World Languages

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.

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

Parent Resources

The following Year at a Glance documents describe the World Languages concepts taught and learned.

World Languages Year 1

World Languages Year 2

World Languages Year 3

World Languages Year 4