Foreign Language Curricula for Elementary Schools
An Annotated CollectionLori Langer de Ramirez
National Network for Early Language Learning (NNELL)Note: For an update of this list, please visit Lori Langer de Ramirez's MisCositas site at http://www.miscositas.com/FLES.
Overview
This collection of foreign language curricula currently in use in grades K–8 (one set of curricula in the collection goes through grade 12) was compiled so that teachers and school systems will have a basis for developing their own.
Even though the number of elementary schools across the country offering foreign language classes has been increasing (Rhodes & Branaman, 1999), there are limited curricula available for schools to use or adapt when starting a new language program. This collection is intended to help new programs get started.
These curricula were compiled after a national search for elementary school foreign language curricula conducted in the spring 2003. The search included announcements in NNELL's Learning Languages journal and on the NNELL’s Nandu listserv. This collection will be added to as new curricula become available. If you know of standards-based elementary school foreign language curricula, please write to Lori Langer de Ramirez, ljl17@columbia.edu, so that they can be reviewed and included.
So far most of the available curricula are for teaching Spanish. Two included here are for teaching other languages as well.
To obtain a copy of a particular curriculum in the collection, please contact the contact person given or visit the Web site provided.Acknowledgments
This compilation is a joint project of the National Network for Early Language Learning (NNELL) and the Center for Applied Linguistics. Its preparation was funded in part by the U.S. Department of Education under contract No. ED-99-CO-0008 for the ERIC Clearinghouse on Languages and Linguistics. The opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the positions or policies of the U.S. Department of Education.
West Des Moines FLES Curriculum
Language Spanish
Grade Levels 1–6
Summary Description The West Des Moines FLES program Spanish language curriculum is standards- and content-based. It has been developed to provide an articulated and coordinated approach to the development of communication skills in grades 1–6, and it is designed to complement and enhance the regular classroom curriculum. As students progress in oral language comprehension, reading and writing skills are introduced. The main focus of the curriculum, however, is communication. Beginning with first grade, students learn to communicate in a practical, conversational manner. Partner gap activities have been incorporated to allow for more creativity in the target language. The ultimate goal is to give students the tools necessary to eventually create their own conversations with little or no teacher guidance. Classes are taught almost entirely in Spanish, with a focus on The Natural Approach and Total Physical Response.
Availability Contacts
Lindsey Rice, Department Chair
rice1@home.wdm.k12.ia.us
Dr. Phyllis Staplin
staplinp@home.wdm.k12.ia.usCost $5.00 to cover copying, shipping, and handling
Developers Lindsey Rice, Tammy Dann, Shelly Power, Jennifer Harper, Allyson Day, Stephanie Mangels, Kimberly Chapman, Brenda Rohr, Daissy Tillapaugh, Dr. Phyllis Staplin (Curriculum Director)
Dates of Development Ongoing (August 1993–Present)
Howell Township World Language Curriculum
Language Spanish
Grade Levels 6
Summary Description In accordance with the World Language mandate in New Jersey, the Howell Township Public Schools started a language program at the elementary school level in 1998. The goals of the program are to provide all students with the opportunity to learn about other languages and cultures and to develop proficiency in a language other than English. The language curriculum is integrated with the township’s sixth grade content curriculum. The Natural Approach is the primary instructional methodology used in the curriculum.
Availability Contact
Rocío Bautista
Howell Township Middle School
501 Squankum-Yellowbrook Road
Farmingdale, NJ 07727
(732) 919-0095 x8502
rbautista@howell.k12.nj.usCost $3.50 to cover copying, shipping, and handling
Developers Rocío Bautista, Luzia Froes, Sheila Ghaffari, Amy Passy
Dates of Development June 2002
Quality Core Curriculum
Language Spanish, French, German, Japanese, Latin, American Sign Language
Grade Levels K–5, 6–8
Summary Description Teachers in the model FLES (foreign languages in elementary schools) program adhere to certain guidelines when planning and conducting their lessons. These guidelines, which informed the creation of this curriculum, include the following:
Use the second language 98–100 % of the time
Teach around a theme
Help students understand the language without translating
Provide a language-rich environment that presents vocabulary in context
Include meaningful culture in every lesson
Reinforce concepts from other classes in the foreign language class
Use authentic songs, games, stories, and rhymes
Incorporate reading and writing skills
Plan varied lessons that appeal to differing interests and learning styles
Provide the students with opportunities to talk about topics that are meaningful to them
Assess students' progress on a regular basis, using a variety of methods
Maintain open communication about the program and about learners’ progress with parents, fellow teachers, school and system administrators, and the general public
Availability http://www.glc.k12.ga.us; At this site click on “QCC Standards and Resources”; using the pull down menu, select the grade you are interested in and Foreign Languages.
Cost Free. Can be downloaded from the Internet. A PDF file reader such as Adobe Acrobat is needed.
Developers Georgia Department of Education
Dates of Development 1995–1996 (revised every four years)
The Joy of Language Learning
Language Spanish
Grade Levels PreK–6
Summary Description The learning strategies in this curriculum emphasize the use of the Spanish language as opposed to study about the language. The objectives of the curriculum are to
provide meaningful communication experiences appropriate to each grade level;
develop a solid base of Spanish pronunciation; and
provide activities that encourage learning through active participation.
Instructional strategies and learning activities are culturally based and include the following: reciting, asking and answering questions, repeating, listening, singing, drawing, dancing, observing, playing games, writing, and role playing.
Availability Contact
Neale V-G Turgeon, Msgr.
Matthew Clarke School
5074 Tower Hill Road
Wakefield, RI 02879
(401) 789-0860
nvgt@juno.comCost $2.60 to cover copying, shipping, and handling
Developers Neale Turgeon
Dates of Development July 2002
Glastonbury Public Schools Curriculum Guide
Language Spanish, Chinese, French, Japanese, Russian
Grade Levels 1–6
Summary Description Topics and materials include
Family (Grade 1)
Frutas (Grade 2)
Animales (Grade 3)
Pastimes (Grade 4)
Geography of the Americas (Grade 5)
Let’s Eat! (Grade 6)
Availability Cost Free. Can be downloaded from the Internet. A PDF file reader such as Adobe Acrobat is needed.
Developers Christy Brown and Glastonbury teachers
Dates of Development October 2001
Farmington Public Schools Spanish Language Curriculum
Language Spanish
Grade Levels 3–5
Summary Description Grade 3 Incas, Mayas, and Aztecs in Latin America Designed to be used with a heterogeneous class of students in connection with the third grade Social Studies unit on Native Americans. It can be an interdisciplinary unit with the collaboration of the classroom teacher and/or art teacher.
Grade 4 Spanish Influence in Selected Regions of the United States
Grade 5 Ordinal Numbers and Art from Spain and Latin AmericaAvailability Contact
Christi Moraga
18 Flood Road
Marlborough, CT 06447
(860) 295-9116
fax: (860) 675-4103
Trigal@rcn.comCost No charge
Developers Christi Moraga and Sabrina Dashefsky
Dates of Development 2002
Springfield Public Schools Foreign Language Curriculum
Language Chinese, French, Spanish
Grade Levels K–12
Summary Description Materials include
Foreign Language Curriculum Map (Grades K–5 and 6–12)
World Language Learning Outcomes Sequence (Grades K–12)
Foreign Language Learning Outcomes (Grades K–5 and 6–12)
Foreign Language Assessments: French and Spanish, Listening Comprehension (Grades K–5)
Foreign Language Assessments: Spanish, Reading and Writing (Grades K–5)
Chinese Curriculum Map (Grades K–12)
Chinese Learning Outcomes (Grades 9–12)
Availability Contact
Rita Oleksak, Director of Foreign Languages
Springfield Public Schools
Springfield, MA 01102-1410
(413) 787-7111Cost No charge
Developers Nancy Mangari, Rita Oleksak, Jane Vivenzio
Dates of Development 1999–2003 (working document)
Needham Public Schools Foreign Language Curriculum
Language Spanish, French
Grade Levels 3-12
Summary Description Topics and materials include the following:
greetings, numbers, colors, shapes, calendar, weather, school, Spain, community, the body, animals, the alphabet; family; food and nutrition; numbers to 1,000; clothing, the Hispanic community, physical descriptions of people; interview questions; South America and the Incas.Availability Cost Free. Can be downloaded from the Internet.
Developers Debbie Watters and Patricia McNamara, elementary school Spanish teachers
Dates of Development 1992-2003
Reference
Rhodes, N. C., & Branaman, L. E. (1999). Foreign language instruction in the United States: A national survey of elementary and secondary schools. Washington, DC, and McHenry, IL: Center for Applied Linguistics and Delta Systems.
