World Languages

Members of the Columbia Public Schools World Languages department believe that communication is the essence of being human and that foreign language study provides students with the communication skills to understand and connect with other cultures and communities. Effective communication, based on an understanding of other cultures, offers students a foundation for future academic, personal, and career success.

The World Languages department offers students the opportunity to learn French, German, Japanese, Latin, Mandarin-Chinese, and Spanish from beginning to intermediate proficiency levels in grades 6-12. French and Spanish offer preparation for the College Board Advanced Placement examinations for college credit.

Curriculum and teaching methods are based on the National Standards for Foreign Language Learning framework developed by the American Council on Teaching Foreign Languages (ACTFL). This framework reflects the ideas that foreign language skills are:

Of increasing importance in a global society
A career asset for students in the twenty-first-century workforce
An experience that broadens students' worldview
Helpful in gaining an understanding of one's language and culture

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French

Global reach: Spoken on 5 continents
Learning focus: Communication, culture, and grammatical structure with interactive speaking activities
Career applications: Diplomacy, international organizations, global affairs
Class style: Reading develops quickly; pronunciation requires practice

Course Progression

French 1A* (Middle School)	French 1
French 1B (Middle School)
French 2**
French 3 (Dual Credit, +1.0 GPA weight)
French 4 (Dual Credit, +1.0 GPA weight)
AP French (Dual Credit, +1.0 GPA weight)

*French 1A only bears credit upon completion of French 1B
**Enrichment Summer School class offered before Level 2

I wish I could stay in 8^th grade French forever.

- Anonymous French Student

German

Global reach: Important language in science, engineering, and industry
Learning focus: Grammar, accuracy, and logical structure with interactive practice
Career applications: STEM fields, engineering, analytical professions
Class style: Systematic grammar with early grammar load; clarity improves with time

Course Progression

German 1

German 2

German 3 (+1.0 GPA Weight)

German 4 (+1.0 GPA Weight)

External Links

At first I thought German would just be another class, but it ended up teaching me discipline, patience, and new perspectives on language and culture, including my own language and culture!

-Anonymous German Student

Japanese

Cultural connection: Deep immersion in Japanese culture
Learning focus: Writing systems, culture, and communication (highly interactive and visual)
Career applications: International business, translation, cultural exchange
Class style: Slower initial pace due to multiple writing systems; requires strong motivation and persistence

Course Progression

Japanese 1*

Japanese 2

Japanese 3 (Dual credit, +1.0 GPA Weight)

Japanese 4 (Dual Credit, +1.0 GPS Weight)

*Optional introductory summer course offered before Japanese 1

ExternaL Links

[Japanese] is like a serious relationship. You put in the work and effort and care and time, and you get great results!!! But if you ignore it and don't talk to it everyday, you'll be sad because Japanese will break your heart.

- Anonymous Japanese Student

Latin

Academic benefits: Strengthens English vocabulary and grammar; supports future studies in medicine, law, and sciences
Learning focus: Reading, analysis, and language foundations with interactive comprehension activities
Career applications: Pre-professional fields (medicine, law), academic research, archaeology, anthropology, theology, history
Class style: Vocabulary and grammar-heavy with minimal oral practice; problem-solving emphasis

Course Progression

Latin I

Latin II

Latin III (Dual Credit, +1.0 GPA Weight)

Latin IV (Dual Credit, +1.0 GPA Weight)

Vocab is your base

Learning grammar is hard, but the stories and culture are fun

- Anonymous Latin students

Mandarin-Chinese

Global reach: Most spoken native language in the world
Learning focus: Tones, characters, and global communication with interactive listening and speaking
Career applications: Global business, economics, international relations
Class style: Requires steady practice for tones and characters; develops strong listening and memorization skills

Course Progression

Mandarin 1

Mandarin 2

Mandarin 3 (Dual Credit, +1.0 GPA Weight)

Mandarin 4 (Dual Credit, +1.0 GPA Weight)

Learning Mandarin has allowed me to experience unique Chinese cultures and customs, and it has shown me that people from different backgrounds often share the same values and life philosophies

- Anonymous Mandarin-Chinese Student

As a Mandarin teacher, I see students gain deeper cultural insight, improved communication with native speakers, and stronger career and academic opportunities

- Mandarin-Chinese Teacher

Spanish

Global reach: Spoken in 20+ countries and widely used in the U.S.
Learning focus: Communication, cultural connections, and real-world usage
Career applications: Education, healthcare, business, service fields
Class style: Fast exposure to speaking with interactive activities; consistent practice recommended

Course Progression

Spanish 1A*	Spanish 1
Spanish 1B
Spanish 2**
Spanish 3 (Dual Credit, +1.0 GPA Weight)
Spanish 4 (Dual Credit, +1.0 GPA Weight)
AP Spanish (Dual Credit, +1.0 GPA Weight)

*Spanish 1A only bears credit upon completion of Spanish 1B
**Enrichment Summer School class offered before Level 2

I have been learning Spanish for 5 years now and every year it has been one of my favorite classes. Over the years I have learned so much about the culture of Spanish speaking countries and now that I am in Spanish 4, I feel like a whole new world is being opened up to me

- Anonymous Spanish student

Missouri Seal of Biliteracy

What is the Missouri Seal of BiLiteracy?

The Missouri Seal of BiLiteracy (SoBL) is an award given to graduating students who have demonstrated functional proficiency in English, another language, and intercultural competence. Columbia Public Schools has a DESE-approved program to award the Seal and the Distinguished Seal of BiLiteracy. All CPS students who have studied another language in school or learned another language through family interactions or travel are eligible to become SoBL recipients if they meet all of the requirements.

Seal of BiLiteracy Requirements

In English, you must have passed the English II EOC (10th grade ELA EOC) with a score of PROFICIENT or higher. Or you must earn or have earned a score of 18 or higher on the ELA section of the ACT. If you are an English Learner, you should have earned a score of 4.0 or higher on the ACCESS 2.0 test.

In a language other than English (LOTE), you will have to earn a score of Intermediate-Mid or higher on the CPS-approved proficiency test in the language. These tests will be scheduled in March, and you will receive more information as soon as it is available. If there is not a test in your LOTE, you will be able to complete a portfolio that demonstrates your skills in the language in place of the test.

To attain this level of proficiency as a native English speaker, you should have completed or be enrolled in a level 4 or AP language course this year. Or you may have acquired another language by living in another country or through family ties. If you are an English Learner, you probably already speak a language other than English with a high proficiency. However, you have learned a LOTE, as long as you can converse on a common topic, you are eligible.

Contact Information

Debbi Peterson

Titles: Secretary

Locations: Aslin Administration Building

Email:

Phone Numbers:
School: 573-214-3400

Alex Terwelp

Titles: Coordinator - World Languages

Locations: Aslin Administration Building

Email:

Phone Numbers:
School: 573-214-3912