I. Is language instruction leveled at the Middle School?

Language courses are not leveled at WMS. Anyone who is ready and yearns to learn a new language has an opportunity to do so.

II. Can a student change his/her/their language selection at the middle school level?

No. In order to complete the Novice level and be ready for the Intermediate level at the high school, student must complete the middle school sequence. Student may select another language at the high school level.

I. When do students sign up to take a language?
The majority of students make their language selection in March of their 5th grade year. Those who are not yet ready to start a language at that time may do so in subsequent grades. World Language Caregiver Night will take place at the end of March.

II. How do students sign up to take a language?
Students sign up for their choice of language by filling out a World Language Selection Form linked under POPULAR LINKS in the top right-hand corner of the Wayland Middle School homepage.

III. Will my child get their first choice of language?
Your child is guaranteed one of their top two choices.

IV. Is signing up for a language at Wayland Middle School a commitment for the duration of my child's middle school career?
Yes. The beauty of starting a language in middle school is that the Novice level (Level 1) is broken down into Level 1A (in 6th grade) and Level 1B (in 7th grade) and Level 1C (in 8th grade.) This provides students with enough hours in the language to be able to reach the Novice-High / Intermediate-Low level at the end of middle school. Therefore, students will be ready for the Intermediate level (Level 2) at the High School.

V. My child is a native speaker of Spanish or French. Should my child sign up for the same language at the middle school?
No. Our classes are Novice level courses designed for students with 0% experience with that language. Your child should chose another language to study in middle school. (At the high school level, your child can place into the heritage language at their appropriate level.)

VI. My child is a native speaker of Mandarin Chinese. Should my child sign up for the same language at the middle school?

Yes, if your child wants to gain the knowledge of the writing system, your child should sign up for Chinese at the middle school. Although they may understand what is being discussed they may be challenged by learning how to write the language. The writing system is novel enough for them to benefit from the 6-8 sequence.

No, if your child can read and write the language. They should sign up for studying another language at the middle school and place into their appropriate level of Chinese at the high school level.)

VII. If my child needs to work on other skills, such as Reading or Math, and therefore is not ready to take on a world language in grade 6, can my child start a language in grade 7 or 8 or even in grade 9?
Yes. If a child needs to work on other skills, such as Reading or Math, and is not ready to take on language learning in grade 6, the child can start a language in grade 7, 8, or high school. A personal plan, involving the caregiver and the liaison, would be developed.

VIII. Can my child start Latin Novice 1 at the high school?
Short answer would be "Yes...and" Novice level classes at the high school run every other year, only if the enrollment warrants it (at least 10 interested students.) Your best bet, would be to start the learning at the middle school.

IX. Can my child start French Novice 1 or Chinese Novice 1 at the high school?
Short answer would be "No." Novice level classes at the high school only run if the enrollment warrants it (at least 10 interested students.) Your best bet, if you'd like to start learning either of these, would be to start the learning at the middle school.

X. Can my child start Spanish Novice 1 at the high school?
Yes. This introductory course tends to run each year because there are enough students interested in starting it at the high school. 

XI. Are there upper level classes for all languages offered at the high school?
Yes. All 4 languages offer robust Intermediate levels and Advance Placement classes at the high school. Your child could take each language for 7 years in our system and reach the Intermediate-High level of proficiency and earn the Seal of Biliteracy on their diploma.

XII. Does Wayland offer the Seal of Biliteracy for language students?
Yes. If your child reaches the Intermediate-High level of proficiency by senior year, they will be awarded the Seal of Biliteracy on their high school diploma proving to the world that they are bilingual and biliterate individuals. Find out more about the Seal of Biliteracy in Wayland, or the general Seal of Biliteracy in Massachusetts.

XIII. When do students find out in what language they have been placed?
Students find out when they get their schedule in August. Remember, students are guaranteed one of their top two choices.

I. What is the criteria for recommending students to an Honors vs. a College Prep level course at Wayland High School?

A student who consistently "Exceeds Standards" and demonstrates reaching for the Intermediate-Low level will have earned the recommendation into an Honors level course at the High School.

II. Are Novice level courses (Latin 1, French 1, Spanish 1, Chinese 1) offered at Wayland High School?

Yes. However, any course must have at least 10 participants in order for the class to run. Spanish 1 tends to run every year due to interest. Latin 1, French 1, Chinese 1 do not run every year at the HS.

III. Is there a language requirement for graduation at Wayland High School?

Yes. Students must complete two consecutive years of a single language study at the high school in order to graduate. The level does not matter. As an example, a student can fulfill this requirement by either taking Spanish 1 & Spanish 2 or Latin 4 & Latin AP (or any other sequence in the languages that we offer: Latin, French, Spanish, Chinese). Most students take a language all four years of their high school career. Some even double up!

IV. Does Wayland offer the Seal of Biliteracy for language students?

Yes. If your child reaches the Intermediate-High level of proficiency by senior year, they will be awarded the Seal of Biliteracy on their high school diploma proving to the world that they are bilingual and biliterate individuals. Find out more about the Seal of Biliteracy in Wayland, or the general Seal of Biliteracy in Massachusetts.

I. What courses are students taking in Spanish at the middle school?

Each Spanish Immersion student takes a Spanish Langauge Arts class (Intermediate 1 Proficiency Level) and a Social Studies class in Spanish in each grade at the middle school.

II.How many classes (out of 7 blocks) does my Spanish Immersion child have with their elementary school Spanish Immersion cohort?
Out of the 7 blocks, your child will have 2 blocks with the Spanish Immersion cohort. The other 5 blocks are with their non-immersion peers.

III.Will students’ proficiency in Spanish be formally assessed (AAPPL, STAMP, etc.) at the middle school?
Yes. Student proficiency of the language will be assessed in grade 8. Students will receive proficiency scores in Interpretive Listening, Interpretive Reading, Presentational Writing, and Interpersonal Speaking.