulary building, covering such topics as introductions, school, time, sports, weather, travel, family, and food. We work only in the present tense, learning how to conjugate both regular and irregular verbs. Students learn to pray in Spanish and memorize Bible verses at the end of each unit. Whenever possible, we include guest speakers, especially missionaries to Spanish-speaking countries when available.
Spanish 2
Spanish II builds on Spanish I, adding vocabulary having to do with shopping, clothing, sightseeing, pets, home responsibilities, letter-writing, holidays, body parts, and toiletries. Verb tenses are expanded to include preterite, imperfect, present progressive, and imperative. Prayer in Spanish is expanded to include prayer requests from classmates, and Bible verses are memorized at the end of each unit.
Spanish 3
Spanish III builds on Spanish II, adding vocabulary about computers, technology, jobs, cars, politics, the home, travel and the Bible. Verb tenses are expanded to include future, conditional, four perfect tenses, and the subjunctive. Prayer and Bible memorization are continued.
Spanish 4
Spanish IV builds on Spanish III but puts more emphasis on the verbal skills. Vocabulary is expanded, and previous verb tenses are reviewed with more in-depth study of the subjunctive. Various short literary selections will be read, but our main goal is that each student will be able to witness and share the gospel in Spanish. Those who feel prepared and desire to take the AP exam in May can do so.