How are world language and international education handled at different grade levels?
AM: At the elementary level, world language programs need to be sequential, rigorous and well-articulated. We try to have them build toward specific proficiency standards. On the postsecondary end, we try to make sure that language courses are encouraged throughout college. Students don’t have to continue the language to become teachers or academics; we want them to continue the exposure to culture and pick up another language along the way. As for professional standards, we are working to change the way that proficiency is determined. We need to make sure that teachers are fully proficient in the language they are teaching and that they are trained to deliver that instruction effectively. We’re training students to use world language in the workforce to make them more marketable and give them more international education opportunities. The focus we’re trying to give language education is building communicative competence. We want to make sure students are able to communicate and funct
