World Languages - Taipei American School

MANDARIN

The Mandarin program at TAS divides courses into a Heritage track and Foreign Language Track. Within the Heritage track, there are three levels: Foundation level, Grade level and Advanced level. The Heritage track develops reading and writing proficiency using a variety of high-interest and authentic materials. The Foreign Language track focuses on daily life and familiar topics in order to develop listening and speaking skills while, at the same time, building a solid foundation in reading and writing. The learning environment for both tracks is rigorous and challenging but enjoyable and engaging at the same time. New students are placed at the appropriate level by the Middle School Mandarin Coordinator and Mandarin teachers.

Mandarin Course Descriptions

Mandarin as a Foreign Language
Heritage Track: Foundation, Grade Level, and Advanced

Mandarin as a Foreign Language

Grade 6

The Grade 6 Mandarin as a Foreign Language courses levels A and B are designed to develop a basic proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, writing and/or computer-based writing. The courses focus on continued authentic communication and expressing or communicating topic language in daily use. The materials and activities are prepared for students to acquire additional grammatical structures and vocabulary to reach proficiency in conversation, reading, and writing as well as a further understanding of the Chinese culture and customs.

Grade 7

The Grade 7 Mandarin as a Foreign Language courses levels A, B, and C are designed to develop proficiency in language skills with a strong emphasis on speaking and listening in addition to some reading, writing, and/or computer-based writing activities related to topics that reflect community as well as daily life. Students’ understanding of how the language functions is expanded thus providing the opportunity to become more confident in their Mandarin skills. The materials and activities emphasize authentic situations and cultural awareness, which develop the language skills in Mandarin through a communicative approach.

Grade 8

The Grade 8 Mandarin as a Foreign Language courses levels A, B, C, and D are designed to continue developing language proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, writing and/or computer-based writing. The communicative approach is used to introduce vocabulary and structures through the functions of language. The materials and activities emphasize mastery of the grammar structures required at the next level of the Mandarin program while allowing students to engage in authentic situations.

Heritage Track: Foundation, Grade Level, and Advanced

Grade 6

The Grade 6 heritage track courses are designed for students who are continuing to develop their proficiency in reading and writing skills. Students are expected to present information, ideas, and concepts clearly in logical sequence. They are also expected to read aloud stories fluently from the learning materials with or without the phonetic aide and be able to infer the meanings of unknown words from reading clues and techniques. Students also learn to write descriptive articles.

Grade 7

The Grade 7 heritage track courses are designed for students who are continuing to develop their proficiency in reading and writing skills. Students are expected to read level-appropriate articles, and comprehend them with or without the phonetic aide. They are able to summarize the story and reflect on the text in the student's own words. Students learn to write a variety of essays, using concrete words and images to convey their feelings and thoughts towards the audience.

Grade 8

The Grade 8 heritage track courses are designed for students who are continuing to develop their proficiency in reading and writing skills. Students are expected to read and comprehend more complex materials with or without the phonetic aide and can express one's own opinion and thoughts clearly. Students will be able to demonstrate competence and use strategies for reading a variety of informational texts and stories. Students will use effective word choice, sentence fluency, idiomatic expressions, and the literary techniques in their poems and written composition.

SPANISH

The middle school Spanish program gives students the opportunity to study the second most widely spoken language in the United States. Using authentic materials and interactive, engaging lessons, students will acquire a solid foundation of beginning language skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Students in the Spanish program will also improve their cultural knowledge and understanding of Spanish-speaking communities around the world. The learning environment is designed to be both enjoyable and effective, using age-appropriate learning tools and activities including songs, videos, simulated skits, and plenty of authentic communicative exercises. Students with prior experience studying Spanish will be given a placement test in order to determine the most appropriate class for their current language level.

Spanish Course Descriptions

Grade 6

Spanish 1A

This course is designed to help students develop a basic proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing and to prepare them for further study of the Spanish language. The communicative approach is used to introduce vocabulary and structures through the functions of the language. Authentic materials and cultural information are interwoven throughout the course to provide a framework for proficiency in the language and an appreciation of the cultures of the countries where Spanish is spoken.

Grade 7

Spanish 1A

This course is designed to help students develop a basic proficiency in listening, speaking, reading and writing and to prepare them for further study of the Spanish language. The communicative approach is used to introduce vocabulary and structures through the functions of the language. Authentic materials and cultural information are interwoven throughout the course to provide a framework for proficiency in the language and an appreciation of the cultures of the countries where Spanish is spoken.

Spanish 1B

This course is a continuation of Spanish 1A designed to help students further their basic proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing and to help prepare them for the next Spanish level. The communicative approach is used to introduce vocabulary and structures through the functions of the language. Authentic materials and cultural information are interwoven throughout the course to provide a framework for proficiency in the language and an appreciation of the cultures of the countries where Spanish is spoken. Students who successfully complete this course will move on to take Spanish 2.

Grade 8

Intro to Spanish

This basic introductory course is designed to help students develop a basic proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing and to prepare them for further study of the Spanish language. The communicative approach is used to introduce vocabulary and structures through the functions of the language. Authentic materials and cultural information are interwoven throughout the course to provide a framework for proficiency in the language and an appreciation of the cultures of the countries where Spanish is spoken. After completing this introductory course, students will go on to take either Spanish 1 or Spanish 2 in Grade 9, depending on placement recommendation.

Spanish 1B

This course is a continuation of Spanish 1A designed to help students further their basic proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing and to help prepare them for the next Spanish level. The communicative approach is used to introduce vocabulary and structures through the functions of the language. Authentic materials and cultural information are interwoven throughout the course to provide a framework for proficiency in the language and an appreciation of the cultures of the countries where Spanish is spoken. Students who successfully complete this course will move on to take Spanish 2.

Spanish 2

In this course, previously learned vocabulary and structures are reinforced, serving as a transition into new material. The students’ understanding of how the language functions is expanded while continuing to make the Spanish language relevant to their daily lives. The stress is on continued authentic communication, cultural awareness, and relying on Spanish for comprehension. Students who successfully complete this course will move on to take Spanish 3 or Spanish 3 Honors, depending on placement recommendation.