German Studies (Interdisciplinary)

World Languages and Cultures Program Goals

The World Languages and Cultures program is designed to achieve the following goals for their students:

• Communication: Communicate in Languages Other Than English
  • Students engage in conversations ,provide and obtain information, express feelings and emotions, and exchange opinions.
  • Students understand and interpret written and spoken language on a variety of topics.
  • Students present information, concepts, and ideas to an audience of listeners or readers on a variety of topics.

• Cultures: Gain Knowledge and Understanding of Other Cultures

  • Students demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the practices and perspectives of the cultures studied.

  • Students demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the products and perspectives of the culture studied.

• Connections: Connect with Other Disciplines and Acquire Information

  • Students reinforce and further their knowledge of other disciplines through the foreign language.

  • Students acquire information and recognize the distinctive viewpoints that are only available through the foreign language and its cultures.

• Comparisons: Develop Insight into the Nature of Language and Culture

  • Students demonstrate understanding of the nature of language comparisons of the language studied to their own.

  • Students demonstrate understanding of the concept of culture through comparisons of the cultures studied and their own.

• Communities: Participate in Multilingual Communities at Home and Around the World

  • Students use the language both within and beyond the school setting

  • Students show evidence of becoming life-long learners by using the language for personal enjoyment and enrichment 

Learning Outcomes for Students Majoring in German Studies and Spanish

• Students majoring in German Studies or Spanish will demonstrate speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills in the target language consistent with the Advanced low levels as defined by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages.
• Students will demonstrate an accurate understanding of linguistic concepts related to the target language, consistent with the Advanced low level as defined by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages.
• Students will demonstrate awareness of key similarities and differences between their own cultural practices and perspectives and those of target language groups and the ability to express divergent cultural viewpoints clearly and accurately in speech and writing.
• Students will articulate knowledge of a variety of literary, artistic, and cultural works and figures associated with target language societies.
• Students will analyze and interpret authentic texts and other cultural products in clearly organized and coherent presentations in speech and writing in ways that reflect informed understanding of relevant contextual factors, including socio-historical influences and cultural traditions, perspectives, and behavioral patterns.
• Students will integrate target language proficiencies, intercultural competencies, technology skills, and critical modes of thinking and expression to effectively perform tasks typical of today’s globalized work environment, including appropriate professional communications, adequate translation, and the ability to collaborate on projects.