World Languages
French * Japanese * Spanish
Teachers
Three languages are currently available to 7th and 8th grade students – French, Japanese, and Spanish. The number of students who enroll will determine whether any class ultimately will be available. With a pre-enrollment of at least 24 students, beginning language courses (the 1A series) will be offered. As soon as course requests are tallied, students will be notified, in the event the language they have requested will not be taught at their school of attendance.
Each world language course develops self-confidence through the study of a second language and fosters an appreciation for that language and its culture. In selecting a language, students should be guided primarily by their own interests. Capable students who wish to study more than one language at a time may do so. Homework in world language classes is given daily.
Seventh graders enroll in the courses numbered 1A. In the 8th grade, they continue with the course numbered 1B. This two-year sequence in middle school is equivalent to the first year of high school study. Beginning language classes are not offered in grade eight, but students may begin language study in grade nine. The district guarantees a sequence of three levels in each language. However, the district does not guarantee offering all languages at the three middle schools or two high schools.
General Course Descriptions
Students of French, Japanese, and Spanish will develop growing proficiency in the four skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing, and gain understanding of the structure of the language, appropriate to the level of instruction. The Japanese writing systems (Hiragana and Katakana) are introduced gradually during the first year course and Kanji (Chinese characters) throughout each year. All language students will also gain a familiarity with and appreciation of the culture of the linguistic community.
The Five C's
(Communication, Culture, Connections, Comparisons, and Communities)
In all of our language classes, teachers incorporate into the course work the national standards for world language learning. These standards overlap each other in instruction and help make language learning relevant and meaningful. The five standards are:
Communication
Communicate in Languages Other than English
1.1 Interpersonal Communication – Students engage in conversations, provide and obtain information, express feelings and emotions, and exchange opinions.
1.2 Interpretive Communication – Students understand and interpret written and spoken language on a variety of topics.
1.3 Presentational Communication – Students present information, concepts, and ideas to an audience of listeners or readers on a variety of topics.
Cultures
Gain Knowledge and Understanding of Other Cultures
2.1 Practices of Culture – Students demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the practices and perspectives of the cultures studied.
2.2 Products of Culture – Students demonstrate an understanding of the relationships between the products and perspectives of the cultures studied.
Connections
Connect with Other Disciplines and Acquire Information
3.1 Furthering Connections – Students reinforce and further their knowledge of other disciplines through the language.
3.2 Acquiring Information – Students acquire information and recognize the distinctive viewpoints that are only available through the language and its culture.
Comparisons
Develop Insight into the Nature of Language and Culture
4.1 Language Comparisons – Students demonstrate understanding of the nature of language through comparisons of the language studied and their own.
4.2 Cultural Comparisons – Students demonstrate understanding of the concept of culture through comparisons of the culture studied and their own.
Communities
Participate in Multilingual Communities at Home and Around the World
5.1 School and Communit y – Students use the language both within and beyond the school setting.
5.2 Life-long Learnin g – Students show evidence of becoming life-long learners by using the language for personal enjoyment and enrichment.