WORLD LANGUAGES DEPARTMENT PHILOSOPHY
Through the study of a second language, students gain awareness of other cultures. As students’ acquisition of language increases, they should be able to discover themselves as vital members of our world community. Additionally, students enrolled in a second language perform creative tasks by recombining memorized material into limitless situations based on the rules of grammar to reach the ultimate goal of proficiency. Second language acquisition is a higher-order thinking skill that most colleges require for admittance. This process increases understanding of one’s first language, improves overall language ability and fosters the problem solving process.
WORLD LANGUAGES DEPARTMENT CURRICULUM GOALS
The study of world languages encompasses five general areas: communication, cultures, comparisons, connections, and communities. From within these areas of study emerge our curricular goals, which are aligned with the state and national standards for foreign language learning.
Communications
- Interpersonal: Students will converse in the target language to provide and obtain information, express feelings and emotions, and to exchange opinions.
- Interpretive: Students will understand and interpret ideas and information, written or spoken in the target language.
- Presentational: Students will write and speak in the target language to present information, concepts, and ideas on a variety of topics.
Culture
- Students will demonstrate an understanding of the traditions, perspectives, practices, and products of the culture(s) studies, including human commonalties as reflected in history, literature, and the visual and performing arts.
Comparisons
- Linguistic: Students will demonstrate an understanding of the nature of language through comparison of the target language with their own.
- Cultural: Students will demonstrate an understanding of the concept of culture through comparison of the target culture with their own.
Connections
- Students will use the target language to reinforce and expand their knowledge of other disciplines and to acquire new information and knowledge.
Communities
- Students will use the target language within and beyond the school setting. For example, the target language may be used as a social and academic point of departure in school, as well as a business or community service skill beyond the classroom