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Japanese and Chinese Japanese and Chinese
Japanese and Chinese are offered via a "telecampus" course. Students who take Japanese or Chinese learn by observing courses and communicating with the instructor via a computer. The actual class occurs at another campus. These courses are for motivated, independent students who take personal responsibility for their own language learning
Related Clubs
Anime Club
French
French Southwest is proud of our tradition of preparing the most students in FWISD for success on the Advanced Placement French Language exam. Our graduates who have taken three or four years of French at Southwest consistently place out of and receive credit for college level classes. Our program is strong ... and our students have fun as they learn!
In addition to the information listed below, we have an informational brochure: Top Ten Reasons To Learn French
Top Ten Reasons To Learn French Part 2
French I
First year French students are taught the basics of language learning skills, common French vocabulary and structures, and are introduced to French cultures around the world. Our program emphasizes proficiency in all four language skill areas - speaking, listening, reading and writing. We engage the students in activities that perpare them for using French in the real world beyond the classroom.
French II
Second year French classes include 10th - 12th graders continuing their high school study, as well as 9th graders who began their French in 7th and 8th grade. Our French teachers work hard to blend these two groups of students, recognizing that they may have different levels of preparation. Part of the first semester includes a thorough review and reteaching of French I material, helping students to deepend their knowledge and master their skills. French II sees the student begin to function more independently with the language - creating language through written and oral activities. Students learn to talk about past events and deepen their understanding of verb forms.
French III
Third year French classes offer the possibility of honors credit. Honors French III and French III classes are both offered. This year the students begin to experience more authentic language (directly from French cultures, in addition to textbooks) through literature, music, films and online media. In French III students also study French art and art appreciation. The French III Honors class is a pre-requisite to continue studying French at the Advanced Placement level.
French IV / V AP
Fourth and Fifth year French classes are conducted as one class, with rotating curriculum so students do completely different material over the two years. Students expand their vocabulary base and practice their skills as they study French history, literature and contemporary culture. These classes are like family, as students have been learning French together throughout their high school experience. As mentioned before, reaching this level lof study often pasys off in college credit later!
Study trips to France has been a part of the French program at Southwest for over 25 years. Students are encouraged to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity on tours conducted over Spring Break or in the summer.
German
German The German program at Southwest is small but growing. Our students have numerous opportunities to participate in German culture outside of the classroom including: Deutscher Samstag at TCU, Meeting Dirk Nowitzki after a Dallas Mavericks Game, Music, Literature and other activity. Simply put, Deutsch macht Spaß! (German is fun!)
In addition to the information listed below, we have an informational brochure: Why Study German at Southwest
Also feel free to visit Frau Boyle's webpage and see a bit of what we have learned.
German I
First year German students are taught the basics of language learning skills, common German vocabulary basics (such as colors, numbers, hobbies, family) and structures, and are introduced to German culture around the world, and especially in Germany. The program emphasizes proficiency in all four language skill areas - speaking, listening, reading and writing. Students are engaged in activities that perpare them for using German in the real world beyond the classroom.
German II
Second year German classes include 10th - 12th graders continuing their high school study, as well as 9th graders who began their German in 7th and 8th grade. German II sees the student begin to function more independently with the language - creating language through written and oral activities. Students learn to talk about past events and deepen their understanding of verb forms. Additionaly students have the opportunity to read a book entirely in German and share what they have learned with other students.
German III / IV AP
Third and Fourth year German classes are conducted as one class, with rotating curriculum so students do completely different material over the two years. Students expand their vocabulary base and practice their skills as they study German history, literature and contemporary culture. These classes are like family, as students have been learning German together throughout their high school experience. As mentioned before, reaching this level lof study often pays off in college credit later!
Latin
Latin is the mother of all modern languages. The study of Latin is useful to all future careers, especially those in history, medicine, science and law. To learn more please download the attachment Latin.
Spanish
Spanish Spanish I
Spanish I is our introductory year into a new language. We set up our four skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing in our target language. Learning to communicate, practice and set up good study habits, about build a good foundation to continue with the language.
Spanish II
This second year is sometimes mixed with new ninth graders who have taken Spanish IA and IB in 7th and 8th grades. We continue to build our vocabulary and motivate our students by focusing on the usefulness of Spanish and the various cultures of the Spanish-speaking world.
Spanish III
Spanish III is offered to those students who are more serious and plan to move out of the novice level of learning a language and make it their own. This intermediate level is a stepping stone to the AP courses.
Spanish IV / V AP
Spanish IV/V AP is dedicated to the preparation of students for college credit earned in high school. The students participate in conversations and activities. Literature and art are studied. Hispanic authors, magazines, periodicals and websites are all read and introduced in the target languages.
Beth McLaughlin - French
Department Chair
Fascinated by languages, culture and travel, Beth Llewellyn McLaughlin perfected her French when she spent her senior year in high school as a foreign exchange student in France. Ms. McLaughlin teaches all levels of French, but especially enjoys the students who take her classes through all four years of high school and continue their study in college. Ms. McLaughlin has led many European study tours for SHS students and adults during her 26 years at Southwest.
Alejandro Banda - Spanish
Alejandro Banda grew up speaking Spanish at home. He majored in Spanish at the University of Texas in Arlington, where he also ran cross-country. Our master "Level 1" teacher, Mr. Banda prepares SHS Spanish students for success in upper-level classes. Outside of class, Mr. Banda coaches both boy's soccer and cross-country, sponsors the Hispanic Heritage Society and is the proud father of two little boys.
Laura Boyle - German
A genetics major and graduate of Texas A&M University, Laura Boyle's interest in German came when she worked as a Girl Scout camp counselor in Germany while in college. She receive her additional degrees in German and Education from The University of Texas at Arlington and has spent her summers attending prestigious institutes and programs for teachers of German in Germany. Outside of school Laura Boyle is a lifetime member and active volunteer for Girl Scouts of the USA.
Angela Constance - French & Spanish
University of Texas at Arlington SummaCum Laude graduate, and US Navy veteran, Angela Constance has always been in love with languages; starting with her studies of French, Spanish and German in the Fort Worth ISD. She continued study on her own during her Navy career. Now certified in both French and Spanish, Ms. Constance teaches both languages at Southwest. In addition to lively classes, Ms. Constance keeps busy as the sponsor of the African-American Culture Club and a mother of three.
Kevin Watterson - Latin
Kevin Watterson graduated SummaCum Laude from The University of Texas at Arlington in 2003. Prior to this he enjoyed a distinguished career with Barnes and Nobel Booksellers. As a native of Arlington, TX, he is happy to be teaching at Southwest High School in Ft. Worth, where he can be close to his family and friends. In his free time, he cares for his elderly dog and surfs the net. This is his third year as a Latin teacher, and first year at Southwest High School.
Evelyn Hayden - Spanish
Evelyn Hayden received a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and English from The University of Texas at Arlington. She received a Masters in Spanish from the University of Dallas and certification in English as a Second Language from Texas Wesleyan University. Mrs. Hayden is a native speaker of Spanish from a border town in Texas. She was also a bilingual editor for Bilingual Curriculum Development Center for FWISD. She loves to prepare the students for the AP Spanish Exams. She is the sponsor for ACE Spanish Club.
Claudia Orcasitas - Spanish
Claudia Orcasitas is a Peruvian teacher who came to work for FWISD two years ago. She majored in Psychology and Education at San Marcos University of Lima in 2001. She teaches beginning and intermediate Spanish level mixing her art skills and her teaching experience. Outside of school, Claudia Orcasitas is a member of Contemporary Dance Forth Worth Company and has also performed professionally with the San Marcos Ballet Company of Peru.
Chris St. Clair - Japanese
Nicole McClaine - American Sign Language
Nicole McClaine's love of American Sign Language (ASL) goes back to an after school program in the 4th grade where she first learned some basic signs and the alphabet in ASL. Knowing from a young age that she wanted to teach, she earned degrees in Interpreting for the Deaf and Deaf Education. She taught the Deaf and interpreted on the side for several years, and started teaching ASL to high school students in 2000. In 2007, Ms. McClaine was given the opportunity to live and teach in Kenya, East Africa for a school year. Passionate about Deaf people, their culture, and sign languages, while there, she got to know some Deaf Kenyans and learned some Kenyan Sign Language. This is her first year to teach at Southwest High School where she enjoys the best teaching job in the world - teaching ASL to high school students.
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