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The Illinois Learning Standards for World Languages guide learners to develop competence to communicate effectively and interact with cultural competence to participate in multilingual communities at home and around the world. The five “C” goal areas (Communication, Cultures, Connections, Comparisons, and Communities) stress the application of learning a language beyond the instructional setting. The goal is to prepare learners so they can apply the skills and understandings measured by the standards to their future careers and experiences, which will increasingly occur on a global scale.​

News and Updates

Beginning with the freshman class of 2028-29, Illinois will have a two-year World Language graduation requirement. Please review the FAQ document for this upcoming change and email any additional questions to kskinner@isbe.net and emizera@isbe.net​.

Standards

Professional Organizations and Conferences

Some of the following organizations may provide professional development. For more information, please visit the websites below.

Language Endorsements

Ethnic Language Schools/Community Based Heritage Language Schools

An ethnic language school is a part-time private program that teaches the foreign language of a particular ethnic group as well as the culture, geography, history, and other aspects of the culture of that ethnic group.

Each year, an ethnic language school may seek approval from the Multilingual / Language Development Department to show that the language instruction offered is equivalent in content, rigor, etc. to foreign language instruction offered at a public high school. This program provides for that approval under 105 ILCS 5/2-3.44​ in the School Code. The School Code has additional references to ethnic language schools under 105 ILCS 5/2-3.45 and 105 ILCS 5/10-22.43a​. A minimum of 120 hours per student of instruction in language (and culture) is required for this approval.

Applications for the 2024-2025 school year will be accepted from July 1, 2024 until November 1, 2024. Please ensure that a current email address is included on your application as well as a school website, if available. Applications should be sent to Emily Mizera at emizera@isbe.net​​.

World Language Resources

World Languages

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Contact Information