Foreign Language 7

Foreign languages in grade seven are called “exploratory” because students pursue the study of two foreign languages during the course of the academic year. Shaker Junior High School foreign language department offers students the opportunity to study German, Russian, French, or Spanish. Students are guaranteed their first foreign language choice while the second language is assigned. Those students identified by school personnel, who experience difficulty in language acquisition will be scheduled for one language, either Spanish or French, for the entire year.

Foreign Language 8

The NYS graduation requirements mandate that all students (except those exempted by the Committee on Special Education) study for two years of a foreign language and pass the Proficiency examination at the end of eighth grade. If a student fails to pass the proficiency examination, he/she will have to pass a high school Regents level foreign language course at the end of ninth grade. To enable students to meet the NYS graduation requirements there are basically two programs available, the Regents level courses in four languages and the General program in two languages. Students who have completed the seventh grade foreign language program may elect the eighth grade Regents program in French I, Russian I, German I, Spanish I, or the General program in Spanish or French. Please note that since these courses earn a high school credit, the attendance policy in effect at the high school applies to these courses as well. In effect, a student may be denied course credit based on poor attendance. Refer to the junior high school student handbook for an explanation of the policy.

A Note of Caution:
German IR and Russian IR (Regents) are offered in eighth grade only. Therefore, a student failing either of these two courses in eighth grade will be required to begin study of a different foreign language in ninth grade in order to fulfill the foreign language requirements. In the other foreign languages, French and Spanish, students have the option of repeating the level one course if necessary. General Regents (G) indicates that a student is enrolled in a Regents level program where the expected range of achievement is between 65-85. Regents (R) indicates that a student is enrolled in a Regents level program where the expected range of achievement is between 75-100. Students pursuing an Advanced Regents diploma via the foreign language option must complete three years of study in foreign language with passage of the Regents examination.