SHS World Languages

The Springbrook High School World Languages Team strives to foster students' lifelong pursuit of language learning and appreciation of diverse cultures. Our goal is for students to be able to effectively engage in our multicultural society and to develop meaningful relationships using their language skills and cultural knowledge.

We believe all students can learn modern and classical languages. Given that language learning is a developmental skill, we believe students' proficiency in listening, speaking, reading and writing advances over time.

Through thoughtful standards-based unit and lesson design, the World Language Team creates a cohesive and comprehensive language and cultural learning experience that inspires our students' curiosity; develops students' understanding and appreciation of others' values, history, customs, and traditions; and celebrates students' language acquisition progress.

MARYLAND SEAL OF BILITERACY

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 school year (2023-2024), 70 students earned the Seal of Biliteracy medal.

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.

INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE

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.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT

We offer AP language courses in French and 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?

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.

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.