World Languages Philosophy

The Akron Public Schools and Firestone High School Foreign Language Curriculum is a research-based and standards-based program with high expectations for all students. It is designed to provide opportunities to develop linguistic and cultural proficiency in order to function in a multilingual, multicultural world.

It is based on Ohio's Foreign Language Academic Content Standards and therefore shares the philosophy that a foreign language program integrates elements of language systems, communicative functions and cultural knowledge which:

• Prepare students to use a language in addition to English to communicate appropriately in a pluralistic American society and with the global community.
• Help students understand and appreciate other cultures' world views, unique ways of living and behavior patterns, as well as their contributions to humankind
• Equip students to interpret a variety of authentic live, print and technology-based resources to access knowledge related to all content areas
• Help students understand the nature of language systems, including their own, and how language and thought are inextricably linked
• Prepare students to pursue language learning on their own for personal enjoyment and enrichment and to advance career opportunities.

Instructors

Chairperson: Mark Debo - Spanish
mdebo@apslearns.org

Leydy Renteria-Merced - Spanish
lrenteri@apslearns.org

Ben Koester - Spanish
bkoester@apslearns.org

Cynthia Arcuri - French
carcuri@apslearns.org

Sarah Adams - French
sca46567@apslearns.org