World Language

Sheridan’s world language program equips students with skills, knowledge, and understanding to communicate effectively and comfortably in a culturally and linguistically diverse world. Through our lingua-cultural program, we build students’ speaking, reading, writing, and listening skills in a coherent, developmentally appropriate curriculum based on the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages standards. Students enter the world language program with a wide range of skills and experiences, and teachers differentiate instruction in order for students to reach learning goals. Students practice the target language in authentic settings and are given ongoing, specific feedback to improve their performance.

Sheridan also develops students’ understanding of world cultures and their impact on communication. Students deepen their understanding of culture by forging personal and curricular connections and gaining the confidence and skills to use their language knowledge beyond the classroom doors—for personal enjoyment, enrichment, and active participation in other multilingual communities.

After exposure to both Spanish and French in kindergarten, students choose one language to study thereafter. Students study world languages for three or four class periods each week from kindergarten through eighth grade.