World Languages
Why Study World Languages?
Proficiency in languages in addition to English is critical for success in the twenty-first century (Commission on Language Learning, 2017). Research shows that acquiring a second language has been linked to many positive outcomes, such as improved learning in other subject areas and heightened cognitive ability (e.g., Collier and Thomas, 2014). As second language learners develop cultural competence through language studies, they can gain a greater sense of empathy, appreciation and acceptance of diversity, understanding of diverse points of view, and marketability in career endeavors.
With Hawaiian and English as the official state languages, HIDOE:
recognizes that honoring and supporting linguistic and cultural diversity is important in providing a meaningful and equitable education for every student. Two critical policies guide this effort: Policy 105-14 Multilingualism for Equitable Education, and Policy 105-15 Seal of Biliteracy; and
envisions that “Hawaiʻi's students are educated, healthy, and joyful lifelong learners who contribute positively to our community and global society.” As global economies and new technologies continue to shrink distance between nations and cultures, the need to be able to communicate in languages other than English in local and global communities increases.
With a focus on the future, a mindset that values all cultures and languages, and an asset-based perspective towards useful levels of language proficiencies, HIDOE strives to continue strengthening and innovating with World Languages program for all language learners, whether they are new or heritage learners of the target language, from early to upper grades.
Core Principles of World Languages
The study of World Languages focuses on acquiring the ability to communicate and demonstrate cultural competence in another language.
Communication
Communication is more than language production; it is the expression, interpretation, and negotiation of meaning in a given context with a purpose (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages, 2015). Both the quality of language instruction and time spent within an environment rich with copious amounts of comprehensible input and meaningful interaction are key for students to reach usable levels of proficiency to communicate in the target language.
Culture
Language and culture are interconnected. To learn a language means to also learn about the attitudes, values, norms, beliefs, and practices shared by members of the target language community. Through the study of language, students develop awareness and understanding of diverse world views and patterns of behavior, and are prepared to function appropriately and interact with competence in local and global communities. Example instructional practices include discussing cross-cultural similarities and differences and teaching cultural connotations such as politeness and humor to enhance target language use in interactions (Brown & Lee, 2015).
Where is World Languages headed?
The Hawaiʻi World-Readiness Standards for Learning Languages (HI WRSLL) was approved by the Hawaiʻi State Board of Education for adoption on March 3, 2022. The HI WRSLL provides a framework for schools to plan and deliver language instruction that is standards-based, proficiency-based, and designed for students to develop language proficiency through an extended period of study. It is aligned to the national standards and is a synthesis of current research in second language acquisition and best practices in proficiency-based language instruction.
The goals of the HI WRSLL are Communication, Cultures, Connections, Comparisons, and Communities. They are interconnected with the following distinctions:
The Communication goal is the anchor goal. The corresponding three standards of Interpretive Communication, Interpersonal Communication, and Presentational Communication are the anchor standards. The anchor goal and standards provide the foundation for language acquisition and proficiency. They address the foundational language knowledge and skills for communication and should be addressed in every World Languages unit and lesson.
The Cultures, Connections, Comparisons, and Communities goals and standards are the supporting goals and standards that provide context to teach and use the target language for communicative purposes. These supporting goals and standards serve as the vehicle for providing comprehensible input, engaging in interactions, and presenting content in the target languages. Select goal(s) and standard(s) are incorporated into a unit and lesson based on the communicative targets and desired outcomes. Where appropriate, the supporting standards should be incorporated into multiple units/lessons in integrated ways throughout the school year.
Teachers on Oʻahu participating in the Aiming for 90% Target Language Use course
Aiming for 90% Target Language Use course on Hawaiʻi island
Demonstrations of the One Word Image strategy at the Aiming for 90% Target Language Use course on Maui
HI WRSLL Year 1 Implementation Resources
The following asynchronous modules are created to build foundational understanding on the HI WRSLL and ways to use the HI WRSLL to plan and implement proficiency-oriented language instruction. Each module consists of a recording and a slide deck. Where applicable, a study guide with prompts is provided to facilitate reflection before and after viewing the module.
Overview:
This module provides an introduction to the HI WRSLL and Year 1 implementation resources.
Watch the video (video length - 10:39)
Access the Proficiency Targets document
Language Performance and Proficiency:
This module, created in collaboration with ACTFL, builds the foundational knowledge of language proficiency and how it differs from language performance.
Watch the video (video length - 17:16)
Characteristics of a Proficiency-Based Curriculum:
This module, created in collaboration with ACTFL, provides strategies to use the HI WRSLL to design and implement a proficiency-based curriculum.
Watch the video (video length - 22:37)
Focus on High-Leverage Teaching Practices:
This module, created in collaboration with ACTFL, examines three high-leverage teaching practices to address the three anchor Communication standards.
Watch the video (video length - 23:50)
Creating Comprehensible (and Compelling) Texts:
This module, created in collaboration with the World Languages Leadership Project team, provides a foundation on text creation for language learners and strategies to create texts for, create texts with students, and guide students with creating their own texts.
Watch the video (video length - 41:39)
Preparing Students for the Seal of Biliteracy: A Guide for World Languages Teachers
A virtual professional learning module to support World Languages teachers to help students achieve the Seal of Biliteracy.
Part 1: What is the Seal of Biliteracy Test and Who Should Take It?
Watch the Video (video length - 5:47)
Part 2: Understanding Proficiency and World Languages Standards
Watch the Video (video length - 15:18)
Part 3: Understanding the Avant Proficiency Test
Watch the Video (video length - 16:49)
Part 4: Proficiency-Focused Approaches, Activities, and Strategies
Watch the Video (video length - 22:59)
Slide Deck
HI WRSLL Year 2 Implementation Resources
The following modules are created in collaboration with Dr. Diane Neubauer to build a foundational understanding of designing instruction using the HI WRSLL. Each module consists of a video recording, a slide deck, and examples.
Designing a Scope and Sequence for the Anchor and Supporting Standards:
This module focuses on the process of creating a scope and sequence for a World Languages course and the tools to support the process. Scope and sequence examples are provided as part of the module.
Watch the video (video length - 56:37)
Designing Units and Lessons
This module focuses on the standards-aligned options to design a unit and the process to design lessons in a unit with a focus on using the target language for communication and interaction. Unit and lesson examples are provided as part of the module.
Watch the video (video length: 53:54)
Designing Performance-Based Assessment
This module focuses on the process of creating performance-based assessments and the tools to support the process. Single-point rubric examples are provided as part of the module.
Watch the video (video length: 1:02:27)
Access the single-point rubric examples
HI WRSLL Year 3 Implementation Resources
The following modules are created in collaboration with Dr. Diane Neubauer to build a deeper understanding of designing instruction using the HI WRSLL. Each module consists of a video recording, a slide deck, and a handout.
Designing Communicative Tasks
This module focuses on defining and designing communicative tasks for language instruction and includes examples of changing a language exercise or activity to a task by including communicative goals.
Session 1: Designing Communicative Tasks (password: HIwrsll2024)
Elementary Grades in HIWRSLL Implementation
This module focuses on deepening understanding of HIWRSLL-aligned instruction for elementary learners, based on developmental needs and program contexts.
Session 2: Elementary Grades in HIWRSLL Implementation (password: HIwrsll2024)
Assessment and Grading for Proficiency
This module focuses on defining assessment for language proficiency, distinguishing between assessment and grading, the use of proficiency-based rubrics, and standards-based grading.
Session 3: Assessment and Grading for Proficiency (password: HIwrsll2024)
Using Data for Continuous Improvement
Session 4: Using Data for Continuous Improvement (password: HIwrsll2024)
This module focuses on defining sources of data for language instruction, and how to use such data to inform instruction and align program goals.
Japanese class at Hilo High School. Source: Hilo High School
Virtual Korean Class at Daniel K. Inouye Elementary School. Source: Daniel K. Inouye Elementary School
Learn-a-Language event at the Moanalua High School World Language Learning Center. Source: Moanalua High School
One approach to teach for communication in the target language is Communicative Language Teaching, a contemporary approach guided by six key principles (VanPatten, 2017):
Communicative Language Teaching Key Principles
Example Instructional Practices
1. Teaching communicatively implies a definition of communication.
Design lessons that address three types of communication (interpretive, presentational, and interpersonal) with meaningful purpose and in relevant context.
2. Language is too abstract and complex to teach and learn explicitly.
Model and use target grammar as part of communication with and between students during lesson, without explicitly naming the grammar features or explaining the rules.
3. Language acquisition is constrained by internal and external factors.
Lower the affective filter in the classroom by engaging students through games, humor, and topics of interest; elicit as much oral participation as possible from all students to encourage practice with new language.
4. Instructors and materials should provide appropriate level input (what students hear or read in the target language) and interaction.
Use of the target language 90% or more of the time at all levels of classroom instruction by the teacher and students (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages, 2010) with appropriate graphic, visual, and interactive supports.
5. Tasks should form the backbone of the communicative curriculum.
Engage students with interactive tasks that require the use of authentic language to communicate for meaning and real-world purpose (e.g., students interview each other to provide the teacher with information about the class).
6. Any focus on form should be input-oriented and meaning-based.
Guide students to notice or pay attention to target grammar in both input and output to communicate ideas.
To better support multilingualism in Hawai‘i, World Languages instruction is moving away from using English to teach about the target language, teaching vocabulary and grammar in isolation, and repetition and recitation and/or translating between the target language and English as the only learning activities. World Languages instruction is moving towards practices such as those listed in the table above to support communicative and cultural competence.
World Languages education is for everyone. With acquiring language as the focus and communication and cultural competence as the goals, each student can experience success as a language learner.
World Languages Resources
Standards-Based and Proficiency-Based World Languages Instruction
Hawaiʻi State Seal of Biliteracy
Teaching Practices
Curricular and Instructional Materials
Online/Blended World Languages Instruction
Data and Reports on World Languages Education
American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages. (2010). Use of the target language in the classroom. Retrieved from https://www.actfl.org/news/use-of-the-target-language-in-the-classroom
Brown, H. D. & Lee, H. (2015). Teaching by Principles: An Interactive Approach to Language Pedagogy. White Plains, NY: Pearson Education, Inc.
Collier, V.P., & Thomas, W.P. (Eds.). (2014). Creating Dual Language Schools for a Transformed World: Administrators Speak. Albuquerque, NM: Dual Language Education of New Mexico – Fuente Press.
Commissions on Language Learning. (2017). American’s Languages: Investing in Language Education for the 21st Century. Cambridge, MA: American Academy of Arts & Sciences. Retrieved from https://www.amacad.org/publication/americas-languages
National Standards in Foreign Language Education Project. (1996). Yonkers, NY: National Endowment for the Humanities.
VanPatten, B. (2017). While We’re on the Topic: BVP on Language, Acquisition, and Classroom Practice. Alexandria, VA: The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages.