Embedded Files
World Language Department
Find Your Voice. Expand Your World.
Meet the World Language Department teachers!
Meet the World Language Department teachers!
Top row: Erin Crowley (Span 2, H/IB Span 4), Chris Yep (Edmentum & Spanish 1, 2), Arquimen Chicas-Navarro (H/IB Span 5, AP Span Lang)
Second row: Judith Gonzalez (SSS1, SSS2, H/IB Span 5), Maria Peterson RT (H/IB Span 4, H/IB Span 6/7), Selma Berrehouma (French 1, 3, 4, APL)
Front row: Elda Cordone(Span 1, Italian 1, 2, 3, 4), Ines Etoumbi (French 2, 5, 6/7, Eng 9 EML III), Majid Chouili (Arabic 1)
Why learn a new language?
Why learn a new language?
Learning another language opens the door to new cultures, perspectives, and opportunities. At Springbrook, our World Languages program encourages students to build communication skills, develop cultural awareness, and become more confident global citizens. Studying a language also strengthens critical-thinking skills and prepares students to connect with people and communities beyond their own.
Springbrook High School proudly offers Spanish, French, Italian, and Arabic, with courses designed for students at a variety of levels and experiences. Whether students are beginning a new language or continuing their studies through advanced and IB coursework, we encourage every student to explore the world through language and culture.
Learn a language. Discover a culture. Expand your world.
The Maryland Seal of Biliteracy is an award given by participating LEAs that recognizes a student’s high level of proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in one or more languages other than English. This last school year (2025-2026), 101 students earned the Seal of Biliteracy medal.
https://marylandpublicschools.org/about/pages/dcaa/world-languages/biliteracy/index.aspx
The purpose of the State Seal of Biliteracy is to:
Recognize the value of language learning in public schools.
Encourage students to attain high proficiency levels in one or more languages in addition to English.
Affirm native and heritage languages.
Provide employers with a method of identifying individuals with language and biliteracy skills.
Provide universities with an additional method to recognize applicants seeking admission/placement.
Prepare students with the critical skills necessary to function in a global society.
Strengthen cross-cultural communication, affirm the value of diversity, and honor the multiple cultures and languages of our communities.
This year's first round of exams will be on October 28, 2026. The test is free for seniors and $14 for juniors. If you took AP Spanish Language exam and earned a 4 or 5, you will automatically earn the medal and will NOT need to take the Seal of Biliteracy exam.
Our IB program is very successful. Our students score 4 or higher on IB exams. We are the only school in the North East Consortium that offers Ab initio courses in Arabic and Italian. We prepare our students for the International Baccalaureate program in levels 1-4 by applying the Middle Years Program objectives and assessment criteria in daily classroom instruction, lesson planning, and assessments.
We offer AP language course in Spanish. Our students score 3 or higher on the AP exam. We prepare our students for Advanced Placement by guiding their course selections and providing them with rigorous teacher-developed lessons in levels 1-4.
WHY LEARN ANOTHER LANGUAGE?
WHY LEARN ANOTHER LANGUAGE?
The world is full of languages. How far do you have to go from your front door to know that this is true? Think about how many more people and places you could really get to know, movies and TV programs you could understand, newspapers and books you could read, web sites you could visit with another language!
9 Benefits of Learning a Second Language
It Stimulates Your Brain.
It Improves Your Attention Span.
More Career Options to Choose From.
It Boosts Your Creativity.
It Improves Your First Language.
You Build Multitasking Skills.
It Slows Down Cognitive Decline.
It Improves Your Memory.
Planning for College? World Languages Matter!
Planning for College? World Languages Matter!
Students considering the University of Maryland (UMD) should plan their World Language courses carefully. UMD currently requires freshman applicants to complete a minimum of two years of a world language in high school as part of its required college-preparatory coursework. UMD also notes that its most competitive applicants often exceed the minimum academic requirements by taking rigorous courses and additional academic electives.
For most MCPS high school courses, one full year of a World Language equals 2 semester credits (1.0 total credit) on the transcript. Therefore, students should aim for at least two full years of the same language, and continuing into a third or fourth year can demonstrate greater proficiency and academic rigor. At Springbrook, students can continue their language journey in Spanish, French, Italian, or Arabic.
Don’t just meet the minimum—keep going and build your language skills!
CONNECT WITH OTHER CULTURES
CONNECT WITH OTHER CULTURES
Knowledge of other cultures will help you expand your personal horizons and become a responsible citizen. Your ability to talk to others and gather information beyond the world of English will contribute to your community and your country.
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