Curriculum Guide: Foreign Language Department

Curriculum Coordinator: Rebecca Fedorick
Faculty: Danielle Brand, Susan Bransfield, Angela Hyziak, Maria Smith

“If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart.” Nelson Mandela

In the teaching of a modern language, the fundamental purpose is to enable students to communicate with native speakers of that language and to better understand the other culture. A wide variety of resources including internet, literature, songs, and movies are used to foster proficiency and interest in foreign language acquisition.

Currently, all Port Jervis students are required to successfully complete one credit in a foreign language. In order to graduate, students must pass French I or Spanish I in middle school or high school.

We encourage all passing students to continue on to the second year of either Spanish or French and complete a 3-year sequence of Foreign Language study. Students who pass the Level 3 Final Exam have earned a sequence in Foreign Language and are qualified to continue on to Level 4. Students who have a cumulative average of 85 and above at the completion of Level 4, may take college accredited classes offered through SUNY Orange their senior year.