Brandywine School District
16 Great Schools. 1 Strong Community.
World Languages
BSD World Language Mission Statement
The World Language Program in BSD is a united entity that collaborates in instructional practices and curriculum to help students become engaged language learners in society, where they can show growth in their target language.
The BSD World Language Belief Statement
To be a team that displays compassion, respect, and accountability to all stakeholders; to ensure that educators contribute their experience and knowledge to be aligned with a common purpose, so that students achieve success in their language acquisition.
Program Overview
The Brandywine School District’s World Language Program is built on proficiency-based instruction and aligned with the Delaware World-Readiness Standards for Learning Languages. Our mission is to help students develop meaningful communication skills and cultural understanding that prepare them to thrive in a global society.
A key focus of our program is encouraging students to use the target language as much as possible in class. Instruction is centered around real-world communication and supports all three modes: interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational.
We are especially committed to Delaware Core Practice 4: Designing and facilitating a variety of interpersonal communication tasks that engage students in pairs, small groups, and whole-class instruction. These interactive tasks allow students to develop spontaneous, practical language use in authentic contexts, helping them build both confidence and fluency.
Through engaging lessons, purposeful collaboration, and culturally rich content, students in Brandywine gain the skills needed to become effective communicators and globally aware citizens.
Course Offerings
Brandywine School District offers world language instruction at all three middle schools with a focus on building early proficiency and cultural awareness:
Middle School Course Offerings (Grades 6–8)
P.S. Dupont Middle School:
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Languages Offered: Spanish, French, and Italian
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Springer & Talley Middle School:
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Languages Offered: Spanish and French
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In 8th grade, students who demonstrate readiness may be eligible to take Level I of a world language for high school credit. Successful completion allows students to enter Level II in 9th grade, giving a head start on advanced coursework, AP preparation, or fulfilling college entrance requirements.
High School Course Offerings (Grades 9–12)
Brandywine School District high schools offer a robust selection of world language courses designed to build proficiency, promote cultural understanding, and prepare students for college and career pathways.
Brandywine High School (BHS) and Mount Pleasant High School (MPHS):
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Languages Offered: Spanish and French
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Students can progress through Levels I–IV in each language, with opportunities to enroll in Advanced Placement (AP) courses in Spanish and French during their upper years.
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Concord High School (CHS):
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Languages Offered: Spanish, French, and Italian
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CHS is the only BSD high school to offer Italian, in addition to Spanish and French. Students may advance through Level IV and take AP courses in all three languages, depending on interest and enrollment.
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All high school language courses are proficiency-based and aligned with the Delaware World-Readiness Standards for Learning Languages. Instruction focuses on developing communication skills across interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational modes, with real-world tasks that foster practical language use and deep cultural awareness.
Students who complete advanced coursework are eligible to pursue the Delaware Seal of Biliteracy, a credential recognizing high levels of proficiency in English and another language.
What Does Curriculum Look Like in a Foreign Language Classes?
Brandywine School District’s World Language instruction is grounded in proficiency-based learning and fully aligned with the Delaware World-Readiness Standards for Learning Languages and ACTFL proficiency benchmarks. Our goal is to help students develop real-world communication skills and cultural understanding that will serve them in college, career, and global citizenship.
To support this goal, we use high-quality, standards-aligned curricula along with curriculum maps across languages:
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Spanish: ¡Qué chévere!
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French: T’es branché?
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Italian: Sentieri
These programs provide thematic, culturally rich units that target language proficiency and emphasize the meaningful use of the target language from day one.
A key focus in all classrooms is Core Practice 4: Designing and facilitating a variety of interpersonal communication tasks that engage students in pairs, small groups, and whole-class discussions. These tasks encourage students to interact spontaneously and authentically in the target language, promoting both fluency and confidence.
Through these strategies and materials, students are empowered to become active users of the language—able to communicate effectively and appreciate the rich diversity of the global community.
Enrollment & Placement
Course selection begins as early as February. Students can select World Language courses as follows:
- Middle school: student selection through core team, starting in February
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High school: chosen via school course enrollment forms in February–May
Language Proficiency Assessments
Placement Considerations
We recognize the importance of meeting students where they are in their language learning journey. Language proficiency develops at different rates for each learner, so understanding a student’s current skill level is essential for effective instruction and placement. Placement decisions are based on teacher recommendations, prior language experience, and, when appropriate, benchmark or diagnostic assessments. Additionally, heritage speakers who use the language at home or in the community may request a placement evaluation in January to ensure they are placed in a course that reflects their existing proficiency and supports their continued growth.
Using STAMP to Monitor Language Proficiency
Brandywine School District uses the STAMP (Standards-Based Measurement of Proficiency) assessment to measure students’ proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in the target language. STAMP is administered at various points during a student’s language learning pathway—typically at the end of key courses or program milestones. The data helps us:
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Monitor individual and group progress over time,
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Guide instruction and curriculum planning, and
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Determine eligibility for the Certificate of Multiliteracy.
STAMP results give a clear picture of what students can do with the language in real-world tasks and support our commitment to proficiency-based teaching.
How to earn the Delaware Certificate of Multiliteracy
The Certificate of Multiliteracy recognizes students who demonstrate high levels of proficiency in English and at least one additional language. This distinction affirms a student’s ability to communicate effectively across languages—a valuable skill in today’s global workforce and multicultural society.
To earn the certificate, students must meet proficiency benchmarks in all four language domains: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. These are typically measured using the STAMP assessment or another approved language proficiency test. Recipients are honored at the end of the school year and receive an official certificate and a notation on their academic record.
The certificate is open to students studying world languages in school as well as heritage speakers who have developed language skills outside of the classroom.
Visit the Certificate of Multiliteracy page for more information.
Questions? Contact the school administrator, school counselor, or the administrator of Multilingual leaners, Dr. Sugely Solano at 302-793-5082.