Standards

At this time, Minnesota does not have state standards in World Languages. The St. Paul Public School District is responsible for setting world language standards. National standards, from the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL), provide language teachers guidelines and examples.

SPPS Standards

World language study is a part of the St. Paul Public Schools core curriculum. We expect all St. Paul Public School graduates to be able to communicate in a language other than English and develop knowledge and understanding of other cultures.

World Language programs in Saint Paul Public Schools reflect the following beliefs:

• A K-12 articulated world language program should be available to all students.
  
  
• All students can learn and experience success in world languages.
  
  
• Learning to become proficient in world languages beyond English provides students with real-life skills and a broader worldview which are of critical importance if students are to become global citizens.
  
  
• World language education develops critical thinking skills that strengthen students’ learning in other disciplines
  
  
• The primary goal of world language education should be real-life communication.
  
  
•  Assessment of students’ language learning must reflect language proficiency and communication as expressed in locally developed, and national standards.
  
  
• World language is a part of the core curriculum as specified in the NCLB legislation.