The main focus of the Department of Defense Dependents Education Activity (DoDEA) Second (Foreign) Language Program is to prepare students to meet the ever-increasing demands of an interdependent world community by enabling them to recognize the relevance of learning second (foreign) languages, to value the importance of learning about other cultures, and to develop a speaking proficiency in one or more foreign languages.

The Second (Foreign) Language Program has been restructured using as a guide the draft of the National Standards in Foreign Language Education prepared by the American Council of Teachers of Foreign Languages (ACTFL). The DoDEA second language standards, beginning with school year 1995-1996 reflect a change in the traditional 4-year sequence to a 6-year program which also offers Advanced Placement courses in language and literature. This revised program no longer focuses on translation, grammar, reading, and writing. All courses now emphasize oral proficiency so that students will be able to develop speaking competencies beginning in Year 1. The new outline for a 6-year foreign language program will attempt to instruct all students, beginning as early as the seventh grade, with year-long grade level courses. Students will receive daily instruction in the target language. The goal is to improve students' listening and speaking skills with special focus on communication skills as performance outcomes.

The second (foreign) language program addresses an unlimited audience, since prerequisites for courses have been eliminated. By offering classes with a focus on speaking the target language, and providing a variety of strategies encouraging active participation, the program encourages students to continue their study of second (foreign) languages.

As DoDEA endeavors to provide students with opportunities to communicate in multilingual and multicultural societies, the second (foreign) language program strives to empower students with the necessary communicative competencies they need in the 21st century.

The document listed below is in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format. The Adobe Acrobat Reader is available from the Adobe web site. DoDEA does not endorse or support Adobe Systems Incorporated or its products.

Second (Foreign) Language Program
    (2 pages) (732 KB  PDF tri-fold brochure.)

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