World Language

Which students can enroll in Chinese 1 class? Can Mandarin native speakers enroll in this class?
Students with no prior learning experience in Mandarin Chinese can enroll in Chinese 1 class. Mandarin native speakers who do not know how to read or write must start from Chinese 1.

Which students can enroll in Chinese 2 class?
Normally, students who have learned Chinese for two or three years will be placed in Chinese 2.

Which students can enroll in Chinese 3 class?
Normally, students who have learned Chinese for over three years will be placed in Chinese 3.

Which version of the Chinese characters will you teach?
SMUHSD and Aragon only teach Simplified Characters; however, students who have learned traditional characters in the past will be accommodated for tests.

Can 9th graders take Chinese 4 honors class?
The highest level that 9th graders may enter is Chinese 3 unless they show special maturity and in-depth knowledge of Chinese; if students show strength and maturity, they will be transferred to Chinese IV H after the placement test during the first two week of school.

What textbooks do the Chinese classes use?
All Chinese classes at Aragon use the Integrated Chinese series of textbooks (IC 1,2,3,4).

Can 9th graders take Chinese AP class?
9th graders are not recommended to take AP Chinese. In general, the highest level available for freshmen is Chinese 3, although
as described above, those who display exemplary academic and emotional maturity will be allowed to transfer to Chinese IV H.

Can students take the AP test at Aragon without taking the AP Chinese class?
Due to limitations with space available, Aragon cannot accommodate these requests. We encourage students who are interested in taking the test without taking the class to look into taking the test at other schools with more space. If you do not take the course and would like to still take the exam as a sophomore/junior, your spot may not be guaranteed, as we do reserve the space for students in the course and/or seniors hoping to take the exam.

What levels are offered?
Japanese 1, Japanese, 2, Japanese 3, Japanese 4 Honors, and AP Japanese Language and Culture.

As a freshman, can I skip some levels and join an upper level class?
Yes, after interview (and assessment test if needed), you can join level 2, 3, or 4 Honors but not AP.

Can I take AP class in freshman year?
No. You have to take 4 Honors or wait until you become a sophomore.

Can I take AP class in my senior year if I begin learning Japanese from high school for the first time?
Yes, if you finish level 3 with A- or above. You can skip level 4 Honors and take AP class. Every year, there are a couple of such students and they all passed the AP exam in the last 10+ years. So, you can do it!

What is the textbook?
Level 1 and 2 => Nakama 1, Level 3 and up => Nakama 2. Textbooks are used just as a reference.

Do I need to take the SAT subject test to apply for colleges?
Not for UC and CSU. Only a limited number of private colleges require three SAT subject test scores.

Do I have to take the AP exam if I take AP class?
Not mandatory but highly recommended.

What levels are offered?

• Spanish 1
• Spanish 2
• Spanish 3
• Spanish for Native Speakers 3
• Spanish 4 Honors
• AP Spanish Language

What class should my child sign up for?
Non-native speakers:

• If the student took one year of middle school Spanish, it is recommended to sign up for Spanish 1.
• If the student took two years of middle school Spanish with a C or better , it is recommended to sign up for Spanish 2.
• If the student has taken 3 or more years of Spanish, through an immersion program for example, then it is recommended to sign up for Spanish 3.

Native speakers/ Hispanohablantes:

• If Spanish is the home language, but the student has never taken a Spanish class at school, then the student should take a placement test. This will determine if the student is placed in Spanish 2, Spanish 3, or Spanish for Native Speakers 3.
• If Spanish is the home language and the student has taken classes in school, middle school or through an immersion program, then the student should sign up for Spanish for Native Speakers 3.
• Si se habla español en la casa pero el/ la estudiante nunca ha tomado una clase de español en la escuela primaria ni intermedia, entonces se recomienda tomar un examen de colocación. Así se puede determinar si el/ la estudiante necesita tomar español 2, español 3, español para nativos 3.
• Si se habla español en la casa y el/la estudiante ha tomado clases de español en la escuela primaria, intermedia, o en un programa de inmersión (como Fiesta Gardens), entonces se recomienda tomar el curso de español para nativos 3.

Can students skip a level of Spanish?

• It is not recommended that students skip a level of a language course.
• If a student wants to be considered for a higher level of Spanish because they have done independent or online work, they need to take a placement test.

What textbook do you use?

• Spanish 1: Realidades 1
• Spanish 2: Realidades 2
• Spanish 3: Realidades 3
• Spanish for Native Speakers 3: Realidades 3
• Spanish 4 Honors: Realidades 3 and Album
• AP Spanish Language: Temas and Abriendo Paso

What levels are offered?
Japanese 1, Japanese, 2, Japanese 3, Japanese 4 Honors, and AP Japanese Language and Culture.

As a freshman, can I skip some levels and join an upper level class?
Yes, after interview (and assessment test if needed), you can join level 2, 3, or 4 Honors but not AP.

Can I take AP class in freshman year?
No. You have to take 4 Honors or wait until you become a sophomore.

Can I take AP class in my senior year if I begin learning Japanese from high school for the first time?
Yes, if you finish level 3 with A- or above. You can skip level 4 Honors and take AP class. Every year, there are a couple of such students and they all passed the AP exam in the last 10+ years. So, you can do it!

What is the textbook?
Level 1 and 2 => Nakama 1, Level 3 and up => Nakama 2. Textbooks are used just as a reference.

Do I need to take the SAT subject test to apply for colleges?
Not for UC and CSU. Only a limited number of private colleges require three SAT subject test scores.

Do I have to take the AP exam if I take AP class?
Not mandatory but highly recommended.

What levels are offered?

• Spanish 1
• Spanish 2
• Spanish 3
• Spanish for Native Speakers 3
• Spanish 4 Honors
• AP Spanish Language

What class should my child sign up for?
Non-native speakers:

• If the student took one year of middle school Spanish, it is recommended to sign up for Spanish 1.
• If the student took two years of middle school Spanish with a C or better , it is recommended to sign up for Spanish 2.
• If the student has taken 3 or more years of Spanish, through an immersion program for example, then it is recommended to sign up for Spanish 3.

Native speakers/ Hispanohablantes:

• If Spanish is the home language, but the student has never taken a Spanish class at school, then the student should take a placement test. This will determine if the student is placed in Spanish 2, Spanish 3, or Spanish for Native Speakers 3.
• If Spanish is the home language and the student has taken classes in school, middle school or through an immersion program, then the student should sign up for Spanish for Native Speakers 3.
• Si se habla español en la casa pero el/ la estudiante nunca ha tomado una clase de español en la escuela primaria ni intermedia, entonces se recomienda tomar un examen de colocación. Así se puede determinar si el/ la estudiante necesita tomar español 2, español 3, español para nativos 3.
• Si se habla español en la casa y el/la estudiante ha tomado clases de español en la escuela primaria, intermedia, o en un programa de inmersión (como Fiesta Gardens), entonces se recomienda tomar el curso de español para nativos 3.

Can students skip a level of Spanish?

• It is not recommended that students skip a level of a language course.
• If a student wants to be considered for a higher level of Spanish because they have done independent or online work, they need to take a placement test.

What textbook do you use?

• Spanish 1: Realidades 1
• Spanish 2: Realidades 2
• Spanish 3: Realidades 3
• Spanish for Native Speakers 3: Realidades 3
• Spanish 4 Honors: Realidades 3 and Album
• AP Spanish Language: Temas and Abriendo Paso