The ability to communicate is of primary importance to the human experience. Students must be prepared to communicate in a pluralistic American society and in a shrinking world. Cleveland Central Catholic's Foreign Language Program is committed to the ideal of preparing citizens who are proficient in at least one language besides English. We believe that competence in more than one language and culture will enable students to participate in the global community and marketplace, to communicate with a greater variety of people, and to gain access to new bodies of knowledge. Further, familiarity with another language and culture helps one to re-examine one's own language and culture with new eyes. The study of language increases awareness, both of self and of others. Students who study languages learn the ways in which language is a manifestation of culture.

All students can achieve success and multiple benefits from the study of other languages and cultures, if they are given the opportunity as an integrated part of their school experience. Language and culture education is a central part of the core curriculum, ideally beginning as early as possible. Students will acquire, however, proficiency at varied rates, and with varied responses to different approaches and settings.

Students who pursue another language gain not only access to the new language and related cultures, but also enhanced basic communication skills in their first language, improved higher-order thinking skills, and the habit of discipline that is necessary for learning. Research studies indicate that the very process of studying another language may give students a cognitive boost that enables them to perform at higher levels in other subjects. In the brain, there is a strong connection across languages, and between language and thought.

Cleveland Central Catholic's Foreign Language Program endorses the "5 C's" of the Major Goals in the National Standards for Foreign Language Learning. They are:

To achieve these goals, both instruction and assessment in the foreign language classroom should be linked, to the extent possible, to real world meaning and communication. Grammar and textbooks are part of the Foreign Language curriculum, but should not drive the whole program. Students who complete a multi-year sequence of Foreign Language study should graduate from high school with communication skills and cultural attitudes that enhance their personal, academic and professional lives.

College Bound Students

Although Cleveland Central Catholic High School does not require a second language for graduation, it is strongly recommended that those who are college bound take 3 credits to meet the requirements of whatever college/university they wish to attend. Some colleges may only require 2 credits of a second language; however, many do require 3 credits. We highly recommend taking a 4 year program in order to be able to take a college placement test thus enabling the student to receive college credit for courses taken here at CCC if the student demonstrates proficiency.

Classes Offered

Spanish 1
Grade Level: 9, 11 - Elective

This course is designed to introduce the four skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing the Spanish language, as well as the civilizations of the Spanish-speaking peoples of the world.

Spanish 1DL
Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12 - Elective

This class is modified to meet the needs of students with Individual Services Plans. It introduces the four skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing the Spanish language, as well as the civilizations of the Spanish-speaking peoples of the world.

Spanish 2
Grade Level: 10,11, 12 - Elective

This course further develops the four skills in the use of the Spanish language, with emphasis on the use of the subjunctive mood, as well as the civilizations of the Spanish-speaking peoples of the world.

Spanish 2DL
Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12 - Elective

This course is a continuation of the above class and is modified to meet the needs of the students with Individual Service Plans.

Spanish 3
Grade Level: 10, 11, 12 - Elective

This course further refines the four skills of the Spanish language through advanced literary and cultural readings and multimedia presentations, conversation, creative writing, and grammar review.

Spanish 4
Grade Level: 10, 11, 12 - Elective

This course continues the progress made in Spanish 3, while adding the use of state-of-the-art technology. Technology is used in voice/text/graphic computer assisted language communication with cooperating schools and the Internet.

Spanish 5
Grade Level: 10, 11, 12 - Elective

This course further expands Spanish language skills through more advanced literary and cultural readings, such as plays and novels. In addition, technology continues to be used to enhance student-created projects that demonstrate skills in conversation, creative writing and advanced grammar usage. The Internet remains as a resource for authentic cultural material.

Spanish For Heritage Speakers I
Grade Level: All - Elective

For heritage (native) speakers who have an oral/aural knowledge of the Spanish language. The course is designed to meet the unique needs of native speakers of Spanish. It allows the native speaker an opportunity to expand and share language experience as well as to develop, enhance and strengthen grammar, reading and writing skills via intensive reading, written and oral presentations on Latino culture, art and literature. These classes emphasize spelling, accents, vocabulary, punctuation and sentence grammar of standard Spanish, and consist of daily readings, dictation and composition.

(Students are expected to have had some contact with the written language.)

Adaptive Spanish
Grade Level: All - Elective

This course stresses the same skills and goals of Spanish I and Spanish II but with an emphasis on individualized instruction.

Latin I
Grade Level: 11,12 - Elective

Latin I is designed to give students a working knowledge of basic La tin vocabulary and grammatical structures so as to enable them to comprehend elementary Latin texts. Simultaneous study of English derivatives from Latin words and Latin roots gives students a powerful tool in increasing their English vocabulary. Additionally, aspects of Roman life and culture are explored to broaden the students' awareness of the ancient world and its contributions to our culture. Imperial emphasis will be investigated, giving insights into the African, Iberian, British, Germanic, Hebraic, and Eastern contributions to the Greco-Roman world and Western civilization. The impact on and gifts from Jewish and Christian religions will be explored

English as a Second Language (ESL) (ESOL)
Grade Level: All - Placement (English to Students of Other Languages)

This course is designed as individualized instruction to meet the needs of nonnative speakers of English. Specific targets include the study of segmentals and suprasegmentals, general pronunciation, techniques to minimize first language interference with English (American-English accent acquisition), grammar, punctuation and reading. The goal is to have all students master near-native speech patterns and abilities. All topics will be taught in context--that is, a whole language approach will be used, integrating language skills, academic language functions, and content-based English. This course may be repeated, but not for credit. It may run concurrent with "standard" English courses, or it may replace another course in the English department, depending on the needs of the student. ESL may be taken as an elective. It may be, however, required based on testing and administrative decision.

**CCCHS may grant credit to students who perform academic study abroad with official evidence from an accredited educational institution

Cleveland Central Catholic High School provides a comprehensive curricular program, offering a variety of course sequences which exceed state requirements. These offerings proved intellectual and cultural experiences for the college-bound and the career-oriented.

A program of studies is a sequence of classes that a student will usually take while at Cleveland Central Catholic High School. These programs consist of many required classes with some elective options. Programs or studies are designed to assist students in meeting their potential and in receiving more direction to course selection.