TranslateWorld Languages
-
World Languages
World Language Mission
The mission of the World Language Curriculum for the Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Trenton in the State of New Jersey is to promote the goals of communication and an appreciation of cultural diversity through the development and implementation of world language programs within a faith-based environment.
World Language Vision
In the National Standards and Benchmarks for Effective Catholic Elementary and Secondary Schools, we read that “The Church’s teaching mission includes inviting young people to a relationship with Jesus Christ or deepening an existing relationship with Jesus, inserting young people into the life of the Church, and assisting young people to see and understand the role of faith in one’s daily life and in the larger society.” (2012, p. 4)
While we acknowledge that we are truly members of a larger, global society, we also profess that Christ has invited each member of His Church bothto come and follow Him and to go out to the entire world and tell the Good News.
The acquisition of other languages affords us the opportunity to make the necessary comparisons and connections which foster real communication as we build communities and share cultures. This is the heart of the human experience and this is the heart of our faith as we share in the mission of evangelization and witness to the Good News of the Gospel.
“Faith makes us appreciate the architecture of human relationships because it grasps their ultimate foundation and definitive destiny in God, in his love, and thus sheds light on the art of building; as such it becomes a service to the common good. ”-Lumen Fidei by Pope Francis (29 June 2013)
World Language Curriculum Philosophy
Jesus, the Master Teacher, illustrates how communication opens our minds to knowledge and our hearts to love. The ability to communicate effectively empowers us to appreciate the world around us and to recognize, embrace, and respond to the teachings of the Catholic Church. The implementation of these guidelines will enable the students to acquire confidence and facility in using a World Language. This ability will ultimately foster useful skills, increase independent and critical thinking, and promote life-long learning.
World Language Goals- Integration of Catholic, faith-centered, level-appropriate materials
- Exposure to current and authentic audio-visual, digital, and written materials
- Strong interpersonal communication skills in all four modalities
- Appreciation of the significant role of culture in communication
- Continuous instruction and reinforcement of grammar to achieve and maintain literacy in all modalities
World Language Instruction
The World Language Curriculum for the Diocese of Trenton encompasses the skills necessary for communication in a global environment. We believe that it is our role as educators in Catholic schools to “uncover, cherish, and ennoble all that is true, good, and beautiful in the human community” (#76 Gaudium et Spes) and that, as Pope Francis tells us, “Educating is an act of love; it is like giving life.” (Twitter @Pontifex, March 1, 2014)
We encourage all students to value the acquisition of additional languages. Students whose second language is English should respect and value their heritage while increasing their mastery of English. Great attention should be paid to the needs of the specific community and local demographics in considering course offerings.
In meeting the challenges of the 21st century, World Language instruction will both foster and continue the Catholic mission of evangelization and will enhance the traditional rigor and excellence in our Catholic schools.
National Standards and Benchmarks for Effective Catholic Elementary and Secondary Schools:
https://www.catholicschoolstandards.org/
American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Proficiency Guidelines: http://www.actfl.org/sites/default/files/pdfs/publi/ACTFLProficiencyGuidelines2012_FINAL.pdf
New Jersey Student Learning Standards: World Languages: http://www.state.nj.us/education/cccs/2014/wl/