World Language

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When should I take a world language?

Ultimately it is up to the parent and student to decide when it is best to start taking a world language.
Here are some things to consider:

• ​Youth has its advantage- students who learn a language at a younger age are able to pick up languages faster and easier than their older peers. In fact, our world language teachers reported that the 6th graders in the world language exploration class learned the language faster than their 7th and 8th grade peers. 

• Free up your schedule in high school- 7th and 8th graders have a small list of electives to choose from compared to high school. If a student starts a language in 7th or 8th grade they will free up room in their high school schedule to take the classes they want and participate in more opportunities.

• IB program- If you are going to enter into the IB program they suggest starting a language by 8th grade. The IB program wants its students to get 4 or 5 years worth of a language. Here is a chart that can help you plan for world language:

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Skyline HS IB Course Sequencing Chart • IB courses are in CAPS

	9th grade	10th grade	11th grade	12th grade
Group 1: Language A	Freshman English	Sophomore H English	IB ENGLISH A1 HL1	IB ENGLISH A1 HL2
Group 2: Second languages	French 2	French 3 Honors	French 4	IB FRENCH B SL
	French 3	French 4	IB FRENCH B SL	IB FRENCH B HL
	Spanish 2	Spanish 3 Honors	Spanish 4	IB SPANISH B SL
	Spanish 3	Spanish 4	IB SPANISH B SL	IB SPANISH B HL
		Chinese 1	IB AB INITIO CHINESE1	AB INITIO CHINESE2
	Chinese 2	Chinese 3	Chinese 4	IB CHINESE B SL

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Can 6th graders take a full year of world language?

No. Looking down the road to high school and college applications, we feel it is unwise to start a student on a world language path in 6th grade. 6th graders do, however, have the opportunity to take the world language exploration class. Students will spend 3 quarters of the year exploring French, Spanish, and Chinese. This class will help students choose a world language path to begin in 7th or 8th grade. 

Wasatch is not an immersion school and therefore cannot support student’s continuation of the immersion program. Immersion students wishing to continue their world language in 6th grade and beyond would be better served in an immersion junior high. 

Which world language should I take?

Parents and students should sit down and discuss the pros and cons of each language. We have found that parents who make the decision for students do not do well in the class. Students who desire to learn a language will do well in learning that language. Be sure this decision is made together and that both parties agree. 

Chinese

Probably one of the most asked questions is regarding Chinese. Many parents are concerned that it will be too hard for their student. Actually most students do really well in the class. 
Here are some things to consider about Chinese:

• 1 in 5 people around the world speak Chinese. 
• Chinese is actually easier than you may think. ​
  • The grammar is very simple and straightforward
  • There are no tenses, plurals, cases, or genders like in other languages
• Chinese is the gateway to opportunity. The US government, large companies, schools, non-profits, and more are desperate for more Chinese speakers. It is a great skill for your resume.
• Learning how to write and read Chinese characters is really fun. 
• The hardest part is actually covered in your first few months of the class. Learning new sounds and tones. 

Spanish

 
Here are some things to consider about Spanish:

• Spanish is one of the top languages of the world
• It is considered one of the easiest languages due to a latin orgin like English. This means students can already recognize 3,000 Spanish words!
• Spanish speakers are always in demand. It is a good marketable skill for a resume.
• Spanish is phonetic so reading is easy to do!
• The hardest part is the grammar with verb conjugation, agreements, and gender.

French

Here are some things to consider about French:

• French is one of the top languages of the world​
• It is considered to be an easy language due to the influence of French in English. Many French words are easy to recognize due to the close relationship.
• French is not as widely needed, but is still a good marketable skill to put on a resume.
• French is a phonetic language
• The hardest part is the grammar with verb conjugation and genders. The pronounciation of some sounds can be difficult as well.