Department Lead: Cecilia Remeta
Phone: 310-378-8471 x43631
Room: 331
Email: [email protected]
Mrs. Remeta was born and raised in Lima, Peru. She has been teaching at Palos Verdes High School since 2003. She earned a BS in Architecture in Lima and came to USA to further her studies at UCLA. Prior to teaching she worked for nine years in the interior design field. After having her children she decided to become a teacher. She graduated from LMU with a Masters Degree in Secondary Education. Teaching Spanish is her passion and she is excited to share what she knows as a native speaker. Mrs. Remeta currently teaches Spanish IV, Spanish V, and AP Spanish Language. In her free time she loves to spend time with her family and travel.
The Foreign Language Department at Palos Verdes High School currently offers regular, honors, and AP classes for Spanish, French, Chinese, Latin, and Korean. We have a dynamic, creative and experienced faculty of 11 teachers. All of our teachers hold CA teaching credentials and most of them have earned master’s degrees.
The Foreign Language Department Goals are:
- To fulfill students’ College entrance requirements.
- To help students become proficient communicators.
- To gain appreciation of a language and the richness of its culture.
- To understand the importance of language for diplomacy and cooperation between nations.
Our Language programs benefit from the block schedule, which allows extended time (approximately 113 minutes) in the classroom to learn, practice, and refine all language skills. We offer:
Chinese Program
- 4 year Chinese program
- Third year accelerated pace Honors classes
- Zero period Chinese 1-Open to 8th graders
- Fourth year AP Chinese Language – College credit
Korean Program
- 4 year Korean program
- Third year accelerated pace Honors classes
- Zero period Korean 1-Open to 8th graders
French Program
- 4 year French program
- Third year accelerated pace Honors classes
- Zero period French 1-Open to 8th graders
- Fourth year AP French Language – College credit
Spanish Program
- 5 year Spanish program
- Third year accelerated pace Honors classes
- Fourth year AP Spanish Language – College credit
- Fifth year AP Spanish Literature – College credit
- AP passing rate over 90%
- Second and third year remedial MCR program
All Foreign Language classes promote the acquisition of a new language according to ACTFL’s National Standards.
Communication
- Focus on writing and creative expression.
- Individual and group oral presentations.
- Cumulative portfolio with self- reflection.
- Classroom debates and literary circles.
Culture
- Various cultural and artistic research projects.
- A thorough understanding of other cultures’ products and practices.
- Use of authentic music and films in the classroom.
- Important cultural celebrations in Spanish, French, and Chinese.
Connection
- Interdisciplinary correlation through current events and presentational projects.
- Use of technology to acquire and present information.
- Research projects to further students’ knowledge in literature, history, geography, social studies, music, and art.
Comparison
- Improve student’s understanding of his/her language and culture by comparing it to the foreign language studied.
Community
- Active Spanish and French Honor Society.
- Students’ participation in community service projects.
- Travel opportunities in summer immersion programs.
- Annual field trips to visit local events, exhibitions, museums, etc.