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 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, Spanish, and Chinese from beginning to intermediate proficiency levels in grades 6-12. Most of our languages offer preparation for the College Board Advanced Placement examinations for college credit.

 

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