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Requirements and Recommendations
Requirements and Recommendations
The World Language department recommends a minimum of two years of consecutive world language study of the same language for all high school students. This is the standard set by the Massachusetts Core Curriculum and is a prerequisite for most colleges and universities. More selective colleges and universities recommend at least four consecutive years of world language study of the same language.
Because world language is a sequential field of study, it is necessary for students to demonstrate mastery of material before advancing to the next course. For that reason, students must meet or exceed minimum grade requirements in order to be recommended to advance to the next level.
Heritage Speakers
Heritage speakers (students whose parents speak the target language at home) are strongly encouraged to take a world language other than the language spoken at home for the first two years of study. Afterwards, if they have successfully completed two years of study in the other language, they may take a placement test to enter into more advanced levels of the language spoken at home, beginning with level III. If they would like to take an advanced level in ninth or tenth grade, they need to meet with the Principal and the Department Coordinator.
Seal of Biliteracy
After completion of level IV, V, or A.P., a student who has achieved a level of Proficient or higher on the ELA MCAS may take the AAPPL test in the world language they are studying, to determine their level of proficiency according to the The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Guidelines. Upon achieving a score of Intermediate-High or greater, the student will be awarded a Seal of Biliteracy on the diploma.
Meaningful understanding of a language and culture involves using the language in everyday settings and experiencing life in cultures that use the target language. For that reason, the World Language Department organizes international travel opportunities.
At the end of each course description there is a classification of the ACTFL skill level that students should have achieved by the conclusion of that course. A detailed description of the ACTFL levels of communication in reading, writing, speaking, and listening can be found at:
- The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) recommends that all language teachers and their students use the target language 90%+ of the time at all levels of instruction: ACTFL
FRENCH OR SPANISH LEVEL I | Credit: 1
Grades: 9-12 Prerequisite: None
This course is the introductory level of world language classes and is the prerequisite for entry into Level II. It is designed to lay the foundation for communication and language learning, by introducing thematic vocabulary, parts of speech, and the conjugation of verbs in the present tense. At the conclusion of Level I, students will be able to: reply to simple, direct questions in the target language, give a 1-2 minute presentation in the target language with comprehensible pronunciation, comprehend structured audio/audio-visual activities, write short compositions of 75+ words in 30 minutes, and read and comprehend thematic readings and short passages. ACTFL Level: Novice-Mid in reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
FRENCH OR SPANISH LEVEL II (CP) | Credit: 1
Grades 9-12 Prerequisite: Successful completion of Level I with a minimum grade of 75, and recommendation of the instructor.
This course builds upon what was learned in Level I. It is designed to continue the development of the four communication skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing. Skill development will emphasize communication in both the present and past tenses. Cultural similarities and differences will be integrated throughout the course. At the conclusion of Level II (CP), students will be able to: reply to direct questions in both the present and past tenses in the target language, give a 2-3 minute presentation in the target language with comprehensible pronunciation, comprehend structured audio/audio-visual activities, write short compositions of 100+ words in 30 minutes, and read and comprehend thematic readings and short passages. ACTFL Level: Novice-High in reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
SPANISH LEVEL II (HONORS) | Credit: 1
Grades 9-12 Prerequisite: Successful completion of Level I with a minimum grade of 80, and recommendation of the instructor.
This course is designed for students who are planning to continue language study beyond Level II. It will be faster paced and more rigorous than the Level II CP. This course is designed to continue the development of the four communication skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing with an increased emphasis on speaking and writing. Communication tasks will utilize the present and past tenses. Cultural literacy and appreciation will be integrated throughout the course.
At the conclusion of Level II (Honors), students will be able to: reply to questions in the present and past tenses in the target language in a thorough manner, give a 3+ minute presentation in the target language with comprehensible pronunciation, comprehend structured audio/audio-visual activities, write short compositions of 125+ words in 30 minutes, and read and comprehend thematic reading and short passages. ACTFL Level Intermediate Low in reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
FRENCH OR SPANISH LEVEL III (HONORS) | Credit: 1
Grades 10-12 Prerequisite: Successful completion of Level II with a minimum grade of 80. Students advancing from Spanish Level II (CP) will additionally be required to successfully complete a placement test.
Level III reviews and reinforces previously learned language skills while introducing more sophisticated language and structures appropriate to intermediate language learners. Students will be required to demonstrate their ability to comprehend and actively use the target language with their classmates and teachers in a variety of tenses and moods.
Lesser known cultures that use the target language will be introduced to further develop students’ cultural literacy.
At the conclusion of Level III, students will be able to: reply to questions in multiple tenses and moods in the target language in a manner that sustains conversation, give a 3-4 minute presentation in the target language with accurate pronunciation, comprehend the majority of audio/visual prompts by native speakers with clear pronunciation, write compositions of 150-200 words in 30 minutes, and read and comprehend excerpts of writing in all genres. ACTFL Level Intermediate High in reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
FRENCH OR SPANISH LEVEL IV (HONORS) | Credit: 1
Grades 11- 12 Prerequisite: Successful completion of Level III with a minimum grade of 80, and recommendation of the instructor.
This course is designed for students who are interested in becoming both conversant and literate in the target language. The primary objective of Level IV is to reinforce communication skills that were introduced in previous courses, with greater emphasis on the productive skills of writing and speaking. Cultural exposure comes primarily through music, film, and literature designed for native speakers. At the conclusion of Level IV, students will be able to: reply to questions in all tenses and moods in the target language in a manner that elicits further conversation, give a 4+ minute presentation in the target language with accurate pronunciation, comprehend the majority of short audio/visual prompts designed for native speakers and full length audio/visual prompts with subtitles in the target language that are designed for native speakers, write compositions of 250+ words in 30 minutes, and read and comprehend authentic literature with functional comprehension using reference help as needed. ACTFL Level Advanced Low in reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
SPANISH LEVEL V (HONORS) | Credit 1
Grade: 12 Prerequisite: Successful completion of Spanish Level IV with a minimum grade of 80, and the recommendation of the instructor.
This course is designed for students who are interested in continuing to perfect their communication skills in Spanish, but who are either not planning to take the AP exam, prefer to continue their studies at a less rigorous level than AP, or who have not met the requirements to continue their studies at the AP level. This course will involve an intensive review of grammar concepts introduced at lower levels, the study of literature from around the Spanish-speaking world, and activities designed to help students understand contemporary issues facing Hispanic cultures. At the conclusion of Level V, students will be able to: reply to questions in all tenses and moods in the target language in a manner that elicits further conversation, give a 4-5 minute presentation in the target language with accurate pronunciation, comprehend the great majority of short audio/visual prompts designed for native speakers and full length audio/visual prompts with subtitles in the target language that are designed for native speakers, write compositions of 300 words in 30 minutes, and read and comprehend authentic literature with generally accurate comprehension using reference help as needed. ACTFL Level Advanced Low-Mid in reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
FRENCH OR SPANISH AP | Credit 1
Grade: 12 Prerequisite: Successful completion of Level IV with a minimum grade of an 85, and the recommendation of the instructor.
This course is designed for advanced students who have a strong understanding of the language and who are planning to take the AP language test in either French or Spanish. It is the equivalent of a third year college course and demands a great deal of effort both in and out of class. This course will involve an intense review of grammar concepts introduced at lower levels, the study of literature from diverse regions of the world, and activities that will help students attain a better understanding of contemporary issues facing speakers of the target language. Many colleges and universities will grant college credit to students who take the AP test administered in May and earn a score of 3 or higher. At the conclusion of AP French or Spanish, students will be able to: reply to questions in all tenses and moods in the target language in a manner that elicits further conversation, give a 5+ minute presentation in the target language with pronunciation approaching fluency, comprehend the majority of audio/visual prompts designed for native speakers and full length audio/visual prompts with subtitles in the target language that are designed for native speakers, write compositions of 300+ words in 30 minutes, and read and comprehend authentic literature with accurate comprehension using reference help as needed. ACTFL Level Advanced Mid-High in reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
LATIN AND COMPARATIVE LANGUAGES (HONORS) | Credit 1
Grades: 11-12 Prerequisite: French or Spanish Level III, or permission of the instructor.
Latin and Comparative Languages is a one-year, stand-alone enrichment elective. The course is an introduction to language: what it is and how it works. Using a comparative approach, students develop an understanding of the relationships among various languages, historically and linguistically, as well as learning the concepts and terminology of syntax. The first semester builds these skills through the study of the fundamentals of Latin. The second semester provides an introduction to two or three other languages (usually Lithuanian, Japanese, and Greek). Throughout the year, the class also explores other topics relating to language, through activities, readings, visits from guest speakers, and a semester-long individual research project.
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