The Leander ISD World Languages Department (LOTE) promotes the study of modern and ancient languages, fostering cultural understanding and effective communication in our multilingual world. Aligned with TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills) and ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) standards, we provide students with the foundational skills necessary to thrive as global citizens today and in the future.
Why World Languages (LOTE) are Important
There is a positive correlation between the study of a language and higher SAT scores. College Entrance Examination Board reported that students who averaged four or more years of foreign language study scored higher on the verbal section of the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) than those who had studied four or more years in any other subject area. In addition, the average mathematics score for individuals who had taken four or more years of foreign language study was identical to the average score of those who had studied four years of mathematics. These findings are consistent with College Board profiles for previous years. This holds true for the ACT also.
What does research show about the benefits of language learning?
Languages Offered at Leander ISD
- American Sign Language
- French
- Chinese Mandarin
- Spanish
Credentialing through Exams
AP Exams (Advanced Placement)
For credentialing through Exams for Acceleration students may take the Advanced Placement, or AP exams, without prior instruction in the course. Students will register as EXAM ONLY. To register for the exam, they will need to see the campus Dean of Instruction. Information about AP exams by campus can be located under the AP&IB Programs tab on our Advanced Academics: High School page.
STAMP Exams (STAndards-Based Measure of Proficiency)
- LISD offers STAMP exams for acceleration during the school year.
- Students may register through their counselor for these exams.
- American Council of Education on STAMP Assessments
Transfer Credits
Automatically accepted credits:
- Transfer credits from any Texas school district, including languages not offered in LISD
- Transfer credits from any accredited school in US
Automatically not accepted credits:
Foreign and homeschool language credits will be validated by:
- Taking the STAMP exam
- Taking an Austin Community College Dual-Credit class
- Taking credit by exam through Texas Tech or University of Texas
STAMP Languages and Guides
Exams for Middle School and High School students (13+ YOA)
(Register through your counselor)
STAMP
- Arabic (Modern Standard)
- ASL (American Sign Language)
- French
- German
- Hebrew
- Hindi
- Italian
- Japanese
- Latin
- Korean
- Chinese (Simplified)
- Chinese (Traditional)
- Polish
- Portuguese (Brazilian)
- Russian
- Spanish
- Spanish Monolingual
STAMP Other Languages
- Amharic
- Armenian
- Bengali
- Cabo Verdean
- Chaldean
- Chin (Hakha)
- Chuukese
- Czech
- Filipino (Tagalog)
- Greek
- Haitian Creole
- Hawaiian
- Hmong
- Ilocano
- Kannada
- Khmer
- Marathi
- Marshallese
- Nepali
- Pashto
- Persian-Farsi
- Punjabi
- Samoan
- Somali Maay Maay
- Somali Maxaa
- Swahili
- Tamil
- Thai
- Tigrinya
- Telugu
- Turkish
- Ukrainian
- Urdu
- Vietnamese
- Yoruba
- Yup’ik
- Zomi
- Zuni
For languages not included on the list, please contact your counselor.
STAMP Test Guides
STAMP 4STest Taker Guide
Test Taker/Parent Guide
Video Guides for Test Takers
Avant STAMP Writing Guide
Avant STAMP Speaking Guide
Avant STAMP Reading Guide
Avant STAMP Listening Guide
World Language Assessment Fees
The District covers a portion of the fee for all tests. For some of the less commonly tested languages, the remainder can be paid via the link below.
Review the descriptions of the various assessments and their corresponding fees below, and then pay any necessary fees on MySchoolBucks via the link below.
World Language Assessment Fee Payments on MySchoolBucks
Assessment Descriptions & Fees
STAMP for Hebrew – $39
4-Skill assessment specifically designed for Hebrew learners
SuperLanguage – $130
Evaluates writing and speaking for over 90 additional languages
OPI – $120
Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) – Live interview to assess global speaking ability
OPI + WPT – $200
Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) & Writing Proficiency Test (WPT) – Live interview to assess speaking ability and a standardized test to assess writing ability in a language
