ALEX Classroom Resource

  

Foreign Language News and Newspapers: Spanish

  Classroom Resource Information  

Title:

 Foreign Language News and Newspapers: Spanish

URL:

 https://libguides.mit.edu/c.php?g=176072&p=1158992

Content Source:

 Other
MIT Libraries
Type: Informational Material

Overview:

This website offers direct links to a variety of Spanish language newspapers from the United States and around the globe. These authentic materials in the target language were published for Spanish speakers and provide lots of interpretative reading practice for students as they explore current events from the Latino world. Resources are well organized and provided from Argentina, Canary Islands, Chile, Colombia, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, Venezuela, Spain, the United States and more. 

Content Standard(s):
World Languages
WLAN (2017)
Grade: 7-12
Level I
2) Interpret what is heard, read, or viewed on familiar topics using the present tense.

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.

Unpacked Content
Goals:
Communication
Modes Of Communication:
Interpretive Mode
Evidence Of Student Attainment:
Novice Mid Level
Students:
  • understand a few courtesy phrases when spoken.
    • recognize and sometimes understand basic information in words and phrases that they have memorized. recognize and sometimes understand words and phrases that they have learned for specific purposes. recognize words, phrases, and characters with the help of visuals. recognize words, phrases, and characters when they associate them with things they already know.

Novice High Level
Students:
  • sometimes understand written and oral simple questions or statements on familiar topics.
    • understand simple written and oral information when presented with pictures and graphs. sometimes understand the main topic of conversations that they overhear. sometimes understand the main idea of published materials. understand simple everyday notices in public places on topics that are familiar to them.
Performance Descriptors:
Knowledge:
Students know:
  • how to recognize the difference between a question and a statement.
  • how to identify who is speaking.
  • how to identify who is being spoken to.
  • how to recognize the topic being discussed.
  • how to rely on pictures, graphs, or charts to aid in comprehension.
Skills:
Students are able to:
Novice Mid Level
  • identify the key idea presented by a speaker or published work on a familiar topic.
  • differentiate between questions and statements.
  • gather basic information from graphs, charts and pictures.
  • rely on background knowledge to aid in comprehension of difficult or new words.
  • recognize characters and punctuation marks that are unique to the target language.
Novice High Level students are able to:
  • identify the key idea presented by a speaker or published work on a familiar topic.
  • differentiate between questions and statements.
  • gather basic information from graphs, charts and pictures.
  • rely on background knowledge to aid in comprehension of difficult or new words.
  • recognize characters and punctuation marks that are unique to the target language.
  • locate places on a map.
  • identify purpose of a brochure/advertisement.
Understanding:
Students understand that:
Novice Mid Level
  • effective communication requires knowing how when and why to say what to whom.
  • the purpose of language study is to communicate so one can understand others and be understood.
  • other understandings will depend on the theme being taught.
Students understand that:
Novice High Level
  • effective communication requires knowing how when and why to say what to whom.
  • the purpose of language study is to communicate so one can understand others and be understood.
  • other understandings will depend on the theme being taught.
World Languages
WLAN (2017)
Grade: 7-12
Level I
7) Interpret information related to diverse perspectives in the target culture.

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

b. Explore authentic websites and materials to interpret topics.

Unpacked Content
Goals:
Connections
Modes Of Communication:
Interpretive Mode
Evidence Of Student Attainment:
Students:
  • identify their own perspective from which topics are viewed.
  • recognize the differences between formal and informal perspectives when interpreting information.
Performance Descriptors:
Knowledge:
Students know:
  • that a person's culture, background, and previous experiences affect the way they view and interpret information.
Skills:
Students are able to:
Novice Mid Level
  • access and evaluate information available through the target language and its culture.
  • identify personal perspectives on various topics related to school.
Novice High Level
Students are able to:
  • access and evaluate information available through the target language and its culture.
  • identify personal perspectives on various topics related to school.
  • investigate other disciplines using the target language language.
Understanding:
Students understand that:
  • proficiency in a foreign language is a vehicle to gaining knowledge that can only be acquired through that language and its culture.
  • world language learning offers opportunities to uncover big ideas in and about other disciplines.
  • strategies used to acquire a language are transferable to other areas of learning throughout life.
  • a second language facilitates the acquisition of information about the world outside our experiences.
World Languages
WLAN (2017)
Grade: 7-12
Level I
9) Identify products, practices, and perspectives of the target culture and the native culture.

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.

Unpacked Content
Goals:
Comparisons
Modes Of Communication:
Presentational Mode
Evidence Of Student Attainment:
Students:
  • identify the difference between the terms products, practices, and perspectives.
  • list items or products important to the target language culture.
  • list actions or practices that are important to the target language culture.
  • recognize why these products and practices are important to the target language culture (perspectives).
  • identify celebrations important to the target language culture.
  • identify products and practices associated with celebrations in the target language culture.
  • recognize games, stories, songs, and rhymes that are significant to the target language culture.
  • identify products, practices, and perspectives that are important to their own personal culture.
Performance Descriptors:
Knowledge:
Student know:
  • how to identify important cultural products, practices, and perspectives that are important within their own personal lives.
  • how to use present tense verbs to describe what people do.
  • how to use adjectives to describe nouns.
Skills:
Students are able to:
Novice Mid Level
  • identify the products, practices, and perspectives that are unique to native culture.
  • identify the products, practices, and perspectives that are unique to the target language culture including celebrations, music, games, and rhymes.
Novice High Level
Students are able to:
  • identify the products, practices, and perspectives that are unique to native culture.
  • identify the products, practices, and perspectives that are unique to the target language culture including celebrations, music, games, and rhymes.
  • compare and contrast native and target culture products, practices and perspectives.
Understanding:
Students understand that:
  • there are similarities and differences in the characteristics of the target culture and their own.
  • custom and tradition vary within a culture, as well as between cultures.
  • by studying another culture, one can better understand and appreciate their own.
  • other understanding will depend on theme being taught.
World Languages
WLAN (2017)
Grade: 7-12
Level II
2) Interpret what is heard, read, or viewed on familiar topics using the past tense.

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.

Unpacked Content
Goals:
Communication
Modes Of Communication:
Interpretive Mode
Evidence Of Student Attainment:
Novice High Level
Students:
  • sometimes understand written and oral simple questions or statements on familiar topics.
  • understand simple written and oral information when presented with pictures and graphs.
  • sometimes understand the main topic of conversations that they overhear.
  • sometimes understand the main idea of published materials.
  • understand simple everyday notices in public places on topics that are familiar to them.

Intermediate Low Level
Students:
    • understand the basic purpose of an oral or written message.
    • understand messages related to his/her basic needs.
    • understand questions and simple statements on everyday topics when he/she is a part of the conversation.
    • identify some information from news media.
Performance Descriptors:
Knowledge:
Students know: how to:
  • interpret audio and visual documents in the target language
  • identify key information and details from the target language materials
  • explain how the target language is connected to other content areas through geography, history, etc.
  • recognize basic products of the target language culture.
Skills:
Novice High Level
Students are able to:
  • identify the key idea presented by a speaker or published work on a familiar topic.
  • differentiate between questions and statements.
  • gather basic information from graphs, charts and pictures.
  • rely on background knowledge to aid in comprehension of difficult or new words.
  • recognize characters and punctuation marks that are unique to the target language.
Intermediate Low Level
Students are able to:
  • identify patterns in the contruction of past tense verbs and how this impacts meaning of texts.
  • how to recognize and use descriptors in basic conversations
  • restate key information.
  • use cognates to assist in comprehension of target language materials.
Understanding:
Students understand that:
Novice High Level
  • effective communication requires knowing how when and why to say what to whom.
  • the purpose of language study is to communicate so one can understand others and be understood.
  • other understandings will depend on the theme being taught.
Students understand that:
Intermediate Low Level
  • effective communication requires knowing how when and why to say what to whom.
  • the purpose of language study is to communicate so one can understand others and be understood.
  • other understandings will depend on the theme being taught.
World Languages
WLAN (2017)
Grade: 7-12
Level II
4) Identify perspectives through practices of the target cultures.

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.

Unpacked Content
Goals:
Culture
Modes Of Communication:
Presentational Mode
Evidence Of Student Attainment:
Students:
  • recognize how perspectives are influenced by formal and informal.
  • identify actions unique to the target language culture, especially in typical events, and celebrations.
  • describe how a celebration is viewed by the target language culture.
Performance Descriptors:
Knowledge:
Students know:
  • how to appropriately greet and address a variety of people within the target culture.
  • how to explain why specific holidays, celebrations and events are important to the target language culture.
Skills:
Novice High Level
Students are able to:
  • address others in a culturally appropriate manner.
  • identify practices associated with specific target language culture events such as celebrations and holidays.
  • identify practices associated with the student's own events, celebrations, and holidays.
  • investigate the relationship between cultural practices and perspectives.
Intermediate Low Level
Students are able to:
  • address others in a culturally appropriate manner.
  • dentify and explain practices associated with specific target language culture events, celebrations, and holidays.
  • identify and explain practices associated with the student's own events, celebrations, and holidays.
  • investigate the relationship between cultural practices and perspectives.
Understanding:
Students understand that:
    an ability to communicate in another language fosters a better.
  • understanding of my own language and culture.
  • custom and tradition vary within a culture, as well as between cultures.
  • similarities and differences in the practices of another culture often stem from the perspective of that culture.
  • other understandings will vary according to theme taught.
World Languages
WLAN (2017)
Grade: 7-12
Level II
5) Identify perspectives through products of the target cultures.

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.

Unpacked Content
Goals:
Culture
Modes Of Communication:
Presentational Mode
Evidence Of Student Attainment:
Students:
  • recognize how tangible products are shaped by the perspective of a culture.
  • Explain key cultural products such as paintings, songs, dances, music, and videos.
  • Discuss why cultural products are important to a culture based on textual resources.
Performance Descriptors:
Knowledge:
Students know:
  • a tangible or intangible product is influenced by the target language life and culture.
  • the perspective of a the target language culture is interconnected with the products of the culture.
Skills:
Novice High Level
Students are able to:
  • list common target language cultural products such as paintings, songs, and foods.
  • watch video clips or music videos and identify cultural products.
  • describe basic craft products from target language countries.
  • investigate the relationship between cultural products and perspectives.
Intermediate Low Level
Students are able to:
  • utilize common target language cultural vocabulary to discuss paintings, songs, foods, etc.
  • investigate and explain the relationship bewtween cultural products and perspectives.
  • investigate and explain the realtion between cultural practices and perspectives.
Understanding:
Students understand that:
  • similarities and differences in the products of another culture often stem from the perspective of that culture.
  • an ability to communicate in another language fosters a better.
  • understanding of my own language and culture.
  • custom and tradition vary within a culture, as well as between cultures.
  • other understandings will vary according to theme being taught.
World Languages
WLAN (2017)
Grade: 7-12
Level II
6) Connect with other disciplines while using the target language, utilizing the past time frame.

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.

Unpacked Content
Goals:
Connections
Evidence Of Student Attainment:
Students:
  • identify and describe daily life activities of their peer group in the target language culture.
  • identify and interpret basic information from authentic materials.
Performance Descriptors:
Knowledge:
Students know:
  • how their peers in the target language culture typically spend their freetime.
  • what a typical school day in the target language culture is like.
  • what kinds of media are popular among their peers in the target language culture.
Skills:
Novice High Level
Students are able to:
  • use map skills to identify countries and geographical features around the world.
  • identify resources needed to calculate exchange rates and measurments.
  • investigate other disciplines using the target language language.
Intermediate Low Level
Students are able to:
  • interpret simple statistics on daily life activities of their peers in the target language culture, such as schooling, freetime activities, and social media usage.
  • identify and interpret basic information from authentic sources, such as news articles, event flyers, invitations, and advertisements.
  • identify a few target language news sources and stores.
  • use the target language to learn about other disciplines.
  • use information learned in the target language in other disciplines.
Understanding:
Students understand that:
  • proficiency in a foreign language is a vehicle to gaining knowledge that can only be acquired through that language and its culture.
  • world language learning offers opportunities to uncover big ideas in and about other disciplines.
  • strategies used to acquire a language are transferable to other areas of learning throughout life.
  • a second language facilitates the acquisition of information about the world outside our experiences.
World Languages
WLAN (2017)
Grade: 7-12
Level II
7) Describe information related to diverse perspectives in the target culture.

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.

Unpacked Content
Goals:
Connections
Evidence Of Student Attainment:

Students:
  • ask and answer simple questions about audio and visual documents.
  • identify the main idea and topic of online audio and visual texts.
  • identify diverse perspectives in authentic materials.
Performance Descriptors:
Knowledge:
Students know:
  • how to ask simple questions about and describe audio and visual texts.
  • how to find and describe the main idea, theme, and topic of a text.
  • that a person's culture, background, and previous experiences affect the way they view and interpret information.
  • that media sources from the target language culture may show issues from a diverse perspective or mindset.
Skills:
Novice High Level
Students are able to:
  • access and evaluate information available through the target language and its culture.
  • identify personal perspectives on various topics related to school.
  • investigate other disciplines using the target language language.
Intermediate Low Level
Students are able to:
  • describe photos, artwork, images, charts, and videos.
  • ask simple questions about photos, artwork, images, charts, and videos.
  • identify the main idea and topic of online articles, videos, advertisements, announcements, and social media posts.
  • recognize target language perspectives on basic cultural topics such as families, holidays, food.
Understanding:
Students understand that:
  • proficiency in a foreign language is a vehicle to gaining knowledge that can only be acquired through that language and its culture.
  • world language learning offers opportunities to uncover big ideas in and about other disciplines.
  • strategies used to acquire a language are transferable to other areas of learning throughout life.
  • a second language facilitates the acquisition of information about the world outside our experiences.
World Languages
WLAN (2017)
Grade: 7-12
Level II
9) Compare products, practices, and perspectives of the target culture and the native culture.

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.

Unpacked Content
Goals:
Comparisons
Evidence Of Student Attainment:

Students:
  • compare and contrast daily life activities in the target and native cultures.
  • compare and contrast holiday celebrations and traditions in the target and native cultures.
  • compare games, fairy tales, songs, and rhymes from the target and native cultures.
Performance Descriptors:
Knowledge:
Students know:
  • how people in the target culture tend to spend their days.
  • what holidays are celebrated in the target culture and how they are celebrated.
  • a few games, fairy tales, songs, and rhymes in the target culture.
Skills:
Novice High Level
Students are able to:
  • identify the products, practices, and perspectives that are unique to native culture.
  • identify the products, practices, and perspectives that are unique to the target language culture including celebrations, music, games, and rhymes.
  • compare and contrast native and target culture products, practices and perspectives.
Intermediate Low Level
Students are able to:
  • compare and contrast daily life activities in the target and native cultures, such as schooling, working, freetime activities, and daily routines.
  • compare and contrast holiday celebrations and traditions in the target and native cultures.
  • identify games, fairy tales, songs, and rhymes from the target culture and compare them with those of the native culture.
Understanding:
Students understand that:
  • daily routines may differ between cultures as a result of several contributing factors.
  • different cultures may celebrate holidays in diverse ways.
  • different cultures may celebrate different holidays.
  • different cultures have original games, stories, songs, and rhymes.
  • custom and tradition vary within a culture, as well as between cultures.
  • by studying another culture, one can better understand and appreciate their own.
  • other understanding will depend on theme being taught.
World Languages
WLAN (2017)
Grade: 7-12
Level III
2) Interpret what is heard, read, or viewed on familiar topics in a variety of time frames.

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.

Unpacked Content
Goals:
Communication
Modes Of Communication:
Interpretive Mode
Evidence Of Student Attainment:
Intermediate Low Level
Students:
  • understand the basic purpose of a message.
  • understand messages related to basic needs.
  • understand questions and simple statements on everyday needs related to self.
  • understands messages that tell or ask about topics of personal interests.
  • identify simple information needed on forms.
  • identify some information from news media.

    • Intermediate Mid Level,
    Students:
    • understand basic information in ads, announcements and other recorded information.
    • understand the main idea of what is listened to for personal enjoyment.
    • understand messages related to everyday life.
    • understand simple personal questions.
    • understand basic information in ads, announcements, and other simple texts.
    • understand the main idea of what is read for personal enjoyment.
    • read simple written exchanges between other people.
Performance Descriptors:
Knowledge:
Students know:
  • the target language vocabulary for specific purposes including:
    • question words.
    • dates, times.
    • schedules.
    • travel (airport).
    • accepting/rejecting an invitaiton.
    • likes & dislikes.
    • compliments.
    • descriptive words.
    • messages for greeting cards.
    • services being offered on a variety of sitionations.
    • interests and daily routines.
    • sports.
    • jobs.
    • weather.
  • vocabulary related to travel, (customs forms, hotel registrations, information on ID.
  • and can use verbs in a variety of time frames.
Skills:
Intermediate Low Level
Students are able to:
  • understand and determine types of listening sources
  • understand location and time of an event.
  • understand announcements (arrival/departure info, due dates, time and date of messages).
  • understand questions and statements about daily routines, interests, scheudles)
  • understand what is asked for on a form or application.
  • understand basic information in a variety of contexts (weather forcasts, job postings, biographical data).
Intermediate Mid Level
Students are able to:
  • understand the main idea and details of advertisements and announcements and messages.
  • understand the main idea and details of literary and non-literary texts.
  • understand questions asked for surveys questionaires and forms across a variety of contexts.
  • understand basic information given in ads, labels, brochures, erc across a variety of contexts
  • understand the who, what, where, when, why & how of literary & non-literary texts.
Understanding:
Intermediate-Low Level Students understand that:
  • effective communication requires knowing how when and why to say what to whom.
  • the purpose of language study is to communicate so one can understand others and be understood.
  • other understandings will depend on the theme being taught.
World Languages
WLAN (2017)
Grade: 7-12
Level III
5) Investigate perspectives through products of the target cultures.

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.

Unpacked Content
Goals:
Culture
Modes Of Communication:
Interpersonal, Interpretive and Presentational Modes of communication
Evidence Of Student Attainment:
Students:
  • explain the importance of products of the target culture.
  • analyze and describe arts, crafts and graphic representations of the target culture.
  • identify and describe cultural influences in music and video analyze the purpose of prodcuts from the target culture through
  • listening and reading activities.
Performance Descriptors:
Knowledge:
Students know:
  • a variety of the target language specific vocabulary.
  • verb conjugations in a variety of time frames.
  • to incorporate background knowledge of cultural products studied in earlier levels.
Skills:
Intermediate Low Level
Students are able to:
  • utilize common target language cultural vocabulary to discuss paintings, songs, foods, etc.
  • investigate and explain the relationship bewtween cultural products and perspectives.
  • investigate and explain the realtion between cultural practices and perspectives.
Intermediate Mid Level
Students are able to:
  • identify how a culture's beliefes and ideas are reflected in their products by describing the target culture's art, crafts, music, dance, etc..
  • analyze and clarify the purpose of the products from a target culture.
  • investigate and explain the relationship bewtween cultural products and perspectives.
  • investigate and explain the realtion between cultural practices and perspectives.
Understanding:
Students understand that:
  • language and culture are inextricably linked together.
  • a culture's perspectives will be reflected in their pracitces and products.
  • an ability to communicate in another language fosters a better.
  • understanding of my own language and culture.
  • custom and tradition vary within a culture, as well as between cultures.
  • other understandings will vary according to theme being taught.
World Languages
WLAN (2017)
Grade: 7-12
Level III
7) Acquire information related to diverse perspectives in the target culture.

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

b. Compare advertisements from target culture and local media.

Unpacked Content
Goals:
Connections
Modes Of Communication:
Interpersonal, Interpretive and Presentational Modes of communication
Evidence Of Student Attainment:

Students:
  • research and identify ideas and topics related to diverse perspectives of the target culture.
  • make comparisons of how current events are reported in target culture and locally.
  • make comparisons of similarities and differences of advertisements from target culture and local media.
Performance Descriptors:
Knowledge:
Students know:
  • a variety of the target language specific vocabulary.
  • verb conjugations in a variety of time frames.
  • are familiar with current events and news across the world.
  • are familiar with the impact of marketing and how it reveals a target culture's perspectives.
Skills:
Intermediate Low Level
Students are able to:
  • describe photos, artwork, images, charts, and videos.
  • ask simple questions about photos, artwork, images, charts, and videos.
  • identify the main idea and topic of online articles, videos, advertisements, announcements, and social media posts.
  • recognize target language perspectives on basic cultural topics such as families, holidays, food.
Intermediate Mid Level
Students are able to:
  • use the target language to find and analyze information on the diverse perspectives of the target culture and make comparisons with the diverse perspectives of their own culture.
  • use the target language to make comparison of current events and how they are reported.
  • use the target language to identify advertisements and compare them with target culture and students'own culture.
Understanding:
Students understand that:
  • proficiency in a foreign language is a vehicle to gaining knowledge that can only be acquired through that language and its culture.
  • world language learning offers opportunities to uncover big ideas in and about other disciplines.
  • strategies used to acquire a language are transferable to other areas of learning throughout life.
  • a second language facilitates the acquisition of information about the world outside our experiences.
World Languages
WLAN (2017)
Grade: 7-12
Level III
9) Compare products, practices and perspectives of the target culture and the native culture in a variety of time frames.

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.

Unpacked Content
Goals:
Comparisons
Modes Of Communication:
Interpersonal, Interpretive and Presentational Modes of communication
Evidence Of Student Attainment:

Students:
  • can compare the products, practices and perspectives of the target culture and native culture using the target langauge in a variety of time frames.
  • compare activities and events of the target culture and native culture using the target language.
  • compare cultural practices of the target culture and the native culture using the target language.
Performance Descriptors:
Knowledge:
Students know:
  • the target language Vocabualry for specific purposes.
  • verb conjugations in a variety of tenses.
  • how to identify the products, practices and perspectives of target and native cultures.
Skills:
Intermediate Low Level
Students are able to:
  • compare and contrast daily life activities in the target and native cultures, such as schooling, working, freetime activities, and daily routines.
  • compare and contrast holiday celebrations and traditions in the target and native cultures.
  • identify games, fairy tales, songs, and rhymes from the target culture and compare them with those of the native culture.
Intermediate Mid Level
Students are able to:
  • use the target langauge to identify and compare the products, practices and perspectives of the target culture.
  • use target langauge to compare activities and events of the target culture and native culture.
  • use target langauge to compare the practices of target and native culture.
  • identify games, fairy tales, songs, and rhymes from the target culture and compare them with those of the native culture.
Understanding:
Students understand that:
  • custom and tradition vary within a culture, as well as between cultures.
  • by studying another culture, one can better understand and appreciate their own.
  • other understanding will depend on theme being taught.
World Languages
WLAN (2017)
Grade: 7-12
Level III
11) Explore opportunities to use the target language beyond the classroom environment in a variety of time frames.

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.

Unpacked Content
Goals:
Communities
Modes Of Communication:
Interpersonal, Interpretive and Presentational Modes of communication
Evidence Of Student Attainment:

Students:
  • find ways and opportunities to use the target language beyond the clsssroom in a variety of time fames.
  • are able to locate and analyze authentic materials to learn more about topics studied in class.
  • use the target language to explore the Internet to find authentic websites that offer current events.
  • plan a school event promoting the target culture by using the target language langauge.
Performance Descriptors:
Knowledge:
Students know:
  • the target language Vocabualry for specific purposes.
  • verb conjugations in a variety of tenses.
  • how to use the internet to find authentic resources.
  • how to analyze the target language in authentic resources.
Skills:
Intermediate Low Level
Students are able to:
  • identify opportunities to connect with native speakers in the local community and through exchange, travel abroad, or online.
  • search for, identify, and navigate websites in the target langauge to explore their interests, such as news, blogs, music, and social media.
Intermediate Mid Level
Students are able to:
  • use the target language to find and analyze authentic materials and websites in a variety of tenses.
  • use the target language to find current events in the target culture.
  • use the target language to plan a school event to promote the target culture.
Understanding:
Students understand that:
  • language connects people.
  • they can use the target langauge inside and outside of the classroom for a variety of purposes.
  • learning another language helps you to become a better global citizen.
World Languages
WLAN (2017)
Grade: 7-12
Level IV
2) Interpret, restate, and react to what is heard, read, or viewed on familiar and new topics.

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.

Unpacked Content
Goals:
Communication
Modes Of Communication:
Interpretive Mode
Evidence Of Student Attainment:
Intermediate Mid Level
Students:
  • understand basic information in ads, announcements and other simple recordings.
  • understand the main idea of what they listen to for personal enjoyment.
  • understand messages related to everyday life.
  • understand simple personal questions.
  • understand basic information in ads, announcements, and other simple texts.
  • understand the main idea of what they read for personal enjoyment.
  • read simple exchanges between other people.

At the intermediate high level,
Students:
  • easily understand straightforward information or interactions.
  • understand a few details in ads, announcements and other simple recordings.
  • sometimes understand situations with complicating factors.
  • understand accounts of personal events or experiences.
  • sometimes follow short, written instructions when supported by visuals.
  • understand the main idea and a few supporting facts about famous people and historic events.
Performance Descriptors:
Knowledge:
Students know:
  • the target language vocabulary for specific topics.
  • how to communicate in a variety of tenses and moods.
Skills:
Intermediate Mid Level
Students are able to:
  • understand basic information from advertisments and announcements, audio or print.
  • understand the main idea(s) of voice messages and videos
  • understand basic statements and questions in an interview.
  • understand questions in a survey or questionnaire.
  • understand information in a variety of print formats (ex: brochures, magazines, labels, etc.).
  • understand information in interpersonal communication.
  • understand main ideas, supporting details, themes, settings, characters and plot lines in literary texts.
Intermediate High Level
Students are able to:
  • understand basic information from advertisments and announcements, audio or print.
  • understand interpersonal exchanges, spoken or in print.
  • understand information in a variety of print formats (ex: brochures, magazines, labels, etc.).
  • understand main ideas, supporting details, themes, settings, characters and plot lines in literary texts.
Understanding:
Students understand that:
Intermediate Mid Level
  • effective communication requires knowing how when and why to say what to whom.
  • the purpose of language study is to communicate so one can understand others and be understood.
  • other understandings will depend on the theme being taught.
Intermediate High:
  • effective communication requires knowing how when and why to say what to whom.
  • the purpose of language study is to communicate so one can understand others and be understood.
  • other understandings will depend on the theme being taught.
World Languages
WLAN (2017)
Grade: 7-12
Level IV
5) Investigate perspectives through products of the target cultures.

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.

Unpacked Content
Goals:
Culture
Evidence Of Student Attainment:
Students:
  • Analyze the importance and impact of products of the target culture in the contexts of arts, crafts, and graphic representations.
  • Analyze cultural products in the context of music and short videos.
Performance Descriptors:
Knowledge:
Students know:
  • how to communicate in a variety of tenses and moods.
  • the target language vocabulary for specific purposes.
  • background knowledge of the target culture.
Skills:
Intermediate Mid Level
Students are able to:
  • identify how a culture's beliefes and ideas are reflected in their products by describing the target culture's art, crafts, music, dance, etc..
  • analyze and clarify the purpose of the products from a target culture.
  • investigate and explain the relationship bewtween cultural products and perspectives.
  • investigate and explain the realtion between cultural practices and perspectives.
Intermediate High Level
Students are able to:
  • investigate the products and perspetives of a target culture.
  • investigate the beliefs (perspectives) associated with the target culture's products in the contexts of arts, crafts, graphic representations, music, and short videos.
  • investigate and explain the relationship bewtween cultural products and perspectives.
  • investigate and explain the realtion between cultural practices and perspectives.
Understanding:
Students understand that:
  • language and culture are inextricably linked.
  • an ability to communicate in another language fosters a better.
  • understanding of my own language and culture.
  • custom and tradition vary within a culture, as well as between cultures.
  • other understandings will vary according to theme being taught.
World Languages
WLAN (2017)
Grade: 7-12
Level IV
7) Acquire information related to diverse perspectives in the target culture in a variety of time frames and moods.

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.

Unpacked Content
Goals:
Connections
Evidence Of Student Attainment:
Students:
  • investigate and identify topics related to the perspectives of the target culture in a variety of time frames and moods.
  • compare and contrast current events and advertisements from the target culture to a student's own culture.
  • explain how prominent figures are viewed from the perspective of the target culture.
Performance Descriptors:
Knowledge:
Students know:
  • how to communicate in a variety of tenses and moods.
  • the target language vocabulary for specific purposes.
  • how perspectives of a target culture are portrayed through media and advertising.
Skills:
Intermediate Mid Level
Students are able to:
  • use the target language to find and analyze information on the diverse perspectives of the target culture and make comparisons with the diverse perspectives of their own culture.
  • use the target language to make comparison of current events and how they are reported.
  • use the target language to identify advertisements and compare them with target culture and students'own culture.
Intermediate High Level
Students are able to:
  • use the target language to investigate, compare, and contrast current events and advertisements from the target culture to a student's own culture.
  • identify and explain the diverse perspectives of the target culture through the lens of a culture's perspectives.
    • communicate in the target language in a variety of time frames and moods.
  • use the target language to make comparison of current events and how they are reported.
  • use the target language to identify advertisements and compare them with target culture and students'own culture.
  • research how a major figure from history, science, or the arts is described in the target language and use it to expand what they already know.
  • compare how products are marketed in the target culture versus the United States.
  • compare news articles on front pages of newspapers from countries where the target language is spoken.
Understanding:
Students understand that:
  • proficiency in a foreign language is a vehicle to gaining knowledge that can only be acquired through that language and its culture.
  • world language learning offers opportunities to uncover big ideas in and about other disciplines.
  • strategies used to acquire a language are transferable to other areas of learning throughout life.
  • a second language facilitates the acquisition of information about the world outside our experiences.
World Languages
WLAN (2017)
Grade: 7-12
Level IV
9) Compare products, practices, and perspectives of the target culture and the native culture in a variety of time frames and moods.

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.

Unpacked Content
Goals:
Comparisons
Evidence Of Student Attainment:
Students:
  • make comparisons between the products, practices and perspectives of the target culture of the target culture and their native culture.
  • explain practices of the target culture.
  • compare and contrast their own experiences within the target and native culture.
Performance Descriptors:
Knowledge:
Students know:
  • how to communicate in a variety of tenses and moods.
  • the target language vocabulary for specific purposes.
  • how to identify and distinguish between products, practices and perspectives of culture.
Skills:
Intermediate Mid Level
Students are able to:
  • use the target langauge to identify and compare the products, practices and perspectives of the target culture.
  • use target langauge to compare activities and events of the target culture and native culture.
  • use target langauge to compare the practices of target and native culture.
  • identify games, fairy tales, songs, and rhymes from the target culture and compare them with those of the native culture.
Intermediate High Level
Students are able to:
  • compare and contrast the products, practices and perspectives of the target culture to their native culture in a variety of time frames and moods in the target language.
  • communicate in the target language in a variety of time frames and moods.
  • use target langauge to compare activities and events of the target culture and native culture.
  • use target langauge to compare the practices of target and native culture.
  • identify games, fairy tales, songs, and rhymes from the target culture and compare them with those of the native culture.
  • identify and use borrowed words and cognates in the language they are learning and their own, and hypothesize about their origins.
  • compare and analyze idiomatic expressions in the language they are learning and their own, and hypothesize about their origins.
    • compare language appropriate to specific social groups and situations in the language they are learning and their own. compare syntax functions (e.g., word order and inflections) to express meaning in the target language and in English).
Understanding:
Students understand that:
  • the products, practices and perspectives of culture are intertwined.
  • a culture's perspectives are present in its products and practices.
  • custom and tradition vary within a culture, as well as between cultures.
  • by studying another culture, one can better understand and appreciate their own.
  • other understanding will depend on theme being taught.
World Languages
WLAN (2017)
Grade: 7-12
Level IV
11) Explore opportunities to use the target language beyond the classroom environment in a variety of time frames and moods.

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.

Unpacked Content
Goals:
Communities
Evidence Of Student Attainment:
Students:
  • explore ways to use the target language for real-world purposes in a variety of time frames and moods.
  • use the internet to find and analyze authentic materials.
  • plan a community event based on the target culture.
Performance Descriptors:
Knowledge:
Students know:
  • how to communicate in a variety of tenses and moods.
  • the target language vocabulary for specific purposes.
  • how to navigate digital resources in the target language.
  • cultural products, practices and perspectives related to events.
Skills:
Intermediate Mid Level
Students are able to:
  • use the target language to find and analyze authentic materials and websites in a variety of tenses.
  • use the target language to find current events in the target culture.
  • use the target language to plan a school event to promote the target culture.
Intermediate High Level
Students are able to:
  • interpret authentic materials.
  • use digital tools in the target language to search for materials.
  • identify and plan authentic experiences involving the target language and culture.
  • consult various sources in the language to obtain information on topics of personal interest.
  • exchange information around topics of personal interest.
  • use various media from the language and culture for entertainment.
  • attend or use media to view cultural events and social activities.
Understanding:
Students understand that:
  • there are a multitude of real-world implications for target language proficiency and cultural awareness.
  • the target language is used around the world every day in many different contexts.
  • the target language can help one better understand the world around them.
  • the study of world languages expands one's opportunities.
  • language is a tool to connect with the world.
  • other understandings will depend on theme being taught.
World Languages
WLAN (2017)
Grade: 7-12
Level V
2) Understand the main idea and a few details in texts on a variety of topics related to everyday life and personal interests in various time frames and moods using varied vocabulary and more complex sentence structure.

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.

Unpacked Content
Goals:
Communication
Modes Of Communication:
Interpretive Mode
Evidence Of Student Attainment:
Intermediate High Level
Students:
  • easily understand straightforward information or interactions.
  • understand a few details in ads, announcements and other simple recordings.
  • understand situations with complicating factors.
  • understand accounts of personal events or experiences.
  • sometimes follow short, written instructions when supported by visuals.
  • understand the main idea and a few supporting facts about famous people and historic events.
Performance Descriptors:
Knowledge:
Students know:
  • variety of time frames.
  • the target language vocabulary for specific topics.
  • the target language vocabulary for various types of documents (written or audio/video) (i.e., literary texts, newspapers, magazines, websites, radio/tv ads, announcements, or live presentations).
Skills:
Intermediate Mid & High Level
Students are able to:
  • relate the main themes and significant details on topics from other subjects and products of the cultures as presented on TV, radio, video, or live presentations.
  • describe the main themes and significant details on topics from other subjects and products of the cultures as found in printed sources for target language audiences.
  • identify the principal characters and discuss the main ideas and themes in selected literary texts.
  • comprehend spoken and written messages in the target language.
Understanding:
Students understand that:
  • effective communication requires knowing how when and why to say what to whom.
  • the purpose of language study is to communicate so one can understand others and be understood.
  • other understandings will depend on the theme being taught.
World Languages
WLAN (2017)
Grade: 7-12
Level V
5) Analyze perspectives through products of the target cultures.

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.

Unpacked Content
Goals:
Culture
Evidence Of Student Attainment:
Intermediate High Level
Students:
  • analyze the importance of products of the target culture, related to government, education, religion, and economics.
  • interact with music and short video clips.
  • listen to, read, and analyze the function of products used in selected texts.
Performance Descriptors:
Knowledge:
Students know:
  • how to communicate in a variety of tenses and moods.
  • the target language vocabulary for specific purposes.
  • background knowledge of the target culture.
Skills:
Intermediate High Level
Students are able to:
  • nvestigate the products and perspetives of a target culture.
  • investigate the beliefs (perspectives) associated with the target culture's products in the contexts of arts, crafts, graphic representations, music, and short videos.
  • investigate and explain the relationship bewtween cultural products and perspectives.
  • investigate and explain the realtion between cultural practices and perspectives.
  • analyze the function of everyday objects produced in the culture.
    • compare and analyze perspectives reflected in news reports, social media, pamphlets, advertisements, etc.
  • discuss perspectives reflected in creative works of the culture.
Understanding:
Students understand that:
  • language and culture are inextricably linked.
  • an ability to communicate in another language fosters a better.
  • understanding of my own language and culture.
  • custom and tradition vary within a culture, as well as between cultures.
  • other understandings will vary according to theme being taught.
World Languages
WLAN (2017)
Grade: 7-12
Level V
7) Acquire information related to diverse perspectives in the target culture using varied vocabulary and more complex sentence structure.

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.

Unpacked Content
Goals:
Connections
Evidence Of Student Attainment:
Intermediate High Level
Students:
  • investigate and identify topics related to the perspectives of the target culture in a variety of time frames and moods.
  • compare and contrast current events and advertisements from the target culture to a student's own culture.
  • explain how current global issues are viewed from the perspective of the target culture.
Performance Descriptors:
Knowledge:
Students know:
  • how to communicate in a variety of tenses and moods.
  • the target language vocabulary for specific purposes.
  • how perspectives of a target culture are portrayed through media and advertising.
Skills:
Intermediate High Level
Students are able to:
  • use the target language to investigate, compare, and contrast current events and advertisements from the target culture to a student's own culture.
  • identify and explain the diverse perspectives of the target culture through the lens of a culture's perspectives.
  • communicate in the target language in a variety of time frames and moods.
  • use the target language to make comparison of current events and how they are reported.
  • use the target language to identify advertisements and compare them with target culture and students'own culture.
  • research how a major figure from history, science, or the arts is described in the target language and use it to expand what they already know.
  • compare how products are marketed in the target culture versus the United States.
  • compare news articles on front pages of newspapers from countries where the target language is spoken.
Understanding:
Students understand that:
  • proficiency in a foreign language is a vehicle to gaining knowledge that can only be acquired through that language and its culture.
  • world language learning offers opportunities to uncover big ideas in and about other disciplines.
  • strategies used to acquire a language are transferable to other areas of learning throughout life.
  • a second language facilitates the acquisition of information about the world outside our experiences.
World Languages
WLAN (2017)
Grade: 7-12
Level V
9) Compare products, practices, and perspectives of the target culture and the native culture using varied vocabulary and more complex sentence structure.

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.

Unpacked Content
Goals:
Comparisons
Evidence Of Student Attainment:
Intermediate High Level
Students:
  • make comparisons between the products, practices and perspectives of the target culture of the target culture and their native culture.
  • analyze practices of the target culture.
  • compare and contrast their own experiences within the target and native culture.
Performance Descriptors:
Knowledge:
Students know:
  • how to communicate in a variety of tenses and moods.
  • the target language vocabulary for specific purposes.
  • how to identify and distinguish between products, practices and perspectives of culture.
Skills:
Intermediate High Level
Students are able to:
  • differentiate between when to use formal and informal register.
  • ecognize and understand idiomatic expressions in listening and reading.
  • use idiomatic expressions appropriately in speaking and writing.
  • communicate in the target language in a variety of time frames and moods.
  • compare and contrast the role and importance of family in the target cultures to their own.
  • compare and contrast school schedules, course offerings, and attitudes toward school in the target cultures to their own.
    • compare and contrast career choices and preparation in the target cultures to their own.
  • compare and contrast entertainment and leisure options in the target cultures and their own.
Understanding:
Students understand that:
  • custom and tradition vary within a culture, as well as between cultures.
  • by studying another culture, one can better understand and appreciate their own.
  • other understanding will depend on theme being taught.
World Languages
WLAN (2017)
Grade: 7-12
Level V
11) Explore opportunities to use the target language beyond the classroom environment in a variety of contexts.

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.

Unpacked Content
Goals:
Communities
Evidence Of Student Attainment:
Intermediate High Level
Students:
  • explore ways to use the target language for real-world purposes in a variety of time frames and moods.
  • use the internet to find and analyze authentic materials.
  • plan a community event based on the target culture.
Performance Descriptors:
Knowledge:
Students know:
  • how to communicate in a variety of tenses and moods.
  • the target language vocabulary for specific purposes.
  • how to navigate digital resources in the target language
  • cultural products, practices and perspectives related to events.
Skills:
Intermediate High Level
Students are able to:
  • interpret authentic materials.
  • use digital tools in the target language to search for materials.
  • identify and plan authentic experiences involving the target language and culture.
  • consult various sources in the language to obtain information on topics of personal interest.
  • exchange information around topics of personal interest.
  • use various media from the language and culture for entertainment.
  • attend or use media to view cultural events and social activities.
Understanding:
Students understand that:
  • language connects people.
  • they can use the target langauge inside and outside of the classroom for a variety of purposes.
  • learning another language helps you to become a better global citizen.
  • the target language is used around the world every day in many different contexts.
  • the target language can help one better understand the world around them.
  • the study of world languages expands one's opportunities.
  • language is a tool to connect with the world.
  • other understandings will depend on theme being taught.
Tags: Advanced, Authentic Resource, Beauty Aesthetics, Communication, Communities, Connections, Contemporary Life, Culture, Current Events, Families Communities, Global Challenges, Heritage Speakers, Intermediate, Interpretative Reading, Native Speakers, Newspaper, Novice, Personal Public Identities, Perspectives, Science Technology, Spanish
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Author: Chrissy Roe
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