World Languages
Class Finder
Program Overview & Requirements
(All World Language Courses Qualify for the G.L.O.B.A.L. Citizenship Program)
REQUIREMENTS
Newburyport High School requires that all students complete two sequential years of study in one language. The World Language Department strongly recommends that students study a language for at least three years, if they are considering attending a four-year college or university.
LANGUAGES
German and Spanish
SEQUENCE
The sequence for World Language students in the Newburyport Public Schools is as follows:
German 1, 2, 3, 4 or Spanish 1, 2, 3, 4, 5/AP
The purpose of levels one and two is to build proficiency and confidence in the target language to be prepared for the higher-level thinking and language production required in levels three and four. All students gain an understanding of their proficiency levels through common, performance-based assessments and self-assessment. Qualifying seniors take the STAMP assessment for the Seal of Bi-literacy.
PLACEMENT
All first-year students can select either German 1 or Spanish 1, subject to availability. Placement in level 2 or higher is determined by teacher recommendations and/or placement test results. Transfer students with prior experience in a second language should reach out to the instructional team lead for the world language department to discuss their placement and take the necessary placement test.
Placement tests are coordinated with the instructional team lead and students are encouraged to make informed decisions regarding their language choice. Once the language requirement is met, students have the option to switch to or add another language. Those interested in furthering their language studies are encouraged to consider taking an additional language.
PROMOTION
Second language learning is a cumulative process and to be successful at the next level of study, students must demonstrate proficiency in their current language course. Students who maintain a 73% or higher course average are eligible to advance to the next level with a teacher recommendation.
HONORS CREDIT
Honors courses are offered in both languages at levels 2,3, and 4. Placement in an honors-level course requires an average of 93% or higher in the current CP course and teacher recommendation. In addition, as a prerequisite for AP Spanish Language and Culture, registered students participate in STAMP proficiency testing the spring after course registration.
MISSION STATEMENT
Who we are: A collegial and innovative team of professional language educators.
What we do: Inspire youth to become lifelong learners of world languages and cultures.
Why we do it: To enable our students to communicate, engage and connect competently with other cultures, for personal enrichment and enhanced career opportunities.
Course & Career Pathways
Language is the blood of the soul into which thoughts run out of which they grow.-Oliver Wendell Holmes
A professional level of bi-literacy is a supplement to any skill set.
Careers with Real World Application of Biliteracy in the U.S.
- Advertising, Marketing, and Public Relations
- Education
- Curriculum Development
- Child Care
- Translation
- Interpretation
- Probation and Corrections
- Publishing
- Nursing
- Medicine
- Law Enforcement
- Legal Aid
- Law
- Business
- Advocacy
- Social Work
- Hospitality
- Tourism
- Emergency Services
- Disaster Relief
- State Department
- International Diplomacy
- Foreign Service Officers