The North Carolina World Language Essential Standards are based on a set of principles governing language education. These tenets are anchored in language education research and supported by practice. They are as follows:

• All students can learn and experience success in a second or world language. Any language can be used to teach academic content at any level or within any program.

• Language acquisition is a lifelong process. x For optimum results, students should have the opportunity to engage in a long, articulated sequence of study.

• Language skills increase in the four areas (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) as students build mastery or acquire proficiency in the world language.

• Students learn in various ways and acquire proficiency in a language at different rates based