Adopted: February 1990
Revised: June 2016
Download 622 - World Languages Curriculum Beliefs and Goals
1. Beliefs
1.1 The study of World Languages provides students with a comprehensive education and the worldwide perspective necessary to become global citizens.
1.2 All students should have the opportunity to choose from a variety of languages at all levels of schooling: elementary, middle and high school.
1.3 World Languages should be aligned horizontally and vertically by schools and level, with the flexibility to meet changing needs.
1.4 World Languages curriculum components must address listening, speaking, reading, writing, cultural awareness and be aligned with the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages national standards.
1.5 Development of language proficiency requires long-term effort and active participation by students.
1.6 The World Languages program recognizes the developmental stages of the student and focuses on student needs.
1.7 Language learning can be enhanced through the use of a variety of technologies that expose students to resources aimed at developing their listening, speaking, reading, writing and cultural awareness skills.
1.8 Language learning is interdisciplinary by nature and supports success in other academic areas.
1.9 Learning another language increases awareness of other cultures, promotes creativity and critical thinking skills, and fosters the learner’s overall development and growth.
1.10 Language learning and the study of cultures provide students with an awareness of diverse perspectives and contributions from many different societies.
1.11 Language learning enhances personal enrichment and increases opportunities in education and employment.
1.12 A quality World Languages program requires support to obtain and use instructional resources, technology, on-going staff development, collaboration and districtwide articulation.
1.13 A lack of World Languages skills and cultural competence limits students’ potential and that of our nation.
2. Goals
Students will acquire knowledge and skills in languages other than English through:
2.1 Engaging in conversations; providing and obtaining information; expressing feelings and emotions, and exchanging opinions;
2.2 Understanding and interpreting written and spoken language on a variety of topics;
2.3 Presenting information, concepts and ideas to a varied audience of listeners or readers on a variety of topics;
2.4 Understanding the relationships among the products, practices and perspectives of the culture studied;
2.5 Enhancing knowledge of other disciplines through World Languages;
2.6 Acquiring information and recognizing the distinctive viewpoints that are uniquely available through World Languages and cultures;
2.7 Understanding the nature of language through comparisons of the language studied and their own languages;
2.8 Understanding the concept of culture through comparisons of the cultures studied and their own cultures;
2.9 Using the language both within and beyond the school setting;
2.10 Becoming lifelong learners by using the language for personal enjoyment and enrichment, and
2.11 Incorporating technology to support, facilitate and promote language learning.
References:
- Adapted from ACTFL, American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages, “World Readiness Standards for Learning Languages” 2011