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.
II.
III.
IV.
Enduring Understanding: Foreign Languages are used in ordinary daily conversational
situations in a variety of cultures.
Enduring Understanding: Information, concepts and ideas require verbal and non-verbal
communication to an audience of listeners in different world
languages.
Enduring Understanding: Purpose drives topics, structures and delivery in written and oral
communication among diverse cultures
Enduring Understanding: Similarities and differences exist in the vocabulary, phonetics and
structures of world languages.
German or Spanish
French
Japanese
Listening:
Recognize and respond to basic
sounds, single words and introductory 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.
Listening:
Recognize and respond to basic
sounds, single words and introductory 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.
Listening:
Recognize and respond to basic
sounds, single words and introductory 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.
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 130, days of the week, months of the
year, colors, some body parts and
basic phrases pertaining to time,
food, weather/seasons and
classroom objects.
Use basic common names, basic
greetings/farewells, simple
commands questions, numbers 130, 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.
Sing at least one song in this
language.
Reading:
Read familiar vocabulary and
phrases.
Reading:
Read familiar vocabulary and
phrases.
Writing:
Match introductory vocabulary
with pictures or word lists.
Writing:
Match introductory vocabulary
with pictures or word lists.
Create a portfolio of words learned.
Create a portfolio of words learned.
Speaking:
Pronounce familiar vocabulary and
phrases correctly when modeled by
the teacher or audio aide.
Latin
Listening:
Recognize and respond to basic
introductory phrases, including:
Greetings/farewells; numbers 112, 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, 112, 20, 100, 1,2000; common
Latin names.
Use basic common names, basic
greetings/farewells, simple
commands questions, numbers 130, 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.
Reading:
Read familiar vocabulary and
phrases.
Writing:
Match introductory vocabulary
with pictures or word lists.
Writing:
Match introductory vocabulary
with pictures or word lists.
Begin to develop skills in writing
English derivatives of Latin words.
Recognize English derivatives and
analyze meanings of at least five
prefixes, suffixes and root words.
Create a portfolio of words learned.
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:
VI.
Enduring Understanding:
VII.
Enduring Understanding:
Foreign language learning extends beyond the classroom to real-life
situations.
The use of foreign language for personal enjoyment, travel, work
and enrichment encourages life-long language learning.
Social and economic issues at local, state and international levels can
create arenas requiring discussion in foreign languages.
German or Spanish
French
Japanese
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.
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.
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.
Hear about the possibilities
available for speakers of French
with an emphasis on career
opportunities.
Hear about the possibilities
available for speakers of
Japanese with an emphasis on
career opportunities.
Speaking:
Use French in a variety of
simulated real-life dialogues in
the classroom.
Speaking:
Use Japanese 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.
Reading:
Read or discuss the
contributions made by the
Japanese culture to our
American culture.
Writing: (Optional)
Write to pen pals in Frenchspeaking countries.
Writing: (Optional)
Write to pen pals in Japan.
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.
Latin
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.
IX.
Enduring Understanding:
Enduring Understanding:
X.
Enduring Understanding:
XI.
XII.
Enduring Understanding:
Enduring Understanding:
German or Spanish
Languages are distinguished by their grammar and structure.
Expanded communication skills involve more complex vocabulary,
structure and spiraling patterns.
Variations in language grammar and structure are necessary to convey
precise meaning.
There are similarities and differences in vocabulary among languages.
The study of cultures promotes an awareness of cultural similarities
and differences.
French
Japanese
Latin
Listening:
Differentiate word order,
inflection, articles, stress and
tone in the French language.
Listening:
Differentiate word order,
inflection, articles, stress and
tone in the French language.
Listening:
Differentiate word order,
inflection, articles, stress and
tone in the Japanese language.
Listening:
Differentiate word order,
inflection, articles, stress and
tone in the Latin language.
Speaking:
Discuss similarities and
differences between the
American culture and the target
language’s culture.
Speaking:
Discuss similarities and
differences between the
American culture and the target
language’s culture.
Speaking:
Discuss similarities and
differences between the
American culture and the target
language’s culture.
Speaking:
Brainstorm historical facts
about Latin-speaking people.
If this culture was chosen,
orally present research to the
class about this culture with
emphasis on that culture’s
significant differences.
If this culture was chosen,
orally present research to the
class about this culture with
emphasis on that culture’s
significant differences.
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.
Reading:
Read about basic cultural
similarities and 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.
Writing:
Write about basic social
similarities and differences
between the American culture
and French culture.
Writing:
Write about basic social
similarities and differences
between the American culture
and Japanese culture.
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:
XIV.
Enduring Understanding:
XV.
Enduring Understanding:
XVI.
Enduring Understanding:
XVII.
Enduring Understanding:
The study of foreign languages reinforces and integrates content
from other disciplines.
Countries with a common language share cultural and geographical
connections.
Countries with a common language share historical and literary
connections.
Countries with a common language share economic and political
connections.
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.
Listening:
Differentiate word order, inflection,
articles, stress and tone in the
French language.
Listening:
Differentiate word order, inflection,
articles, stress and tone in the
Japanese language.
Listening:
Differentiate word order, inflection,
articles, stress and tone in the Latin
language.
Speaking:
Ask and answer questions in
English about cultural topics.
Speaking:
Ask and answer questions in
English about cultural topics.
Speaking:
Ask and answer questions in
English about cultural topics.
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.
Describe the targeted language in
terms of spoken and written
language, emphasizing the
importance of pictographs,
gestures, symbols and/or sounds
within that language.
Describe the targeted language in
terms of spoken and written
language, emphasizing the
importance of pictographs,
gestures, symbols and/or sounds
within that language.
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.
Reading:
Read English discussions of the
French culture.
Reading:
Read English discussions of the
Japanese culture.
Reading:
Read English discussions of the
Latin culture.
Give examples of English words
which originated from German or
Spanish.
Give examples of English words
which originated from French.
Give examples of common
Japanese words used within the
English language.
Give examples of English
derivatives.
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.
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.
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.
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:
XIX.
Enduring Understanding:
XX.
Enduring Understanding:
XXI.
Enduring Understanding:
XXII.
Enduring Understanding:
XXIII. Enduring Understanding:
Different cultures have different social etiquettes.
Geography directly influences the culture and history of a people.
Cultural traditions influence family structure, rites of passage,
dining etiquette, clothing styles and living accommodations.
Culture influences the art, literature and music of a society which
mirror and illuminate historical events.
Beliefs and languages of diverse cultures deserve equal
consideration.
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.
Listening:
Listen and respond to a major piece
of music and understand its cultural
significance.
Listening:
Listen and respond to a major piece
of music and understand its cultural
significance.
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.
Speaking:
Vocalize and discuss questions,
myths, concerns and/or information
about some of the spoken
language’s cultural components.
Speaking:
Vocalize and discuss questions,
myths, concerns and/or information
about some of the spoken
language’s cultural components.
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.
Adopt and use a common first
name.
Adopt and use a common first
name.
Reading:
View and respond to a major artist
and understand the cultural
significance of his/her work.
Reading:
View and respond to a major artist
and understand the cultural
significance of his/her work.
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.
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.
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.
Compare/contrast social similarities
and differences between the
American culture and the target
language’s culture.
If desired, create a project about
this culture.
If desired, create a project about
this culture.
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.
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.