The Wilmington Public Schools World Language Department fosters the development of effective communication and cultural understanding, empowering students to become respectful, responsible, and collaborative citizens of a global society.
The Wilmington Public Schools World Language Department holds the following Core Beliefs:
Language learning is about more than just words. Language is the medium in which human beings think and by which they express their thoughts. The study of language must therefore be closely integrated with the study of culture.
Cross-cultural understanding and respect is essential for security and competitiveness in an increasingly global society. Multilingual global citizens are necessary and valuable contributors in all aspects of society.
All students are capable of success in the lifelong process of language acquisition. Essential to this success is a foundational learning environment that is supportive, inclusive, encourages risk-taking, and emphasizes “real world” communication.
The World Language Department will provide students with a safe, supportive, and inclusive learning environment that will serve as the foundation for the lifelong quest that is language acquisition. The language learning will be guided by well-trained and highly qualified staff who will incorporate technology to encourage linguistic risk-taking and foster the confidence and understanding necessary for students to function within another culture. The department will also encourage students to seek opportunities to apply their language learning outside of the classroom setting.
Students of the World Language Program will learn to produce and comprehend their target world languages for meaningful communication in a variety of real-life situations and for multiple purposes. Learning and assessments will be proficiency-based, in accordance with The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Guidelines. The goal will be for students to continually improve upon their functionality in the target language and for graduates of the complete World Language program to achieve an Intermediate-High proficiency level in all communicative domains. Learners who are native speakers will have opportunities to develop further proficiencies in their first language.
Through the study of world languages, students will reflect upon their own language and culture and will develop and communicate insights into the arts, history, customs, and linguistic heritage and influences of others. Students will make connections with other disciplines and acquire the information and perspectives that will make them more competitive in higher education, the workforce, and the military.
Ultimately, it is our vision that graduates of the WPS World Language Program will be prepared for the challenges of a global society and will be able to participate with cultural competence and understanding in multilingual communities at home and around the world.