The Recommended Plan Diploma requires two consecutive years of high school level study within the same foreign language. Language credits earned in the eighth grade do not satisfy any requirement for this regular diploma.
Honors Diploma: Nolan Catholic requires three consecutive years of study within the same foreign language for an honors diploma. Modern Language credits earned in the eighth grade do qualify as one of three years of study for an Honors diploma. Modern Language courses, at the fourth year level and above, are AP courses.
Nolan Catholic strongly recommends that students take a minimum of three years of Foreign Language in preparation for college.
Both modern and classical languages are offered at Nolan Catholic. The goal of modern language study is to increase understanding of and communication among other peoples of different cultures in order to further establish a vision of a world community.
In French, German and Spanish classes, students learn reading, writing, listening comprehension and speaking skills.
In Latin, students focus on reading and translation skills, and along the way they acquire a foundation of vocabulary in any and all European languages.
In all languages students are exposed to the cultures and history associated with the target language.
The Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Languages Other Than English (TEKS for LOTE) are organized around five Program Goals referred to as "The Five Cs" -- Communication, Cultures, Connections, Comparisons, and Communities.
The Five Cs emphasize that beyond essential grammar and vocabulary skills, true proficiency involves using language in appropriate ways, in a variety of contexts, and for a variety of purposes. Five overlapping circles illustrate the interrelatedness of the goals. Communication appears in the center because it is the vehicle by which students reach the other four goals. These other goals, in turn, provide expanded contexts and learning opportunities that support the central goal of Communication.
Communities
Students are given opportunities to learn beyond the classroom. Learning opportunities may include programs and activities from within the school and to the home/community. Care is given to exposing students to be able to cope in the wide range of a global society.
Communication
Students engage in oral and written exchanges including providing and obtaining information, expressing feelings and preferences, and exchanging ideas and opinions;
Students interpret and demonstrate understanding of spoken, and written language, including literature, on a variety of topics; and
Students present information, concepts, and ideas on a variety of topics to listeners and readers.
Students apply their knowledge of a foreign language in supporting the Marianist Characteristics to Educate for Service, Justice and Peace; and to Educate for Adaptation and Change.
Culture
Students will gain knowledge and understanding of other cultures. Understanding cultural differences is crucial for life I the 21st century. Students will better understand other cultures as well as their own. Students will become better able to understand other peoples’ point of view, ways of life, and contributions to our world. Students will also understand the ‘why’ behind many of our own (American) cultural practices.
Connections
Students reinforce and further their knowledge of other disciplines through the foreign language.
Students acquire information and recognize the distinctive viewpoints that are only available through the foreign language and its cultures.
World languages instruction must be connected with other subject areas. Today most content from other subject areas is developed around common themes. Students can relate the information studied in other subjects in their language to foreign languages and cultures. Students can also compare the language they are learning to their own native language and assess linguistic and cultural differences.
Comparisons
Students learn to make comparisons in linguistics in their learning of a foreign language by acquiring the target vocabulary, grammar, sentence structure, poetic devices and English derivatives from and within the target language.
Students learn to make comparisons in culture in their learning of a foreign language by noticing every day behavior similarities and differences within the cultures, the influence of English on foreign cultures, the influence of foreign culture on English culture and the interrelationship of the arts and literature between the two cultures.
Students learn to make comparisons in the history of a foreign language by noticing the influence of US. History on the history of the target language and vice versa, and the interdependence of US. History and the target society in the modern world.
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