The North Carolina Second Language Standard Course of Study establishes competency goals and objectives directing the teaching and learning of foreign language, heritage language, and classical language in North Carolina. This document sets high expectations for all students, it supports extended sequence of language learning and it takes into account the national standards for foreign language learning. In addition, the Second Language Standard Course of Study gives administrators a rationale and guidelines for the study and the planning of an articulated language program. This document is specifically designed to guide instruction for the teaching of foreign languages such as French, German, and Spanish, as well as the less commonly taught languages and heritage languages (Spanish for Native Speakers) and Latin. It should be used as a guide by school districts as they make decisions concerning their second language programs. The overview presented in the document will need to be expanded in local curriculum documents to reflect the beliefs, policies, and philosophy of the local school districts in ways that best meet the needs of their specific student population.