The World Languages team provides curriculum support and instructional resources for K-12 language programs, including Spanish, French, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, Italian, Chinese, Japanese, German, American Sign Language and more. We promote language acquisition and cultural appreciation through the implementation of best practices and high-quality teaching. Our goal is to prepare students to be multilingual, globally competent citizens. As part of this mission, we support and promote the Seal of Biliteracy, a prestigious recognition awarded to students who demonstrate proficiency in English and at least one additional language. This distinction highlights their bilingual skills and global readiness, and it is proudly noted on their diploma and transcript upon graduation.
Bilingual School Organization (BISO)
BISO schools offer a school-wide dual language program model. This program serves those students who are especially interested in developing their bilingual and bi-literate proficiency in English and one other language. BISO schools follow an instructional schedule where 60% of the day is devoted to instruction in or through English and 40% of the day is devoted to instruction in or through the language other than English. The time for instruction in the several areas of study follows the norms established for all elementary schools with the addition of sixty minutes daily for language arts in the language other than English. Instruction in the curriculum content areas is delivered in or through both languages. Upper academy students at K-8 Centers and middle school students pursue language and literature courses in the language of choice and take an additional course of Humanities instructed in the language-other than-English. The Program offers sections of English/Spanish, English/French, and English/Portuguese.
The EFL program offers a school within a school approach to dual language education. The goal of the program is offer students the opportunity to become proficient in speaking, reading, and writing in English and one other language. At the elementary level the program is designed for a group of students at each grade level who after participation in the program for one school year are automatically enrolled in the subsequent grade level. The time for instruction in the several areas of study follows the norms established for all elementary schools with the addition of sixty minutes daily for language arts in the language other than English.
Extended Foreign Language (EFL)
International Studies (IS)
The International Studies (IS) program is the result of the collaborative efforts between Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) and the education ministries of France, Germany, Italy and Spain. Students pursue an academic curriculum with an international focus that addresses rigorous standards of both US and European Union (EU) educational systems. At the elementary level the program is delivered in an extended day model. In addition to the study of standard subject areas in English, students receive up to three hours of instruction in the language of choice, French, German, Italian or Spanish. Students acquire language mastery as they study language arts, mathematics, social science, and science in the target language, working at a level commensurate with that of their peers in Europe. At the secondary level students pursue studies in literature, mathematics, and the social sciences in the target language and are encouraged to work at the highest levels in Honors and Advanced Placement (AP) courses in English. This program offers students the opportunity to receive dual recognition of their studies.
Elementary World Language Spanish is a required subject and is designed to help students become functionally literate in Spanish focusing on a differentiated instructional approach to be able to meet the varied language levels of the native and non- native speakers of the language. The program provides for the systematic development of language learning in all areas: listening, speaking, reading, and writing, while raising awareness and understanding of the cultures in which that language is spoken.