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World Language Department Overview
The World Language Department offers students the opportunity to study Chinese, French, Latin, and Spanish. The goal of the World Language Department is to enable our students to develop real-world, authentic communication skills. The World Language courses stress a proficiency approach, with emphasis on the context and purpose of communication through the three modes: Interpersonal (two-way, unrehearsed communication between individuals); Interpretive (one-way communication using receptive skills of listening and reading); and Presentational (one-way communication using productive skills of speaking and writing).
Students work to achieve targeted proficiency levels by the end of each course in all three modes of communication. In order to ensure a successful transition to the next sequential course, students must meet the targeted proficiency level that has been set as the goal for the course. We follow the proficiency levels that have been set forth by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages and are aligned with the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education World Language Curriculum Framework. Through the World Language program at Belmont High School, students have the opportunity to move through the various stages of language proficiency in their chosen language of study, from Novice through to Advanced. (For an explanation of proficiency, check out this presentation.)
In each course, students will be assessed both formally and informally in all three modes of communication (interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational) so that they can monitor how their skills are progressing. Due to the emphasis on proficiency development, performance assessments count for the majority of a student's grade. Students are given many opportunities to “show off” their real-world language skills in the form of performance assessments. These are meant to show what students can do with the language, not just what they know about the language. Students should expect to be engaged in the target language in their classes for 90% or more of the time so that they are continuously building their capacity to communicate in the language. Students will access the language through authentic language resources, which are created by native speakers of the language for native speakers of the language. Students will learn the skills to “decode” the language at the level they are learning so that they can interpret the information that they are reading or listening to. These resources may include poems, short stories, novels, websites, social media, video clips, podcasts, music, movies, and more.
In all levels of World Language classes, active engagement and participation is an expectation. Language skills develop through meaningful, natural interaction with the target language over time, so it is imperative that students engage in the target language and are active participants in class in order to move towards meeting the proficiency targets that are set for each level. Students who enroll in honors level World Language courses are expected to be self-directed, independent, and prepared for a faster-paced course where they are continually expanding their skills and integrating new concepts and knowledge with previously learned ones while communicating.
Heritage speakers - Heritage speakers of Chinese, French, or Spanish who choose to study their heritage language should fill out the appropriate Course Placement Review form to request a placement test. The student will be placed in the course which best matches their language skills. (Form for students entering 9th grade) (Form for students entering grades 10-12)
Minimum Graduation Requirement - 2 years, or 10 credits in World Language
** Please be aware that many colleges and universities require more than 2 years of world language study!
Director: Marie Penner-Hahn
Email: mpennerhahn@belmontschools.net
For more information about the benefits of learning a second language, check out the videos at these links below:
Why Students Should Learn a Second Language: Why Students Should Learn a Second Language - YouTube
Benefits of a Bilingual Brain: The benefits of a bilingual brain - Mia Nacamulli - YouTube
5 reasons to Learn a New Language: 5 Reasons to Learn Spanish - YouTube
Please refer to the chart linked to the graphic for "Can Do" statements that describe the communicative goals that students will towards at each targeted proficiency level.
To view the course descriptions for the courses below, head to the "Courses by Grade Level" page and click the links for each class based on the grade level and department.
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