World Languages
French, German, Russian, Spanish 6
Our world language program starts with exploratory in 6th grade where students have the opportunity to learn two different languages over the course of one year. Students will begin to acquire foundational language skills and will learn about the various cultures where the language is spoken.
At the end of grade 6, students will then select the language of their choice to study for two full years in grades 7 and 8. After completion of the 6th grade world language program, students will identify their first and alternate choices for their 7th grade language selection. Based on yearly enrollment, every effort will be made to accommodate a student’s first choice. However, the first choice cannot be guaranteed. Students will study this one language during seventh and eighth grade, and, given successful completion of the proficiency exam, continue and expand this study in the high school.
French, German, Russian, Spanish 7
The NYS graduation requirements mandate that all students (except those exempted by the Committee on Special Education) study two years of one world language and pass the examination that is aligned to the Checkpoint A learning standards for World Languages by the end of eighth grade. The seventh grade world language program is the first full year of language study and the first step in preparing for this exam.
During the course, the students learn basic vocabulary and grammar to develop skills across all modes of communication - Interpretive, interpersonal and presentational. In the classroom, they engage in a variety of collaborative activities to build confidence in applying basic phrases when communicating in the target language in real-world scenarios. In addition, students are given the opportunity to explore the target culture and make comparisons to their own cultural experiences.
French, German, Russian, Spanish 1
The NYS graduation requirements mandate that all students (except those exempted by the Committee on Special Education) study two years of one world language and pass the examination that is aligned to the Checkpoint A learning standards for World Languages by the end of eighth grade. If a student fails to pass the exam he/she will have to pass a high school Regents level world language course at the end of ninth grade.
The eighth grade program is the second year of study in a rigorous middle school program. The course continues to improve and build their language skills across each mode of communication - Interpretive, interpersonal and presentational. This course is designed to establish a collaborative approach in which students apply their cultural knowledge and skills acquired from previous years of study. Upon successful completion of the course and demonstrated proficiency, students receive one high school credit for Level 1.
A Note of Caution: German 1R, French 1R and Russian 1R (Regents) are offered in grade eight only. Therefore, a student failing one of these three courses in eighth grade will be required to begin the study of Spanish in ninth grade in order to fulfill the world language graduation requirement. In Spanish, students have the option of repeating the Level 1 course in ninth grade if necessary.