This document provides information about what students can expect to learn and be able to do in beginning language classes. In the first year, students can introduce themselves, ask simple questions, and understand the main ideas when listening or reading. By the second year, they can have basic conversations and handle daily tasks like ordering food. Assessment focuses on performance and communication rather than just grammar. The goal is for students to use the language to exchange information and be understood. Mistakes are expected as part of the learning process.

1. WORLD
LANGUAGES
What you will do. What you will learn. What you can expect.

2. Just HOW important is
learning another language?

3. You Probably Have Some
QUESTIONS:
 Why am I in here?
 What will I be able to do?
 How will I be tested?
 How will I be graded?
 How is this class different?
 What’s next?
 What are MY goals?

4. Why am I in here?

5. What Will I be Able To Do
In This Class?

6. What Will I be Able To Do
In This Class?
Beginning Language – Level 1
By the end of your first year of language study, you can understand
and say a lot. You can read and write in the language, as well. In
general, you can give personal information about yourself, as well as
information about others; you can tell about your likes and dislikes,
your preferences and your needs, and you begin to use the language for
some functions, like asking for or giving directions or maybe even buying
things like food or clothing. You will make some mistakes when you
communicate, but you should keep in mind that these mistakes are
a natural part of learning a new language. Just pay attention to them to
see if you can begin to eliminate them.

7. What Will I be Able To Do
In This Class?
Developing Language – Level 2
This is another big growth year in learning how to use the language, and
you are going to be surprised at how much more you can do with the
language. This is a year when you will feel yourself being able to say a
lot more of what you want to say without relying so much on
memorized phrases. In other words, you are going to feel more
independent. One of the big things you will notice is that you will
be able to handle basic survival needs in the language. This means
you can order food in a restaurant or café; ask for and give directions
to places; and other things that are considered important to basic daily
living.

8. What Will I be Able To Do
In This Class?
Expanding Language – Level 3
Having reached this level of proficiency, you are at a place where you
feel confident to communicate about normal, everyday matters.
You can describe people and places and provide personal
information about yourself and others, family, home, daily activities,
interests and personal preferences. You can get into, through and
out of normal daily situations that involve obtaining food, lodging,
transportation and also taking care of health issues. You can ask a
variety of questions to obtain simple information and take care of your
basic needs, like getting directions, prices and services.

9. Language is a SKILL
How do you get better at something NEW?

10. Chat with Text a friend
someone new in the
language
Visit a new
Listening to restaurant or
music grocery store
How do you get better at a
new language?
Change your Watch
phone’s Check out movies with
language new websites subtitles

11. What can you say and write?
Novice Novice Novice Intermediate Intermediate
Low Mid High Low Mid
Beginning Language – Level 1
• You can yourself and others, using words, phrases or short
sentences—sometimes even several sentences—as needed.
• You can provide this information as answers to questions or simply
as descriptions of yourself, others, your daily life and your interests.
• You can also ask simple questions to get information that you need
or want.
• You can make lists, fill in forms, write notes and use web-based
communication.

12. What can you understand
when you LISTEN?
Beginning Language – Level 1
You will understand most of what your teacher and your classmates say.
You will even be able to understand some things that native speakers
say. In general when you listen, you will get the main idea of what is
being said and maybe even a few details. You
might have to hear questions more than once,
but you will probably be able to figure out what
is being asked and how to respond.

13. What can you understand
when you READ?
Beginning Language – Level 1
You will get the main ideas and some of the details when reading things
like class schedules, personal profiles, menus, invitations, headlines,
picture captions and other short passages.

14. What Will I be Able To Do
In This Clas?
UNDERSTAND!
SPEAK! READ! WRITE!

15. How do I show what I
KNOW in these classes?

16. How is this class DIFFERENT?
What it’s NOT What it IS
Learning what is important to YOU!!
Learning it all
Grammar and Spelling USING language to communicate
Right or Wrong Mistakes are part of the process
U = permanent U = try again when you are ready

17. How will I be ASSESSED
in this class?
PERFORMANCE !!!

18. Performance Assessment
Scenario
Your class has been video-conferencing with a school in _______. Each student in
your class has been paired up with a member of the partner class and this week you
are talking about what you like and don’t like.
After greeting your international partner, you will want to talk about:
• Activities you like or don’t like to do, when and with whom you like to do them, how
much you like to do them, and why you like them;
• Activities your friend likes and dislikes, when and with whom they like to do them, how
much they like to do them, and why they like them;
• Activities your partner likes and dislikes, including when they do them, with whom,
and why.
Don’t forget to say goodbye to your international partner!

19. Performance Assessment
Rubric

20. Performance Assessment
Major Focus
What Language Do I Use?
How Do I use the Language?
How Well Am I understood?
Minor Focus
How Well Do I use the Language?

21. Can I Practice?
Scenario
A Martian has landed in your neighborhood and
is asking around about this thing called the
“circus.” Using the paper you are
given, describe a circus for your new friend.

22. WHAT Are my Goals?

23. WHAT’s NEXT?

24. WORLD
LANGUAGES
What you will do. What you will learn. What you can expect.