World Languages
World Languages
Chinese, French, Italian and Spanish
Chinese, French, Italian and Spanish
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Overview of Grades 6-8
Overview of Grades 6-8
In Middle School World Languages, students acquire their language of study in a very similar way to how they acquired their home language or languages; by listening to and reading comprehensible language. We know that in order to produce language, students need lots of oral and written language input. This is why, from day one, educators engage students in the language of study through easy to understand conversations, stories, songs and leveled texts on topics of interest and relevance. Through this process, students gradually acquire vocabulary and language structures in context. While the rate of language acquisition will vary, most students will leave middle school understanding and communicating at a novice high level of proficiency as defined by ACTFL (The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) and reflected in the MA Curriculum Frameworks.
Learning Targets, Grades 6-7
At the novice mid level or above, students will be able to:Learning Targets, Grades 6-7
- Understand when the teacher tells simple stories, gives simple directions and asks basic questions
- Understand short leveled stories, videos, songs and informational texts
- Answer simple questions with words, phrases and occasional sentences
- Engage in some short practiced conversational interactions.
- Retell scenes from class stories
- Create a simple story
- Demonstrate basic cultural awareness and respect towards diversity
Learning Targets, Grade 8
At the novice high level or above, students will be able to:Learning Targets, Grade 8
- Understand when the teacher tells stories, gives directions and asks questions
- Understand leveled stories, videos, songs and informational texts
- Ask and answer questions with simple sentences
- Engage in some spontaneous conversational interactions
- Exchange opinions
- Retell class stories
- Create stories
- Demonstrate understanding of and curiosity about aspects of the target culture and demonstrate respect towards diversity
Our Curriculum
The available curricular resources, including videos, texts, and other instructional materials, differ across languages. However, the following are common themes and Essential Questions integrated into units and texts across all languages for grades 6-8. The sub-topics listed are frequently explored, but some may not be touched upon in all languages. Please contact your child’s teacher for more information about specific resources used.Our Curriculum
Common Themes and Essential Questions 6-8
Common Themes and Essential Questions 6-8
Themes
Themes
Essential Questions
Essential Questions
Getting to know each other
Getting to know each other
- Greetings and introductions
- Nationality/origin
- Age/birthday
How do I introduce myself and others?How can I get to know my classmates better?
Preferences
Preferences
- Colors
- Animals
- Sports, leisure activities
What do I like and dislike?What do my friends and classmates like and dislike?
Personal Description
Personal Description
- Characteristics
- Physical traits
- Clothing
How do I describe myself and others?How would others describe me?
School
School
- Classes
- People, places and items
- Classroom procedures
What is my school day like?What do I need to be successful in school?
Relationships
Relationships
- Family and pets
- Friends and peers
- Community
Whom do I spend my time with and why?How would I describe the people I know?
Calendars and Events
Calendars and Events
- Days, dates and times
- Weather and seasons
- Events (birthdays, holidays, celebrations)
What events happen at different times of the year?What is the weather like at different times of the year?
Plans and Activities
Plans and Activities
- Goals and interests
- Leisure time
What did I do (this weekend, yesterday, over vacation)?What are my unique talents, abilities, and interests?What do I want to do or be?
Emotions
Emotions
- Feelings
- Hopes and fears
How are we feeling?What do I care about and what upsets me?
Food and Wellness
Food and Wellness
- Cultural Cuisine
- Buying or ordering food
- Wellness
What kinds of foods do I enjoy?What do I do to maintain my health and well being?
Home and Community
Home and Community
- Places we live
- People and/or places in the community
- Community events
Where do I live?Who is part of my community?
Technology (not typically explored in Chinese)
Technology (not typically explored in Chinese)
- Computers and phones
- Social media
- Games
What kinds of technology do we use?How does technology affect my life?
Travel (not typically explored in Chinese)
Travel (not typically explored in Chinese)
- Transportation
- Places to go and things to see/do
- Immigration
Where do we typically go?Where do we want to go and why?
Culture
Culture
- Personal and cultural identities
- Comparing/contrasting cultures and people
- Events and celebrations
- Famous and everyday people
- Geography
- Demographics
What is culture?How do cultural products and practices help us to understand cultural perspectives? How are cultures and individuals similar and different?Where do people speak the language I am learning?Who are some people from the regions I am studying?How do different cultures celebrate important events?
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