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Sample Letter to State Legislators Concerning Support for Foreign Language Education

Existing Support for the Study of Foreign Languages

Regulations of the State Board of Education have the force of law. In fact, the State Board of Education can establish higher standards than state law, it just cannot contradict law.

Language Requirement in the State of Oklahoma:

Languages Awareness (Grades K-3) is to be a required program in Oklahoma through which children gain the insight that other languages exist besides their own. It is an exploratory program not intended to lead to any proficiency skills in the language(s) studied. Ideally, the student will be exposed to several languages and cultures.

Grade 4 is the beginning of a required sequential language program through which all students begin to develop proficiency in a language. Language selection(s) is determined by each district. The students will continue the sequential and articulated program in the same language through middle school. By the end of the Grade 4-8 program sequence, students should demonstrate proficiency as described by the Novice Level proficiency indicators listed in this document.

Grades 9-12 provide continued sequencing of instruction for further language proficiency. School districts must offer at least two years of a specific language in high school. Districts may offer long-term, sequential programs in more than one language.

The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education support the study of languages. The Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program (OHLAP) requirements include the choice to study languages. Visit the OHLAP Web site.

Required High School Courses
Students MUST take the following high school coursework to meet OHLAP program requirements.

Units Courses

4 English
Grammar, composition, literature

2 Lab science
Biology, chemistry, physics or any certified lab science; general science with or without a lab may not be used to meet this requirement

3 Mathematics
Algebra I, Algebra II, geometry, trigonometry, math analysis, calculus

2 History
including 1 unit of American history

1 Citizenship skills
Economics, geography, government or non-Western culture

2 Foreign or non-English language (two years of the same language)
OR
Computer technology
Courses in programming, hardware and business computer applications such as word processing, databases, spreadsheets and graphics. (Keyboarding or typing classes do NOT qualify.)
(1 foreign language & 1 computer course will not meet this requirement.)

2 Additional units of subjects listed above

1 Fine arts (Music, art, drama) OR
Speech

17 Total Units

For more information, call the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education's information hotline at 800-858-1840, e-mail ohlapinfo@osrhe.edu or write OHLAP, Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, P.O. Box 108850, Oklahoma City, OK 73101-8850.

Oklahoma Foreign Language Teachers' Association
http://www.learnalanguage.org/oflta
Web Editor: Jody Klopp -- This site last updated 04/25/2005
"Promoting the study of foreign languages and supporting those who teach them."
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