Language Choices for grades 6-8 Presentation to the current 5 th - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Language Choices for grades 6-8

Presentation to the current 5th grade students

Why is it important to study another language?

Study of A FOREIGN LANGUAGE can …

• Increase your ability to read, write, speak, and

listen in the other languages you know.

• Give you the ability to communicate with others

who do not speak your language.

• Give you a new perspective through the study of
• ther cultures.

Why is it important to study another language?

Study of A FOREIGN LANGUAGE can …

• Help you bring up your test scores- many

recent studies show that studying a foreign language can increase your abilities in Math and English.

• “Open doors” for you in the future with job

and educational opportunities.

Foreign Language Program at CMS

• You will choose one of the 4 following languages as the

language you will study for grades 6, 7, and 8. The languages are:

• Chinese
• French
• Latin
• Spanish
• You will not be able to switch languages after 6th or 7th

grade, so make sure you choose your language carefully! The language you choose is a 3 year commitment!

In the 6th grade…

• You will have 1 semester (½ of the school

year) of a Foreign Language class.

In the 7th and 8th grades…

• You will have your Foreign Language class

every day all year. It will be one of your major subjects.

By the end of the 8th grade…

• The goal is to master the level 1 of the language.
• With mastery of level 1, you will be able to enter

your language class in 9th grade at the 2nd level. BUT…

• If you want to switch languages, you can do so

after the 8th grade and start a new language in 9th grade.

A few important things to remember…

• All languages are taught at the beginner level.

If you are a heritage speaker of a language, the courses here are not a good match for

• you. Please choose another language to
• study. For example, if you speak Spanish with

your family, do not select Spanish as your language to study next year.

A few important things to remember…

• We sometimes have to place students in their

2nd choice language. So when deciding, please make sure you indicate your 1st language choice and your 2nd language choice. Think carefully about the languages you choose because you are not guaranteed your 1st choice.

The Language Selection Process

• The week of April 8 you will have “mini-lessons”
• n each language to get an idea of some activities

done in the classes. Some of the foreign language teachers will visit your class for these lessons.

• Ms. Sanchez will give a lesson in Spanish. .
• Mr. Ahern will give a lesson in French.
• Ms. Manca will give a lesson in Latin.
• Ms. Zhang will give a lesson in Chinese.

The Language Selection Process

• On April 12th, you and your parents/

guardians will receive the language selection sheet via email. You and your parents/ guardians will fill the sheet out together and submit it online.

• On this sheet you will indicate your 1st

language choice and your 2nd language choice.

During the mini-presentations you will have the opportunity to ask specific questions about each of the languages.

Are there any general questions now?