Understanding Proficiency-Based Learning
In the World Language Department, our guiding principle is proficiency. Unlike traditional models that focus on how much a student knows about grammar rules or vocabulary lists, a proficiency-based model focuses on what a student can actually do with the language in spontaneous, real-world situations. We assess students based on their ability to communicate in three modes: Interpretive (reading and listening), Interpersonal (spontaneous speaking and writing with others), and Presentational (prepared speaking and writing). Our goal is to move students along a spectrum of functional ability, preparing them for the global workplace and the Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy.
The Proficiency Levels: What can I do?
We use the national ACTFL scale to describe student progress. Think of these levels as a journey from “words” to “paragraphs.”
- Novice (The “Word” Level): Novices are like “parrots.” They communicate using memorized words, phrases, and simple formulas. They can identify basic information in a text and introduce themselves.
- Intermediate (The “Sentence” Level): Intermediates are “survivors.” They can create with the language to talk about their daily lives. They can ask and answer questions, handle simple transactions (like ordering in a restaurant), and string sentences together to express original thoughts.
- Advanced (The “Paragraph” Level): Advanced learners are “storytellers.” They can narrate and describe in the past, present, and future time frames. They can speak and write in organized paragraphs, handle unexpected complications in conversation, and discuss topics beyond their immediate circle, such as current events or history.
The Sub-levels: Low, Mid, and High
Within each of the levels above, students progress through three stages:
- Low: The student is “dipping their toes” into a new level. They can perform the tasks of that level some of the time, but they often fall back into the level below when they get tired or the topic gets difficult.
- Mid: The student is “solid.” They can perform the tasks of that level consistently and with confidence in most situations.
- High: The student is “pushing the ceiling.” They are beginning to show glimpses of the next level up, but they can’t quite sustain it for a long period of time.
Level 1 (Spanish, French, Italian)
Target Proficiency Level: Novice Mid
This introductory course focuses on developing the foundational skills of language acquisition: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Using a communicative approach, students are immersed in the target language to begin building functional proficiency in everyday, practical situations. Students will explore basic cultural products and practices from the regions where the language is spoken, fostering an early appreciation for global diversity. By the end of this course, students will be able to communicate basic information about themselves, their families, and their daily lives using memorized words, phrases, and simple sentences in predictable contexts.
Level 2 (Spanish, French, Italian)
Target Proficiency Level: Novice High
Building upon the foundation of Level I, this course expands students’ vocabulary and understanding of grammatical structures to facilitate more authentic communication. Students will engage with simplified authentic texts and audio, practicing their reading and listening comprehension. Cultural exploration becomes more comparative, encouraging students to recognize the relationship between the practices and perspectives of the target cultures and their own. By the end of this course, students will be able to handle short, everyday social interactions, ask and answer simple questions, and express their basic needs and preferences using connected sentences.
Prerequisite: Passing grade (65+) in Level I of the same language.
Level 3 (Spanish, French, Italian)
Target Proficiency Level: Intermediate Low
In Level III, the focus shifts to “creating with language.” Students move beyond memorized phrases and begin to combine strings of sentences to express their own original thoughts and opinions. The course emphasizes conversational speaking and spontaneous writing, alongside the interpretation of authentic cultural materials such as short stories, news clips, and music. Students will deepen their intercultural competence by discussing how historical and contemporary events shape the cultures of the target language. By the end of this course, students will be able to maintain simple conversations, request information, and write about familiar topics using a variety of time frames with emerging accuracy.
Prerequisite: Passing grade (65+) in Level 2 of the same language.
Level 4 (Spanish, French, Italian)
Target Proficiency Level: Intermediate Mid
This course is designed to solidify students’ conversational and presentational skills, allowing them to communicate with greater ease and confidence. Students will engage in more complex listening and reading tasks, analyzing authentic media and literature. Class discussions and writing assignments will focus on expanding vocabulary and improving paragraph-level discourse, while continuing to investigate the rich cultural identities, arts, and social issues of the target language regions. By the end of this course, students will be able to sustain interactions on a variety of familiar and community-based topics, and write well-organized paragraphs that narrate and describe in the past, present, and future time frames.
Prerequisite: A grade of C- or higher (70+) in Level 3 of the same language.
Level 4 Honors (Pre-AP) (Spanish, French, Italian)
Target Proficiency Level: Intermediate Mid / Intermediate High
This rigorous course is designed for students intending to pursue AP-level language study. It introduces the six thematic units of the AP framework (Families and Communities, Language and Culture, Art and Creativity, Science and Technology, Contemporary Life, and Global Contexts) as a vehicle for language acquisition. Students will engage intensively with authentic audio and written texts to refine their interpretive skills. Speaking and writing tasks will mirror AP-style assessments, demanding a higher level of grammatical accuracy, broader vocabulary, and deeper intercultural understanding. By the end of this course, students will be able to navigate unexpected complications in conversation, express nuanced opinions on global topics, and produce detailed, connected discourse across all time frames.
Prerequisite: A grade of A- or higher (90+) in Level 3 of the same language, or recommendation of your current language teacher.
Level 5 Honors (Spanish, French, Italian)
Target Proficiency Level: Intermediate High
Level V Honors offers an advanced exploration of language and culture for students who wish to achieve a high degree of communicative competence outside of the AP track. Students will refine their reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills through the study of literature, film, current events, and history. The course emphasizes debate, discussion, and presentational speaking, requiring students to engage thoughtfully with the cultural perspectives of the target language communities. By the end of this course, students will be able to converse and write with ease on a wide variety of topics, supporting their opinions with cultural evidence and narrating fully in all major time frames.
Prerequisite: A grade of B- or higher (80+) in Level 4 of the same language, or a grade of C- or higher (70+) in level 4 Honors (Pre-AP) of the same language.
AP Language and Culture (Spanish, French, Italian)
Target Proficiency Level: Intermediate High / Advanced Low
This college-level course provides an intensive immersion into the language and culture, structured strictly around the six AP global themes. Students will critically analyze complex authentic materials, including podcasts, journalistic articles, and literature. Preparing for the updated AP exam format, students will dedicate significant time to project-based language tasks, including designing and delivering comprehensive Project Presentations and engaging in spontaneous Project Q&A sessions. Students will also master the skill of synthesizing diverse sources to write cohesive Argumentative Essays, all while demonstrating a profound understanding of the target cultures. By the end of this course, students will be able to communicate effectively and spontaneously in most informal and formal settings, construct well-reasoned arguments, and present detailed, culturally-informed projects exclusively in the target language.
Prerequisites: A grade of B- or higher (80+) in Level 4 Honors (Pre-AP) of the same language. See the section “Advanced Placement” under Academic Expectations for additional details.
AP Spanish Literature and Culture
Target Proficiency Level: Advanced Mid
Designed for students who have successfully completed the AP Spanish Language and Culture course, this college-level course shifts the focus from communicative functionalism to critical literary analysis. Conducted entirely in Spanish, students will explore the required reading list of 38 seminal texts spanning from the medieval period to the present day across the Spanish-speaking world. The curriculum is organized around six central themes—such as The Construction of Gender, Time and Space, and Interpersonal Relationships—allowing students to examine the historical, sociopolitical, and artistic contexts that shaped these works. Students will refine their ability to analyze poetic and prose structures, compare literary texts to other artistic media, and engage in high-level academic debate and argumentative writing. By the end of this course, students will be able to interpret and analyze complex, unabridged literary texts, articulate sophisticated arguments regarding authors’ perspectives and stylistic choices, and discuss the evolution of literary movements and cultural identities across centuries of Hispanic history.
Prerequisite: A grade of B- or higher (80+) in AP Spanish Language and Culture.