The Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Languages Other Than English (TEKS for LOTE) are organized around five Program Goals referred to as "The Five Cs": Communication, Cultures, Connections, Comparisons, and Communities. The Five Cs emphasize that beyond essential grammar and vocabulary skills, true proficiency involves using language in appropriate ways, in a variety of contexts, and for a variety of purposes. Five overlapping circles illustrate the interrelatedness of the goals. Communication appears in the center because it is the vehicle by which students reach the other four goals. These other goals, in turn, provide expanded contexts and learning opportunities that support the central goal of Communication.