Chairperson: Patricia Cramer

Overview

In our current multicultural society, the study of a foreign language is imperative in order to be competitive in today's global marketplace. All students benefit from foreign language study because in today's economy, employers regularly seek those individuals who have multi-language skills.

In foreign language classrooms, students will develop critical, creative thinking, and problem solving skills. Since foreign language provide the base for over 50% of the modern English vocabulary, the study of a foreign language can help students perform better on standardized tests.

The Foreign Language Department recommends that all students who plan on continuing their education beyond high school take a minimum of three years of a language, and encourage students to continue the language to the highest level possible. Studying a foreign language at a higher level increases a student's admission potential, particularly to competitive colleges and universities.

The Foreign Language Department offers French, German, and Spanish at beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels. Students may elect Levels I-VII in French and German and Levels I-VI in Spanish. All three languages have an accredited AP curriculum in the upper levels. Students have the opportunity to take the AP exam on an individual basis

Goals

1. Increase the level of student proficiency in the target language and the number of students pursuing advanced level foreign language courses.
2. Develop additional writing opportunities that incorporate use of the PSSA writing rubric to increase student writing proficiency in the target language.
3. Collaborate with the High School-North Foreign Language Department to evaluate the current criteria for determining department award recipients.
4. Develop emergency substitute plans for each language level.
5. Use technology to support the delivery of the Foreign Language curriculum, including the use of program materials and Internet resources for planning and lesson design, delivery of instruction, and student evaluation.

Teachers