World Languages Mission and Philosophy

“One language sets you in a corridor for life; two languages opens every door along the way”

The World Languages Program  at Concord-Carlisle High School seeks to promote linguistic and cultural literacy while cultivating a life-long appreciation and enthusiasm for languages and the cultures they reflect. We believe that all students can learn a new language and that a global mind-set is a necessity and an asset in today’s society.  The study of world languages is an interdisciplinary pursuit and it intrinsically helps students view issues from a global perspective; students gain an increased knowledge of their relationship to the world by developing an appreciation for other viewpoints and a deeper understanding of their own culture and the world at large.

Overview of the World Languages Program

Students who are planning education beyond high school are strongly encouraged to study a classical (Latin) or modern language (Chinese, French, Spanish), or a combination of languages.  All four-year state colleges and universities in Massachusetts require a minimum of two years of the same language study at the high school level or the equivalent for entrance.  Students may choose any of the language offerings to fulfill this requirement.  Many of the more selective universities may require more than two years of language study.

Students who enroll in Chinese, French and Spanish will be challenged to develop their proficiency in the language they choose in an interactive, cooperative environment that emphasizes both oral and written expression through authentic linguistic experiences in the target language.  In order to effectively communicate in the target language, students will sequentially advance their skills both orally and in writing in the three areas of interpersonal communication, interpretative communication, and presentational communication. They will also demonstrate understanding of the spoken language in a variety of registers and through different means of presentation.

Students who enroll in Latin will engage in an in-depth study of the Latin language and Roman history and culture.  Students beginning in Latin I will be engaged in translating Latin, a task which requires analytical skills, problem solving and creativity. Students will understand that Latin uses a wide variety of grammatical forms and sentence structures to differentiate and enrich meaning; understanding such complex grammar requires students to use abstract and logical thinking, and consider multiple perspectives to determine meaning. Honing these skills will help students become better writers and more critical readers across the curriculum. The Latin program at CCHS beginning in level I is by design also rich in culture and interdisciplinary connections, as students will explore topics such as language, art, history, religion, geography, linguistics, and  literary criticism.