World Language
World Language
World Language Department
Westborough has a robust, proficiency-oriented language program, 7 to 12. Students have a choice of French, Spanish beginning in grade 7, or Mandarin Chinese beginning in grade 9, with thematic units that spiral through grade 12.
Our goals are aligned with the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines (2024) and the Massachusetts Curriculum Framework for World Languages (2021):
- Understand, interpret, and analyze what is heard, read, or viewed,
- Interact and negotiate meaning in spontaneous spoken, or written conversations,
- Present information, concepts, and ideas,
- Interact appropriately with others in and from another culture,
- Gain cultural competence and understanding,
- Develop insight into the nature of language and culture,
- Connect with other disciplines and acquire information and diverse perspectives,
- Engage and responsibly collaborate with a variety of multilingual communities,
- Develop and employ social and emotional skills,
- Serve and lead in the community.
Modern language courses stress a communicative, proficiency-oriented approach in which interpretive, presentational, and interpersonal communication are the primary goals. Courses are therefore designed around cultural themes rather than around grammatical structures. While English may be necessary on occasion, the target language is the language of instruction in these courses.
Middle school students who successfully complete French or Spanish in seventh and eighth grade continue with year two at the high school. Students also have the option to switch to or add Mandarin Chinese in ninth grade.
There is a two-year language requirement for graduation at WHS. Descriptions and details for all courses, including L3, L4, co-taught, and heritage classes, are available in the World Language Curriculum Documents below.
