Welcome to Foreign Language Department at Canton High School! Goals

 

 

·    Click for a world map with links to Webcams from around the globe

·    Note: You'll be leaving the Canton Public Schools web.

 

 

Goals The CHS Foreign Language Department provides students of French, Spanish, and German the opportunity to acquire the new language. Our goal is that language students will be prepared to understand and to interact with people from diverse cultures. We expect our students to reach appropriate levels of proficiency and to progress to the next level of proficiency.  We expect students to be able to speak and write effectively, to understand authentic speech and writing, and to respond appropriately to cultural differences. This will not happen in a classroom environment where the primary language is English. Research on second language acquisition demonstrates that students must listen actively to the language early and often. We believe that students need to be able to communicate in the language; in other words, they should know when and how to say what to whom. At CHS the Spanish, French and German are conducted primarily in the target language . Even in the first year of the language, students should expect to hear the language as the major means of communication.  We provide learning in the language in context and expect students to actively participate in all learning activities. Students are encouraged to become proficient in the target language through speaking, listening, reading, writing and the use of technology, including our new state of art Language Lab. Our goals are consistent with the standards  set forth in the Massachusetts Foreign Languages Curriculum Framework.  Students learn much of the grammar (how to say it) and vocabulary (what to say) through explanations, examples, and active participation: all in the target language.  Students benefit from a long sequence of language learning. Since 2008, most CPS students have had the opportunity to begin their language journey in grade seven. We encourage students to continue their study through all four years of high school. Several students opt to study two languages at the high school level. We applaud their recognition that they need to prepare to work and live in a multi-lingual world. Students of Latin are expected to learn and develop an appreciation for the Latin language, to be able to discuss the influence of Latin on English as well as on many languages. Students are expected to read, write, and comprehend works in Latin as well as to gain a deeper understanding of the diverse contributions and continued influence of the ancient Greek and Roman cultures to our modern world. In a global community, it is essential that students are prepared to understand and interact with people from all cultures. We have both high expectations and high energy because it is our mission to offer CHS students the best language experience possible.

 

CHS Foreign Language Teachers

 

Learning Standards Pre-k–12 STANDARD 1 Interpersonal Communication Students of modern languages will converse in a language other than English to provide and obtain information, express feelings and emotions, and exchange opinions. Students of classical languages will engage in simple oral exchanges and will develop reading skills, with discussions of texts conducted in English. Pre-k–12 STANDARD 2 Interpretive Communication Students will understand and interpret ideas and information written or spoken in a language other than English. In classical language study, discussion will be conducted in English. Pre-k–12 STANDARD 3  Presentational Communication Students of modern languages will write and speak in a language other than English to present information, concepts, and ideas on a variety of topics. Presentations in classical language classes will usually take the form of speaking or writing in English. Pre-k–12 STANDARD 4 Cultures Students will demonstrate an understanding of the traditions, perspectives, practices, and products of the culture studied, including human commonalities as reflected in history, literature, and the visual and performing arts. In classical language study, discussion and writing will be in English. Pre-k–12 STANDARD 5 Linguistic Comparisons Students will demonstrate an understanding of the nature of language through comparison of the language studied with their own. In classical language study, discussion and writing will be in English. Pre-k–12 STANDARD 6 Cultural Comparisons Students will demonstrate an understanding of the concept of culture through comparison of the target culture with their own. In classical language study, discussion and writing will be in English. Pre-k–12 STANDARD 7 Connections Students of modern and classical languages will use the target language to reinforce and expand their knowledge of other disciplines and to acquire new information and knowledge. In classical language study, discussion and presentations will be in English. Pre-k–12 STANDARD 8 Communities Students will use languages other than English within and beyond the school setting. Students of classical languages will recognize elements of classical languages and ancient cultures in the world around them, and they will share insights derived from their study of classical languages with others within and beyond the classroom setting.

 

 

 Any questions or comments regarding this site should be directed to: Karen Augenstern

J6Z6S3




                                                    cantonhi1                   57533