The Middle School World Language Department recognizes the unique contribution of language to the process of intellectual and emotional growth and is committed to providing a lively, authentic, and challenging linguistic experience fostering in each student a love and appreciation of language and culture.
Students interested in beginning the acquisition phase of French, Spanish, Mandarin, or Thai at the middle school level may begin their study in the sixth grade and continue with the same language through eighth grade. Upon satisfactory completion of three years, students may receive the teacher's recommendation to enter Level III in the ninth grade. Note that the following language courses are academic electives which articulate with the HS courses. They are designed for non native speakers only.
Introduction to World Language:
French, Spanish, Mandarin or Thai
These courses are designed for students who are in the early stages of language acquisition/proficiency. By providing adequate time and a comfortable and encouraging authentic language atmosphere, the course gives students the chance to develop strong foundations of communication skills on which further learning can be built. Reading, writing, listening and speaking are all practiced regularly. Authentic materials and cultural information are interwoven throughout the course to provide an appreciation of the cultures of the country(s) where the target language is spoken. Upon satisfactory completion of this first year, students may receive the teacher's recommendation to enter World Language A the following year.
World Language A:
French, Spanish, Mandarin or Thai
These courses continue to develop the language skills in the target language through a communicative approach. Speaking, listening, reading and writing activities relate to student interests. The materials and activities emphasize authentic situations and require thinking skills, recall and creativity. Students are encouraged to express their own needs and interests in the modern language. Supplementary materials relating to culture help to further develop the students' reading and writing skills as well as a continued cultural awareness of the country(s) where the target language is spoken. Upon satisfactory completion of World Language A, students may receive the teacher's recommendation to enter World Language B the following year.
World Language B:
French, Spanish, Mandarin or Thai
World Language (WL) B is the next class after WL Intro and WL A. In this course, students will continue to develop and broaden their language skills following a communicative approach. Students will acquire vocabulary, grammar, and cultural knowledge through contextualized tasks. All materials and activities will promote learning in contexts that address students' interests and encourage them to take ownership of the target language. Upon satisfactory completion of this year, students may receive the teacher's recommendation to enter level III in the ninth grade.
World Language 1:
French, Spanish, Japanese, Mandarin or Thai
This fast-paced course is designed to help 8th grade students develop a basic proficiency in listening, speaking, reading and writing through a communicative approach. The communicative approach is used to introduce vocabulary and structures through the functions of the language. Authentic materials and cultural information are interwoven throughout the course to provide a framework for proficiency in the language and an appreciation of the cultures of the country(s) where the target language is spoken. Upon satisfactory completion of this year, students may receive the teacher's recommendation to enter level II in the ninth grade.
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Middle School World Language Program |
- Our World Language Program includes French, Japanese, Mandarin, Spanish, and Thai.
- Ours is a student-centered program focusing on listening and comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing skills
- We enthusiastically prepare students for advanced course work at the high school level and beyond.
- Differentiated instruction supports each student to reach prescribed levels of fluency.
- We promote cultural interchange in the classroom by way of cooking, music, crafts, dancing, singing, and sports.
- More than ninety percent of middle school students study a second language as an elective in our rapidly expanding World Language program.
- Technology is an integral component of our World Language program. Through our 1:1 laptop program we strive to use a variety of web2.0 tools that foster language acquistion.
