World Language Standards
The study of world languages is a way to connect with others across cultural, political, religious and economic borders. As Catholic educators of world languages, we are called to bridge these diverse communities in order to foster understanding and world peace. To facilitate these goals the standards were designed within the framework of the National Standards for Foreign Language Learning:
COMMUNICATION — communicate in languages other than English
CULTURES — gain knowledge and understanding of other cultures
CONNECTIONS — connect with other disciplines and acquire information
COMPARISONS — develop insight into the nature of language and culture
COMMUNITIES — participate in multilingual communities at home and around the world.
Click to Select Grade Level Performance Standards
Primary Intermediate Middle
Primary
By the end of the primary level, students will:
Communication:
P.1 Imitate basic vocabulary with reasonable accuracy.
P.2 Respond appropriately to gestures and words for conventional greetings and leave-takings.
P.3 Understand and follow verbal directions when given with visual support, i.e. body language.
P.4 Distinguish between a statement and a question.
P.5 Listen to and begin to comprehend simple stories with strong visual support (e.g. picture books).
P.6 Recite songs and rhymes in target language.
P.7 Know and describe basic vocabulary such as, numbers from 0-50, colors, days of the week, months, seasons and animals.
P.8 Recite the sign of the cross and the main responses from the Mass in the target language.
Culture:
P.1 Recognize the name of countries where target language is spoken.
P.2 Learn about and participate in age-appropriate cultural activities, such as games, songs and holiday celebrations.
P.3 Recognize objects and symbols from the target culture.
P.4 Demonstrate an awareness and appreciation of other cultures.
P.5 Explore the arts from the culture of the target language.
Connections:
P.1 Learn about current topics and skills from other school subjects in the target language. (i.e. learning the names of the planets currently studied in science)
P.2 Listen to stories and/or watch programs in the target language using current topics from other classes.
Comparisons:
P.1 Demonstrate an understanding of the concept of a cognate and recognize them in the target language according to their level.
P.2 Compare the alphabet and phonetic system of the target language with its English equivalents.
P.3 Learn some idioms and expressions in the target language that cannot be translated word for word.
Communities:
P.1 Share knowledge of language and culture with other students, family and community members.
Intermediate
By the end of the intermediate level students will:
Communication:
I.1 Apply learned vocabulary in simple sentences and conversations.
I.2 Produce and answer simple questions.
I.3 Demonstrate an understanding of spoken language that incorporates familiar vocabulary and structure, that might include selected, age-appropriate authentic recordings, broadcasts and videos.
I.4 Know and apply gestures and words for conventional greetings and leave-takings.
I.5 Know and apply terms of address in both formal and informal situations.
I.6 React appropriately to simple classroom commands and directions.
I.7 Comprehend the main idea of selected, short, authentic written materials.
I.8 Know and apply vocabulary centered on specific topics, such as numbers from 0-100, school, home and daily life.
I.9 Demonstrate a basic understanding of present tense verb conjugation and subject pronouns.
I.10 Write short sentences on various topics in target language.
I.11 Dramatize basic student-created and/or authentic songs, short poems, skits or dialogues.
I.12 Recognize and use some basic punctuation and spelling symbols unique to the target language.
I.13 Know and apply basic differences in stress and pitch in the target language and begin to assimilate them.
I.14 Say simple prayers in target language, such as the Lord’s Prayer and the Hail Mary.
Culture
I.1 Identify the names and locations of the countries, their capitals and some key features where the target language is spoken.
I.2 Learn about and experience cultural and social activities common to students of similar age in the target cultures, such as holiday celebrations, school life and pastimes.
I.3 Identify major contributions and historical figures from the culture being studied.
Connections:
I.1 Use current topics and skills from other school subjects to discuss and/or write simple sentences in the target language.
I.2 Read material, listen to and/or watch programs in the target language on current topics from other classes.
Comparisons:
I.1 Compare and contrast cultural activities, beliefs and attitudes within the cultures studied and their own.
I.2 Compare and contrast objects and symbols, such as flags or currency, from other cultures to those found in their own culture.
I.3 Identify cultural characteristics of language such as formalities, levels of politeness, informal and formal language and compare them with their English equivalents.
Communities:
I.1 Begin interactions between native speakers and students, through activities such as guest speakers from target language countries, and visiting local restaurants and other businesses.
Middle Level
By the end of the middle level students will:
Communication:
M.1 Sustain a conversation including descriptions on selected topics.
M.2 Volunteer information and ask and answer a variety of questions giving reasons for their answers.
M.3 Write short compositions and letters in the target language.
M.4 Present student-created and/or authentic short songs, skits, poems and/or dialogues.
M.5 Comprehend the main idea and some supporting ideas of selected, short authentic written materials.
M.6 Demonstrate an understanding of spoken language that incorporates familiar vocabulary and structure, that might include selected, age-appropriate authentic recordings, broadcasts and videos.
M.7 Refine skills of pronunciation, intonation and syntax.
M.8 Recognize and use spelling and punctuation symbols unique to the target language.
M.9 Use present tense properly in statements, questions and short and long answers.
M.10 Know and apply vocabulary on specific topics, such as the numbers from 0-1000, ordinal numbers, likes and dislikes, professions, components of a city, sports and leisure, travel and prepositions.
M.11 Learn other Catholic prayers and write their own prayers in target language. (See Communication I.14)
Culture:
M.1 Research historical, geographical and cultural aspects of the countries where the target language is spoken.
M.2 Identify some historical and contemporary influences from other cultures that impact today’s society such as the democratic form of government and environmental concerns.
M.3 Explain the impact of the target country’s geography on the people’s beliefs, perspectives and attitudes.
Connections
M.1 Use current topics and skills from other school subjects to discuss and/or write simple sentences in the target language.
M.2 Read material, listen to and/or watch programs in the target language on current topics from other classes.
Comparisons:
M.1 Compare and contrast grammatical structures in target language to English.
M.2 Identify cognates and false cognates.
M.3 Know and describe significant customs, cultural traits, traditions and religious beliefs from the target culture and be able to compare them to their own in a non-judgmental manner.
Communities:
M.1 Interact with native speakers through activities such as tutoring, pen pals, e-mail and service projects.
M.2 Investigate careers where skills in another language and/or cross-cultural understanding are needed.