World+Languages+Standards+and+21st+Century+Skills

Currently, the BCPS curriculum in terms of world language learning embeds the 21st century skills into itself because it is a considered a core subject. It also encompasses a "global awareness" (http://www.21stcenturyskills.org/documents/framework_flyer_updated_jan_09_final-1.pdf) by including the "5 Cs" of "communication, cultures, connections, comparisons, and communities into the curriculum" from the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages National Standards for Foreign Language Learning. (http://www.actfl.org/files/public/StandardsforFLLexecsumm_rev.pdf) It is vital that our students speak a second language to catch up to the rest of the world.

The chart below works to evaluate the standards that are involved in world language learning on a national level and on the BCPS level. This is specific to Spanish I. Several of the objectives can cross lines in terms of the skills that they represent, but I have put them where I feel they make the most sense in terms of what the standards say. The World Language Voluntary State Curriculum (VSC) is not on this chart as it was created before it was final (it was in draft form at the time). Here is a link to the MD VSC - [] & [].


 * Aligning the World Language Standards (National and BCPS) to the 21st Century Skills**
 * < **21st Century Skills** ||< **National Standards** ||< **BCPS Curriculum - Articulated Instruction Module Objectives** ||
 * < Core subjects and 21st century themes ||< Students:
 * < Core subjects and 21st century themes ||< Students:


 * engage in conversation, provide and obtain information, express feelings and emotions, and exchange opinions ||< Students will use appropriate vocabulary and grammar to:
 * meet others and exchange personal information
 * engage in short conversations describing people and telling what they like
 * exchange personal preferences and feelings about leisure time activities
 * engage in short conversations to express personal needs for school
 * deliver short narratives about themselves

Students will:
 * engage in short conversations and family and pets
 * engage in short conversations to express personal needs
 * write and deliver short narratives about school ||
 * < Learning and innovation skills ||< Students:
 * demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the practices and perspectives of the culture studied
 * demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the products and perspectives of the culture studied
 * demonstrate understanding of the nature of language through comparisons of the language studied and their own
 * demonstrate understanding of the concept of culture through comparisons of the cultures studied and their own ||< Students will:
 * write simple lists, simple sentences, messages or poems
 * tell or write a simple story
 * compare the perspectives, practices and products of people in different cultures ||
 * < Information, media and technology skills ||< Students:
 * understand and interpret written and spoken language on a variety of topics
 * present information, concepts and ideas to an audience or readers on a variety of topics
 * reinforce and further their knowledge of other disciplines through the foreign language
 * acquire information and recognize the distinctive viewpoints that are only available through the foreign language and its cultures ||< Students will:
 * understand and interpret simple text written in the target language
 * write and deliver short presentations about plans for leisure time activities
 * make short presentations and write simple sentences about their family, self and home
 * access and apply information and skills from other content areas to extend knowledge and skills in the target language ||
 * < Life and career skills ||< * students use the language both within and beyond the school setting
 * students show evidence of becoming life-long learners by using the language for personal enjoyment and enrichment ||< Students will:
 * exchange personal preferences about foods
 * engage in short conversations about daily routine and health
 * dramatize skits or dialogues about meals
 * dramatize short skits or dialogues about clothing and shopping
 * identify and describe cultural practices in the target countries and discuss their importance ||