Two credits in language acquisition courses, which include American Sign Language, may be used to complete Option 1 of elective credits required for graduation. If students select a world language to fulfill the Maryland diploma requirements, the two language acquisition credits MUST be in the same language. The goal of the  Language Acquisition program is to prepare students to be linguistically and culturally competent in languages other than English. The ability to communicate in a culturally appropriate manner with speakers of other languages is the key to success in the increasingly diverse global community of the 21st century. As students develop proficiency in world languages and an understanding of the underlying values and beliefs of other cultures, they gain the skills that are essential to meaningful communication. Language Acquisition courses must be taken in sequential order. The prerequisite for all courses, except 1A, is either successful completion of the preceding course or a local placement test.   It is HIGHLY recommended to take TWO Language Acquisition courses during freshman and sophomore years and especially in the upper levels for competitive college applications.  We encourage ALL students to consider challenging themselves in one of the IB French or Spanish courses, levels 4-7, their junior and senior years.

Language Acquisition Gives You The Competitive Advantage:

1. Higher verbal scores on the SAT are associated with each year of study of a world language according to the Admissions Testing program of the College Board (related article).

2. Learning a new language actually enhances your brain capacity, as explained in this recent Discover article.  You can not only communicate in a  new language, you can function better in multiple disciplines and tasks.  This growth is specific to new language learning!

3. The University of Maryland requires 2 years of a world language in high school but recommends that students “exceed that minimum, taking several honors and/or AP/IB courses."  Three to four years of successful study in language acquisition at SVHS plus induction into French or Spanish Honor Society makes you eligible for the honor society cord at graduation.

4. Earning the MD Seal of Biliteracy is an added bonus of continuing one's language study in the IB courses.  Students need to earn a composite score of 6 out of 9 on reading, writing, listening and speaking skills tested individually on the Avant assessment.  Students may elect to take the assessment in their heritage language.  Students who earn a 6 on IB SL exams and a 5 on IB HL exams also earn the Seal.  Students wear a medal at graduation and have an official seal on their diploma.

5. Your ability to communicate and understand cross-cultural relations deepens when you study a world language and so much more.  Check out the long list of benefits as cited by the American Council of the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL).

6. A median of 92% of your peers in Europe study a world language compared to only 20% in the U.S. according to this Pew Research Center article.

Want to know more?  Please email or call Ms. Rebecca Hanford, Resource Teacher.  Contact details for the Resource Teacher and the administrator for Language Acquisition are attached below:

Ms. Rebecca Hanford, Language Acquisition Resource Teacher

Phone:  240-740-6400 ext 12880

Email:  rebecca_s_hanford@mcpsmd.org 

Dr. Deshawn Anderson, Administrator for Language Acquisition

Phone:  240-740-6407

Email:  Deshawn_W_Anderson@mcpsmd.org