World Languages

World language programs in Jeffco Public Schools invite students to explore the world and their place in it through the study of languages and cultures. Jeffco offers courses in Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Latin and Spanish. Jeffco also offers Spanish for Heritage Speakers to honor and support the development and maintenance of heritage language.

Jeffco strives to educate students to become communicatively proficient and globally competent in languages other than English with a curriculum aligned to national standards. Students will have opportunities to use their cultural and linguistic knowledge outside of the classroom, with travel, cultural events, performances and competitions.

The Columbine High School World Language Department strives to teach students to communicate in the target language while appreciating the culture being studied.

Students in our classes are exposed to authentic materials and a lot of repetition, which is necessary to help them acquire the language. Expect students to speak, read, write, listen, learn and practice vocabulary, learn about grammar and sentence structure, listen to music, create art, watch short films and other activities that help them delve into the culture.

Students who complete four years of the language (middle school year-long courses count!) or complete level 3 Honors with a B average or better may qualify for the Jeffco Seal of Biliteracy. This looks great on both college and job applications!

Some of our language courses offer an Honors option. Honors classes cover the same material over the course of the year, but the Honors classes go more in-depth and students are expected to demonstrate more sophisticated control and comprehension of the language.

For students interested in taking an AP World Language course, honors classes are the way to help them be prepared. In addition to AP courses in all three languages offered at Columbine, French 3 and 4 students have the opportunity to earn credit at ACC via concurrent enrollment.