World Languages Proficiency Program

Ransom Everglades has an ambitious goal: preparing global citizens for the future who are proficient in languages. As part of our graduation requirements, all RE students have an extended experience studying a world language (Chinese, French, Portuguese or Spanish) and graduate having demonstrated proficiency in that language; many also develop proficiency in an additional world language. This course of study begins for many students at the middle school, where all students must study a world language each year following a curriculum that emphasizes communication and culture. Students are placed in classes according to their abilities, from the true beginner to the advanced. Some students, with the highest placement in Spanish, may advance to the AP Spanish Language and Culture course and complete the AP exam by the time they finish eighth grade. These students may continue their study of Spanish at higher levels in the upper school or may elect to commence the study of a new world language.

 

At the upper school, when students demonstrate their language proficiency through the AP exam or required coursework and external proficiency testing, they are encouraged to broaden their language skills by starting (or continuing from the middle school) the study of a second world language as they complete three more years of required language study. As students increase their level of accomplishment, they become eligible to earn the RE Seal of Biliteracy, which applies rigorous standards to recognize superior achievement in the study of languages.