Standards

WAFLT is pleased to announce that Dr. Terry Bergeson, Washington's Superintendent of Public Instruction, has recently endorsed ACTFL's national standards as Washington State's voluntary standards for world languages.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

Where did the Washington State Standards for World Languages come from?

The returned surveys on World Languages instruction in Washington, conducted by OSPI in Spring 2005, contained repeated requests by classroom teachers for a set of state standards. OSPI has responded to this need by endorsing the National Standards for Foreign Language Education. These widely disseminated content standards have already been used as the basis for statewide foreign/world language frameworks in a number of states.

Known as 'the 5 C's' (Communication, Culture, Connection, Comparison, and Community), they were developed in the mid-1990s by the National Standards in Foreign Language Education Project, a collaborative effort of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) and a variety of language-specific associations (AATF, AATG, AATI, AATSP, ACL/APA, ACTR, CLASS/CLTA, & NCSTJ/ATJ).
Who were the decision-makers for our standards?

The recommendation that OSPI endorse the National Standards for Foreign Language Education as Voluntary World Language standards for Washington State came from Caleb Perkins, Social Studies and International Education Supervisor at OSPI, Washington Association For Language Teaching (WAFLT), and the Washington State Coalition for International Education. These groups are working together as the "World Language Standards Group" to review resources on World Languages Standards and assist in dissemination of information about the standards. (For more information, see: http://internationaledwa.org/groups/wlstandards/index.htm.)
Have we ever had standards before now? Do other states have standards?

No. Washington has not had standards for World Languages up until now.

Yes. Many other states have specific World Language Standards, as well as World Language credit requirements for high school graduation.
Why do we need state standards at all?

World Languages is the only academic area in Washington state public schools that is currently operating without the benefit of state standards (see next question). Having standards will provide World Language programs with a unifying set of targets to help with program and curriculum planning, implementation, and evaluation.
Do other curricular areas in Washington state have standards?

Yes. All other academic areas have standards (called Essential Academic Learning Requirements, or EALRs) that were developed over the past ten years as part of Washington¹s Education Reform effort. World Languages was not included at that time. For more information about the four Learning Goals and the Essential Academic Learning Requirements, visit: http://www.k12.wa.us/CurriculumInstruct/default.aspx.
Why use the National Standards instead of something else?

By choosing the National Standards for Foreign Language Education, we can immediately make use of extensive resources (curriculum models, lesson plans, learning scenarios, etc.) developed nationally and by other states.
As a classroom teacher, what do I have to do differently once our standards are in place?

Remember that the World Language Standards are voluntary. Since Washington State has not endorsed any specific performance or proficiency standards for World Languages at this time, you're not required by the state to make any changes in your teaching.

Many current language materials are already aligned with the National Standards. If you take advantage of the variety of learning activities already in your hands, it's likely you'll be able to cover all "5 C's" in your class. The National Standards are a handy guide for what students should know and be able to do, not how well.
What benefits do standards offer to a classroom teacher?

The most benefits will be for language classrooms that don't already have textbooks aligned with the standards or have textbooks at all (for example, many FLES [Foreign Language in the Elementary School] programs). Having the standards as a starting point will make it much easier for teachers across the state to develop and share curriculum resources (lesson plans, learning scenarios, activities) knowing that they are aligned with the standards.
Will we be able to change the standards in the future if they don't work out well in the classroom?

Of course! Feedback, both formal and informal, is vital to the success of this effort. Please contact Caleb Perkins at OSPI, Michele at International Education Coalition, or any WAFLT board member with your ideas.

World Languages Standards, Frameworks, etc.

(unsorted, but each link provides valuable information)

National Standards in Foreign Language Education

Arizona FL Standards

Minnesota Language Proficiency Assessments (MLPA)

LOUISIANA FOREIGN LANGUAGE CONTENT STANDARDS

The California Foreign Language Project: Resources for Teachers and Students

New Jersey World Languages Curriculum Framework

Nebraska "The FOREIGN LANGUAGE FRAMEWORKS" (Just the best, most detailed, and totally aligned with the 5 Cs!)

The Association of Teachers of Japanese

FOREIGN LANGUAGES: Middle School Core Curriculum Guide Preview (Well worth the visit:)

Putnam Valley SD: Educational Standards and Curriculum Frameworks for Foreign Language/ESL (A systematic collection - check how recent please)

The ERIC Review: State Initiatives for Foreign Language Instruction (Good for a quick overview!)

INTRODUCTION TO THE NEW JERSEY WORLD LANGUAGES CURRICULUM FRAMEWORK INITIATIVE

Tennessee: TFLTA PROFESSIONAL RESOURCE CENTER State Foreign Language Standards

Nanduti: Website on Foreign Language Learning in Grades K-8

Last update: April 26, 2006