World Languages

Mission

The mission of the North Colonie World Languages Department is to develop linguistic and intercultural skills that improve students’ ability to function in the global and international community throughout the world.

North Colonie’s World Languages Department joins the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages’ (ACTFL) mission to promote Global Competence by enabling students to: 

1. Communicate in the language of the people with whom one is interacting.
2. Interact with awareness, sensitivity, empathy, and knowledge of the perspectives of others.
3. Withhold judgment, examining one’s own perspectives as similar to or different from the perspectives of people with whom one is interacting.
4. Be alert to cultural differences in situations outside of one’s culture, including noticing cues indicating miscommunication or causing an inappropriate action or response in a situation.
5. Act respectfully according to what is appropriate in the culture and the situation where everyone is not of the same culture or language background, including gestures, expressions, and behaviors.
6. Increase knowledge about the products, practices, and perspectives of other cultures.

Program Goals

Through teaching French, German, Russian, Spanish, and Latin with an emphasis on communicative proficiency, the 6-12 program will enable students to: 

• communicate in a world language for multiple purposes in a variety of modes and within a wide range of cultural contexts. 
• demonstrate knowledge of world cultures, develop an appreciation of cultural diversity, and expand awareness of their own language and culture. 
• use language by connecting with other disciplines, assessing information through authentic sources, and by interacting in the global society. 

World Language at Shaker Middle School

Our World Language program begins in 6th grade with an exploratory experience, allowing students to learn two different languages over the course of the year. During this time, students will build foundational language skills and gain insight into the cultures where these languages are spoken.

All students will study Spanish as one of their languages. For their second language, students will select a first and alternate choice from French, Russian, or German. While every effort will be made to accommodate their selection, all students must indicate a choice, or one will be assigned to them. Students who are exempt from world language requirements due to an IEP or ENL status will have their schedules adjusted accordingly by the school counseling department.

After completing the 6th-grade World Language exploratory program, students will select their primary and alternate language choices for 7th grade. In 7th grade, they will enter a more rigorous and structured program, focusing on deeper language acquisition and skill development. This intensive study continues through 8th grade, where students will complete their course of study in preparation for the proficiency exam.  Upon successful completion of the course and exam, students will have the opportunity to advance and further expand their language studies in high school.  

Based on yearly enrollment, every effort will be made to accommodate a student’s first choice. However, the first choice cannot be guaranteed. 

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World Language at Shaker High School

At the high school, students can continue their world language study in French, German, Russian, or Spanish and also enroll in Latin. After the completion of a level 3 modern language course or a level 2 Latin course, students take the Checkpoint B examination to earn their Advanced Regents Diploma.

The North Colonie World Languages Department offers two years of post-Regents language study in French, German, Russian, and Spanish and one year of post-Regents study in Latin through the University in the High School Program. Students in levels 4 and 5 have an opportunity to earn up to 10 college credits in modern languages and students in Latin 3 have an opportunity to receive 4 college credits in Latin. In addition, students of French and Spanish can enroll in the AP French and AP Spanish courses. Additionally, North Colonie offers students the Seal of Biliteracy during Level 5 of each of the four modern languages.

NYS Requirements

In order to achieve a Regents diploma, students must successfully complete a level 1 course and pass the exam for Checkpoint A Proficiency by the end of 8th grade or they must pass a high school World Language course.

For an Advanced Regents diploma, students need to have a three-year sequence of a modern language or two years of Latin and pass the exam for Checkpoint B proficiency in their language of study.

Learn more about NYS Graduation Requirements.
Learn more about the New NYS Learning Standards for World Languages (2021).

NYS State Seal of Biliteracy (NYSSB)

Students enrolled in a level 5 or AP language class are eligible to earn the Seal of Biliteracy.

In recognition of the importance of bilingualism, many states, including New York, are awarding a seal of biliteracy in formal recognition of students who have studied and attained a high proficiency in two or more languages by high school graduation. The intent of a seal of biliteracy is to: 

• encourage the study of languages 
• identify high school graduates with language and biliteracy skills for employers 
• provide universities with additional information about applicants seeking admission 
• prepare students with twenty-first century skills 
• recognize the value of foreign and native language instruction in schools 
• and affirm the value of diversity in a multilingual society

The New York State Seal of Biliteracy (NYSSB) was established to recognize high school graduates who have attained a high level of proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in one or more languages, in addition to English.

Expanded Language Opportunities

• All high school languages offer trips or exchanges to students who are interested in practicing their language skills in another country.
• Shaker High School students have the opportunity to join National Honor Society chapters in French, German, Spanish and Russian.
• Every language at Shaker High School offers the opportunity for students to join clubs for each of the four modern languages as well as Latin.
• Shaker High School offers National Exams in Spanish, German and French. Students of Russian can participate in the National Russian Essay Contest.