Grade 9
International Languages

What your teen is learning

I want to develop skills in another language. Your teen will continue in the language program they began in elementary school or discover a new language and culture of their choice in junior high. Students in bilingual programs continue in Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), German, Spanish or Ukrainian and take other courses in that language. Students in language and culture programs may continue in the language and culture they began in elementary school or study a new language and culture as a subject. Language and culture programming in Chinese, German, Italian, Japanese, Punjabi, Spanish and Ukrainian teaches the language and exposes students to the culture, broadening their understanding of the world. For more information, refer to the International Languages programs of study.

How your teen is assessed

Your teen’s learning is assessed using a variety of tools and strategies within the classroom. Ask your teen’s teacher what methods they are using. The different assessment methods tell you and your teen’s teacher about your teen’s strengths, the areas in which they might grow and how well your teen is doing throughout the course. The teacher can then change or refine their teaching plans to ensure that learning activities better meet the needs of your teen. At the end of the course, your teen is assessed and their achievement is reported so that you know if they have achieved the expected learning outcomes for their grade.

Resources to help your teen

A variety of digital and print resources, developed by publishers, Alberta Education or Alberta teachers, are available to help students learn. Teachers may select, and bring into the classroom, numerous innovative and creative resources to create rich learning experiences for your teen. Visit LearnAlberta.ca to learn more about the resources your teen may encounter.

• What if my child needs more support to be successful?