TECHNOLOGYExploring Technology - Required (8 th grade)This course is centered on aspects of modern technology. Students will set up real-world experiments usingthe wide variety of equipment provided. They will then follow computer-aided instruction to understandthe processes of how these new and emerging technologies work. Some examples of topics are AlternativeEnergy, Construction Technology, Electronic Communications, Basic Electricity, Computer Aided Design(CAD) and Aerospace Technology.20
WORLD LANGUAGESThe goals of the language courses offered at <strong>Abington</strong> <strong>School</strong> District grades 7-12 are to enable students to:Communicate in the language of study in the following modes.a. Interpersonal (speaking/writing/listening/reading in a two-way communication)b. Interpretive (listening/reading)c. Presentational (speaking/writing to an audience)Relate cultural information of the countries where the language is spoken.Communicate with individuals from the communities where the language is spoken.Analyze the concepts of culture and nature of language through comparisons of the language and English.Connect with other disciplines through the use of the language.The program of instruction exhibits the following characteristics:1. Student-Centered classrooms which provide a supportive non-threatening environment to help focus onpractice and communication.2. Communication-Based learning which emphasizes teaching and learning in the target language.3. Cultural and Global Learning which fosters an understanding, appreciation and acceptance of differentcultures through extensive use of authentic documents and direct interaction with members of other cultures.Culture is integral to the learning and is central to each thematic unit.4. Connections with Other Disciplines that build upon, reinforce and make connections with knowledgeacquired in other curriculum areas, while providing insight into the English language.5. Ongoing Proficiency-Based Assessments which focus on evaluating students’ overall abilities to use the targetlanguage for communication.Which Language Should I Choose?French: Bonjour, mes amis! French is the official language of 28 countries with 265 million people and is considered a“Critical Language” in the National Security Language Initiative (NSLI) because of the large number of Caribbean andAfrican countries that speak it. French-speakers are in demand in banking, tourism, national security and healthcare.It is the language in 50% of the foreign films watched in the US and the source of fine art and literature. It is estimatedthat approximately 15,000 words and expressions in English are derived from French; making it an excellent resource forSAT vocabulary.German: Ich finde Deutsch super! If you can read that, you are already well on your way! Come learn and experienceGerman, an international language with a very close relationship to English. Germany, the economic powerhouse ofEurope is also home to the best traveled tourists throughout the world and is the best language for those interested in afuture in international business. From Einstein to Rammstein, German truly is a global language that is recognized byover a 125 million speakers throughout the world.Mandarin Chinese: Ni hao! Mandarin Chinese is the most spoken language in the world with 720 million people andconsidered a critical language in the National Security Language Initiative (NSLI). In Asia and Europe, it is one of themost used languages in business and careers. China has a culture over 5,000 years old with a history of philosophy andmedicine that complements Western culture. Due to the different writing and sound systems in Mandarin Chinese,native English-speaking students generally take longer to be proficient. Students interested in studying Chinese shouldenter the program with the intention of completing the full sequence. This program prepares students to take the APChinese exam in the Chinese Simplified form from the College Board as the culminating course.Spanish: Hola! Bienvenidos! Spanish is the official language of 20 countries with 320 million speakers worldwide and isconsidered a “Critical Language” in the National Security Language Initiative (NSLI). Spanish is used in the communityfor social and career purposes: medicine, business, restaurant, and the service industry. Many popular artists in music,film, and art have a connection to the Hispanic world.A student may begin to study a language at level 1 at any grade level with the exception of Latin which beginsin 10 th grade.Most 4 year colleges require a minimum of 3 years of language study grades 9-12. <strong>Abington</strong> <strong>School</strong> Districtstrongly recommends a minimum of four years of language study and takes pride in the numbers of studentswho study languages for an even longer sequence. Studies have shown that long sequences of language studyresult in higher SAT scores over any other variable studied. Beginning language study in 7 th or 8 th grade setsthe foundation for a successful experience in language learning.21
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