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World Languages
Clayton County students who include world languages instruction as part of their curriculum will
be prepared to speak with and understand others whose language is not English. They will be able to read and write the language
at an ability equal to the length of their study.
The Clayton County Public Schools World Languages program is designed to meet the various needs of the diverse student body.
Students have the opportunity to choose languages such as the Modern Languages of French and Spanish and the Classical Language
of Latin.
Georgia Performance Standards (GPS)
For Modern Languages and Latin
Georgia Performance Standards (GPS) require that teachers teach with the goal of students obtaining proficiency
in a second language. Technology and real life situations are integrated into learning in order to use authentic materials and
realia which encourage interaction and involvement.
Benefits of learning a second language:
Helps develop higher order, abstract, creative and critical thinking.
Leaves students with more flexibility in thinking and greater sensitivity to language.
Improves student understanding of his/her native language.
Gives the student the ability to communicate with people he/she would otherwise not have the chance to know.
Opens the door to other cultures and helps understanding and appreciating other countries.
Provides language requirements for college.
Increases job opportunities.
(Adapted from the Center for Applied Linguistics)
Click here for: National Standards for Foreign Language Learning (5C’s and definitions)
Click here for: Introduction to GPS for Modern Languages
Clayton County Public Schools offers the following courses:
Modern Languages K- 5
The Georgia Performance Standards (GPS) for K-5 Modern Languages develop students’ skills in the areas of listening, speaking, reading,
writing and cultural competence. In addition, students will be able to view, absorb, and evaluate material from non-print sources.
Modern Languages and Latin Connections (6-8 grades)
The Connections language course focuses on the introduction of communicative competence in the target language and understanding of the
culture(s) of the people who speak the language. It assumes that the students have no prior knowledge of the language and culture. This
course may be taught over nine weeks (e.g., middle school programs). By the end of the Connections language course, students will exhibit
Novice-Low level proficiency in speaking, listening, and reading and possibly Novice-Mid level proficiency in writing (ACTFL Proficiency
Guidelines, 1999).
Click here for: Modern Languages and Latin Connections GPS
Modern Languages Level I
The Level I language course focuses on the development of communicative competence in the target language and understanding of the culture(s)
of the people who speak the language. It assumes that the students have minimal or no prior knowledge of the language and culture. This
course may be taught over two years (e.g., middle school programs), or over one year (e.g., traditional high school programs). The major
means of communication between students and instructors will be in the target language. By the end of Level I, students will exhibit
Novice-Mid level proficiency in speaking and writing and Novice-High level proficiency in listening, and reading (ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines,
1999).
Click here for: Modern Languages Level I GPS
Modern Languages Level II
The Level II language course focuses on the continued development of communicative competence in the target language and understanding
of the culture(s) of the people who speak the language. It assumes that the students have successfully completed a Level I course or are
at a Novice-Mid level of proficiency. By the end of Level II, students will exhibit Novice-Mid level proficiency in speaking and writing
and Novice-High level proficiency in listening and reading (ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines, 1999).
Click here for: Modern Languages Level II GPS
Modern Languages Level III
The Level III language course focuses on the continued development of communicative competence in the target language and understanding
of the culture(s) of the people who speak the language. It assumes that the students have completed a Level II course or are at a Novice-Mid
to Novice-High level of proficiency. By the end of Level III, students will exhibit Novice-High level proficiency in speaking and writing
and Intermediate-Low proficiency in listening and reading (ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines, 1999).
Click here for: Modern Languages Level III GPS
Modern Languages Level IV
The Level IV language course focuses on the continued development of communicative competence in the target language and understanding
of the culture(s) of the people who speak the language. It assumes that the students have completed a Level III course or are at a
Novice-High to Intermediate-Low level of proficiency. By the end of Level IV, students will exhibit Intermediate-Low level proficiency
in speaking and writing and Intermediate-Mid level proficiency in listening and reading (ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines, 1999)
Click here for: Modern Languages Level IV GPS
Spanish for Native Speakers Level I
Designed for heritage learners of Spanish, this course can accommodate students from a wide range of backgrounds, from those who are
minimally functional (can comprehend Spanish but are not able to speak fluently, read or write) to those who are more proficient and/or
literate in Spanish. The recommended entrance requirement for the Spanish for Native Speakers I is the Intermediate-Mid level of
proficiency in listening comprehension on the ACTFL scale. It is not necessary that students speak or write at the Intermediate level
prior to entering the course.
By the end of the Spanish for Native Speakers I course, students should exhibit Intermediate-Mid level proficiency in listening,
speaking, reading and writing, and some students may attain Intermediate-High proficiency or above (ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines, 1999).
Click here for: Spanish for Native Speakers Level I GPS
Spanish for Native Speakers Level II
This course is designed for heritage learners of Spanish who bring strong proficiency and literacy skills in Spanish, as well as for
those who have completed Spanish for Native Speakers I. The recommended entrance requirement for the Spanish for Native Speakers II
is the Intermediate-High level of proficiency in listening comprehension on the ACTFL scale, and Intermediate-Mid level of proficiency
in reading, writing, and speaking. By the end of the Spanish for Native Speakers II course, students should exhibit Advanced-Low level
proficiency in listening, speaking, reading and writing (ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines, 1999).
Click here for: Spanish for Native Speakers II GPS
Advanced Placement (AP) French Language
This course conforms to College Board topics for the Advanced Placement French Language Examination. It emphasizes using the language
for active communication. Additionally, it stresses the ability to understand French in various contexts; to develop a vocabulary
sufficient for reading newspapers, magazines, literary texts, and other non-technical writing; and to express oneself in speech and in
writing coherently, fluently and accurately.
Advanced Placement (AP) Spanish Language
This course conforms to College Board topics for the Advanced Placement Spanish Language Examination. It emphasizes the ability to
comprehend formal and informal spoken Spanish, to acquire the vocabulary and grasp of structure to read newspapers, magazines, and
Hispanic literature, to compose expository passages and to speak accurately and fluently.
Click here for: Introduction to Latin GPS
Latin Level I
In Latin I, students begin acquiring reading skills in Latin as well as strengthening their English reading and vocabulary skills
through vocabulary building and analyzing sentence structure. Through the reading selections and class discussions, students learn
about the daily lives of the Romans and make comparisons relevant to today’s society. Although students do not conduct face-to-face
conversations in Latin, they may use Latin orally to initiate and respond to simple statements and commands as well as read Latin
aloud. Elementary writing tasks also build a bridge to understanding the written word.
Click here for: Latin I GPS
Latin Level II
In Latin II, students refine reading skills in Latin as well as continue to strengthen their English reading and vocabulary skills
through vocabulary building and analyzing sentence structure. Through the reading selections and class discussions, students acquire
a more in-depth knowledge about the daily lives and history of the Romans and continue to make comparisons relevant to today’s society.
Although students do not conduct face-to-face conversations in Latin, they may use Latin orally to initiate and respond to more complex
statements and commands as well as read Latin aloud. Intermediate writing tasks also build a bridge to understanding the written word.
Click here for: Latin II GPS
Advanced Latin
In Advanced Latin, students read from authentic Latin prose or poetry texts. Students are introduced to more complex syntactical and
grammatical structures. Through the reading selections and class discussions, students learn about the literary and stylistic devices
appropriate for either prose or poetry. Concentration is also focused on the philosophic, historic, and cultural aspects relevant to
these selections. Students make connections between the ancient strands of mythology, history, literature, and art to those same
classical allusions in the modern world.
Click here for: Advanced Latin GPS
Advanced Placement (AP) Latin Vergil
This course conforms to College Board required reading for the Advanced Placement Latin Examination. It covers Vergil’s Aeneid and
emphasizes the ability to translate accurately, to Interpret critically, to read aloud with attention to pauses and phrasing, to scan
Latin hexameter verse, and to demonstrate mastery of Latin syntax through written translations.
Honor courses and International Baccalaureate in French and Spanish are also available.
The International Baccalaureate® (IB) is a non-profit educational foundation, motivated by its mission which focuses on the student.
Its programmes help develop the intellectual, personal, emotional and social skills to live, learn and work in a rapidly globalizing world.
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Federal Programs
2012 AYP Report