PHILOSOPHY
Language learning at AISJ develops language competency in a conceptual and personalized manner while nurturing identity and culture.
Learners are immersed in authentic communicative contexts, utilizing diverse resources to establish global connections.
AISJ World Language Standards:
- Presentational Communication
Share information to explain, narrate or persuade an intended audience.
- Interpersonal Communication
Engage in spoken and written interactions.
- Interpretive Communication
Understand information from oral and written sources.
- Connections
Make cross-cultural and interdisciplinary connections in order to gain diverse perspectives.
Middle School Basic Information and Requirements
All non-ELL-Middle school students will select either French or Spanish. It is a “new language acquisition” program divided in three levels.
Students come to the World Languages classroom with a range of literacy and language skills, as well as varying cultural backgrounds and experiences. Placement is at the discretion of the teachers based upon data; which may include placement tests, interviews, reports, etc. Upon arrival in Middle School, students might be re-evaluated to ensure they are still placed in their optimal language level.
Native/near-fluent students will be scheduled in the alternative language to ensure the most challenging World Language course is taken.
At the end of each middle school year, students may continue within the same level or move up to the next one depending on their progress, confidence and skills.
MS SPANISH I or FRENCH I
Level I assumes emerging or no previous study of French or Spanish. This course introduces the student to their chosen language and culture in an active, fun and meaningful way. Emphasizing interpersonal communication, this course will equip students with familiar everyday expressions and basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of concrete needs. Students will learn to introduce themselves, ask and answer questions about personal details, describe likes and dislikes and negotiate various social and public situations. In addition, students will become familiar with the people and places around the world where they will one day be able to use their newly gained language skills.
MS SPANISH II or FRENCH II
Level II is designed for students who have previous language experience that meets the standards of our MS Beginner class. They are encouraged to develop greater fluency speaking and expressing themselves. This course is designed to provide students with a stronger grounding in their new language. Focusing on students interpersonal skills, students will be able to practice communicating simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters. Grammar and vocabulary will be presented and practiced within an authentic context, and additional emphasis will be placed on the unique practices of the target culture.
MS SPANISH III or FRENCH III
Level III is suitable for students who have acquired a good basis in French/Spanish and are becoming independent users. The purpose of this course is to begin to equip students with the tools they will need to function at an independent level and in a variety of social, private, and public situations. Students will continue to develop their interpersonal, interpretative, and presentational skills in the target language, allowing them to interact spontaneously and with a degree of fluency, understand the main ideas of more complex texts, and produce and present clear detailed oral and written presentations on a range of subjects, including their areas of individual interests. Students will be given ample opportunity to manipulate and create with the language. Examining authentic products of the target culture, students will have opportunities to think about and discuss the perspectives of people throughout the world who communicate in the target language.
|
Typical course flow for MS World Languages grade 6 thru
|
|
Typical course flow for MS World Languages grade 6 through 8
|
|
Spanish/French
1
|
Spanish/French
2
|
Spanish/French
3
|
|
Course flow for grade 6 students who enter at the Spanish/French 2 level**
|
|
Spanish/French
2
|
Spanish/French
3 A
|
Spanish/French
3 B
|
**The highest level that grade 6 students may enter is Spanish/French 2.
