MN HF1821

Adds world languages as a required academic subject area for Minnesota high schools, with students required to demonstrate intermediate-low proficiency based on American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages guidelines.

Establishes that students beginning 9th grade in the 2014-2015 school year and later must complete three credits of world language coursework to graduate.

Allows students who are non-English language speakers to satisfy the world language requirement by demonstrating intermediate-low proficiency in their native language or another world language recognized by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages.

Requires the commissioner of education to establish state world languages academic standards with related benchmarks by the 2013-2014 school year, with implementation beginning in the 2014-2015 school year.

Requires world language programs to acknowledge and reinforce language proficiency and cultural awareness of non-English speakers, and to encompass indigenous American Indian languages among other world languages and cultures.