LANGUAGE COURSES
SPEAKING EFFECTIVELY
SPEAKING EFFECTIVELY – PUBLIC SPEAKING
If you want to learn how to give a report or presentation where you will feel excited and confident, then this is the class for you! Just think how good it will feel if you can speak comfortably and with confidence. You will enjoy speaking like you never thought possible. Fun and easy, and you will not be nervous standing in front of a group after you take this class. Learn what to say when meeting new people, feel comfortable when speaking in front of small and large crowds. Learn how to prepare for successful presentations at work or other organizations you are involved in.
FRENCH COURSES
Our conversationally oriented French courses will cover the basics of speaking and reading. The first level is designed for students who have had little or no instruction in or exposure to the language. Once students improve, they can progress through all the courses. The textbook (Bescherelle – English edition) is available for purchase at the school on the first day of class for $25.00.
FRENCH – LEVEL 1
This is an introductory course designed for learners who have little or no knowledge of the French language. The course is conversationally oriented and will cover the basics of speaking and reading French. Topics covered include: greetings, numbers, days, nouns (feminine & masculine; singular & plural), verbs (present tense; introduction to past tense; être & avoir & -er verbs). The textbook (Bescherelle – English edition) is available for purchase at the school on the first day of class for $25.00.
FRENCH – LEVEL 2
This course is for students who have previously taken a French language course but who are still operating at a basic level. Your vocabulary should already include greetings, numbers and days. You must also have familiarity with using verbs in the present tense and have had some exposure to using verbs in the past tense. Topics covered include: future tense, conditional tenses, negative sentences and important verbs such as faire, aller, vouloir, pouvoir. The textbook (Bescherelle – English edition) is available for purchase at the school on the first day of class for $25.00.
FRENCH – LEVEL 3
This course is designed to expand vocabulary and increase general fluency through communication situations. At this level, all instruction is in French. Conversational grammar points include: more verb conjugations (imperfect, passé composé, future); descriptive & possessive adjectives; conjunctions & the subjunctive; possessive & interrogative pronouns. Writing exercises will be assigned as homework. The textbook (Bescherelle – English edition) is available for purchase at the school on the first day of class for $25.00.
MANDARIN COURSES
If you have little or no knowledge of the Mandarin Chinese language these courses are for you.
MANDARIN – LEVEL 1
If you have little or no knowledge of the Mandarin Chinese, Level 1 is right for you. Students will be exposed to the language using common topics such as daily activities, greetings, etc. The course is primarily conversation with a focus on speaking and listening. There will be a brief introduction to reading some basic characters.
MANDARIN – LEVEL 2
As a continuation of Level 1, this fun entry-level course will further strengthen the foundation of your Mandarin learning. It can help you expand your basic oral communication skill. Engaged in role plays and group activities, you will also quickly become more productive in terms of Mandarin speaking. As the lessons are centered on daily life activities, you will be guided to integrate many one liners for meaningful oral communications.
MANDARIN – LEVEL 3
This course continues to develop your language skills after Mandarin – Level 2.
JAPANESE COURSES
Our Japanese language courses are taught by a native Japanese speaking instructor.
JAPANESE – LEVEL 1
If this is your first time attempting to learn the language and are interested in speaking it, this course is for you. You will learn basic greetings, how to introduce yourself and your family, basic expressions of ordering at a restaurant in Japanese. The course mainly focuses on conversational Japanese; the Japanese writing system is briefly introduced but not the main scope. No previous learning experience is required, but those who have taken a very beginner course before but forget about most of it or self-taught for a while and are now interested in learning it systematically are welcome.
As a continuation of Level 1, this course will further strengthen the foundation of your Japanese speaking skills with more vocabulary and expressions introduced in practical contexts such as asking directions, talking with a taxi driver, and sharing your travel experience in Japanese. Learners should be familiar with the basic Japanese sentence structure (SOV) and masu-form of some very basic verbs (to eat, drink, go, sleep, etc.). You will be continuously engaged in a variety of speaking activities that help you become more productive in communicating in Japanese. At the end of the course, you will become familiar with all Hiragana and Katakana letters.
This course is designed for those who have completed Japanese Level 2 to further pursue their Japanese learning for the purpose of its practical use in listening and speaking. Learners should be already familiar with Hiragana & Katakana letters, question words (what, who, when, where, how), masu-form (affirmative, negative, question both in present and past), and basic adjective conjugations. More systematic grammar is introduced through topics like families, seasons, weathers, and travel. You will start learning some basic Kanji characters, too.
As a continuation of Level 4, this course helps you bridge the gap between structured learning and real-world, spontaneous communication. This level is ideal for learners who can confidently use masu-form, te-form, and ta-form verbs. Level 5 introduces intermediate structures, including plain-form verbs, to help you ask for permission, describe physical conditions, make suggestions, and express compliments. By the end of this course, you will boost your listening stamina and gain the confidence to navigate a variety of social situations in Japan.
KOREAN COURSES
KOREAN – LEVEL 1
This course is designed for students with no prior experience in the Korean language. By the end of the course, students will develop a foundational understanding of the Korean alphabet. They will also be able to exchange basic greetings and give a brief self-introduction.
Building on Level 1, this course is designed for students with a basic knowledge of the Korean alphabet. It is ideal for students seeking an introduction to conjugation. By the end of the course, students will be able to construct simple sentences and use them in a variety of everyday contexts.
SPANISH COURSES
Our Spanish language courses are taught by native Spanish speaking instructors. Courses are offered at Burnaby South Secondary School and Online. The textbook is extra ($35) and can be purchased on the first day of class.
SPANISH – LEVEL 1A
This is an absolute beginner Spanish course. Step by step, you will be gently guided through expressions, grammar and pronunciation. Students will practice greetings, introductions, spelling of names, saying where you are from, exchanging phone numbers and personal information, talking about the calendar, making requests, discussing the price of things, telling time, etc. Students will be encouraged to constantly interact with one another in practical and simple conversation, giving them the opportunity to communicate in Spanish immediately and effectively. Prerequisties: none
The textbook (Soleado 1) is available for purchase at the school on the first day of class for $35.
SPANISH – LEVEL 1B
Spanish Level 1 B builds on the Level 1 A course. Students will learn how to describe people and places, talk about family, order food in the restaurant, express likes and dislikes, make general purchase, ask for directions and discuss future plans. Students are encouraged to constantly interact with one another in practical and simple conversations, giving them the opportunity to communicate in Spanish immediately and effectively. Prerequisite: Spanish 1A or similar. The textbook (Soleado 1) is available for purchase at the school on the first day of class for $35.
SPANISH – LEVEL 2
This Spanish course is designed for upper beginner students who already know the basics of the language, understand the present tense, and can respond confidently in simple everyday situations. Topics covered include: reflexive constructions, past tense of the basic regular and irregular verbs and main uses of the prepositions por/para. The topics learned will be put into practice with interactive and communicative activities. The textbook (Soleado 2) is available for purchase at the school on the first day of class for $35.
SPANISH – LEVEL 3
This course teaches advanced grammatical features of the Spanish language. Topics covered include: past tense of the basic regular and irregular verbs, imperfect tense, formal and informal imperative forms and subjunctive mode. The topics learned will be put into practice with interactive and communicative activities. The textbook (Soleado 3) is available for purchase at the school on the first day of class for $35.
SPANISH – LEVEL 4 (CONVERSATION)
This is an advanced level Spanish language conversation course. Students must have completed Spanish – Level 3 or have equivalent skills.
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