But this is only a beginning. National standards establish a new context that defines the central role of foreign language in the learning career of every student. Professional development for practicing teachers will also be crucial, and the message of standards must permeate those learning experiences as well. Students engage in conversations, provide and obtain information, express feelings and emotions, and exchange opinions. Students present information, concepts, and ideas to an audience of listeners or readers on a variety of topics.
Students reinforce and further their knowledge of other disciplines through the foreign language.
Students acquire information and recognize the distinctive viewpoints that are available only through the foreign language and its cultures. Students demonstrate understanding of the concept of culture through comparisons of the cultures studied and their own. Students use the language both within and beyond the school setting. The standards are organized into five goal areas, each of which includes two or three content standards that describe the knowledge and skills students should acquire by the end of their high school education. These progress indicators are to be used by teachers and curriculum developers to shape classroom practice.