Grades:           8-12

Credit:            One

Prerequisite:   Level 1 or equivalency test

Course Description

Students continue to develop proficiency in all four language skills-listening, speaking, reading, and writing-with emphasis on the ability to communicate orally and in writing. They learn to function in real-life situations using more complex sentences and language structures. They read material on familiar topics and produce short writing samples. Students continue to explore the themes of Home Life, Student Life, Leisure Time, and Vacation and Travel.

This course's primary goals, aligned with Virginia and national standards, are to:

•Communicate in Japanese

Students function in a variety of practical settings using listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills as well as knowledge of the target culture(s).

•Understand other cultures

Students demonstrate an understanding of traditions, customs, beliefs, and cultural contributions and how these elements relate to language.

•Connect with other disciplines and acquire information

Students connect information about the language and cultures they are learning with concepts studied in other subject areas.

•Develop insight into their own language and culture

Through study of language and culture, students recognize, compare, and contrast language concepts as well as cultural perspectives, practices, and products.

•Participate in the global community

Students use the foreign language to communicate with speakers of that language, both at home and around the world, to improve their own communication skills and to enhance their view of themselves as citizens of the world.

Each topic addressed in the Program of Studies has progress indicators defining what students will be able to do. For example, under the theme Student Life, the topic Health and Fitness specifies that students will be able to discuss fitness and exercise, exchange information about maintaining good health, and comprehend information about maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Essential vocabulary and language structures are presented to students within the context of the themes and topics. Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) has developed and uses the Performance Assessment for Language Students (PALS) program. Performance assessments are conducted routinely throughout the year and are rated using PALS criteria (rubrics) developed by FCPS foreign language teachers. The end-of-year assessment again uses the PALS performance criteria.

For additional information, including resources for students, see the FCPS Foreign Language Home Page at: http://www.fcps.edu/DIS/OHSICS/forlang/.