The goal of Montgomery County Public Schools’ world languages program is to prepare students to be linguistically and culturally competent in languages other than English. The ability to communicate in a culturally appropriate manner with speakers of other languages is the key to success in the increasingly diverse global community of the 21st century. As students develop proficiency in world languages and, at the same time, an understanding of the underlying values and beliefs of other cultures, they gain the skills that are essential to meaningful communication.