2.0 credits of one World Language is required for graduation. If a student is not planning on attending a 4-year college and it is documented on their High School and Beyond Plan, they can substitute their 2.0 World Language credits for Personalized Pathway Credits. This allows students to further their training and education with courses that will benefit their post-high school plan.
See your counselor for more information on Personalized Pathway Credits.
Year 1 (FOR101/102)
Year 2 (FOR103/104)
Year 3 (FOR105/106)
Year 4 (FOR107/108)
Year 1 (FOR111/112)
Year 2 (FOR113/114)
Year 3 (FOR115/116)
Year 4 (FOR1117/118)
General Information
Knowing another language enhances opportunities to work in government, business, medicine and health care, law enforcement, teaching, technology, the military, communications, industry, social service and marketing. More and more businesses work closely with companies in other countries. They need many different kinds of workers who can communicate in different languages and understand other cultures. Many Americans speak languages other than English. No matter what career you choose, if you’ve learned a second language, you’ll have a real advantage. At WVHS, we are charged with the task of preparing every student for entrance into a four year university. Studying a foreign language for two years is a requirement for most. Also, research has shown that math and verbal SAT scores climb higher with each additional year of language study. Three years or more of language study on your transcript will catch the eye of anyone reading your job or college application. It also allows for opportunities for upper level placement in college, which means a student can complete a minor/major much more quickly.
The language program at West Valley stresses the need for good study skills and maximum understanding. We use an active participatory approach, which includes partner and group activities and written and oral testing. Teachers use a variety of strategies to meet different learning styles. Frequent quizzes make good attendance and study outside of class a must. The first two years of study are spent mastering the basic skills in the areas of listening, speaking, reading and writing. An active, participatory approach called “Total Physical Response Storytelling” is used to meet the students’ various learning styles. This approach brings immediate results. Daily at home practice of skills is imperative for success. Students are encouraged to use their target language inside and outside of the classroom. For the third and fourth years of Spanish and French, students enter the advanced class. Here, communication and cultural awareness are stressed. Grammar and vocabulary are taught within the context of authentic texts, films, songs, and historical and cultural topics.
Language Competency Exam
West Valley High School offers a Language Competency Exam (Avant Assessment) in the Fall/Winter for students who are fluent in another language. Completion of the exam can earn students up to 4 World Language Credits depending on their score, and can qualify for the Washington State Seal of Biliteracy. See your counselor for more information.