The 5 Cs: Communication, Culture, Connections, Comparisons, Communities

Standards-based world languages education and the New Jersey standards reflect the themes in the Standards for Foreign Language Learning in the 21st Century (1999), known as "The Five Cs." These standards describe the "what" (content) of world languages learning and form the core of standards-based instruction in the world languages classroom.

Communication
The communication standard stresses the use of language for communication in "real life" situations. It emphasizes "what students can do with language" rather than "what they know about language." Students are asked to communicate in oral and written form, interpret oral and written messages, show cultural understanding when they communicate, and present oral and written information to various audiences for a variety of purposes.

Cultures
Cultural understanding is an important part of world languages education. Experiencing other cultures develops a better understanding and appreciation of the relationship between languages and other cultures, as well as the student's native culture. Students become better able to understand other people's points of view, ways of life, and contributions to the world.

Connections
World languages instruction must be connected with other subject areas. Content from other subject areas is integrated with world language instruction through lessons that are developed around common themes.

Comparisons
Students are encouraged to compare and contrast languages and cultures. They discover patterns, make predictions, and analyze similarities and differences across languages and cultures. Students often come to understand their native language and culture better through such comparisons.

Communities
Extending learning experiences from the world language classroom to the home and multilingual and multicultural community emphasizes living in a global society. Activities may include: field trips, use of e-mail and the World Wide Web, clubs, exchange programs and cultural activities, school-to-work opportunities, and opportunities to hear speakers of other languages in the school and classroom.

5Cs

COMMUNICATION
Communicate in Languages Other Than English
   Standard 1.1: Students engage in conversations, probide and obtain information, express feelings and emotions, and exchange opinions.
   Standard 1.2: Students understand and interpret written and spoken language on a variety of topics.
   Standard 1.3: Students present information, concepts, and ideas to an audience of listeners or readers on a variety of topics.

CULTURES
Gain Knowledge and Understanding of Other Cultures
   Standard 2.1: Students demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the practices and perspectives of the cultures studied.
   Standard 2.2: Students demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the products and perspectives of the cultures studied.

CONNECTIONS
Connect with Other Disciplines and Acquire Information
   Standard 3.1:Students reinforce and further their knowledge of other disciplines through the foreign language.
   Standard 3.2:Students acquire information and recognize the distinctive viewpoints that are only available through the foreign language and its culures.

COMPARISONS
Developing Insight into the Nature of Language and Culture
   Standard 4.1:Students demonstrate understanding of the nature of language through comparisions of the language studied and their own.
   Standard 4.2:Students demonstrate understanding of the concept of culture through comparisions of the cultures studied and their own.

COMMUNITIES
Participate in Multilingual Communities at Home and Around the World
   Standard 5.1:Students use the language both within and beyond the school setting.
   Standard 5.2:Students show evidence of becoming life-long learners by using the language for personal enjoyment and enrichment.

Standards for Foreign Language Learning in the 21st Century, 1999

Standards for Foreign Language Learning: Preparing for the 21st Century, 1996

National Standards in Foreign Language Education