The document provides an overview of the foreign language programs offered at Seoul Foreign School, including Spanish, French, Korean, and English. It outlines the philosophy of language learning, which emphasizes cultural awareness, application of skills, and developing the whole person. The content, organization, and progression of the different language programs from elementary through high school are described. Courses become more advanced in high school, culminating in the IB Diploma Program language courses. Placement in courses is determined by teacher and test recommendations to best suit students' language proficiency and background.

1. SEOUL FOREIGN SCHOOL FOREIGN LANGUAGES OVERVIEW
PHILOSOPHY
At SFS, for the study of Foreign Languages we believe that:
Learning another language develops cultural awareness and the Honoring the host country’s language and culture develops cultural
skills to acquire other languages. appreciation and interaction skills.
Depth of understanding is developed where the quality of Providing a balance of learning experiences that aims at
experiences that encourage application and transfer of knowledge developing the academic, social, emotional, physical & spiritual
and skills is valued over the quantity of topics being covered. domains of our being develops the whole person and promotes
self-worth.
Providing a meaningful context based on real purposesand The teaching of a Foreign Language is most effective when taught
audiences promotes effective learning. from an early age.
Language skills developed in reading, listening, writing & speaking
enable students to use the language to interact in everyday
situations.
CONTENT
Currently Spanish, French & KoreanForeign Languages courses areoffered to students to learn about another culture and its language. These
courses develop language skills in reading, listening, writing & speaking to enable students to interact in everyday situations and interpret the
literature of the culture at different levels. More complex language skills, contexts and literature is used as the student progresses through the
program to develop their language proficiency.
ORGANISATION
The program can be considered as a continuum catering for students who are beginners to those students who are proficient in the language.
As such, various levels of the program have been developed to best meet the needs of students.
Non Heritage (Non-Native) Heritage (Native)
Beginning Intermediate Advanced (Proficient)

2. SPANISH / FRENCH - FOREIGN LANGUAGE PROGRAM OVERVIEW
ORGANISATION
MIDDLE SCHOOL (Gr. 6-8)HIGH SCHOOL (Gr. 9) HIGH SCHOOL (Gr. 10) HIGH SCHOOL (Gr. 11,12)
IGCSE 1 – The languages are IB LANGUAGES B – HL/SL(2
used for practical IGCSE 2 – An extension of IGCSE 1 yr. Program). Develops more
communicationand to gain insights but using more complex skills & some complex communication skills
into the culture, civilization and simple literature. which are applied to
literature of the host country. Hours: 100 hrs. understanding the cultures, their
Hours: 100 hrs. literature and to interact with
native speakers
Hours; SL–150 hrs; HL–240 hrs
SF MS FOREIGN Placement in language courses INTRODUCTION TO SPANISH /
in HS Gr. 9 is based on IB AB INITIO: SL (only)
LANGUAGES:Spanish / FRENCH: Develops necessary
Continues to build and refine
French: Develops the basic Teacher, parent, student knowledge and skills to prepare
basic language skills in reading,
vocabulary, structures and skills recommendations, students for IB AB Initio Level .
listening, writing & speaking to
(reading, writing, speaking and Placement tests Includes developing a basic
enable students to interact in
listening) of the languages . Gr. 8 exit results. foundation of vocabulary and
everyday situations and to also
Hours: 82.5 hrs per gr. CAT test results structures enabling them to read,
understand the Spanish/French
listen, write and speak in everyday
culture.
contexts.
Gr. 9 Course Options include: Hours: SL – 150hrs.
Electives – Undertake SFS Hours: 100 hrs.
graduation requirements
Choose Korean 1
Maintain the Foreign
Language studied in Middle
School in the Gr. 9,10 IGCSE
program leading into the IB.
Students who meet the
placement requirements are
SF BS FOREIGN LANGUAGES strongly encouraged to
French –Yr. 3-5: 30 hrs. per yr. continue that language at an
Yr. 6 40 hrs.per yr. Ab Initio Level
Spanish / Yr. 7-9 82.5 hrs. per yr. Students may also choose to
French study another language at an
Ab Initio level.

3. KOREAN - FOREIGN LANGUAGE PROGRAM OVERVIEW
ORGANISATION
In developing this program the following have been considered:
Students may choose the course to learn another language based on their Some students are Korean Nationals who are proficient Korean speakers
host country – Course: Non-Heritage who are very culturally aware having lived and been educated in Korea for
the majority of their lives. Course: Heritage
Some students are returning Korean Nationals who have lived overseas In comparison to western languages the Korean language is more complex
and who may have some knowledge of the culture, the language and its in its use of characters, pronunciations and structures. As such, various
structures. Course: Heritage /Non-heritage -dependent on placement. levels of the program have been developed to best meet the needs of
students.
DEVELOPMENT OF CULTURAL & LANGUAGE AWARENESS LANGUAGE ACQUISITION LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL MIDDLE SCHOOL HIGH SCHOOL
JK SK/ Gr. 1,2 Gr. 3 / 4 45 hrs. Gr. 6-8 Gr. 9-12
15 hrs. 22.5 hrs. Gr. 5 67.5 hrs.82.5 hrs. per gr.Gr.9,10 100 hrs./gr.; IB SL -150Hrs; HL–250 hrs.
JK
SK Gr.1 Gr. 2 Gr. 3 Gr. 4 Gr. 5 Gr. 6 Gr. 7 Gr. 8 Gr. 9 Gr. 10 Gr. 11/12
NON- NON- HERITAGE NON- HERITAGE NON- HERITAGE BASIC – NON-HERITIAGE (NH)
HER. Beg Beg.1 Beg.1 Korean.1 Korean. 2 -
Beg. 1 Beg. 1 Beg. 1 MS.1 MS 2 MS.3
HERITAGE MS INTERMEDIATE
Inter. Inter. 1 Inter. 1 Beg. 2 Beg. 2 Beg. 2
HERITAGE Adv Kor.. 3( NH) Kor. 4 (NH) IB Kor. B SL
Beg. 3
HERITAGE Kor. 4 (NH) Kor. 5 (H) IB Kor. B HL
HERITAGE Her. 1 Her. 2 Her. 3 ADVANCED – HERITAGE (H)
Inter. Inter. Inter. The Middle school Korean program is a Foreign Language Korean. 5 Korean. 6 IB Kor. Lang
3 3 3 Program. Students going into MS will be placed in suitable courses & Lit .SL
Adv. Adv. Adv. according to testing results.5th Gr. .Advanced Korean students Korean. 6 Korean. 7 IB Kor. Lang
4 4 4 (heritage) going into MSchoose Spanish/ French. They can also & Lit. HL
SF BS Korean: choose Korean Literature & Writing encore courseas an elective to
Heritage/ Non-Heritage maintain their language skills leading into a continuation of their
Yr. 3-6- 30 hrs per year level - Korean in HS. In HS they can choose any course requiring a level
4-7 proficiency again depending on placement processes.