The AIS-Salzburg promotion and graduation requirements demand that all students be engaged in a minimum of one elective course annually while enrolled at the school. The elective program of courses is designed to better facilitate the creative and artistic development and further the particular interests and goals of our students in these areas.
Students in grades 7 and 8 (Junior High) are required to register into either the Drama or the Studio Art Elective, which meets twice weekly within their academic-day schedules (Period 7). Enrollment in one of these two courses meets the school’s general requirements. However, junior high students may choose to enroll in another elective as well, if desired.
Please note that all elective course offerings are dependent upon student interest at a minimum level. Generally, at least 7 students must be enrolled in group instruction electives. There will likely be some changes to the elective course offerings before the school year begins in September and final scheduling occurs. The administration will update the elective program options over the summer months and inform the community of these changes. Please note that not all elective courses are included in tuition and fees. Individual music lessons and German tutoring carry additional costs. Please contact the school office for further information on these costs.
This course is designed to introduce students to the theater and drama with emphasis on individual expression, interpretation of character actions, speaking and enunciating given lines, and developing, interpreting and engaging in short as well as lengthy dialogues. Students will not only be asked to review and work on published theater pieces, but will also be challenged to develop their own theatrical and dramatic talents by creating their own works and developing them for the stage. The course will meet for two hours during the regular weekly schedule in the Student Lounge and students will be responsible for some out-of-class work including assignments and preparation.
Students who are interested in advancing more quickly toward German language fluency may want to engage a private tutor that can ensure accelerated mastery of the language. This may be especially important for those students who wish to gain entrance to the Austrian or German university system. Qualified instructors can be identified by the school administration and engaged, at cost, to supply individual tutorial instruction on a weekly basis during afternoon or evening hours at the school. Provided administrative approval is gained and regular sessions are attended, German tutoring can qualify for elective credit. Successful completion of a German tutoring course which meets regularly throughout the school year can gain inclusion on school transcripts and receive a Pass/Fail evaluative notation. Students who have equal levels of understanding and competency may be able to arrange small group instructional sessions to reduce individual costs. German tutoring does not replace the required coursework for all students enrolled at the school above the Intermediate English Assistance level.
Students who wish to begin or further their development in instrumental or vocal music are invited to achieve required elective credit through regular participation in music lessons with a qualified instructor individually and devote the necessary amount of their free time to practice. The school administration will assist in the identification of qualified music instructors who are willing to provide individual instruction to the students at the school during afternoon or evening hours. All arrangements for this elective must be approved by the school administration at the start of the school year and regular, continuous participation is required.
This course is designed to introduce students to the Italian language with emphasis on conversation and listening skills. A foundational understanding of Italian including its structure, forms, vocabulary, and development will be achieved by those who pass the course successfully. In addition, the culture of the Italians will also be emphasized and discussed. The course will meet for 2 hours on a weekly basis between 19:00 and 21:00 at the school and instructed by Margareth Lardschneider, a member of the school’s teaching faculty. Homework and evaluations should be expected regularly although the course will not carry the weight (in time and energy) as the full-credit school courses in German, French, and Spanish.
Unlike the other elective options, the Senior Workshop is a required commitment for all senior students (12th grade). During the Fall Trimester, the Seniors focus on completion of the Senior Research Paper with the assistance of the school’s Headmaster and College Counselor. Regular assignments will be closely associated with the Senior Research Project timeline during the fall and grades will be produced based upon quality of work on this project. The Senior Workshop meets the elective requirement for all seniors although they can choose to do another elective as well with administrative approval.
This course meets for 1.5 hours each week during periods 5 and 6 in the school art room. Students will explore expand their individual artistic creativity through a wide variety of media including drawing, painting, printing, small sculpture, etc. The course will appeal to both younger and older students with a wide range of talent and experience in the arts and result in a portfolio of pieces which will be displayed at the end of the school year. The course primarily requires consistent and focused work on projects throughout the year and homework generally only becomes necessary when insufficient time is available during class to complete the work. This course is taught by Mr. Graham Best, an experienced member of the AIS-Salzburg teaching faculty.
Production of the school yearbook will be the main goal and focus of the students enrolled in this elective which will meet regularly during the weekly academic schedule throughout the school year. Various topics related to planning, producing, editing, and publishing the AIS-Salzburg yearbook will be presented and group discussion and assignments will lead to its realization late in the Spring Trimester. The students enrolled in this elective will work and cooperate closely with the students in Creative Writing and Multimedia Journalism in the production of appropriate material for inclusion in the Yearbook. Assignments will include photo and written coverage of major school events and outings as well as the development of appropriate themes and designs to be integrated into a school yearbook of high quality and value to the school community.
Bonjour! French I is a College-preparatory course in French language skills. Basic grammatical structures, vocabulary, pronunciation, and reading skills will be emphasized. Further, a focus will be placed on learning to speak the language, using daily conversation exercises. Students will also learn to observe and analyze the diversity of the French-speaking world and its cultures. By the completion of the course, the students should be able to understand approximately what is said in French, exchange information in simple conversations, know how to read and express themselves in writing.
Spanish I is a College-preparatory course in Spanish language skills. Basic grammatical structures, vocabulary, pronunciation, and reading skills will be emphasized. Further, a focus will be placed on learning to speak the language, using daily conversation exercises. Students will also learn to observe and analyze the diversity of the Spanish-speaking world and its cultures. By the completion of the course, the students should be able to understand approximately what is said in Spanish, exchange information in simple conversations, know how to read and express themselves in writing.