Knowledge of and proficiency in foreign languages are important tools in today’s world. They lead us to a better understanding of, as well as communication with, other people and nations. Irvine Unified School District offers programs in 6 languages: Chinese, French, Korean, Latin, Spanish and American Sign Language. The Chinese, Latin and Spanish programs offer five- year programs, including a fifth year of Advanced Placement. In all programs, reading, writing, speaking and listening skills are stressed as well as cultural studies. We believe that all of these components together are necessary to achieve language proficiency and understanding. All of the courses are yearlong with entry in the fall.
World Languages offered in middle school sites:
- Beacon Park School - Spanish 1
- Irvine Virtual Academy Middle School @ San Joaquin - Chinese 1, French 1, Korean 1, and Spanish 1
- Jeffrey Trail Middle School - Spanish 1
- Lakeside Middle School - Spanish 1
- Rancho San Joaquin Middle School - Spanish 1
- Sierra Vista Middle School - Spanish 1
- South Lake Middle School - Spanish 1
- Venado Middle School - ASL
- Vista Verde Middle School - Spanish 1
World Languages offered at high school sites
| Irvine High | French, Korean, Spanish, Sign Language |
| Northwood High | French, Korean, Spanish, Sign Language |
| Portola High | Chinese, French, Spanish |
| San Joaquin High | Chinese, French, Korean, Latin, Spanish |
| University High | Chinese, French, Latin, Spanish, Sign Language |
| Woodbridge High | Chinese, Latin, Spanish |
Framework
World Languages Framework for CA Public Schools
STANDARDS
World Languages Standards for CA Public Schools
Blended Online Learning Courses
These courses are offered through San Joaquin Schools.
- French 1, 2, 3H and AP
- Korean 1, 2, 3 and 4H+
- Latin 1 , 2, 3 and AP
- Chinese 1, 2, 3 and AP
- Spanish 1, 2, 3 and AP or 4H+
- Sign Language 1 and 2 (NHS and UHS)
WORLD LANGUAGE CREDIT FOR PRIVATE INSTRUCTION
Students may request up to 10 units of completed course credit be added to their official transcript for coursework completed at a private language school (for teaching of world languages) that has already been approved by Irvine Unified School District.
World Language Credit for Private Instruction - Frequently Asked Questions
World Language Approved List - Rev. May 11, 2023
- Japanese: Asahi Gakuen: 19191 S. Vermont Avenue, Ste. 660, Torrance, CA 90502 - (Pass/Fail grade only). Approved February 2019
- Tamil: Thamizhkeni Tamil Academy: 100 Tantara, Irvine, CA 92602 - (Pass/Fail grade only). Approved November 2020
- Sanskrit: Samskrita Bharati: 2068 Walsh Avenue, Ste. B2, Santa Clara, CA 95050 - Approved December 2020. WASC Accredited.
- Hindi: Madhu Bhasha Kendra (MBK Language Center): 45847 Bridgeport Place, Fremont, CA 94539 - Approved December 2020. WASC Accredited.
- Tamil: Socal Tamil Kalvi (Part of Socal Tamil Organization), Affiliate of International Tamil Academy: 700 E. Birch Street, #8779, Brea, CA 92822 - Approved November 2021. WASC Accredited.
- Chinese: Irvine Chinese School: 9 Truman Street, Irvine, CA 92620 - (Pass/Fail grade only). Approved January 2022. WASC Accredited.
- Kannada: Nudi Kannada Shaale: 13854 Apache, Tustin, CA 92782 - (Two courses at this school are equivalent to 10 credits of high school World Language coursework in IUSD. For example: Level 1 AND Level 2 or Aksharaballa-1 AND Aksharaballa-2). - Approved January 2022. WASC Accredited.
- Chinese:Tzu Chi Academy, Irvine: 4321 Walnut Avenue, Irvine, CA 92604 (Pass/Fail grade only). Approved April 2025. WASC Accredited.
- Japanese: Asahi Gakuen: 19191 S. Vermont Avenue, Ste. 660, Torrance, CA 90502 (Pass/Fail grade only). Approved April 2025.
Application for Private Language Schools Seeking Approval
CALIFORNIA SEAL OF BILITERACY
How can I earn the California Seal of Biliteracy in IUSD?
Middle School Textbooks for spanish 1
| School | Textbook | |
|---|---|---|
| Jeffrey Trail Middle School | Realidades | |
| Lakeside Middle School | Realidades | |
| Rancho San Joaquin Middle School | ¡Así se dice! | |
| Sierra Vista Middle School | Realidades | |
| South Lake Middle School | ¡Así se dice! | |
| Venado Middle School | ¡Así se dice! | |
| Vista Verde | ¡Así se dice! |
high school textbooks
irvine*
| Language | Level | Textbook |
|---|---|---|
| French | French 1, 2 | T'es Branché 1, 2 |
| French | French 3 | Imaginez |
| Korean | Korean 1, 2 | Dynamic Korean 1 |
| Korean | Korean 3 | Dynamic Korean 2 |
| Korean | Honors Korean 4, 5 | Dynamic Korean 3 |
| Spanish | Spanish 1, 2 | ¡Así se dice! 1, 2 |
| Spanish | Spanish 3 | Autentico 3 |
| Spanish | Honors Spanish 4 | Descubre 3 |
| Spanish | AP Spanish 5 | Temas |
| Spanish | Native Speaker 2, 3, 4 | El Espanol para Nosotros Nivel 1,2 |
*Irvine High classes are NOT year long. They are solid block and one semester, except for Spanish 4 and AP.
NORTHWOOD
| Language | Level | Textbook |
|---|---|---|
| French | French 1: | Bien Dit 1 |
| French | French 2 | Bien Dit 2 |
| French | French 3 | Bien Dit 3 |
| French | Honors French 4 | Bravo, French 4 |
| Korean | Korean 1 | Dynamic Korean 1 |
| Sign Language | American Sign Language 1 | Signing Naturally, Units 1-6 |
| Sign Language | American Sign Language 2 | Signing Naturally, Units 7-12 |
| Sign Language | American Sign Language 3 | Level 2, ASL 3 Course |
| Spanish | Spanish 1, 2 and 3 | Realidades 1, 2, 3 |
| Spanish | Honors Spanish 4 | Conexiones |
| Spanish | AP Spanish | Album Encuentros Maravillos |
Portola
| Language | Level | Textbook |
|---|---|---|
| Chinese | Chinese 1,2, 3 | Integrated Chinese 1, 2, 3 |
| French | French 1, 2, 3 | T'es Branché 1 and T'es Branché 2, 3 |
| Spanish | Spanish 1, 2 and 3 | Realidades 1, 2, 3 |
| Spanish | Honors Spanish 4 | !Qué Chévere! Español Avanzado |
| Spanish | AP Spanish Lang & Culture | Temas, AP Spanish: Preparing for the language's Culture Exam |
Woodbridge
| Language | Level | Textbook |
|---|---|---|
| Chinese | Chinese 1, 2, 3H, AP | Integrated Chinese |
| Latin | Latin 1A | Cambridge Unit 1 |
| Latin | Latin 1B | Cambridge Unit 2 |
| Latin | Latin 2A/B | Cambridge Unit 3 |
| Latin | Honors Latin 3 | Cambridge Unit 4 |
| Latin | AP Latin | Caesar |
| Spanish | Spanish 1A/B | Realidades 1 |
| Spanish | Spanish 2A/B | Realidades 2 |
| Spanish | Spanish 3A/B | Realidades 3 |
| Spanish | Honors Spanish 4A/B | Conexiones |
| Spanish | AP Spanish A/B | Barahona |
University High
| Language | Level | Textbook |
|---|---|---|
| Chinese | Chinese 1A/B | Integrated Chinese Level 1, Part 1 Simplified & Traditional |
| Chinese | Chinese 2A/B | Integrated Chinese Level 1, Part 2 Simplified & Traditional |
| Chinese | Chinese 3A | Integrated Chinese Level 1, Part 2 Traditional |
| Chinese | Chinese 3B | Integrated Chinese Level 2, Part 1 Simplified & Traditional |
| Chinese | Chinese 4A/B | Integrated Chinese Level 2, Part 1 Simplified & Traditional |
| Chinese | AP Chinese A/B | Integrated Chinese Level 2, Part 2 Simplified & Traditional |
| French | French 1, 2 | Discovering French Today |
| Latin | Latin 1 | Cambridge Unit 1*/2 |
| Latin | Latin 2 | Cambridge Unit 3* |
| Latin | Latin 3 | Cambridge Unit 4* Third Year Latin |
| Latin | Latin 4 | Jenney's Fourth Year Latin |
| Latin | AP Latin | A Call to Conquest |
| Sign Language | American Sign 1 | Signing Naturally, Units 1-6 |
| Sign Language | American Sign 2 | Signing Naturally, Units 7-12 |
| Spanish | Spanish 1, 2, 3 | ¡Así se dice! 1, 2, 3 |
| Spanish | Spanish 4 | Album 2012 |
| Spanish | AP Spanish | El cuento hispánico ; Una vez mas-3rd edition, Pearson Prentice Hall 2009; AP Spanish Preparing for the Language Examination |
| Spanish | Spanish for Native Speakers | Repase y escriba by Dominicis |
| Spanish | AP Spanish Literature | Azulejo Anthology & Guide to the AP Spanish Literature & Culture Course |
Resources
- Seal of Biliteracy
- Private Instruction
- Société Honoraire de Français (National French Honor Society)
Parent Resources
The following Year at a Glance documents describe the World Languages concepts taught and learned.