Deparment Head: Diane Ross
The World Language Department is dedicated to helping students become confident, culturally aware communicators in an increasingly interconnected world. Our courses are moving from a traditional language acquisition approach to a proficiency-based approach, emphasizing what students can do with the language in real-life situations rather than just what they know about it.
We offer a sequenced curriculum in Spanish and French, from Level 1 through Advanced Placement (AP). We also offer German from Level 1 through Level 5. Beginning at level 2 students can take any of the three languages as an honors course. At each level, students develop skills in the three modes of communication—interpretive, interpersonal, and presentational—across the four domains of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Instruction is conducted as much as possible in the target language, and students regularly engage in meaningful, real-world tasks such as conversations, presentations, and authentic reading and listening activities.
Our courses are aligned with national and state world language standards and are designed to support students’ progress along the proficiency scale, from novice to intermediate and beyond. Students are encouraged to set personal language goals, reflect on their growth, and build a portfolio of evidence demonstrating their communicative abilities.
Each of the languages offers students extracurricular activities through Clubs and National Honor Societies. These groups meet weekly or monthly and provide opportunities to volunteer in our community and beyond. The Department has an International Food Festival the first or second week of March each year to honor National Foreign Language Week and to highlight the diverse cultures of our student body. The German program offers an exchange trip that runs every other year; one year D-Y students go to Germany, and the following year German students come to D-Y. In the past the Spanish department has done exchanges with Spain, and has offered adventure tours to Costa Rica.
Additionally, related to second languages, the high school also offers the Seal of Biliteracy, a special recognition awarded to students who demonstrate high levels of proficiency in English and at least one additional language. Eligible students show strong skills in reading, writing, speaking, and listening, and they must take a nationally recognized test to prove these skills. If students meet the criteria, the Seal of Biliteracy is noted on their diploma and transcript as a celebration of their achievement in multilingualism and global citizenship.
