Vision Statement for Foreign Languages

The study of a world language promotes global awareness, develops critical thinking skills and encourages a future in which all students will reinforce and maintain proficiency in their mother language and at least one other language, modern or classical, enhancing understanding of diverse cultures and increasing career opportunities. In essence, the study of a foreign language fosters the concept that language and communication are at the heart of the human experience.
Meridian School District Curriculum

Teaching Foreign Languages

Discovering Cultures & Languages Curriculum

Standard: Communication (939.01.a-d, 939.02.a-b, 939.03.a)

I.  Enduring Understanding: Foreign Languages are used in ordinary daily conversational situations in a variety of cultures.

II.  Enduring Understanding: Information, concepts and ideas require verbal and non-verbal communication to an audience of listeners in different world languages.

III.  Enduring Understanding: Purpose drives topics, structures and delivery in written and oral communication among diverse cultures

IV.  Enduring Understanding: Similarities and differences exist in the vocabulary, phonetics and structures of world languages.

German or Spanish

/

French

/ Japanese /

Latin

Listening:
Recognize and respond to basic sounds, single words and introduc-tory phrases including the following:
Common names, basic greetings/farewells, simple commands and questions, numbers 1-30, days of the week, months of the year, colors, some body parts and basic phrases pertaining to time, food, weather/seasons and classroom objects.
Speaking:
Pronounce familiar vocabulary and phrases correctly when modeled by the teacher or audio aide.
Use basic common names, basic greetings/farewells, simple commands questions, numbers 1-30, days of the week, months of the year, colors, some body parts and basic phrases pertaining to time, food, weather/seasons and classroom objects.
Sing at least one song in this language.
Reading:
Read familiar vocabulary and phrases.
Writing:
Match introductory vocabulary with pictures or word lists.
Create a portfolio of words learned. / Listening:
Recognize and respond to basic sounds, single words and introduc-tory phrases including the following:
Common names, basic greetings/farewells, simple commands and questions, numbers 1-30, days of the week, months of the year, colors, some body parts and basic phrases pertaining to time, food, weather/seasons and classroom objects.
Speaking:
Pronounce familiar vocabulary and phrases correctly when modeled by the teacher or audio aide.
Use basic common names, basic greetings/farewells, simple commands questions, numbers 1-30, days of the week, months of the year, colors, some body parts and basic phrases pertaining to time, food, weather/seasons and classroom objects.
Sing at least one song in this language.
Reading:
Read familiar vocabulary and phrases.
Writing:
Match introductory vocabulary with pictures or word lists.
Create a portfolio of words learned. / Listening:
Recognize and respond to basic sounds, single words and introduc-tory phrases including the following:
Common names, basic greetings/farewells, simple commands and questions, numbers 1-30, days of the week, months of the year, and basic phrases pertaining to time, food, weather and classroom objects.
Speaking:
Pronounce familiar vocabulary and phrases correctly when modeled by the teacher or audio aide.
Use basic common names, basic greetings/farewells, simple commands questions, numbers 1-30, days of the week, months of the year, and basic phrases pertaining to time, food, weather and classroom objects.
Reading:
Read familiar vocabulary and phrases.
Writing:
Match introductory vocabulary with pictures or word lists.
Create a portfolio of words learned. / Listening:
Recognize and respond to basic introductory phrases, including:
Greetings/farewells; numbers 1-12, 20, 100, 1,000; common Latin names.
Speaking:
Pronounce familiar vocabulary and phrases correctly when modeled by the teacher or audio aide.
Use basic introductory phrases including:
Greetings/farewells; numbers, 1-12, 20, 100, 1,2000; common Latin names.
Reading:
Read familiar vocabulary and phrases.
Recognize English derivatives and analyze meanings of at least five prefixes, suffixes and root words.
Writing:
Match introductory vocabulary with pictures or word lists.
Begin to develop skills in writing English derivatives of Latin words.
Create a portfolio of words learned.

Meridian School District Curriculum

Teaching Foreign Languages

Discovering Cultures & Languages Curriculum

Standard: Communities (935.01.a, 935.03.d, 939.02.b)

V.  Enduring Understanding: Foreign language learning extends beyond the classroom to real-life situations.

VI.  Enduring Understanding: The use of foreign language for personal enjoyment, travel, work and enrichment encourages life-long language learning.

VII.  Enduring Understanding: Social and economic issues at local, state and international levels can create arenas requiring discussion in foreign languages.

German or Spanish

/

French

/ Japanese /

Latin

Listening:
Listen to real-life monologues or dialogues from the teacher, audio aides, guest speaker(s) or video to understand the multitude of contexts in which the language learned can be used outside the classroom.
Hear about the possibilities available for speakers of a foreign language with an emphasis on career opportunities.
Speaking:
Use German or Spanish in a variety of simulated real-life dialogues in the classroom.
Reading:
Read or discuss the contributions made by the German or Spanish culture to our American culture.
Writing: (Optional)
Write to pen pals in German/Spanish-speaking countries. / Listening:
Listen to real-life monologues or dialogues from the teacher, audio aides, guest speaker(s) or video to understand the multitude of contexts in which the language learned can be used outside the classroom.
Hear about the possibilities available for speakers of French with an emphasis on career opportunities.
Speaking:
Use French in a variety of simulated real-life dialogues in the classroom.
Reading:
Read or discuss the contributions made by the French culture to our American culture.
Writing: (Optional)
Write to pen pals in French-speaking countries. / Listening:
Listen to real-life monologues or dialogues from the teacher, audio aides, guest speaker(s) or video to understand the multitude of contexts in which the language learned can be used outside the classroom.
Hear about the possibilities available for speakers of Japanese with an emphasis on career opportunities.
Speaking:
Use Japanese in a variety of simulated real-life dialogues in the classroom.
Reading:
Read or discuss the contributions made by the Japanese culture to our American culture.
Writing: (Optional)
Write to pen pals in Japan. / Listening:
Hear about the possibilities available for students of Latin with an emphasis on career opportunities.
Speaking:
Use Latin greetings/farewells in a simulated real-life dialogue in the classroom.
Reading:
Read or discuss the contributions made by the ancient Romans to our American culture.
Writing:
Make a list of Latin phrases, quotations or mottoes that can still be found today.
Brainstorm the many uses of Roman numerals today.


Meridian School District Curriculum

Teaching Foreign Languages

Discovering Cultures & Languages Curriculum

Standard: Comparisons (935.01.b, 935.02.a, 935.02.c)

VIII.  Enduring Understanding: Languages are distinguished by their grammar and structure.

IX.  Enduring Understanding: Expanded communication skills involve more complex vocabulary, structure and spiraling patterns.

X.  Enduring Understanding: Variations in language grammar and structure are necessary to convey precise meaning.

XI.  Enduring Understanding: There are similarities and differences in vocabulary among languages.

XII.  Enduring Understanding: The study of cultures promotes an awareness of cultural similarities and differences.

German or Spanish

/

French

/ Japanese /

Latin

Listening:
Differentiate word order, inflection, articles, stress and tone in the French language.
Speaking:
Discuss similarities and differences between the American culture and the target language’s culture.
If this culture was chosen, orally present research to the class about this culture with emphasis on that culture’s significant differences.
Reading:
Read about basic cultural similarities and differences.
Writing:
Write about basic social similarities and differences between the American culture and German or Spanish culture. / Listening:
Differentiate word order, inflection, articles, stress and tone in the French language.
Speaking:
Discuss similarities and differences between the American culture and the target language’s culture.
If this culture was chosen, orally present research to the class about this culture with emphasis on that culture’s significant differences.
Reading:
Read about basic cultural similarities and differences.
Writing:
Write about basic social similarities and differences between the American culture and French culture. / Listening:
Differentiate word order, inflection, articles, stress and tone in the Japanese language.
Speaking:
Discuss similarities and differences between the American culture and the target language’s culture.
If this culture was chosen, orally present research to the class about this culture with emphasis on that culture’s significant differences.
Reading:
Read about basic cultural similarities and differences.
Writing:
Write about basic social similarities and differences between the American culture and Japanese culture. / Listening:
Differentiate word order, inflection, articles, stress and tone in the Latin language.
Speaking:
Brainstorm historical facts about Latin-speaking people.
Reading:
Read about ancient Rome and recognize differences and similarities to today’s existence.
Writing:
Write about basic social similarities and differences between the American culture and the ancient Roman culture.


Meridian School District Curriculum

Teaching Foreign Languages

Discovering Cultures & Languages Curriculum

Standard: Connections (935.01.a, 935.02.b, 935.03.a-d, 937.01.b-c, 937.02.b, 939.02.a-b)

XIII.  Enduring Understanding: The study of foreign languages reinforces and integrates content from other disciplines.

XIV.  Enduring Understanding: Countries with a common language share cultural and geographical connections.

XV.  Enduring Understanding: Countries with a common language share historical and literary connections.

XVI.  Enduring Understanding: Countries with a common language share economic and political connections.

XVII.  Enduring Understanding: Foreign language skills enhance and can contribute to future job opportunities.

German or Spanish

/

French

/ Japanese /

Latin

Listening:
Differentiate word order, inflection, articles, stress and tone in the German or Spanish language.
Speaking:
Ask and answer questions in English about cultural topics.
Describe the targeted language in terms of spoken and written language, emphasizing the importance of pictographs, gestures, symbols and/or sounds within that language.
Reading:
Read English discussions of the German or Spanish culture.
Give examples of English words which originated from German or Spanish.
Writing:
Write in English about cultural topics.
Identify the placement of German or Spanish in the Indo-European language family.
Distinguish between the Romance, Slavic and Germanic sub-groups of the Indo-European language family. / Listening:
Differentiate word order, inflection, articles, stress and tone in the French language.
Speaking:
Ask and answer questions in English about cultural topics.
Describe the targeted language in terms of spoken and written language, emphasizing the importance of pictographs, gestures, symbols and/or sounds within that language.
Reading:
Read English discussions of the French culture.
Give examples of English words which originated from French.
Writing:
Write in English about cultural topics.
Identify the placement of French in the Indo-European language family and identify it as a Romance language. / Listening:
Differentiate word order, inflection, articles, stress and tone in the Japanese language.
Speaking:
Ask and answer questions in English about cultural topics.
Describe the targeted language in terms of spoken and written language, emphasizing the importance of pictographs, gestures, symbols and/or sounds within that language.
Reading:
Read English discussions of the Japanese culture.
Give examples of common Japanese words used within the English language.
Writing:
Write in English about cultural topics.
Identify the lack of placement of Japanese on the Indo-European family tree and identify it as an independent Asian language. / Listening:
Differentiate word order, inflection, articles, stress and tone in the Latin language.
Speaking:
Ask and answer questions in English about cultural topics.
Describe the targeted language in terms of spoken and written language, emphasizing the importance of pictographs, gestures, symbols and/or sounds within that language.
Reading:
Read English discussions of the Latin culture.
Give examples of English derivatives.
Writing:
Write in English about cultural topics.
Identify the placement of Latin in the Indo-European language family and emphasize the historical event that caused this Romance language to influence English, which is a Germanic language.


Meridian School District Curriculum

Teaching Foreign Languages

Discovering Cultures & Languages Curriculum

Standard: Culture (937.01.a, 937.02.a, 937.03.a-b)

XVIII.  Enduring Understanding: Different cultures have different social etiquettes.

XIX.  Enduring Understanding: Geography directly influences the culture and history of a people.

XX.  Enduring Understanding: Cultural traditions influence family structure, rites of passage, dining etiquette, clothing styles and living accommodations.

XXI.  Enduring Understanding: Culture influences the art, literature and music of a society which mirror and illuminate historical events.

XXII.  Enduring Understanding: Beliefs and languages of diverse cultures deserve equal consideration.

XXIII.  Enduring Understanding: Language and culture are interdependent.

German or Spanish

/

French

/ Japanese /

Latin

Listening:
Listen and respond to a major piece of music and understand its cultural significance.
Speaking:
Vocalize and discuss questions, myths, concerns and/or information about some of the spoken language’s cultural components.
Adopt and use a common first name.
Reading:
View and respond to a major artist and understand the cultural significance of his/her work.
Read about some of the cultural components of the target language.
Writing:
Identify the major countries of the world where the target language is spoken.
Compare/contrast social similarities and differences between the American culture and the target language’s culture.
If desired, create a project about this culture. / Listening:
Listen and respond to a major piece of music and understand its cultural significance.
Speaking:
Vocalize and discuss questions, myths, concerns and/or information about some of the spoken language’s cultural components.
Adopt and use a common first name.
Reading:
View and respond to a major artist and understand the cultural significance of his/her work.
Read about some of the cultural components of the target language.
Writing:
Identify the major countries of the world where the target language is spoken.
Compare/contrast social similarities and differences between the American culture and the target language’s culture.
If desired, create a project about this culture. / Listening:
Listen and respond to a major piece of music and understand its cultural significance.
Speaking:
Vocalize and discuss questions, myths, concerns and/or information about some of the spoken language’s cultural components.
Reading:
View and respond to a major artist and understand the cultural significance of his/her work.