World Languages

Goals:

At both the elementary and secondary levels, the goals and objectives for World Languages instruction in the Arlington Public Schools (APS) reflect the State Standards of Learning (SOL) adopted by the State of Virginia. In addition to the strategic goals set forth by APS, the World Languages Program aims to reach the goals set out by the American Council of Teachers of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) which are: Communities, Communication, Comparisons, Culture, Connections.

Vision:

Our vision is to have students communicating enthusiastically about a variety of topics and in multiple contexts while enriching their lives and preparing for a successful future. In order to accomplish our vision, world language instruction begins at middle schools with high school credit-bearing courses (except where it begins at Randolph Elementary with our IB school and our Dual Language Immersion schools: Claremont Immersion and Escuela Key). As students continue their studies, high school options expand to multiple languages and progress through Dual Enrollment with NoVa (Community College), AP, and IB allowing students to be challenged and reach advanced levels.

Become Involved in the World Languages Advisory Committee (WLAC)

Hello Friends of World Languages, the application for 2023- 24 School Board Advisory Committees is now open! Please consider applying to be a member of the ACTL – World Languages Advisory Committee for the upcoming school year.  The Google Form should only take 5-10 minutes to complete. It asks for your contact information and how you see yourself contributing to the work of the committee. Also, if you’re interested in being Chair, Vice Chair (or Co-Chairs), or Secretary for the upcoming school year, please reach out to the current 2022-23 WLAC Chair, Rachel Berkey at berkeyrachel@gmail.com .

Registration for Credit-by-Exam is now CLOSED for the 2022-23 school year. Registration for next year’s Credit-By-Exam will open in late August 2023.

World Languages Resources:

• For information regarding World Languages course offerings and diploma requirements please see: Course offerings and Diploma Requirements 2022-23
• Benefits of language learning
• Secondary Curriculum Frameworks and Language Level Expectations
• Seal of Biliteracy 

Congratulations to Sassan Fiske, winner of the Honorable Award from the National Chinese Speech Contest !

Picture of Sassan Fiske and his Chinese teacher, Janet Luu

Congratulations to Washington Liberty’s Chinese Student, Sassan Fiske, who won the Honorable Award from the National Chinese Speech Contest. 1,400 students from all over United stated completed in 2023. Sassan was one of the 30 students who won the high school group, and the only student from Virginia. We are so proud of him!

View the highlights from this year’s (2023) Annual Celebration of Arlington’s World Languages and Diversity Celebration!

World Languages Virtual Middle School Information Night

Presentation for the World Languages Middle School Information Night

Williamsburg Middle School: January 5th, 2023 from 6:30-8:00 pm

Dorothy Hamm Middle School, Kenmore Middle School, Gunston Middle School, Swanson Middle School: January 12th, 2023 from 6:30-8:00 pm

Katy Wheelock, Wakefield High School’s French teacher, meets President Macron and the Ministère des Affaires Étrangères at an Embassy reception and a dinner at the Residence.

Katy Wheelock has also been elected as the American Associate of Teachers of French’s Vice President at the national level for their Executive Council where she will serve a 3-year term starting January 1st 2023. Congratulations to Katy!

Picture of Katy Wheelock and Dr. Lisa Harris, VDOE World Language Coordinator

Congratulations to Jason Doll, 2nd place winner of Qatar Foundation International’s annual Short Story Contest!

Picture of Jason Doll

Jason Doll, a Wakefield student, won second place in the world language learner category for his spooky story called “Hush.” Qatar Foundation International received submissions from students across several countries with a range of exposure to Arabic, including beginner level and heritage speakers. Reviewers were impressed with students’ grasp of the language and exceptional storytelling skills. Thank you to all the students who participated, to the teachers who encouraged their students and, congratulations Jason!

World Languages is thrilled to welcome students back to school and celebrate our diverse community!

The U.S. Department of State conducts study abroad programs for over 1,000 American high school students. H-B Woodlawn Senior was selected and studied Mandarin in Taiwan.

Picture of Olivia Van Hoey receiving her scholarship award

Olivia Van Hoey earned a scholarship to study Chinese (Mandarin) for six weeks in Taiwan through a National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI‑Y) scholarship. NSLI‑Y is a program of the State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) that promotes the study of several languages. Olivia competed with thousands of applicants from high schools across the country and is among over 400 students to win the scholarship. Congratulations, Olivia!