We aim to provide all students with a Standards-Based World Language Curriculum, which focuses on developing effective communication in at least one world language other than English as well as cultural competence to help all students them become better-equipped global citizens.

DPS currently offers 9 languages: Spanish, French, German, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, Russian, Latin, and Sign Language, and created a Global Languages Catalog to meet the needs of more than 9,000 Elementary, Middle and High School students. Examination and application High Schools in DPS currently require students to have 4 years of a Global Language.

Through the Office of Global Languages, the district is also working to increase students’ exposure to Global Languages through Distance Learning and the full implementation of our Global Language Curriculum as a core academic class starting language education in the early years.

Our DPS Global Language Curriculum is aligned to the World Language National and State Standards, which is based on the 5 C’s—Communication, Cultures, Connections, Comparisons, and Communities—to equip our students both linguistically and culturally to compete globally.

What’s Required

Our new Global Language Curriculum meets the new World Language graduation requirement as directed by the new Michigan Merit Curriculum. Beginning with the graduating class of 2016, all students need to have completed two credits of a world language (see page 9 of handbook) other than English prior to their graduation, or demonstrate a two-year equivalent proficiency at the Novice High level on the American Council of the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Proficiency Scale. Students at Novice-High Level are expected to use the language communicatively in highly predictable situations when interacting with native speakers in a variety of contexts. Students will need to pass a district-wide language proficiency test to demonstrate their proficiency at Novice-High Level.

Curriculum

The focus in language education in the 21st Century (see page 7 of handbook) is no longer on grammar, memorization, and learning from note, but rather using language and culture knowledge as a means to communicate and connect to others around the globe. Technology allows our language learners to use the target language beyond the classroom setting, and reach out to the world.

The district has created a new Global Languages handbook detailing all aspects of the Global Languages curriculum and requirements, as well as a Global Languages Catalog (see page 15 of handbook).

What we Offer

Detroit Public Schools offers Spanish, French, German, Chinese, Arabic, Japanese, Russian, Latin, and American Sign Language.

• Elementary and Middle School Global Language Courses – (see page 15 of handbook)
• High School Global Language Courses – Grades 9–12 (see page 18 of handbook)
• Virtual Learning Global Language Courses –  (see page 25 of handbook)

Improving and expanding our instruction

In November 2010, the district bought Global Language textbooks, not only for High School, but also for K-8 for Spanish, and supplementary material. The district also has adopted K-8 Global Language curriculum.

Learning a Global Language through Distance Learning is a new innovative option that has proven to be an effective alternative to traditional teaching and learning. Our goal is to explore other ways to service the needs of all our students.

The Office of Global Languages also provides professional development and support to all Global Language teachers at elementary, middle, and high schools.  The Global Language Supervisor focuses on serving Global Language educators in Detroit Public Schools to develop quality, Standards-Based Curriculum and aligned assessments, as well as provide research-based instructional practices that increase language proficiency and cultural understanding.

Resources for Global Languages

• Global Language Handbook
  • DPS Global Languages Catalog (page 15)
  • Virtual Learning Global Languages Courses (page 25)
  • 21^st Century Global Language Education  (page 7)
  • DPS Office of Global Languages Improvement Plan (page 11)