Belief statements of the New Canaan Public Schools K-12 World Language Department
The New Canaan Public School's K-12 World Language Department believes in a rigorous and well articulated K-12 World language program.
· The acquisition of more than one World Language, in many cases two, is to be encouraged and is best supported by a K-12 sequence
· Focus on real-life applications of authentic language is the most effective way to promote proficiency in a language
· Summative assessments include proficiency based reading, writing, listening, speaking and cultural components that measure the students' ability to perform authentic tasks
· The integration of technology allows students to access, apply and analyze information and to communicate more effectively
· World Language education helps to develop critical thinking skills and reinforces student knowledge of other disciplines while strengthening literacy across the curriculum
· The study of culture is an important component of world language instruction, providing a more global perspective of humanity
· World language study encourages students to develop a greater understanding of their own language while strengthening their own cognitive and linguistic skills
· The acquisition of a language is a process and students acquire proficiency at different rates.