In the mid 1990’s, New Jersey began creating a new vision for world languages in the State. They composed the New Jersey World Languages Curriculum Framework. The Curriculum Framework envisions the following:
-“a well articulated K-12 world language program that prepares all students to actively and effectively participate in the dynamic global community of the 21st Century.”
-“a continuous sequence of language learning, firmly grounded in research on second language acquisition, that is integrated into the core curriculum.”
- “an instructional sequence that provides opportunities to use language through meaningful, interactive experiences, enriched by cultural authentic content, and transacted as a cumulative and spiraling process.”
Here in Rutherford we enthusiastically adopted the State’s mandate to introduce world languages into our elementary school curriculum. We carefully studied the Standards and Framework before developing our world language curriculum because we wanted to be sure that our program met all of the requirements. In 1999 we began teaching Spanish to all of our second and third graders.
As our program develops world languages become an integral part of the curriculum, children will be able to add new dimensions to what they are already learning. Math, science, social studies, health, and career awareness are all woven into the lessons. The regular classroom teacher remains in the room during the world language lesson to learn along with the children. The classroom teacher then reinforces the students’ new oral and listening skills. It is amazing to see the progress that these youngsters have made in understanding and responding in a second language.
As the New Jersey Department of Education suggests, we will strive to offer our sixth grade students a choice of either French, Latin or to continue with their study of Spanish. Currently this choice is offered to our seventh graders. In ninth grade again the students will be able to decide whether to continue with the language that they have been studying or select another.
New Jersey requires that all students must take one year of a world language in order to graduate. At the high school world languages have always been a popular elective with two thirds of our students studying either French, Latin or Spanish. Our program is strong. Students in AP French Language, AP Spanish Language and AP Latin Virgil can earn three college credits from Fairleigh Dickinson University which is a wonderful opportunity to help defray some tuition costs.
As our world language program continues to evolve, we will strive to offer our students the best program possible.
World Language Department Supervisor
Mr. Charles Ryan, Supervisor of Social Studies and World Languages, came to the Rutherford School District in 2004, as the 7th and 8th grade Social Studies teacher at Union Middle School. In 2005, Mr. Ryan came up to Rutherford High School where he has taught World History, United States History I and II, Pop Music and History as well as Advanced Placement United States History. In 2009, Mr. Ryan became the district supervisor of Social Studies and World Languages.
Prior to coming to Rutherford, Mr. Ryan taught 7th and 8th grade Social Studies in New York City’s Lower East Side from 1999-2002. Mr. Ryan received a Bachelor of Arts in Social Studies from Ithaca College in 1998, a Masters degree in American History from Monmouth University in 2004 and Masters degree in Supervision and School Administration from St. Peter’s College in 2007.
World Language Teachers
Patricia Cormack
Bonnie Donnell
Kristin Heimbach
Jennifer Gagis
Rufina Rodriguez
Gloria Sampedro
Classes We Offer
The French Program
The French program stresses the development of the students communicative competence in the four skills of language learning: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Vocabulary and grammar are are presented contextually and in logical sequence. The student increases their knowlege of francophone countries and culture through dealing with everyday situations. A variety of activities and techniques are used in the presentation and reinforcement of material. In addition to the text book and workbook, transparencies, tapes, records, video tapes, films, filmstrips, and computer software are used. The student measures his/her progress through periodic proficiency testing in each of the four skills.
French Classes
French I
French II
French III Honors
French IV Honors
AP French Language
The Spanish Program
The main objective of the Spanish program is to enable the student to attain a measurable degree of communicative competency and proficiency in each of the four language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Grammar and vocabulary are logically sequenced and grouped to make their acquisiton as natural as possible. The teaching of Hispanic culture is an integral part of the program, in which authentic and contemporary topics are presented. In order to insure a high interest level, a wide range of exercises and activities are used. In addition to a basic textbook and workbook, overhead transparencies, tapes, films, filmstrips, video cassettes, records, and computer are used.
Spanish Classes
Spanish I
Spanish II
Spanish III
Spanish III Honors
Spanish IV Honors
AP Spanish Language
The Latin Program
The goal of our Latin Program is to promote an appreciation of the Roman culture and to teach students to read Latin with comprehension and to write it with precision. Grammar and syntax are stressed as a foundation for language development. Basic Latin vocabulary is acquired and augmented throughout the program. The students learn about the social, cultural, historical, and literary aspects of the Romans and discuss them in terms of their relevance to modern society.
Latin Classes
Latin I
Latin II
Latin III Honors
Latin IV Honors
AP Latin Virgil
