World Language

As students progress through the language continuum at the High School level, they have the opportunity to move ahead on the proficiency pathway in French or Spanish as well as to opt for a whole new language learning experience in our American Sign Language (ASL) program. All students are encouraged to continue their language study beyond the Checkpoint B level and earn College Credit through Albany University, Rockland County Community College, and Advanced Placement courses in Spanish and French as well as the opportunity to earn the New York State Seal of Biliteracy.

The High School program is divided in two Checkpoints:

• The Checkpoint B level encompasses two grade levels, 9th and 10th grade where students earn two additional units of study in French, Spanish or ASL for a total of three units in the same language . They need to pass the Checkpoint B FLACS Assessment in that language in order to complete the world language requirement for the Regents diploma with Advanced Designation. The goal is for students to reach the Intermediate-Mid proficiency level. Throughout their two years of study, students enhance their three modes of communication (Interpretive, Interpersonal, Presentational) through a variety of real-world tasks embedded in a wide range of themes and topics:

• The Checkpoint C level also covers two grade levels, 11th and 12th grade, where students earn two units of study in French, Spanish or ASL . At this level, students have the opportunity to earn College Credit through Albany University, Rockland County Community College, and Advanced Placement courses. In addition, students are able to complete the requirements for the New York State Seal of Biliteracy. At the Checkpoint C level, students are expected to reach the Intermediate-High proficiency level. Throughout their two years of study, students deepen their understanding of the Checkpoint B themes and topics in the three modes of communication (Interpretive, Interpersonal, Presentational), expand their language skills and their intercultural competence as they move along the language continuum.

At the Checkpoint B and C levels, students are able to create with language, initiate, maintain and bring to a close simple conversations by asking and responding to simple questions. They will be able to:

• • understand the main idea and some pieces of information on familiar topics from sentences and series of connected sentences within texts that are spoken, written, or signed.
  • participate in spontaneous spoken, written, or signed conversations on familiar topics, creating sentences and series of sentences to ask and answer a variety of questions.
  • communicate information, make presentations, and express my thoughts about familiar topics, using sentences and series of connected sentences through spoken, written, or signed language.
  • make comparisons between products and practices to help them understand perspectives in their own culture and other cultures interact at a functional level in some familiar contexts.