Standards & Proficiency

The 2026 Nebraska World Language Standards

The 2026 Nebraska World Language Standards provide a framework for teaching and learning that supports the development of multilingual, culturally competent learners prepared for an interconnected world. Organized into three strands, Language & Literacy, Cultures & Communities, and Lifelong Learning, the standards promote language proficiency, intercultural competence, and the lifelong value of multilingualism.

The standards describe the knowledge and skills students are expected to learn, but they do not prescribe specific curriculum, instructional materials, teaching strategies, or classroom activities. Instead, they establish a coherent progression of learning across grade levels, ensuring that students build on prior knowledge and develop increasing levels of understanding and proficiency over time. While the standards define what students should know and be able to do, local districts and educators determine the curriculum and instructional resources used to help students achieve these expectations.