World Languages
- Standards and Guidelines
- Assessments
- Graduation Requirements
- NYS Seal of Biliteracy
- Professional Learning for the NYS Seal of Biliteracy
- Criteria to Earn the NYSSB
- NYSSB Annual Reports
- NYSSB Culminating Projects, Presentations, and Rubrics
- NYSSB One-Page Briefs for Students and Families in Multiple Languages
- NYSSB School Notification Form
- NYSSB Wakelet
- NYSSB for Colleges and Universities
- NYSSB in Languages with Multiple Varieties
- Criteria to Earn the NYSSB
- NYSSB Culminating Project Notification Form
- Culminating Projects & Presentations (Criteria 1E & 2E)
- NYSSB End-of-Year Data Form
- NYSSB Guidance Toolkit
- NYSSB One-Page Briefs for Stakeholders
- Professional Learning
- Wakelet - Authentic Resource Collections
- 2024-25 Book Studies on The Keys to Strategies for Language Instruction: Engagement, Relevance, Critical Thinking, Collaboration
- 2024-25 Facilitator Book Study on Words and Actions: Teaching Languages Through the Lens of Social Justice
- Creating a Proficiency Mindset in your World Language Classroom
- Enhancing Instructional Design: Aligning Your Daily Practice with the Revised Standards
- Checkpoint A Benchmark Proficiency Assessment Item Writing Workshop for Modern Languages
- Checkpoint A Benchmark Proficiency Assessment Item Writing Workshop for Classical Languages
- Using Authentic Resources for Proficiency Development from Checkpoint A to Checkpoint C
- Classical Language Lesson Planning
- World Language Associations
Standards and Guidelines
In 1986, the 东京热 had adopted Modern Languages for Communication.听 This document was redefined as the NYS Learning Standards for Languages Other Than English (LOTE) as part of the NYS Compact for Learning initiative in 1996. These 1996 standards will remain in effect until such time as a district implements the revised NYS Learning Standards for World Languages (2021), but not later than the implementation schedule listed below.听听
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Implementation Timeline for Revised Standards
Districts with secondary (middle and high school) world language programs may implement the revised NYS Learning Standards for World Languages (2021) as early as they would like, however, all districts must implement these revised standards by no later than indicated by the following schedule:
Implementation of the revised standards (course curricula, instruction, and assessments aligned to the revise standards) must occur by no later than: | Grade level |
September 1, 2023 | 7th |
September 1, 2024 | 8th |
September 1, 2025 | 9th |
September 1, 2026 | 10th |
September 1, 2027 | 11th |
September 1, 2028 | 12th |
Districts with elementary world language programs may implement the revised standards as early as they would like,听however, these revised standards must be implemented in any elementary world language programs by September 1, 2023 for听the first year world language is offered.听 In each subsequent year, the revised standards will be implemented (course curricula, instruction, and assessments aligned to the revise standards) in the next grade level in which world languages is offered, and so forth, and so on, until the revised听standards are implemented in all grade levels Pre-K - 12th.
FAQ - Commonly asked questions regarding LOTE requirements, programs and credits.听 (Please note:听 This document is revised periodically as new guidance is developed.)
The Board of Regents adopted the revised New York State Learning Standards for Languages Other Than English (LOTE) on Monday, March 15, 2021.听 The revisions align the standards with both the World-Readiness Standards for Learning Languages and high-leverage practices and update them to represent what students should know and be able to do in the languages and cultures which they study. The Board of Regents also adopted a regulation changes to rename the learning standards from LOTE to 鈥淲orld Languages鈥 at their July 2021 meeting following a public comment on the proposed changes.
The New York State Learning Standards for LOTE are divided into two language groups: Modern Languages and Classical Languages. Modern languages include any language that has living, native speakers. Modern languages are contrasted with Classical languages, which include Latin, ancient Greek, ancient Hebrew, and other languages from earlier time periods in human history.听 These updated learning standards for both Modern and Classical Languages are organized into two anchor standards: Communication and Cultures. The Communication Anchor Standard for all languages is broken down into three Standards鈥攐ne for each mode of communication (Interpretive, Interpersonal, Presentational).听 The Cultures Anchor Standard is broken down into two Standards: the听Relating Cultural Practices and Products to Perspectives听standard and the听Cultural Comparisons听standard.
Unlike the standards of other disciplines, the NYS Learning Standards for World Languages are not grade-banded, but instead are grouped into three proficiency ranges that correspond to the World Language Checkpoints (A, B, C) that reflect levels of achievement students must reach, generally over the course of two years of study each.听 Students meet the standards by demonstrating proficiency at the levels consistent with the lower end of the range for each Checkpoint. This demonstration of proficiency generally occurs by the end of 8th grade for Checkpoint A, by the end of 10th grade for Checkpoint B, and by the end of 12th grade for Checkpoint C.
NYS Learning Standards for World Languages (Modern and Classical) (2021)
Crosswalk - LOTE (1996) to WL Standards (2021)
Crosswalk - NYS WL Standards (2021) and Next Generation ELA Standards (2017)听
Crosswalk - NYS WL Standards (2021) and the World-Readiness Standards for Learning Languages (2015)
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Proficiency Ranges & Performance Indicators (2021)
The performance indicator documents are available in two formats 鈥 letter size (8.5 x 11) and tabloid size (11 x 17).听 Category 1-2 modern languages are those that use a Roman-based alphabet.听 Category 3-4 modern languages are those that use a non-Roman-based alphabet (i.e., Arabic, Hebrew, Greek, Russian), those that are character-based (i.e., Japanese, Korean, Mandarin), and indigenous languages (i.e., Seneca, Tuscarora).听 There is also a one-page summary document for the performance indicators for each category of languages.
Languages | Letter-sized document (8.5 x 11) | Tabloid-sized document (11 x 17) |
One-page summary (11 x 17) |
Modern Languages - Category 1-2 | Click here to download | Click here to download | Click here to download |
Modern Languages - Category 3-4 | Click here to download | Click here to download | Click here to download |
Classical Languages | Click here to download | Click here to download | Click here to download |
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Quick Reference Guide for the NYS Learning Standards for World Languages
Countdown to the Launch of the Revised NYS Learning Standards for World Languages
Standards icons (Word document)
Pre-, During, and Post- Strategies for Interpreting Authentic Resources
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Assessment Guidance
Principles and Guidelines for Adopting or Creating Locally Developed Benchmark Assessments for Checkpoint A - Modern Languages听 听 (This guidance听is designed for teachers of modern languages, other than American Sign Language.听 We are currently working on the development of both a guidance document and a webinar that specifically focuses on guidelines for Checkpoint A Benchmark Assessments in American Sign Language.)听 The above guidance document will be presented at the following webinar:听听Principles and Guidelines for Adopting or Creating Locally Developed Benchmark Assessments for Checkpoint A (Modern Languages)听by Dr. Joanne O鈥橳oole, Bill Heller, and Dr. Lori Langer de Ramirez (January 23, 2024, 4:00-5:00 pm via Zoom).听 Please consider registering.
Writing Quality Assessment Items for Interpretive, Interpersonal, and Presentational Communication
At-a-Glance Documents for Modern Languages (Category 1-2)
- How to Read the NYS Modern Language Standards
- Interpretive Communication听(Letter-size, 8.5 x 11)听 (Poster, 11 x 17)
- Interpersonal Communication (Letter-size, 8.5 x 11)听 (Poster, 11 x 17)
- Presentational Communication听(Letter-size, 8.5 x 11)听 (Poster, 11 x 17)
At-a-Glance Documents for Modern Languages (Category 3-4)
- How to Read the NYS Modern Language Standards
- Interpretive Communication (Letter-size, 8.5 x 11)听 (Poster, 11 x 17)
- Interpersonal Communication (Letter-size, 8.5 x 11)听 (Poster, 11 x 17)
- Presentational Communication听(Letter-size, 8.5 x 11)听 (Poster, 11 x 17)
At-a-Glance Documents for Classical Languages
- How to Read the NYS Classical Language Standards
- Interpretive Communication听(Letter-size, 8.5 x 11)听 (Poster, 11 x 17)
- Presentational Communication听(Letter-size, 8.5 x 11)听 (Poster, 11 x 17)
- Interpersonal Communication (Letter-size, 8.5 x 11)听 (Poster, 11 x 17)
Lesson Planning Guidance
Language Functions Reference Sheet
- Category 1-2 Languages (e.g., French, German, Italian, Spanish)
- Category 3-4 Languages (e.g., Greek, Korean, Mandarin, Russian, Indigenous Languages)
- Classical Languages听
Unit Planning Guidance
- Category 1-2 Languages (e.g., French, German, Italian, Spanish)
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Category 3-4 Languages (e.g., Greek, Korean, Mandarin, Russian, Indigenous Languages)
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Classical Languages听
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Unit and Curriculum Audit Documents
- Unit Audit (sample)
- Unit Audit Template (blank)
- Curriculum Audit Template - Modern Languages (blank)
- Curriculum Audit Template - Classical Languages (blank)
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Unit Plan Exemplars
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Unit Plan Exemplar (Checkpoint B - Problems, Problems, Problems)
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Unit Plan Exemplar (Checkpoint B - From Generation to Generation)
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Unit Plan Exemplar (Checkpoint C - Flavors of Latin America)
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Rubrics for Modern Languages
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Rubrics for Classical Languages
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Administrator Reference Guide
The听Administrator Reference Guide to the Revised NYS Learning Standards for World Languages (2021) - Modern Languages听is a three-part series of听one-page guides detailing and illustrating key information about the revised world language learning standards and related concepts and offering administrators practical recommendations for supporting world language educators as they shift their instruction. The guides are sequenced to correspond with the phases of the standards implementation process. Part 1 of 3, 鈥淧lanning for Implementation鈥, provides a brief overview of the standards, an implementation timeline, and recommendations for supporting professional learning and the standards implementation process. Part 2 of 3, 鈥淪tandards in Action鈥, further illustrates the standards and describes what language proficiency looks like at each of the three proficiency Checkpoints. This information will enhance administrators鈥 ability to understand what they are viewing when observing in a world language classroom or what world language educators are saying when they discuss their practice. The Part 2 documents are available for both Modern and Classical languages.听 Part 3 of 3, "Interpreting Standards-Based World Language Teaching, is a set of world language-specific observable criteria that can be used as a complement to locally-adopted teacher evaluation rubrics.听 Two versions of this Part 3 document are provided below, one for NYSUT correlations and the other for Danielson correlations.听 To facilitate their use, each criterion on these Part 3 documents is cross-referenced to the aforementioned commonly-used APPR rubrics.听听Individual sections can also be downloaded separately using the links listed below.
- Administrator Reference Guide - Part 1:听 Preparing to Implement the revised World Language Standards
- Administrator Reference Guide - Part 2:听 The Standards in Action (Modern Languages)
- Administrator Reference Guide - Part 2:听 The Standards in Action (Classical Languages)
- Administrator Reference Guide - Part 3:听 Interpreting Standards-Based World Language Teaching (Modern Languages - NYSUT Correlations)
- Administrator Reference Guide - Part 3:听 Interpreting Standards-Based World Language Teaching (Modern Languages - Danielson Correlations)
Unit Plan Exemplar Development Program
The NYS World Language Standards and Professional Learning Initiative has been conducting a Unit Plan Exemplar Development Program for World Languages.听 Currently there are a number of NYS world language educators who are working with our office to develop unit plan exemplars for Checkpoint A that are aligned to the revised NYS Learning Standards for World Languages.听 Unit plans that result from this process will be reviewed and vetted by OBEWL and then posted on our website for teachers to use as they begin to review their curricular.听 A Unit Plan Exemplar program will begin for Checkpoint B in the fall of 2023 and for Checkpoint C in the fall of 2024.
Educators who successfully complete the program (attend all meetings and submit a unit plan aligned to the revised standards) will be paid a fixed stipend of $225 for work completed outside of the regular school day and CTLE credit hours for the meetings attended.
The implementation of the revised NYS Learning Standards for World Languages is divided into three phases:
Phases | Activities |
听Phase I - Raising Awareness and Building Capacity Adoption 鈥 Aug. 2023 |
Roll-out and building awareness of the revised standards and timeline for implementation; professional learning opportunities to prepare schools to transition to the revised standards |
听Phase II 鈥 Gradual Implementation and Building Capacity Sept. 2023 鈥 Aug. 2028 |
Focus on curriculum development, resource acquisition, professional learning |
Phase III 鈥 Full Implementation and Sustainability Sept. 2028 and on听 |
All P-12 World Language courses will be aligned with NYS Learning Standards for World Languages (as renamed from LOTE); New York State Seal of Biliteracy programs will be aligned with the revised standards |
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Implementation Timeline
Districts with secondary (middle and high school) world language programs may implement the revised NYS Learning Standards for World Languages (2021)听as early as they would like,听however, all districts听must听implement these revised standards by no later than indicated by the following schedule:
Implementation of the revised standards (course curricula, instruction, and assessments aligned to the revise standards) must occur by no later than:听 |
Grade level |
September 1, 2023 | 7th |
September 1, 2024 | 8th |
September 1, 2025 | 9th |
September 1, 2026 | 10th |
September 1, 2027 | 11th |
September 1, 2028 | 12th |
Districts with elementary world language programs may implement the revised standards听as early as they would like,听however, these revised standards must be implemented in any elementary world language programs by September 1, 2023 for听the first year world language is offered.听 In each subsequent year, the revised standards will be implemented (course curricula, instruction, and assessments aligned to the revise standards) in the next grade level in which world languages is offered, and so forth, and so on, until the revised听standards are implemented in all grade levels Pre-K - 12th.
The regulation changes regarding the name change from LOTE to World Languages adopted by the NYS Board of Regents at their July 2021 meeting include:
- Renaming the standards to 鈥淣ew York State Standards for World Languages,鈥 which amends Commissioner鈥檚 regulations to replace the term 鈥渓anguages other than English鈥 with 鈥渨orld languages鈥 in reference to the learning standards, pathway assessment, and course credit;听
- Renaming teaching certificate titles, as well as certification and teacher preparation program coursework requirements from 鈥渓anguage(s) other than English鈥 to 鈥渨orld language(s) other than English,鈥 and the tenure title of 鈥淔oreign Languages鈥 to 鈥淲orld Languages鈥;听
- Amending references to the term 鈥渇oreign languages鈥 throughout Commissioner鈥檚 regulations to read 鈥渨orld languages鈥 or 鈥渨orld languages other than English,鈥 as applicable; and
- Clarifying that teachers currently in the foreign languages tenure area would now be in the world languages tenure area, and any prior service in the foreign languages tenure area is included toward service in the renamed world languages tenure area.
The Department established the World Language Leadership Team (now called the World Language Content Advisory Panel), consisting of 20 leaders and experts in the fields of language acquisition and world language teacher preparation, in 2018 to assist in the standards revision process.听 The Department developed the proposed revisions to the NYS LOTE Standards in partnership with numerous stakeholders, including the World Language Content Advisory Panel and ten Standards Review Committees made up of seven regional committees and three Language-Specific Committees (American Sign Language, Classical Languages, and Indigenous Languages) with over 200 members.听 Care was taken to ensure participation by representatives of all regions of New York State, as well as key stakeholder groups, including teachers and administrators, experts in the field, parents and students, higher education faculty, BOCES and Regional Bilingual 东京热 Resource Network (RBERN) staff, Big 5 school districts, and members of various professional organizations, including the New York State United Teachers (NYSUT), the New York State Association of Foreign Language Teachers (NYSAFLT), the New York State Association of World Language Administrators (NYSAWLA), and the New York State Association for Bilingual 东京热 (NYSABE).
Feedback Process
The Department released the proposed standards revisions to the public in February 2020, along with a survey that gathered feedback from more than 1,100 individual stakeholders across New York State.听 The vast majority of respondents expressed strong support for all proposed revisions. Of the responses received, 94 percent indicated that they either moderately or strongly supported the revised standards overall, with 93 percent specifically supporting the name change.
World Languages Needs Assessment Survey Results Report
The World Languages Needs Assessment Survey Results Report describes feedback from educators across the state on their specific needs as schools plan to transition to a revised set of standards in world languages.听 The report consists of an Executive Summary followed by each survey question.听 The Executive Summary contains four sections:听 the responses, the results, the feedback, and the analysis and next steps moving forward.听 Each question from the survey is then listed, followed by a graph illustrating the data and/or a table showing the breakdown of responses.听 A number of questions allowed for additional comments, the most representative of which are reprinted in this report.听 In Appendix A, the responses to Question #6 (Which of the following statements best reflects your current knowledge of the revised standards and your comfort level with the shifts they will require?) are disaggregated for deeper analysis.听 Please address any questions regarding this report to Candace Black, candace.black@nysed.gov, (518) 473-7505.