World Languages

Jill Schilling, Director of World Languages, ENL and Bilingual Education 
Alicia Cacace, Secretary

Phone: 631-867-3085

The Lindenhurst Union Free School District is committed to implementing the The World-Readiness Standards for Learning Languages. Our goal is to promote a love of languages and cultures that will create a roadmap to guide learners to develop the competence to communicate effectively and participate in multilingual communities at home and around the world. Our language study program is designed to allow students to meet NYS requirements, take high level coursework (AP and College level) while at the high school, and earn the NYS Seal of Biliteracy.

Our goals for students are:

• To develop skills in the three communication modes that will enable them to interact successfully with the global community
  • Interpretive
  • Interpersonal
  • Presentational
• To develop 21st century skills and experience to foster flexibility, creativity, collaboration and innovation and a lifelong love of learning languages
• To experience and build on the connections between world languages, world cultures, and other academic areas of study
• To develop cultural understandings and connections on a deeper level that will enable them to be global citizens

Students in sixth grade start in our World Language Exploratory program. Students will be introduced to our world languages and the cultures of the people who use these languages. The aim of this course is to promote basic communication skills and appreciation of languages and cultures. At the end of of sixth grade, students will choose a language to study in either:
Spanish, Italian, French, or American Sign Language (ASL).

Students receive a ½ credit in 7th Grade and ½ credit in 8th grade for a total of one unit of credit upon successful completion of the Checkpoint A assessment in grade eight.

At the high school level, the World Language Department offers programs in Spanish, Italian, French, German, and ASL. Students who wish to obtain a Regents Diploma with an Advanced Designation must complete a three-year World Language sequence and pass the Checkpoint B exam.

Students may enroll in world language courses at the Checkpoint C and college level in Spanish, Italian, French and German. In these advanced courses, eligible students have the opportunity to take AP courses in Italian and Spanish.

The Seal of Biliteracy

The New York State Seal of Biliteracy (NYSSB) recognizes high school seniors who have attained a high level of proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in one or more languages, in addition to English.

The intent of the NYSSB is to encourage the study of languages; identify high school graduates with language and biliteracy skills for employers; provide universities with additional information about applicants seeking admission; prepare students with twenty-first century skills; recognize the value of foreign and native language instruction in schools; and affirm the value of diversity in a multilingual society.

Lindenhurst seniors have proudly earned the Seal of Biliteracy in multiple languages for more than five years.