Foreign Language

Spanish I

This course teaches students the basic pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and punctuation of the Spanish language. It also instructs students how to use these skills in daily situations and conversations including such topics as family, travel, and sports. This course will enable students to read simple stories, view videos on selected topics, and write simple paragraphs in Spanish. Students will experience Spanish culture through videos, song, and dance.

Spanish II

In this course, students will build on the skills and knowledge gained previously. Students will increase their ability to read, write, and speak Spanish. They will acquire more difficult language concepts including imperfect, conditional, and future tenses. Topics such as going shopping, vacations, and health are discussed through oral, written, audio, and visual materials. Students learn about the cultures of Latin America through the same methods of instruction.

Spanish III

This course offers students the opportunity to apply in a practical fashion the elements of grammar, writing, and speaking learned in Spanish I and II. Much emphasis is placed on communicating in real-life situations in which Spanish is spoken, read, and written. Students will be expected to take the New York State Regents Examination in comprehensive Spanish at the completion of level III. This regents encompasses all aspects of the students' foreign language knowledge; oral, listening, and written.

Spanish IV

Students continue to work on refining their writing and listening skills. Emphasis is also placed on building vocabulary and expanding their reading ability in Spanish literature. Excerpts from such Spanish authors as Lope De Vega, Jose Marti y Ana Maria Matute are read, discussed, and acted out. Students review cultural information presented in past years and they present lessons to Spanish I-III classes. This class continues to lay the groundwork for successful placement in a college Spanish course.

Russian I

After a thorough introduction to the Russian sound system, the student is introduced to the Cyrillic alphabet and cursive writing. Recitation of short dialogues helps the student acquire a basic vocabulary and a familiarity with the Russian case system. The student is also introduced to the concept of verbal aspects in Russian.

Foreign Language Faculty

Veronica Heesh Spanish I

B.A., UANE Torreon, Mexico

Veronica joined the Spanish faculty at The Family Foundation School in 2002 where she primarily teaches Spanish I. Her special interests are Latin American culture and Pre-Columbian history, culture, and traditions. A native of Mexico, she has introduced her students to many south-of-the-border traditions, including showing up in a Mexican fiesta dress each year on Cinco de Mayo. Veronica lives in Lake Como, Pa. with her two children, Michael and Elizabeth.

Natalya Kuchukov Russian Teacher

Kharkov School of Music, Russia

Natalya has been working at The Family Foundation School since 2002 as a student advisor and member of the support staff. She was the natural choice to teach Beginning Russian when the school added it to its Language Department offerings in 2009. A native of Russia, Natalya and her husband Yuri, FFS art teacher, live on the campus where they have been a welcoming presence for the school's Russian students.