World Languages

Beginner World Language is typically taken in 6^th grade and presents students with the opportunity to explore the topics of Getting Started, Student Life, Personal and Public Identities and Food. Through this exploration, students will gain knowledge of the target language environment and become more culturally and linguistically proficient. Students in Beginner World Language are at the Novice-Low to Novice-Mid proficiency levels.

Intermediate World Language, which is typically taken in 7^th grade, presents students with the opportunity to explore the topics of Family and Friends, Communities and Active Lifestyles, All About Me, and Arts and Culture. Through this exploration, students will gain knowledge of the target language environment and become more culturally and linguistically proficient. Students in Intermediate World Language are typically at the Novice-Mid proficiency level.

Advanced World Language is the third and final course in the middle school sequence. Advanced World Language Curriculum presents students with the opportunity to explore the topics of House and Household Tasks, Celebrations, Vacation and Travel, Geography, Animals and Landforms, and Going Green. Through this exploration, students will gain knowledge of the target language environment and become more culturally and linguistically proficient. Students in Advanced World Language are typically at the Novice-Mid to Novice-High proficiency levels.

Spanish Culture and Language I is a marking period course introducing culture and basic communication in the Spanish language. The course is designed to expose students to basic conversational elements of the target language and some customs and traditions of Spanish-speaking countries. This course is geared towards students who have had minimal to no exposure to the Spanish language. This course is assigned with the recommendation of the child study team and the supervisor.

Spanish Culture and Language II is a marking period course, which is a continuation of Spanish Culture & Language I. It will further expose students to basic conversational elements of the Spanish language and culture. The course is designed to build upon previously learned topics in level I. The focus of this course is to introduce additional basic conversational elements in the target language and to further explore customs and traditions of Spanish-speaking countries. This course is assigned with the recommendation of the child study team, world language teacher and supervisor.

Spanish Culture & Language III is a marking period course that expands upon the learning experiences established in Spanish Culture & Language I and II. The goal of the course is to expose students to new ideas and concepts as well as deepen understanding of previously learned skills and perceptions. The focus is to expose students to the culture and language of Spanish speaking countries through the exploration of their own preferences.  This course is assigned with the recommendation of the child study team, world language teacher and supervisor.

Spanish for Native/Heritage Speakers is designed specifically for native or heritage students who are proficient speakers of Spanish. Our objective is to help students expand their current proficiency level in speaking and listening while developing their reading and writing skills in order to help them become biliterate. A central goal of the program is to instill a sense of pride in our students and in their heritage. Through the development of self-understanding and self-esteem, students will be better prepared to navigate a bicultural society. Spanish for Native/Heritage Speakers will enable students to expand and enhance proficiency in Spanish by providing them the opportunity to listen, speak, read, and write in a variety of contexts and for a variety of audiences including the family, school, and the community. Students will explore the cultures of the Hispanic world including their own as well as gain a better understanding of the nature of their own language. Spanish for Native/Heritage Speakers I-III prepares students for Heritage Spanish I Honors at the high school.

High Intensity ESL Reading is designed for the English Language Learner (ELL) of the beginner or intermediate level who requires a second period of ESL daily. It focuses on literacy in the English language at the proficiency level of the student. This course fulfills the English requirement. Students are placed in this course on the recommendation of the ESL supervisor and teacher as based on performance on state- approved tests.

Beginning ESL is designed for the beginner level student whose native language is not English. It focuses on the oral communication and written language needed for a non-native speaker to transition to an English-language academic environment. Students will learn the structures of English grammar as well as begin to develop academic vocabulary in the areas of speaking, listening, reading and writing. This course fulfills the English requirement. Students are placed in this course on the recommendation of the ESL supervisor and teacher as based on performance on state-approved tests.

Intermediate ESL is designed for the English Language Learner (ELL) of the intermediate level. Building on the basic English skills previously learned, it focuses on speaking, listening, reading and writing, with an emphasis on academic vocabulary needed to succeed in middle school content-area classes.

Students will learn more complex grammatical structures, language forms and conventions, as well as greater depth of vocabulary. This course fulfills the English requirement. Students are placed in this course on the recommendation of the ESL supervisor and teacher as based on performance on state- approved tests.

Advanced ESL is designed for the English Language Learner (ELL) of advanced level to develop proficiency in all language domains. Using informational and literary texts, it focuses on developing speaking, listening, reading and writing skills needed for success in subject areas. This course fulfills the English requirement. Students are placed in this course on the recommendation of the ESL supervisor and teacher as based on performance on state- approved tests.