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High School Regional Programs ⟶ Program Themes ⟶ Critical Languages, Cultures, and Global Connections (Chinese)

Critical Languages, Cultures, and Global Connections (Chinese)

The Regional Critical Languages Program empowers language learners and native and heritage speakers to become multilingual, intercultural leaders who can communicate, connect, and collaborate across diverse communities. By integrating global perspectives and pathways such as Communications, Cybersecurity, Education, Humanities, and Leadership, we equip students with the linguistic proficiency, cultural competence, and critical skills needed to thrive in a complex, interconnected world. Our mission is to foster curiosity, build empathy, and prepare graduates to use their language and global skills for participation in local service to our communities, in the career world, and in postsecondary studies.

Integrating language, culture and human expression, this program combines a Mandarin Chinese language and culture program with focused studies in the humanities. Students gain proficiency in Mandarin through intensive language instruction and rich cultural experiences, including opportunities to interact with native speakers and explore authentic cultural contexts. Alongside their language development, students examine literature, philosophy, history, and the arts, cultivating critical thinking, empathy, and global awareness. This interdisciplinary curriculum equips students with the ability to communicate across cultures while engaging thoughtfully with the human experience in a global society.

This program has three required components: 1) Mandarin Chinese courses culminating in advanced language and cultural studies; 2) a robust cross-section of selected Humanities courses; and 3) a capstone experience which includes local and international cross-cultural programs.

 

Core Experiences

  • Earn the Maryland Seal of Biliteracy
  • Earn college credit
  • Participate in the respective World Language Honor Society or similar organization
  • Connect with key professionals and organizations in the critical language (e.g., university faculty, NSA, JNCL/NCLIS, etc.)

 

Program Goals

  1. Develop Foundational Knowledge and Skills
    Build critical thinking, linguistic proficiency, and cultural competence through the study of a world language and the human experience.
  2. Provide Hands-On, Real-World Experience
    Engage in authentic learning that applies global perspectives and language study to real-world contexts, developing linguistic proficiency in a world language other than English.
  3. Foster College, Career, and/or Community Pathways
    Prepare to lead ethically and communicate meaningfully in a global, multilingual, and multicultural society.

 

Application & Locations

Selection Process: Interest-based (past language experience will be requested as part of application and used to help determine entry point of Chinese language instruction)

Schools:

  • Region 1: Whitman
  • Region 2: Sherwood
  • Region 3: Walter Johnson
  • Region 4: Churchill
  • Region 5: Watkins Mill
  • Region 6: Seneca Valley

Course Progression

Below are two sample sequences of courses for students enrolled in the Critical Language Program. Cells in pink are related to the program pathway. Based on prior language experience, students may enter the program at varying starting points for Chinese language instruction.  This is subject to change as the programs are developed.

 

Pathway 1: Critical Languages (Chinese):
No Chinese Language Experience - 4 Year Course Progression

Grade 9 Grade 10 Grade 11 Grade 12
Chinese 1 & 2, Double Period Chinese 3 & 4, Double Period Chinese 5 AP Chinese Language & Culture
Global Issues, China focus
(includes year-long, local cross-cultural experience Project-based service learning)		 Global Connections Course, TBD
(includes year-long, local cross-cultural experience Project-based service learning)
Functional Fine Art & Craft, Chinese art and craft  focus East Asian History Elective (PE, Technology or Health) Elective
English English English English
Math Math Math Math
Social Studies Social Studies Social Studies Elective (PE, Technology or Health)
Science Science Science Elective (PE, Technology or Health)

Pathway 2: Critical Languages (Chinese):
Entering in Chinese Level 4 - 4 Year Course Progression

Grade 9 Grade 10 Grade 11 Grade 12
Chinese 4 Chinese 5 & 6, Double Period AP Chinese Language & Culture Chinese 7
Functional Fine Art & Craft, China focus Global Issues, China focus
(includes year-long, local cross-cultural experience Project-based service learning)		 Global Connections Course, TBD
(includes year-long, local cross-cultural experience Project-based service learning)
Elective (PE, Technology or Health) East Asian History Elective (PE, Technology or Health) Elective (PE, Technology or Health)
English English English English
Math Math Math Math
Social Studies Social Studies Social Studies Elective
Science Science Science Elective

 

Program Requirements

In addition to the MCPS requirements for graduation, all students must take the following courses in order to remain enrolled in the Critical Language Program and earn the related certificate upon graduation.

  • Chinese Language Instruction all four years with completion of AP Chinese Language & Culture
  • Functional Fine Art & Craft
  • East Asian History
  • Global Issues & Global Connections (TBD) courses