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World Languages offers students a variety of languages. Each middle and high school offers its own unique program of study depending on the level of school and the program of choice.
To best facilitate acquisition of the target language, 90% of the course is taught signing/speaking the target language by the teacher using comprehensible input. Click here for more information about target language use in the classroom.
Level 1 Course Information:
Level 1 courses introduce students to the language and culture of places where the target language is utilized. In the AACPS World Language level 1 course students learn language through the three modes of communication - interpretive, interpersonal and presentational. Students use the interpretive mode to acquire new vocabulary and structures on familiar topics by reading and listening to authentic resources in the target language. Students process language through interpersonal communication by asking and answering questions with others in class. Students use presentational communication by planning written and spoken presentations on familiar topics. Familiar topics include biographical information, interests and hobbies, descriptions of family and friends, and foods around the world. Culture is a key component of the AACPS World Language curriculum as students learn about foods, art, traditions, customs, people, geography and history of the countries of study through authentic resources. Students share about their own culture while making comparisons to the target country culture. The proficiency benchmark is Novice High.
Level 2 Course Information:
Level 2 courses build on language learned in level 1. In the AACPS World Language level 2 course students learn language through the three modes of communication - interpretive, interpersonal and presentational. Students use the interpretive mode to acquire new vocabulary and structures on familiar topics by reading and listening to authentic resources in the target language. Students begin to identify more details in level 2 in the interpretive mode. Students process language through interpersonal communication by asking and answering questions with others in class. Students begin to create with language by asking follow up questions and sharing reactions and opinions with others. Students use presentational communication by planning written and spoken presentations on familiar topics. Familiar topics include biographical information, interests and hobbies, descriptions of family and friends, foods around the world, recounting past events, celebrations and traditions, impacts of technology and travel around the world. Culture is a key component of the AACPS World Language curriculum as students learn about foods, art, traditions, customs, people, geography and history of the countries of study through authentic resources. Students share about their own culture while making comparisons to the target country culture. The proficiency benchmark is Novice Mid to Intermediate Low.
Level 3 Course Information:
The AACPS World Language level 3 course advances students' interpretive and communicative skills as they delve deeper into more complex themes requiring higher order thinking skills by communicating about global topics. Students can tell a story about their life, activities, events and other social experiences. Students can give advice to others on familiar and complex topics. Specifically, students are expected to be able to communicate at the paragraph level and be able to communicate with greater detail when discussing a familiar topic. Culture is a key component of the AACPS WL classroom as students learn about art, literature, traditions, customs, people, and history of the places where the language is utilized. The proficiency benchmark range is Novice High to Intermediate Low.
For additional information regarding Level 3 Language Courses, please see the Did You Know information provided.
Level 4 Course Information:
The AACPS World Language level 4 course further advances students' interpretive and communicative skills with a greater focus on accuracy and communicating across time frames as they build upon the higher order thinking skills developed in level 3 to address the Advanced Placement (AP) and/or International Baccalaureate(IB) themes that anchor instructional units. This course uses cultural exploration and comparison as a background for building linguistic proficiency. Students can write essays, participate in debates, and comprehend authentic resources independently by the end of level 4. The level 4 course utilizes the spiraling approach in that themes and subtopics from previous years are revisited on a deeper level and is designed to support students’ successful transition towards AP or IB Diploma Programme courses. The proficiency benchmark range is Intermediate Low to Intermediate High.
AP Language & Culture Courses:
The AP Language & Culture course provides students with opportunities to demonstrate proficiency in the three modes of communication (Interpretive, Interpersonal, and Presentational) by applying their knowledge and skills of the language to real-life situations. Students learn and discuss global themes, such as, families and communities, language and identity, and beauty and aesthetics to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate what the themes look like in the lives of the students as well as the people of the cultures where the target language is utilized. Students express their thoughts, opinions, and ideas about themselves and their life as well as explore the perspectives and knowledge of the cultures of study.
The AP Language and Culture course engages students in an exploration of culture in both contemporary and historical contexts. The course develops students’ awareness and appreciation of cultural products (e.g., tools, books, music, laws, conventions, institutions); practices (patterns of social interactions within a culture); and perspectives (values, attitudes, and perspectives.).
College Course Equivalent The AP Language and Culture Course is approximately equivalent to an upper-intermediate college or university course in the target language and culture.
Languages offered include the following:
The World Languages curriculum is aligned with MSDE Content Standards
