Curriculum & Instruction Departments

World Languages

The Orange County Schools’ Office of World Languages supports world language instructional programs in all schools. Elementary schools offer Spanish to all students following the content-related instructional model, where Spanish becomes a vehicle for reinforcing and enhancing academic content such as math, language arts, social studies, and science to facilitate contextualized and purposeful language learning. Spanish exploratory courses and Spanish IA and IB are offered in all middle schools. High schools offer French, Latin, and Spanish courses.

World language education in Orange County Schools provides educational opportunities and experiences that lead students toward proficiency in world language as well as engagement in meaningful societal and economic interactions within the global community. World language skills, knowledge, and cultural awareness enhances all other disciplines, enabling students to function as lifelong learners and productive citizens in a multilingual, multicultural society.

Orange County Schools’ Principles for Teaching World Languages

We believe that world language learners benefit most from instruction when teachers

  • Incorporate the National World Language Standards, the 5 C’s (Communications, Connections, Comparisons, Culture, and Communities), into highly effective interactive lessons to enhance the language acquisition process.

  • Use the target language the majority of time in the classroom.

  • Engage students at an optimal level by creating a student-centered environment which supports and encourages language production and reception.

  • Vary assessments (summative and formative) and instructional modalities to address multiple learning styles.

  • Display or publish student work.

  • Integrate technology.

  • Use local and global community resources to enhance language learning: pen pals, email, guest speakers, community events, travel, etc.

  • Make world language relevant by providing authentic and fun experiences beyond the classroom.

  • Foster diversity and multicultural understanding.

  • Provide opportunities for collaborative learning and production.

  • Encourage students to participate in national testing programs and area world language competitions.

  • Are themselves lifelong learners involved in professional language associations.