Which set of standards from ACTFL is used to design appropriate foreign language instruction?

• A. The 3 R's (Reading, Writing, Arithmetic)
• B. National Standards for Foreign Language Learning
• C. Grammar and Vocabulary Guidelines
• D. The 5 C's (Communication, Cultures, Connections, Comparisons, Communities)

Answer: (D)

The standards being used are the Five Cs: Communication, Cultures, Connections, Comparisons, and Communities. These five areas provide a full framework for language instruction, guiding what students should be able to do and learn in meaningful, real-world contexts. They emphasize not just grammar and vocabulary, but the ability to communicate effectively in the target language, understand and engage with other cultures, connect language learning to other subject areas, compare language and culture to deepen understanding, and participate in communities beyond the classroom using the language. This structure helps teachers design units, assessments, and activities that build practical proficiency and intercultural competence. The other options don’t fit as the primary ACTFL framework: they aren’t the comprehensive set of standards ACTFL promotes for curriculum design, whereas the Five Cs specifically outline the core aims for instruction.