Focus of this research presentation is a peer-mentoring model in which advanced-level language students serve as “Learning Assistants” (LAs) in beginning-level language courses. Language LAs provide assistance in first-year language courses by modeling tasks, facilitating collaborative learning, and inspiring students to continue language study. Following a brief summary of relevant “curricular peer-mentoring” scholarship, the presenter analyzes the results of an empirical study examining participants’ perceptions of a pilot “Language LA” program. Session participants gain knowledge of peer-mentoring research, consider implications of the study, and get advice and resources for starting a Language LA program.
Our presentation examines the correlation between student performance on formal written exams and active, explicit vocabulary recall activities performed at the beginning of class in the Intensive Intermediate Spanish classroom. Our study derived from a need to address the overall lack of foundational vocabulary for students who take a placement exam and begin their postsecondary language study at the Intermediate level. In the Intermediate Spanish course at our institution, vocabulary, historically, is not taught explicitly. Beginning Fall 2022, we propose the use of physically engaging ("active") recall activities to improve student vocabulary knowledge. We measure their performance on the vocabulary portion of exams between Fall 2021 and 2022 to demonstrate positive correlation.
In the last few years, CANVAS has become increasingly important for many of our classes. Many of us are required to use it, but have we been using it effectively? We explore ways to combine best practices for language instruction with existing CANVAS tools to deliver instruction and assessment in the most pedagogically sound way possible and explore ways to promote and assess all modes of communication within the canvas platform. We look at different strategies for formative and summative assessment using the CANVAS tools that allow us to go beyond discrete point grammar and vocabulary activities
This session focuses on the development of multimodal skills through culturally relevant, thematically appropriate authentic resources. Participants will learn to use carefully crafted templates, adaptable for all languages, to create choice boards that explore the products, practices and perspectives of the target culture through all three modes of communication. Choice Boards are engaging, hands-on, student-centered lessons that appeal to all learning styles. Guide students to discover, understand, and connect with the target cultures and empower them to show their transfer of knowledge through self-selected activities that appeal to their strengths or interests
This session highlights the development and sequencing of a proficiency-oriented unit that uses a feature film in the target language as its base. Participants discover how to gather supporting authentic resources, utilize engaging discussion techniques, underscore targeted grammatical structures and develop appropriate assessments that support the themes of the film aligned with proficiency goals. By using high-frequency vocabulary and high-interest topics these engaging units of film study provide optimal comprehensible input and boost language acquisition.
Research that addresses the needs of heritage speakers of Spanish as in-service teachers is required as they incorporate into the teaching profession as world language teachers of their own heritage language. This research used a qualitative multiple case study design to explore the experiences as teachers of eight Latina heritage speakers. The methods of data collection included interviews, classroom observations, and a focus group. The study sought to answer these research questions: What motivates heritage speakers to stay in the profession? What challenges do they experience as teachers of Spanish? What are their professional development needs? How do their perceptions and attitudes about their use of Spanish evolve from pre to in-service teachers?
Participants learn and apply best practices for establishing an LGBTQIA+-affirming German classroom environment. First, participants receive a foundation in orientation, gender identity, and expression, as well as a crosswalk between the ACTFL World Readiness and Learning for Justice Social Justice standards. Next, suggestions for using inclusive/affirming language and representative authentic resources, such as web shows and children's books, are shared. Following these examples, in small groups, participants workshop common lesson themes to be more inclusive. Finally, participants discuss challenges they still face in being inclusive. While examples are from the middle school German classroom, other languages and levels are welcome.
The presentation focuses on approaches to balanced literacy in a Chinese immersion setting to help students achieve high proficiency levels of ACTFL standards and meet the grade-appropriate Common Core Language Arts standards. Presenters use Grade 3-7 classroom examples to demonstrate the setup of the literature circles and the roles and jobs and walk through a narrative writing unit. Students are introduced to different writing strategies and apply them effectively to pick the right “tiny topic”, brainstorm, plan, and draft to help students tell their life stories in Chinese.
This session will be interactive, incorporating presentation and dialogic discussion based on findings from an online international English Language teacher program in UZ. This study highlights how teacher engagement was achieved through the application of multimodal approaches for WL educators allowing them to contextualize their learning; data allowed researchers to understand the development of teachers’ authentic applications of instructional methods in global contexts. Attendees will be invited to participate in discussion about teachers’ engagement in bichronous PD. Attendees will have a greater understanding of how effective online WL teacher PD can be implemented domestically and internationally in changing world environments.
Do you struggle with ideas for how to empower your students to use the language beyond the walls of your classroom? Come and learn from the 2022 NECTFL Teachers of the Year state finalists! From empowering your students to teach younger students in your school community, to showcasing student work around town, Teachers of the Year from the northeast region share some of the strategies they implement to practice the Communities standard and advocate for their language programs in their broader communities. Examples are in Spanish, French, Latin, and Chinese across all age groups.
Language Connects Foundation (LCF) was born out of a clear and urgent need to address some of the existential challenges facing the language education community today. With the goal of contributing to the development of a well-trained, diverse, and highly effective language educator workforce, LCF seeks funds from individual, corporate, and foundation sources to support language research, awards and scholarships, professional development for educators, and public information/education about the importance of language learning. In this session, learn about how this new, innovative initiative seeks to support language educators today and into the future.
This interactive research roundtable will focus on 'Learning from the Past and Projecting to the Future of English Language Learners." Issues specific to ELLs during the pandemic will be discussed. New ways of envisioning and scaffolding our ELLs will about be considered. The foundation of this roundtable discussion is rooted in my previously published researches. However, the discussion will be focused on my new but continuous, non published research. The research discussed at the conference will be published after the conference.
This presentation aims to find out how and to what extent it would be desirable to educate advanced learners about the Korean regional and social dialects. The research has focused on the necessity of regional language and culture and social dialects for immigrants and international students. And, it is meaningful in that it considered how far and best for advanced Korean learners to learn the various dialects and discussed the direction in which Korean language and culture education for the dialects should go. Therefore, in this presentation, presenters will investigate how advanced learners perceive the dialects of the Korean language and culture curricula by implementing multimedia and technologies and how they think about the practical needs in order to enhance their multiliteracies.
Students approach to learning languages has evolved significantly from a face-to-face setting to fully synchronous/asynchronous online or hybrid platforms. My research centers on the development of Spanish asynchronous language courses and the advantages and obstacles faced by students and instructors as they learn how to navigate learning and teaching respectively, on an online setting. The presenter will share and discuss effective and ineffective strategies from her own classroom experience.
To develop high levels of language proficiency, students must be able to move from secondary to post-secondary language programs and continue building their language skills. Effective K-16 articulation is facilitated by state-level policies, incentives including the Seal of Biliteracy, and the policies and practices of institutions and language programs.
How do we get students to engage with content so that meaningful learning happens? How can educators gradually release responsibility for learning over to students, so that students do more of the work? Join this ACTFL Teacher of the Year and experience hands-on learning of activities that engage students in communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and problem solving. Most activities are low or no-prep and can be reused at various levels and with varied content. They hit multiple modes of communication, use authentic resources, support social justice themes, and require students to speak interpersonally. The learning routines require students show what they are thinking and learning decreasing grading. Step away from the copy machine and say good-bye to your turn in work bin!
The purpose of this study is to explore world language teacher perceptions of inclusion in online instructional practices. Data were collected from semi-structured interviews conducted with six world language teachers in one large public school district during the 2020-2021 academic year. Four of six teachers described practices that incorporate racial and ethnic diversity in curricula, and five teachers expressed uncertainty about how to integrate diverse gender and sexual identities in their practices. Teachers found the support of world language colleagues instrumental in adapting their practices to be delivered online. Findings hold practical implications for teachers and teacher educators who aim to develop inclusive instructional practices in online settings.
This session examines how to teach the Holocaust through French Literature in Translation with a study abroad component as well as interviews with Holocaust survivors. The session examines the curriculum and how to integrate various disciplines in order to further delve in the content. Furthermore, the session examines how students performed on a pre-test and post-test of the content and how the impact of integrating the curriculum allowed for further development of knowledge.
John Conner, Spanish teacher and author of the acclaimed Breaking the Barrier series, leads participants through ten activities guaranteed to make classes more productive and exciting. The ideas presented can be used in your classroom the very next day.