GUHSD offers a variety of foreign language courses in:

• French
• German
• Japanese
• Spanish

French and Spanish are offered at each of the nine campuses.  Availability of instructors limits the German courses to Greenway, Moon Valley, and Sunnyslope, while Japanese is offered at Greenway, Thunderbird, and Washington.  Third-year (Accelerated) and fourth-year (Advanced Placement) offerings are contingent upon sufficient enrollment.

The state and national standards of Communication, Cultures, Connections, Comparisons and Communities are addressed in each of the courses provided.

Foreign Language Level 1-2

• The first-year foreign language course enables students to function at a novice level of proficiency in the four skills of language acquisition: speaking, writing, reading, and listening.  Basic grammar structures are learned so that the student can communicate in the present moment in simple survival situations.  Cultural aspects of the people and countries where the target language is spoken are explored through a variety of activities including videos, music, and enrichment opportunities.

Foreign Language Level 3-4

• The second-year foreign language course expands upon the student's proficiency skills of speaking, writing, reading, and listening with emphasis on describing personal activities in the simple past.  Further investigation of the cultural aspects of the people and countries where the target language is spoken are explored.

Foreign Language Accelerated Level

• The student's proficiency in the language skills of speaking, writing, reading, and listening are further enhanced by focusing on detailed descriptions of memorable event in the past.  An emphasis on accurate language usage begins the two-year preparation for the college placement exam thus granting accelerated credit to this third-year course. Investigation into more detailed cultural aspects of the target language's country and people are explored.

Foreign Language Advanced Placement Level

• Advanced Placement foreign language is designed to prepare students to pass the College Board's Advanced Placement examination which may grant credit from most colleges and universities.  Intense preparation is performed in the four language skill areas with students reading authentic language articles and modern short stories, writing extended essays and short plays, and listening to authentic language excerpts leading to a high level of comprehension and communication.  Further cultural studies with authentic materials are explored.