World Languages

The Foreign Language Department helps students develop increased language proficiency and cultural competence as they progress from level to level gaining both linguistic and cultural knowledge. Through the study of other languages, students gain the ability to be productive participants in a multilingual, global society. Foreign language classes help students develop understanding of the structure of language as well as awareness that there are multiple ways of viewing the world. 

The department meets the goals of the New York State curriculum. After successfully completing a 2-year sequence of foreign language at Baldwin Middle School and demonstrating proficiency on the FLACS Checkpoint A assessment, students enter the 9th grade with 1 credit in foreign language and continue their language coursework at level 2. At Baldwin High School, students can take French, Italian or Spanish at the Regents level or Honors level. Students taking  Spanish can also choose to take Spanish at the Native level, which is an honors course. Students taking foreign language at the 3R, 3H or Native B level will take the FLACS Checkpoint B assessment at the end of the year. Students that successfully earn 3 credits in foreign language and demonstrate proficiency on the Checkpoint B exam will have met the language requirement for an Advanced Regents Diploma. Any student wishing to continue their language coursework can continue to take courses at the 4R, 4H, 5R and AP level.