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STANDARD 7.2 (CULTURE) Intermediate-Low Learner Range

According to the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL), students who have begun the study of a second language in kindergarten through grade 4 in a program that meets a minimum of 3 times a week for thirty minutes, and continue the study of that language through middle school in a program that meets 5 times a week for forty minutes, should meet the following cumulative progress indicators by the end of grade 8.

Strands with Cumulative Progress Indicators

A. Interpretive Mode (understanding and interpretation of spoken or written communication)

  1. Explain how the attitudes and beliefs (perspectives) of the target culture(s) are reflected in cultural practices.
  2. Investigate how geography and climate influence the lives of people in the target culture(s) country (ies).
  3. Show the relationship between the cultural characteristics found in films or videos to the cultural perspectives of the target culture(s).
  4. Examine tangible products of the target culture(s) and begin to infer why people produce and use them.

B. Interpersonal Mode (direct spoken and written communication)

  1. Use culturally appropriate etiquette in verbal and non-verbal communication in a variety of social situations.
  2. Discuss various elements of age-appropriate, culturally authentic selections and identify how they reflect certain aspects of the target culture.
  3. Demonstrate and discuss in some detail observable patterns of behavior and social conventions of the peer group in the target culture(s) and make comparisons with the U.S.
  4. Discuss the characteristics of the school community in the target culture and compare with those in the U.S.
  5. Describe past and present issues, events, and/or trends from the target culture perspective and the U.S. perspective.

C. Presentational Mode (spoken and written communication for an audience)

  1. Present the results of research showing the extent of diversity in products and practices that exist within the target language/culture(s).
  2. Prepare an analysis showing how expressive products or innovations of the target culture(s) influence the global community.