The World Language Department proposes sequential programs in Chinese, French, Latin, Russian, and Spanish. We strongly recommend that students consider their high school study of language part of a long-term commitment to become proficient in at least one language other than English. The primary objective of all world language courses is communicative and cultural proficiency, a goal requiring commitment over time. To this end, the department recommends that students pursue the study of at least one world language through the upper levels, including level 5, where it is offered.

In modern language classes, a variety of multi-modal assessments gauge student progress along the ACTFL proficiency continuum, as well as towards mastery of targeted vocabulary and grammatical structures. Students take a wide variety of performance and achievement-based assessments to demonstrate their ability to understand, speak, read and write another language in a thematic context. In the fall of their senior year, students have the opportunity to demonstrate their level of proficiency on nationally normed assessments with the potential to earn a Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy. We encourage students to explore the possibility of participating in one of our study abroad programs as a means to further develop their cultural and linguistic skills. The Jennifer Price Global Education Leadership Fund (GELF) exists to provide scholarship support to make this feasible for all students.

World Language courses are geared to students who take them as a new language. Native speakers of Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish who wish to study their own language must submit a writing sample to determine if they might benefit from a World Language course in this language. See guidance counselors (Oak Hill, Brown or NSHS) for a placement assessment form before the registration deadline and return the form to the counselor or contact the World Language Department Head at NSHS.