Courses of Study : World Languages

a. Communicate on some very familiar topics using single words or learned phrases.

Examples: likes/dislikes, sports, hobbies

b. Answer simple questions.

Examples: What is your name? What day is today? What is the weather?

c. Greet peers and introduce selves.

a. Recognize key words and phrases in the target language.

Examples: colors, numbers, animals, weather, days of the week

b. Identify people and objects in their environment.

Examples: clothing, classroom items, family members

c. Understand basic instructions.

Examples: turn on lights, look at board

d. Interpret the meaning of gestures, intonation, and other auditory cues.

a. Present information about selves with one word or simple learned phrases.

Examples: I'm tired. I have a headache. I'm thirsty, hungry, and sleepy.

b. Sing songs in the target language.

c. Label familiar people, places and objects.

a. Use appropriate gestures and oral expressions.

b. Identify typical activities, events, and celebrations of the target cultures.

Examples: Christmas, Carnival

c. Identify children's songs, poetry and rhymes from the target culture.

d. Observe and imitate simple patterns of behavior.

Examples: Table manners, greetings

a. Listen to and acquire vocabulary related to age-appropriate school content.

Examples: Modes of transportation, the planets, and time-telling.

a. Identify cognates.

b. Differentiate formal and informal forms of language.

c. Compare sound systems of the native and target languages.

a. Compare gestures used to greet family, friends, and acquaintances.

b. Compare and contrast tangible products of the native and target cultures.

Examples: Food, clothing, toys, and children's stories

c. Compare simple behavior patterns in the native and target cultures.

Examples: Foster a student-centered learning process by creating can-do statements with the help of their teachers.
Collect evidence to demonstrate achievement of goals such as self-assessment checklists, portfolios.
Perform for school or community celebrations.
Identify places in the community where the target language is used.
Listen to music and sing songs from the target culture.

a. Communicate on very familiar topics using a variety of words and phrases.

b. Make simple statements in a conversation.

c. Recite high-frequency learned words.

d. Ask simple questions.

a. Recognize everyday words and phrases on topics related to personal experiences.

Examples: Places to go, careers, leisure time activities

b. Identify cognates.

c. Categorize vocabulary in predictable topic areas.

d. Differentiate among statements, questions, and exclamations.

a. Present information about selves using a variety of words and phrases.

b. Write about daily activities.

c. Create posters on familiar topics.

a. Name practices observed in festivals, holidays, or daily life.

b. Identify landmarks and symbols of the target culture.

c. Identify similarities and differences between the target and home cultures.

d. Describe tangible products from the target culture.

a. Acquire vocabulary related to age-appropriate school content.

a. Identify cognates and hypothesize about why languages might need to borrow words.

b. Compare word order of native and target languages.

c. Compare patterns of spoken communication such as intonation and pronunciation.

a. Compare and contrast intangible products of the native and target cultures.

Examples: Songs, rhymes, folktales

b. Analyze the daily routines and celebrations (holidays) of the native and target cultures.

c. Observe and identify cultural patterns of meal times.

Examples: Interact with speakers of the target language.
Attend or use media to view cultural events in the target culture.
Consider realistic and responsible use of media to further target language learning.

a. Communicate and exchange information on familiar topics using simple sentences.

b. Engage in short social interactions with peers.

c. Exchange some personal information with peers.

d. Write simple descriptions and short messages on familiar topics.

a. Report on content of a brief written or spoken message on familiar topics.

Examples: Emails, personal notes, letters, text messages

b. Identify the main idea in various media such as texts, posters, videos, etc.

c. Identify the main characters of a story.

d. Recall details in simple texts that contain familiar vocabulary.

a. Present basic information of familiar topics using simple sentences.

b. Write information about daily life in a letter, blog, or email.

c. Write basic information about learned material.

a. Use appropriate gestures and etiquette from the target culture.

b. Observe and analyze patterns of behavior typical of the target culture.

c. Draw conclusions about target culture values based on authentic materials.

a. Acquire and expand vocabulary related to age-appropriate school content.

a. Compare similarities and differences in writing systems of native and target languages.

b. Recognize idiomatic expressions in the target and native languages.

c. Compare and contrast patterns of spoken communication such as intonation and register.

d.Compare and contrast patterns of written communication such as style, syntax, and audience.

a. Hypothesize about relationships between cultural practices and cultural perspectives.

b. Identify cultural patterns of behavior in a variety of settings.

c. Speculate as to why certain products originate in a particular culture.

Examples: Conduct research and report on a cultural topic.
Identify professions that require proficiency in another language.
Determine the "what" and "how" of their future learning.

a. Converse on familiar topics connecting basic sentences to provide information.

b. Ask and answer questions on factual information familiar to the student.

c. Retell information with details about what is read, heard, and seen.

d. Write a series of sentences on familiar topics.

a. React to news clips, articles, or reports on current issues.

b. Describe main themes with significant details on topics of current interest.

c. Find basic information in an announcement, article, or other text.

a. Present information on familiar topics using a variety of simple sentences.

b. Present songs, short skits, or dramatic readings.

c. Write about topics of interests.

a. Engage in conversation demonstrating culturally respectful behavior.

b. Identify and research an area of interest in the target culture.

c. Participate in age-appropriate cultural practices such as games, sports, and entertainment.

a. Acquire, expand, and apply vocabulary related to age-appropriate school content.

b. Use materials intended for same-age speakers of the target language.

a. Identify words in the target language that have no translation in English.

b. Hypothesize about the similarities of language based on awareness of cognates and idioms.

c. Analyze idiomatic expressions in the target language.

a. Compare and contrast verbal and nonverbal behaviors in a variety of activities.

b. Analyze the role of family in the native and target cultures.

c. Critique the role of social networking in the target culture.

Examples: Travel (real or virtual) to museums to enhance cultural understanding.
Prepare a group performance for a school or community celebration.
Participate in world language club activities that benefit the school or community.
Draw from previously learned material to chart a path of forward progress.
Analyze reasons for success and failure and consider future actions.

a. Use language to handle tasks related to personal needs.

b. Exchange information about daily activities and personal preferences.

c. Support personal opinions with some details.

d. Exchange information about a topic of special interest to the student.

a. Interpret/retell stories or events in one's own words.

b. Identify principal characters and explain main ideas and themes in selected texts.

c. Determine the main idea of a text with unfamiliar vocabulary.

a. Present information on familiar topics using connected sentences.

b. Write short reports about learned or researched topics.

c. Make a presentation about personal and social experiences.

a. Role-play culturally appropriate interactions in a variety of daily activities.

b. Use culturally appropriate verbal and nonverbal behavior among peers or mixed groups.

c. Explore, analyze, and present the how and why of common cultural practices and perspectives.

a. Acquire, expand, and apply, vocabulary related to age-appropriate school content in simple sentence.

b. Use authentic materials intended for native speakers of the target language.

a. Compare how different time frames are expressed.

b. Describe shades of meaning expressed by different time frames.

c. Identify and compare language appropriate to specific social settings.

a. Compare and contrast the preparation for and choice of careers in the native and target cultures.

b. Compare and contrast cultural attitudes toward youth and aging.

c. Identify and analyze the tangible and intangible products of the target culture.

Examples: Interpret materials or use media from the target culture for enjoyment.
Write and illustrate short stories to present to others.
Simulate interactions that may take place in a community setting.
Self-evaluate preferences for using target language outside the classroom.
Incorporate reflection upon learning into journals and portfolios.

a. Use language to share events and experiences in various time frames.

b. Synthesize learned material to produce unrehearsed conversations.

c. Use language to complete tasks requiring multiple steps.

d. Narrate a simple story in written or oral form.

e. State a viewpoint on an issue and support opinions.

a. Restate information from short texts.

b. Relate main ideas and significant details on unfamiliar topics.

c. Use knowledge acquired in other settings to comprehend texts in the target language.

a. Present information in an organized manner on a variety of topics in various time frames.

b. Write about community topics, entertainment, or social events.

c. Present a viewpoint and support opinions.

a. Connect perspectives to associated products and practices.

b. Adapt language and behavior to the culture of the audience.

c. Analyze connections among products, practices, and perspectives based on research on a topic of interest.

a. Acquire, expand, and apply vocabulary related to age-appropriate school content using complex sentence structures.

b. Use materials intended for same-age speakers of the target language.

a. Compare syntax functions.

b. Explain discrepancies between sound and writing systems in the target and native languages.

c. Hypothesize about the origins of idioms.

a. Weigh the importance placed on individual needs versus community needs in native and target cultures.

b. Investigate products, practices, or perspectives of the target culture through research.

c. Critique social, economic, and political institutions of the target culture.

Examples: Seek out authentic materials in the target culture related to student interest.
Play games or sports from the culture.
Complete Web Quests and report on a cultural event.
Reflect upon student's personal investment in the target language.
Consider tangible uses outside the classroom for learned material in the target language.

a. Greet and leave people in a polite way.

b. Exchange basic information about self and others.

c. Exchange basic information about their everyday lives.

a. Identify main characters, themes, and ideas from narrative text.

b. Recognize words, phrases and simple sentences in an informational text.

c. Interpret visual and auditory cues.

a. Present basic information orally and in writing.

b. Give simple instructions.

c. Tell about familiar objects, experiences, and daily routines.

d. Recite short memorized phrases, poems, and/or rhymes.

a. Use basic appropriate gestures in common interactions.

b. Identify behaviors in a variety of environments.

c. Identify typical activities, events, and celebrations of the target cultures.

a. Recognize arts, crafts or graphic representations of the target culture.

b. Identify the cultural elements found in music and short video clips.

c. Listen to, read, and identify the products from the target culture.

a. Use math skills to convert English measurements to metric system and to convert currencies.

b. Locate cities, states, and countries where the target language is spoken.

c. Describe weather in different locations around the world.

a. Exchange ideas on various audio and visual documents to interpret content.

b. Explore authentic websites and materials to interpret topics.

a. Observe formal and informal forms of language.

b. Identify word order for dates and placement of descriptors.

c. Identify high-frequency idiomatic expressions.

d. Identify cognates.

a. Identify daily routines in the target culture and the native culture.

b. Identify celebrations in the target culture and the native culture.

c. Identify games, stories, songs, and rhymes from the native culture and those from the target culture.

a. Communicate with speakers of the target language in person or virtually.

b. Identify professions that utilize the target language.

a. Plan real or imaginary travel.

b. Attend or view cultural events in person or virtually.

a. Use the language to meet basic survival needs.

b. Participate in conversations on familiar topics using a variety of phrases and simple sentences.

c. Ask and answer questions on factual information.

d. Narrate incidents in the past time frame.

e. Describe activities and personal preferences in the past time frame.

a. Restate information from audio and visual documents in the target language.

b. Locate key information from announcements and messages connected to daily activities in the target culture.

c. Relate the main themes and significant details on topics from other subjects and products of the cultures.

a. Present basic information about people and activities.

b. Recite songs, short skits, or dramatic readings.

a. Use appropriate gestures in common interactions.

b. Describe behaviors in a variety of environments.

c. Describe perspectives related to celebration of traditional religious and national holidays.

a. Describe products of the target culture.

b. Describe arts, crafts, or graphic representations of the target culture.

c. Describe the cultural elements found in music and short video clips.

d. Listen to, read, and describe the products in a variety of texts.

a. Exchange information on patterns of behavior typical of their peer group in the target culture.

b. Examine authentic materials containing current events, social announcements, and classified ads.

a. Exchange ideas on various audio and visual documents to interpret content.

b. Identify the main idea of information from authentic websites and materials to interpret topics.

a. Use formal and informal forms of language.

b. Compare word order for dates and placement of descriptors.

c. Use high-frequency idiomatic expressions.

d. Use cognates.

a. Compare daily routines in the target culture and the native culture.

b. Compare celebrations in the target culture and the native culture.

c. Compare games, stories, songs, and rhymes from the native culture and those from the target culture.

a. Interact with speakers of the target language in person or virtually.

a. Participate in student exchange opportunities locally, globally, or virtually.

b. Explore the internet to find sites of personal interest where they can use the target language.

a. Exchange basic information about self, others, and special interests.

b. Ask for and provide information on familiar topics.

c. Use language to handle tasks related to personal needs.

a. Describe main ideas, identify characters, and state details found in a variety of informational and literary texts.

b. Use background knowledge to understand spoken and written information in the target language.

a. Express needs, wants, and preferences.

b. Present information based on topics of interest or personal experiences.

c. Give oral presentations using a variety of formats.

a. Examine how behaviors in the target culture relate to and reflect different types of relationships.

b. Interact through role-play in a variety of familiar environments.

c. Participate in hands-on activities related to cultural practices.

a. Explain the importance of products of the target culture.

b. Explain arts, crafts, or graphic representations of the target culture.

c. Explain the cultural elements of music and short video clips.

d. Listen to, read, and explain the purpose of products from a target culture.

a. Compare characteristics of countries where target language is spoken.

b. Present information on topics across disciplines.

c. Describe the importance of influential figures from the target culture, past and present.

a. Compare how current events are reported in target culture and locally.

b. Compare advertisements from target culture and local media.

a. Compare idiomatic expressions of the target language and the native language.

b. Compare formal and informal registers of language.

c. Compare the use of different time frames in the target and native cultures.

d. Make connections between target language and native language based on knowledge of cognates.

a. Compare activities and events of the target culture to the native culture.

b. Compare cultural practices in the target culture to the native culture.

a. Exchange information with speakers of the target language in person or virtually.

b. Identify skills necessary to enter different professional fields.

c. Simulate interactions that would occur in the target culture.

a. Investigate authentic materials to learn more about topics studied in class.

b. Explore the internet to find authentic websites on current events.

c. Plan a school event which promotes the target culture.

a. Initiate, maintain, and conclude a conversation on various topics.

b. Use the target language to communicate about subjects of particular interest to students.

c. Use the target language to handle tasks that may contain a complication.

a. Give main ideas, supporting details, and justify inferences in selected texts.

b. Identify themes, settings, characters, and plot lines found in literary texts.

c. Use background knowledge from other disciplines to understand spoken and written information in the target language.

a. Express needs, wants and preferences with supporting reasons.

b. Present information on academic and work-related topics.

c. Present information about common age-appropriate issues.

a. Explain how behaviors in the target culture relate to and reflect different types of relationships.

b. Interact through role-play in a variety of familiar and unfamiliar environments.

c. Plan hands-on activities related to cultural practices.

a. Analyze the importance of products of the target culture, related to arts, crafts, and graphic representations.

b. Analyze the cultural elements of music and short video clips.

a. Explain characteristics of countries where target language is spoken.

b. Present information on topics across disciplines in a variety of time frames and moods.

c. Explain the importance of influential figures from the target culture, past and present.

a. Explain how current events are reported in target culture and at home.

b. Compare and contrast advertisements from target culture and local media.

c. Explain the importance of influential figures from the perspective of the target culture.

a. Explain idiomatic expressions appropriately.

b. Compare and contrast formal and informal registers of language.

a. Compare and contrast personal experiences of the target culture to the native culture.

b. Explain cultural practices in the target culture.

c. Compare products in the target culture to the native culture.

a. Exchange information with speakers of the target language in person or virtually in a variety of time frames and moods.

b. Simulate interactions and personal experiences that would occur in the target culture.

a. Analyze authentic materials to learn more about topics studied in class.

b. Explore the internet to find authentic websites of current events and cultural interests.

c. Plan a community event which promotes the target culture.

a. Talk about daily activities and personal preferences in various time frames and moods using varied vocabulary and more complex sentence structure.

b. Complete a task that requires multiple steps.

c. Exchange information about areas of mutual interest.

a. Relate main themes and significant details in ads, reports, or announcements presented on TV, radio, video, or in live presentations.

b. Describe the main themes and significant details on topics found in print media.

c. Follow short instructions to complete a task.

a. Present information about personal and social events, experiences, and activities.

b. Present information on a topic studied or researched.

c. Present points of view and provide reasons to support them.

a. Analyze how behaviors in the target culture relate to and reflect different types of relationships.

b. Interact through simulated real-world situations in a variety of familiar and unfamiliar environments.

c. Design hands-on activities related to cultural practices.

a. Analyze the importance of products of the target culture, related to government, education, religion, and economics.

b. Interact with music and short video clips.

c. Listen to, read, and analyze the function of products used in selected texts.

a. Write a critical analysis of audio or visual media.

b. Report on contributions of the culture in science, government, or medicine.

c. Describe the importance of historical events from the target culture, past and present.

a. Evaluate the importance of current events in target culture.

b. Present a concept studied in another academic subject.

c. Debate global issues as represented in target language news sources.

a. Compare choice and use of prepositions.

b. Analyze elements of the target language related to time and tense.

c. Compare the writing system of the target language and the native language.

a. Compare and contrast customs and traditions of the target culture to the native culture.

b. Compare and contrast behaviors related to health and wellness.

c. Compare and contrast the importance placed on individual needs versus community needs.

a. Use community resources to research a topic related to culture and/or language study.

b. Write and illustrate stories to present to others.

a. Research target language resources for personal enrichment and entertainment.

b. Create or join school, community, or international groups that organize cultural events and/or social activities.

c. Explore the internet to find sites of personal interest where they can use the target language to maintain and increase communication skills.