BPS High School Course Catalog 24-25 - Flipbook - Page 87
VISION:
Birmingham Public Schools World Language Department is that every World Language student in
Birmingham will embrace the ongoing process of language acquisition, while building confidence to
authentically communicate across different cultures and environments. We strive to achieve our
vision through our mission, which is that the Birmingham World Language Department will provide
authentic, relevant, and cultural experiences for our students. These opportunities will support all
learners to build productive and receptive language skills, and prepare them to be active participants
in our diverse world. Students are instructed and evaluated according to the Proficiency and
Performance Guidelines set by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages.
Birmingham Public Schools requires that students graduate with two credits of a world language.
Incoming students who have no prior experience with a world language, or students who have less than
one year of world-language experience, enroll in the level 1 of the language of their choice. Students who
have one year or more of a language prior to enrollment in high school enroll in the next level course of
their particular language of study. Most colleges and universities expect applicants to have
completed two years of study of the same language, while highly selective universities expect
three to four years.
World Language Level One
These courses are designed for students who may or may not have studied a language and/or have
limited experience. They develop entry-level skills in speaking / expressive communication, listening/
receptive skills, reading, and writing, with an emphasis on interpretive abilities. They also foster an early
understanding of the culture. Students will be able to understand and to ask simple questions on
structured, familiar topics. They can only satisfy a small number of immediate needs. Discourse is
usually limited to the present tense. (It is understood that BPS Spanish students may come with some
prior experience.)
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ASL 1 (571020)
Chinese 1 - Seaholm (560020)
French 1 (500020)
Spanish 1 (510020)
Prerequisites: None
Grades Taught: 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit: 1
NCAA Approved
World Language Level Two
These courses help students to recombine practiced material and interpret simple messages in
speaking / expressive communication, listening / receptive skills, reading, and writing. They deepen a
student’s understanding of the culture. Students will begin to speak and write in longer, more complex
sentences and communicate about the past. They will be comfortable with detailed personal
information, and will read and comprehend simple instructions and stories.
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ASL 2 (571120)
Chinese 2 – Seaholm (560220)
French 2 (500220)
Spanish 2 (510220)
Prerequisites: First year of the language
Grades Taught: 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit: 1
NCAA Approved
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