A World of Opportunity

There are endless benefits to learning a second language and culture. Students who study a second language increase their global awareness and understanding, improve literacy in their native language, are better prepared for college, have more employment opportunities, and have a greater appreciation for the arts.

Learning a second language and the culture associated with that language leads to an increase in our students' global awareness and understanding. A second language offers our students more opportunities in the marketplace as more employers are in need of bilingual candidates. It also improves literacy in students' native language. 

Students who learn a second language are better prepared for colleges and universities that may require foreign language experience. 

Elementary Programs

Language learning is maximized when started at early ages; if young students are exposed to world language instruction, they will have a greater potential of achieving proficiency in the chosen language and culture. The World Languages Office encourages elementary campuses to offer world language study when possible.

For more information on the vision of World Language instruction and for details on curriculum instruction and assessment, please contact the Austin ISD Multilingual Education Team through Austin ISD Let’s Talk.

Secondary programs

Roughly 140 world language teachers in Austin ISD deliver curriculum and instruction to support 9 languages across 32 campuses.

• American Sign Language (ASL)
• Mandarin Chinese
• French
• German
• Japanese
• Korean
• Latin
• Spanish
• Vietnamese

Austin ISD students may begin earning world languages high school credits in middle school. It is important for both middle school families and students to understand that language courses at this level are taught using the high school curriculum and thus students are expected to understand at the same high level. 

Students who begin language learning in middle school are able to continue their studies in high school, culminating in or going beyond Advanced Placement Spanish Literature and Culture or a rigorous course in another language taught at the advanced proficiency level. Students may also choose to pursue a third world language.

Students who enroll in advanced placement courses for languages will take the College Board AP exam at the end of the year, which could result in college credit depending on the score received on the exam. Regardless of the exam score, students in advanced placement courses receive consideration by most colleges and universities that value perseverance in a successful completion of such rigorous courses. The languages offered at both middle and high schools vary campus to campus. Campuses can provide more specific information about what languages and levels are offered.

Understanding the LOTE TEKS and Proficiency

“Communication is the overarching goal of world language instruction. Students should be provided ample opportunities to engage in conversations, to present information to an audience, and to interpret culturally authentic materials in the language of study. The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) identifies three modes of communication: interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational.”

Texas Administrative Code 

High School LOTE TEKS for all language levels

The TEKS follow the proficiency levels from the American Council for the Teaching of Foreign languages. Proficiency is what one can do with the language in real-world situations, in a spontaneous interaction, and non-rehearsed context. Because the classroom is the space in which students learn and practice, we talk about performance. Assessments of performance and proficiency differ in that the former follows what was covered during instruction whereas the latter covers a broader context. As a result, a learner demonstrating a performance level may not demonstrate the same level on a proficiency assessment.

The proficiency scale below illustrates all the different levels that a language user can achieve.

Here is a description of the proficiency levels expected for each of the first four levels of instruction.

Graduation Goals & Beyond:

Continuing your language learning journey for at least 4 years can earn you College credit via:

• The AP exam
• The IB exam
• The Global Seal of Biliteracy