Department of World Languages
New York State requires all students to earn 1 Unit of Credit in a world language to graduate. This can be completed in middle school or one world language class after entering the ninth grade.
Regents Diploma with Advanced Designation World Language Requirement: Students must earn three units of credit in a language other than English and pass the local Checkpoint B examination in that language. This can be done after completing checkpoint A in middle school or high school then by completing B1 and B2 French or Spanish and taking the locally developed Checkpoint B exam.
Students completing a five-unit sequence in career and technical education or the arts (visual arts, music, dance, and theater) are not required to complete the additional two units of the world language requirement for the Regents diploma with advanced designation but must still meet the Regents requirements for the total number of units of credit.
College-bound students should have at least 2-3 foreign world language credits on their high school transcripts, depending on the college and the program of study.
World language department offerings are named in terms of the state-required checkpoints. Vocabulary for all courses are described based on the 15 topics outlined by the NYS Standards.
- Level A1 will complete the Checkpoint A in one year and take a local final.
- Level A2 will complete the second half of Checkpoint A in one year and take a local final.
- Level A accelerated course that will complete all of Checkpoint A one year.
- Level B1 will complete the first half of Checkpoint B in one year and take a local final.
- Level B2 will complete the second half of Checkpoint B in one year and take the local Regents complete the Checkpoint B exam.
- Level C1 will complete the first half of Checkpoint C in one year and take a local final. College credit is available.
- Level C2 will complete the second half of Checkpoint C in one year and take a local final. College credit is available.
NYS Seal of Biliteracy
Seal of Biliteracy Interest Form 2023
The NYSSB recognizes high school graduates who have attained a high level of proficiency in English and one or more world languages. The intent of the NYSSB is to encourage the study of languages, to identify high school graduates with language and biliteracy skills for employers, to provide universities with additional information about applicants seeking admission and placement, to prepare students with twenty-first century skills, to recognize the value of language instruction, and to affirm the value of diversity in a multilingual society. Successful candidates will earn three points in English and three points in each world language from a points matrix, which includes course grades, national and state exams, transcripts, and culminating projects. The NYSSB takes the form of a Seal on the student’s diploma and a medallion worn at graduation.
Students may also earn the seal in languages that are not offered at Valley Central but must be able to show intermediate- high proficiency in a language with a Roman alphabet such as Spanish, French or Italian or an intermediate-mid level of proficiency in languages that do not use a Roman alphabet such as Mandarin Chinese or Ukrainian.
intermediate-high level of proficiency. Please also review the point system used to calculate if a student qualifies for the seal of biliteracy. Please note that there are multiple pathways to earn the seal but most students will be required to present a project to a panel of reviewers to a panel of reviewers.
Contact department chairperson, Daryl Nelson for more information: daryl.nelson@vcsdny.org
FRENCH
FRENCH LEVEL A
I Unit of Credit – NCAA Approved Elective
This is an accelerated course. Students will complete the vocabulary and grammar in all 15 NYS Checkpoint A topics for LOTE. Successful completion of this course will meet the NYS graduation requirement. Students with a 75 average or better and a strong homework ethic can expect a teacher recommendation to French B1 level.
FRENCH LEVEL B1
I Unit of Credit – NCAA Approved Elective
This course is the first half of a two-year track leading to the local Comprehensive Regents examination. Language instruction will provide further and more in-depth study in the areas of personal identification, house & home, family life, community and neighborhood, meal-taking, health & welfare, education, earning a living, sports and leisure, public and private services, shopping, travel & transportation, physical environment, culture and current events. Proper usage of the language is stressed, with a growing emphasis on grammar, writing and speaking. Students with a 75 average or better and a strong homework ethic can expect a teacher recommendation to French B2.
FRENCH LEVEL B2
I Unit of Credit – NCAA Approved Elective
This course is the second half of a two-year track and culminates in the local Comprehensive Regents examination. Language instruction will polish the student’s proficiency in the areas of personal identification, education, earning a living, sports & leisure, health and welfare, meal-taking, family life, community and neighborhood, physical environment, public and private services, shipping, culture and current events. There will be a greater emphasis on the written and spoken language, with more focus on correct grammar and pronunciation. Students must pass both the course and the local Comprehensive Regents examination to receive Regents credit.
FRENCH LEVEL C1
I Unit of Credit – NCAA Approved Elective
Language instruction at this level will emphasize student proficiency in all NYS Theme and topic areas. In addition to review and enhancement of vocabulary, students will be expected to approach mastery of all forms of communication, and culture. Students with paid tuition and a final, unweighted average of C or better may receive college credit for this course. Highly motivated students with an 80 unweighted average or better and a strong work ethic can expect a teacher recommendation to French C2.
SPANISH
SPANISH LEVEL A1
I Unit of Credit
Language instruction will focus on personal identification, education, community and neighborhood, types of jobs, family and home, shopping for food & clothing, sports and leisure, health and welfare, physical environment, culture and current events. Students will practice expressing likes and dislikes, socializing, asking for and offering information. Vocabulary is stressed at this level. Successful completion of this course will fulfill the student’s graduation requirement.
SPANISH LEVEL A2
I Unit of Credit – NCAA Approved Elective
Language instruction will focus on personal identification, community and neighborhood, family events, health and welfare, meal-taking, shopping for clothing & party needs, holidays, public and private services, sports & leisure, physical environment, travel, culture and current events. Students will continue to practice expressing likes and dislikes, socializing, asking for and offering information, and giving opinions. There is an increasing emphasis on grammar at this level. Successful completion of this course will fulfill the student’s graduation requirement. It will not fulfill the NYS LOTE requirement for an Advanced Diploma and most colleges’ requirement of 2-3 years of foreign language study. Students with a 75 average or better and a strong homework ethic can expect a teacher recommendation to continue on to Spanish B1.
SPANISH LEVEL B1
I Unit of Credit – NCAA Approved Elective
This course is the first half of a two-year track leading to the local Comprehensive Regents examination. Language instruction will focus on personal identification, community and neighborhood, sports and leisure, education, health and welfare, meal-taking, family life, travel and transportation, shopping, physical environment, culture and current events. Proper usage of the language is stressed, with a growing emphasis on grammar, writing and speaking. Students with a 75 average or better and a strong homework ethic can expect a teacher recommendation to Spanish B2.
SPANISH LEVEL B2
I Unit of Credit – NCAA Approved Elective
This course is the second half of a two-year track and culminates in the local Comprehensive Regents examination. Language instruction will polish the student’s proficiency in the areas of personal identification, family life, physical environment, meal-taking, health & welfare, education, earning a living, sports & leisure, public & private services, travel, culture and current events. There will be a greater emphasis on the written and spoken language, with more focus on correct grammar and pronunciation. Students must pass both the course and the local Comprehensive Regents examination to receive Regents credit. Highly motivated students who have passed the local Regents and have an 80 average or better and a strong homework ethic can expect a teacher recommendation to Spanish C1.
SPANISH LEVEL C1
I Unit of Credit – NCAA Approved Elective
Language instruction at this level will fine tune students proficiency in all NYS topic areas. In addition to review and enhancement of vocabulary, students will be expected to master all forms of the present, past, future, conditional simple and compound verb tenses in the indicative mood, and will be introduced to the present and past subjunctive. Students with paid tuition and a final, unweighted average of C or better may receive college credit for this course through SUNY Albany. Highly motivated students with an 80 unweighted average or better and a strong homework ethic can expect a teacher recommendation to Spanish C2.
SPANISH LEVEL C2
I Unit of Credit – NCAA Approved Elective
Language instruction at this level will allow for further, detailed study in all NYS topic areas along with an in-depth review and refinement of grammar and intense practice in the skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing in the target language. Though not specifically geared towards the Advanced Placement examination, students may opt to pay for and take this examination in May. Students with paid tuition and a final, unweighted average of C or better may receive college credit for this course through SUNY Albany.
ITALIAN
ITALIAN I
I Unit of Credit – NCAA Approved Elective
High school elective course is geared toward 3rd and 4th language learners. Purpose of the course is to develop communicative skills in Italian. These skills will enable the student to order at a restaurant, talk about food, communicate with friends and relatives about personal interests and daily life, shop, express opinion, give and understand directions to get around town, travel, and talk about the house and home. This course will also focus on the Italian culture, current events, and have a strong emphasis on communication.
This course is an elective and cannot, currently, be used as a NYS LOTE requirement for achieving an Advanced Regents Diploma.
CHINESE
MANDARIN 101 (Evening Online Program)
Offered as an after school program available to 11th and 12th graders interested in learning a 3rd or 4th language. Students will meet twice a week from 6:00-7:30 online. Students that successfully complete this course will earn 3 college credits through Marist.