WHY STUDY
WORLD LANGUAGE?
National
Security Language Initiative (NSLI) from Dept. of Defense (2005) funds
language programs K-16 to increase proficiency in language and culture to be
competitive in today’s global society
Summit of US University Presidents in Washington, DC (2006)- Dept. of
Defense and Condoleezza Rice presented NSLI. University presidents began to
improve programs by increasing language requirements for acceptance and
college graduation
1.
Proven to raise SAT scores
2.
Increase cultural awareness and sensitivity
3.
Have a better understanding of English syntax
4.
Colleges now requiring 3 years of language grades 9-12, recommending
4 years of the same language
WHICH
LANGUAGES DOES AJHS OFFER?
1.
FRENCH:
French is the official language of 28 countries and is considered a
“Critical Language” in the NSLI because of the large number of Caribbean and
African countries that speak it.
2.
SPANISH:
Spanish is the official language of 20 countries and is considered a
“Critical Language” in NSLI.
3.
GERMAN:
German is the most widely spoken language in Europe and has one of the
strongest economies in the world and is a top exporter.
4.
MANDARIN
CHINESE:
is the most spoken language in the world and also considered a critical
language in NSLI
HOW DO I
PICK WHICH LANGUAGE TO STUDY?
Ideally, a
student will begin to study a language in 7th grade and continue
that language to develop a high level of proficiency by 12th grade. Once a
student chooses a language, the student should try to reach the highest
level possible in that language.
DID YOU KNOW
THAT THESE COLLEGES AND ONES LIKE THEM REQUIRE AT LEAST THREE YEARS OF
LANGUAGE STUDY (Grades 9-12) TO BE ACCEPTED?
1.
Bryn Mawr College
2.
Dickinson College
3.
Franklin & Marshall College
4.
Gettysburg College
5.
Grove City College
6.
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
7.
Kutztown University
8.
Lincoln University
9.
Lock Haven University
10.
Penn State University
11.
Shippensburg University
12.
Slippery Rock
13.
St. Joseph’s University
14.
Susquehanna University
15.
University of Pennsylvania
16.
Villanova University
17.
Westminster College
18.
University of Delaware
19.
Georgetown University
20.
Howard University
21.
State University of New York
22.
New York University
23.
Colgate University
24.
Columbia University
25.
Cornell University
26.
Fordham University
27.
Loyola University
28.
University of Maryland
29.
Florida State University
30.
University of Miami
**Abington
School District strongly recommends a minimum of four years of language
study and takes pride in the numbers of students who study languages for an
even longer sequence.
**Studies have shown that long sequences of language study result in higher
SAT scores over any other variable studied.
For fluency
and skills competency, three to five years’ study of the same language is
more desirable than two years of one language plus two years of another.
WHO ARE THE
LANGUAGE TEACHERS?
·
French:
Ms. Jessica
Mishel
Ms. Allison
Renye
Ms. Suzanne
Stone
·
German:
Mr. Greg
Gunther
·
Mandarin
Chinese:
Ms. Bertina
Hsu-Miller
·
Spanish:
Ms. Kerri
Gold
Ms. Rachel
Infante
Ms. Cheryl
Jogan
Ms. Nicole
Kazarian
Ms. Lauren
Kemble
Mr. Robert
Martin
Ms. Andrea
Mirabal
Ms. Ellen
Shrager
Ms. Suzanne
Stone
Any questions about the World Language Program at Abington School District,
please contact the Supervisor of Curriculum and Instruction for World
Languages:
Mrs. Mary Kirchner
215-881-2753
MaryKirchner@abington.k12.pa.us
