Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions of students and parents.

1. How can I help my child study Italian when I don't know the language myself?
2. What skills will my child learn in a first-year foreign language course?
3. What is the significance of the NY State Foreign Language Proficiency Exam?

How can I help my child study Italian when I don't know the language myself?

A large part of the curriculum involves vocabulary.  You can quiz your child 
on vocabulary the same way you would for any other subject.  Use the 
vocabulary sections of the textbook or flashcards.  Simply have your child 
say the word in Italian and you can check that they have the correct English 
meaning.

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What skills will my child learn in a first-year foreign language course?

Language courses involve four areas.  Your child will develop skills in 
writing, speaking, listening comprehension and reading comprehension.  Any 
practice outside of the classroom, especially in speaking, will be very 
beneficial.

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What is the significance of the NY State Foreign Language Proficiency Exam?

The Foreign Language Proficiency Exam is administered to eighth graders at 
the end of June.  The test covers information learned during the seventh and 
eighth grades.  A student that receives a grade of 65 or higher will earn a 
high school foreign language credit and therefore continue with Level 2 
foreign language in the ninth grade.
Students that receive a grade lower than 65 will not be given credit and must 
take and pass a level one foreign language class to fulfill the one credit 
necessary for high school graduation. 
Most students continue with foreign language at least through the tenth grade 
and take the NYS Regents exam.   Please note that most colleges require three 
years of foreign language for admission.  Since seventh and eighth grade 
count only as one year of study, the college bound student should plan to 
continue foreign language study for ninth and tenth grade to fulfill the 
three-year requirement.
Of course, they can continue their studies in foreign language as 
upperclassmen and even take an AP Foreign Language class.

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