Welcome to choosing your classes for next year! Your Modern Language class is the only subject at BLS where you make a commitment to study a subject for four years. While we do everything we can to give your your first choice, it is not always possible, and you may be assigned your second or third choice--make sure you have a good back-up language, and please make your choice carefully!
Beginning levels of Modern Languages focus on simple communication in the language along with elements of grammar and vocabulary. By the end of their first year, students should be able to converse in the target language about everyday matters, write simple paragraphs, and display knowledge of where the language is spoken throughout the world at the Novice High level. More advanced levels explore literature, history and art along with an intensive study of the language’s structure and composition with the goal of reaching Intermediate Mid to Advanced Low.
All level 1 classes are intended for students who have never studied the language before and start at the very introductory level.
If you have had previous study of one of our languages before coming to BLS, and demonstrate proficiency through written and oral assessments by passing the BLS level 1 final, you will have the option of placing into level 2 of that language. You will still be required to meet the four year graduation requirement, which may mean taking Advanced Placement in your fourth year.
Five years of Chinese, French, German, Italian and Spanish are offered at BLS, when budget and enrollment
allow. Currently, Advanced Placement (college level) courses are offered in Chinese Language, French Language,
German Language, Italian Language, Spanish Language and Spanish Literature. Students will also have the option to qualify for Massachusetts Seal of Biliteracy in their junior or senior year.
Current modern language teachers may be most helpful in answering any questions about specific languages.
All teachers can be contacted via email through
www.bls.org.
More information about how to choose the right language for you can be found on the Modern Foreign Language
page on
www.bls.org under the Modern Foreign Languages tab and then "Why Study this Language". Additional information will be sent out via sixie homerooms.
If you have any questions at all, please contact Program Director Christine Kelley at
ckelley2@bostonpublicschools.org.
Please fill this form out no later than Friday, February 5, 2021. If we do not receive a response from you, you will be placed wherever we have space and will not be allowed to change your language.