World Language
![MHS Italian Exchange]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1749655078/mps02155org/ymtlqrw92l6we7sw6sce/Italianstudentexchange.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1749655078/mps02155org/ymtlqrw92l6we7sw6sce/Italianstudentexchange.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1749655078/mps02155org/ymtlqrw92l6we7sw6sce/Italianstudentexchange.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1749655078/mps02155org/ymtlqrw92l6we7sw6sce/Italianstudentexchange.jpg","width":940}])
We are doing an exchange with Italian students in the 2025-2026 school year!
Italian students will be in Medford from October 17-24 and MHS Students will be in Italy from April 16-25.
Mission & Vision
Our Mission: To develop multilingual learners who honor their heritage, pursue lifelong learning, and contribute to a respectful, equitable, and inclusive world.
Our Vision: A globally minded student who communicates with empathy, values cultural diversity, explores the world with curiosity, and forms meaningful connections among cultures.
MPS World Language Offerings
French is the second most widely learned World Language after English, and the fifth most widely spoken language in the world. More than 300 million people speak French on the five continents.
Italian ranks as the fourth most studied language in US colleges and high schools and it is spoken by 60 million people around the world. It is the language most linked to the world of art and culture and has influence in major areas such as painting arts, architecture, literature and music.
Spanish is the second most spoken language in the world, you will be able to communicate with over 500 million people all around the world. There are over 400 million native Spanish speakers. Speaking Spanish will open the door to a rich and historically important culture. An increasing number of employers prefer to hire individuals who can speak Spanish fluently.
Proficiency Targets
The curriculum of the World Languages Department is aligned with both the Curriculum Massachusetts Frameworks and the National Standards in Foreign Languages. The World Languages Department uses a proficiency-based approach to give our students access to both the language and culture of the languages we offer.
Students work to build proficiency in the three modes of communication: interpretive (listening and reading), interpersonal (speaking and writing) and presentational (writing and speaking). Our courses are aligned with proficiency targets as indicated on the chart below* It is the goal of our program that, after completing six consecutive years of World Languages (two in Middle School and four in High School), all of our students reach the Intermediate High level of proficiency on the ACTFL proficiency in all three modes of communication and four language skills.
Students in level 5 have the opportunity to take the course as a College Prep, Honor or Advanced Placement. Students with prior experience in the languages offered by Medford have the opportunity to take a placement test to determine their approximate performance level and will be placed in the appropriate course based on proficiency targets.
| Middle School | Proficiency Target |
| Grade 6 |
Novice Mid (1) - students will be able to minimally show their ability to understand and use words, phrases, and formulaic language that has been practiced and memorized |
| Grade 7 | Novice Mid (2) - students will be able to minimally show their ability to understand and use words, phrases, and formulaic language that has been practiced and memorized |
| Grade 8 | Novice High - students will be able to minimally show their ability to understand and use words, phrases, and formulaic language that has been highly practiced and memorized |
| High School | Proficiency Target |
| Level 1 | Novice High - students will be able to minimally show their ability to understand and use words, phrases, and formulaic language that has been highly practiced and memorized |
| Level 2 | Intermediate Low - students will be able to express themselves and understand familiar topics of everyday life using sentences and series of sentences |
| Level 3 CP/H | Intermediate Mid (1) - students will be able to express themselves and understand familiar topics of everyday life, asking and answering questions, using language to express their thoughts and using a series of sentences or more complex sentences |
| Level 4 CP/H | Intermediate Mid (2) - students will be able to express themselves and understand familiar topics of everyday life, asking and answering original questions, creating with language to express their thoughts on a variety of familiar topics and using a series of sentences or more complex sentences |
| Level 5 CP/H/AP | Intermediate High/Advance Low - students will be able to maintain communication on familiar and new concrete topics, narrating in the past, present, and future with some control, and using paragraph-length discourse |
While it’s recommended and encouraged that students continue with the language program up to Level 5, most colleges require a minimum of 2 years of the same world language in high school to be considered for admission & recommend at least 3 to 4 years. Students in Level 5 also have the opportunity to take the course as College Prep, Honors and Advanced Placement.
State Seal of Biliteracy
Medford participates in the The State Seal of Biliteracy - an award given to seniors who have attained a high level of proficiency in English and a world language beginning with the graduating class of 2019. According to the Massachusetts Department of Education: “The State Seal of Biliteracy is an award provided by state approved districts that recognizes high school graduates who attain high functional and academic levels of proficiency in English and a world language in recognition of having studied and attained proficiency in two or more languages by high school graduation.” The chart below summarizes the awards and the criteria.
| Pathway Award | Standardized Assessment Criteria for English & Partner Language |
| State Seal of Biliteracy With Distinction |
Score of Advanced on the grade 10 ELA MCAS Score of Advanced Low in all modes of communication of a proficiency test |
| State Seal of Bilteracy |
Score of Proficient on the grade 10 ELA MCAS or FEL score on ACCESS testing Score of Intermediate High in all modes of communication of a proficiency test |
