Foreign Language Curricula for Elementary Schools
An Annotated Collection

Lori Langer de Ramirez
National Network for Early Language Learning (NNELL)

Note: For an update of this list, please visit Lori Langer de Ramirez's MisCositas site at http://www.miscositas.com/FLES.

Overview

This collection of foreign language curricula currently in use in grades K–8 (one set of curricula in the collection goes through grade 12) was compiled so that teachers and school systems will have a basis for developing their own.

Even though the number of elementary schools across the country offering foreign language classes has been increasing (Rhodes & Branaman, 1999), there are limited curricula available for schools to use or adapt when starting a new language program. This collection is intended to help new programs get started.

These curricula were compiled after a national search for elementary school foreign language curricula conducted in the spring 2003. The search included announcements in NNELL's Learning Languages journal and on the NNELL’s Nandu listserv. This collection will be added to as new curricula become available. If you know of standards-based elementary school foreign language curricula, please write to Lori Langer de Ramirez, ljl17@columbia.edu, so that they can be reviewed and included.

So far most of the available curricula are for teaching Spanish. Two included here are for teaching other languages as well.
To obtain a copy of a particular curriculum in the collection, please contact the contact person given or visit the Web site provided.

Acknowledgments

This compilation is a joint project of the National Network for Early Language Learning (NNELL) and the Center for Applied Linguistics. Its preparation was funded in part by the U.S. Department of Education under contract No. ED-99-CO-0008 for the ERIC Clearinghouse on Languages and Linguistics. The opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the positions or policies of the U.S. Department of Education.

West Des Moines FLES Curriculum

Language	Spanish
Grade Levels	1–6
Summary Description	The West Des Moines FLES program Spanish language curriculum is standards- and content-based. It has been developed to provide an articulated and coordinated approach to the development of communication skills in grades 1–6, and it is designed to complement and enhance the regular classroom curriculum. As students progress in oral language comprehension, reading and writing skills are introduced. The main focus of the curriculum, however, is communication. Beginning with first grade, students learn to communicate in a practical, conversational manner. Partner gap activities have been incorporated to allow for more creativity in the target language. The ultimate goal is to give students the tools necessary to eventually create their own conversations with little or no teacher guidance. Classes are taught almost entirely in Spanish, with a focus on The Natural Approach and Total Physical Response.
Availability	Contacts Lindsey Rice, Department Chair rice1@home.wdm.k12.ia.us Dr. Phyllis Staplin staplinp@home.wdm.k12.ia.us
Cost	$5.00 to cover copying, shipping, and handling
Developers	Lindsey Rice, Tammy Dann, Shelly Power, Jennifer Harper, Allyson Day, Stephanie Mangels, Kimberly Chapman, Brenda Rohr, Daissy Tillapaugh, Dr. Phyllis Staplin (Curriculum Director)
Dates of Development	Ongoing (August 1993–Present)

Howell Township World Language Curriculum

Language	Spanish
Grade Levels	6
Summary Description	In accordance with the World Language mandate in New Jersey, the Howell Township Public Schools started a language program at the elementary school level in 1998. The goals of the program are to provide all students with the opportunity to learn about other languages and cultures and to develop proficiency in a language other than English. The language curriculum is integrated with the township’s sixth grade content curriculum. The Natural Approach is the primary instructional methodology used in the curriculum.
Availability	Contact Rocío Bautista Howell Township Middle School 501 Squankum-Yellowbrook Road Farmingdale, NJ 07727 (732) 919-0095 x8502 rbautista@howell.k12.nj.us
Cost	$3.50 to cover copying, shipping, and handling
Developers	Rocío Bautista, Luzia Froes, Sheila Ghaffari, Amy Passy
Dates of Development	June 2002

Quality Core Curriculum

Language	Spanish, French, German, Japanese, Latin, American Sign Language
Grade Levels	K–5, 6–8
Summary Description	Teachers in the model FLES (foreign languages in elementary schools) program adhere to certain guidelines when planning and conducting their lessons. These guidelines, which informed the creation of this curriculum, include the following: Use the second language 98–100 % of the time Teach around a theme Help students understand the language without translating Provide a language-rich environment that presents vocabulary in context Include meaningful culture in every lesson Reinforce concepts from other classes in the foreign language class Use authentic songs, games, stories, and rhymes Incorporate reading and writing skills Plan varied lessons that appeal to differing interests and learning styles Provide the students with opportunities to talk about topics that are meaningful to them Assess students' progress on a regular basis, using a variety of methods Maintain open communication about the program and about learners’ progress with parents, fellow teachers, school and system administrators, and the general public
Availability	http://www.glc.k12.ga.us; At this site click on “QCC Standards and Resources”; using the pull down menu, select the grade you are interested in and Foreign Languages.
Cost	Free. Can be downloaded from the Internet. A PDF file reader such as Adobe Acrobat is needed.
Developers	Georgia Department of Education
Dates of Development	1995–1996 (revised every four years)

The Joy of Language Learning

Language	Spanish
Grade Levels	PreK–6
Summary Description	The learning strategies in this curriculum emphasize the use of the Spanish language as opposed to study about the language. The objectives of the curriculum are to provide meaningful communication experiences appropriate to each grade level; develop a solid base of Spanish pronunciation; and provide activities that encourage learning through active participation. Instructional strategies and learning activities are culturally based and include the following: reciting, asking and answering questions, repeating, listening, singing, drawing, dancing, observing, playing games, writing, and role playing.
Availability	Contact Neale V-G Turgeon, Msgr. Matthew Clarke School 5074 Tower Hill Road Wakefield, RI 02879 (401) 789-0860 nvgt@juno.com
Cost	$2.60 to cover copying, shipping, and handling
Developers	Neale Turgeon
Dates of Development	July 2002

 

Glastonbury Public Schools Curriculum Guide

Language	Spanish, Chinese, French, Japanese, Russian
Grade Levels	1–6
Summary Description	Topics and materials include Family (Grade 1) Frutas (Grade 2) Animales (Grade 3) Pastimes (Grade 4) Geography of the Americas (Grade 5) Let’s Eat! (Grade 6)
Availability	http://www.foreignlanguage.org/curriculum/Flap/
Cost	Free. Can be downloaded from the Internet. A PDF file reader such as Adobe Acrobat is needed.
Developers	Christy Brown and Glastonbury teachers
Dates of Development	October 2001

 

Farmington Public Schools Spanish Language Curriculum

Language	Spanish
Grade Levels	3–5
Summary Description	Grade 3 Incas, Mayas, and Aztecs in Latin America Designed to be used with a heterogeneous class of students in connection with the third grade Social Studies unit on Native Americans. It can be an interdisciplinary unit with the collaboration of the classroom teacher and/or art teacher. Grade 4 Spanish Influence in Selected Regions of the United States Grade 5 Ordinal Numbers and Art from Spain and Latin America
Availability	Contact Christi Moraga 18 Flood Road Marlborough, CT 06447 (860) 295-9116 fax: (860) 675-4103 Trigal@rcn.com
Cost	No charge
Developers	Christi Moraga and Sabrina Dashefsky
Dates of Development	2002

Springfield Public Schools Foreign Language Curriculum

Language	Chinese, French, Spanish
Grade Levels	K–12
Summary Description	Materials include Foreign Language Curriculum Map (Grades K–5 and 6–12) World Language Learning Outcomes Sequence (Grades K–12) Foreign Language Learning Outcomes (Grades K–5 and 6–12) Foreign Language Assessments: French and Spanish, Listening Comprehension (Grades K–5) Foreign Language Assessments: Spanish, Reading and Writing (Grades K–5) Chinese Curriculum Map (Grades K–12) Chinese Learning Outcomes (Grades 9–12)
Availability	Contact Rita Oleksak, Director of Foreign Languages Springfield Public Schools Springfield, MA 01102-1410 (413) 787-7111
Cost	No charge
Developers	Nancy Mangari, Rita Oleksak, Jane Vivenzio
Dates of Development	1999–2003 (working document)

 

Needham Public Schools Foreign Language Curriculum

Language	Spanish, French
Grade Levels	3-12
Summary Description	Topics and materials include the following: greetings, numbers, colors, shapes, calendar, weather, school, Spain, community, the body, animals, the alphabet; family; food and nutrition; numbers to 1,000; clothing, the Hispanic community, physical descriptions of people; interview questions; South America and the Incas.
Availability	http://cdb.needham.k12.ma.us/index.html
Cost	Free. Can be downloaded from the Internet.
Developers	Debbie Watters and Patricia McNamara, elementary school Spanish teachers
Dates of Development	1992-2003

 

Reference

Rhodes, N. C., & Branaman, L. E. (1999). Foreign language instruction in the United States: A national survey of elementary and secondary schools. Washington, DC, and McHenry, IL: Center for Applied Linguistics and Delta Systems.