World Languages

GMS French-Bonjour! GMS Spanish-¡Hola!

World Language study begins in grade 6 at the Galvin Middle School! Grade 6 students study French and Spanish for half the year. Students receive two periods of instruction in the seven-day cycle. The program is designed to introduce students to world languages and provide them with foundational knowledge of both French and Spanish.

In the spring of grade 6, students choose an in-depth study of either French or Spanish for 7th and 8th grade. The two-year sequence prepares students for French 2 or Spanish 2 at Canton High School. Our language classes are conducted in the target language at least 90% of class time. Teachers use a combination of visuals, auditory cues, and kinesthetic activities to make language learning comprehensible and fun for the students.

In accordance with the Massachusetts State Curriculum Frameworks our classes are focused on Communication, Cultures, Comparisons, Connections, and Communities. Emphasis is placed on the three modes of Communication: interpretive (listening and reading), interpersonal (speaking and writing, and presentational (speaking and writing) as well as on intercultural communication (investigate and interact). Students maintain language portfolios and develop goals to chart their progress of what they CAN-DO in the language. As they design personalized goals and chart their progress in the course, students become invested in their learning. Most importantly, they become responsible, independent learners who can communicate effectively as global citizens.

Each March our department celebrates the diversity of languages and cultures in our community in our annual World Language Week. The theme of the week is Galvin Goes Global. Our food services department offers an international school lunch menu and students have the opportunity to participate in the Massachusetts Foreign Language Association (MaFLA) state-wide poster, video, and essay contests. The week-long celebration also features guest speakers, interactive workshops, trivia contests, games, cooking, and international music. It is a week that our entire department and our students look forward to and enjoy! If you are interested in serving as a guest speaker, please feel free to contact your child's teacher.

If you have any questions during the year about our programming, your child's progress, and/or the course selection/recommendation process, please feel free to reach out to your child's teacher.

Content

• ACTFL Can-Do Statements (Booklet)
• ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines
• World Readiness Standards (Pamphlet)

Links

• Realidades Textbook (Pearson Realize)
• EntreCultures Textbook (Wayside Publishing)
• 2021 Massachusetts Curriculum Framework-World Languages (Pre-Kindergarten to 12)
• World Language Articles
• World Language Cultural Materials
• Study Resources for Students
• Professional Resources for World Language Educators

GMS World Language Staff