Oscar 2024

The inevitable transition to online learning in institutions of higher education has increased the necessity to know and understand the learner from across the screen. The digital revolution has not only changed the physical, social, and cultural space, but it has also changed the learner himself, his behavior, and ways of thinking. Along with the challenges of combining classroom language teaching with distance learning, we must pay attention to the learner. We answer questions such as: Do language learners, born and living in today's digital world, experience less anxiety in this space? Has the global epidemic forced us to move to the online space without providing any other options? Would some pedagogical ways, such as the Socratic seminar, provide an answer? (edited)

This presentation demonstrates how to teach Chinese with comprehensible input, an instructional technique in which teachers provide input that allows EL students to understand most, but not necessarily all of the language. The presenter teaches super seven verbs (the most frequently used verbs in all languages) in Chinese and make a story using super 7 verbs together with the participants, who learn the super seven verbs in Chinese in a highly contextualized space.

Why did my Italian friend look at me funny when I asked for an espresso with my dinner? Why does the host keep asking me if I want more pasta? How can I refuse dessert without offending the grandparent who baked it? It’s not only what you say, but how you say it. Learning a language doesn’t just mean becoming “fluent” in communication. It also means being proficient in using the language to navigate the cultural norms of various situations. This session explores classroom applications of the current NCSSFL-ACTFL Intercultural Communication benchmarks. We address how learners can use critical thinking skills to explore intercultural perspectives. The ultimate goal is for learners to accurately convey what they mean, all while staying within culturally appropriate norms.

Photographs from the target culture can be a great way even for beginning language learners to advance their cultural awareness. Have you ever wanted to connect your learners with native speakers abroad? This session showcases a fun project to connect language learners for the purpose of exchanging and discussing their own photos. The presentation summarizes a telecollaborative exchange between learners of German in the US and learners of English in Germany that focuses on the exchange and discussion of photographs taken by students based on assigned topics. The app used for the photo exchange is presented and other possible tools for conducting photo exchanges will be presented and students’ feedback on the exchange will be summarized.

Short film is a powerful authentic resource and tool to be used with L2 students. However in our class many times short film does not go beyond a set of comprehension questions. This session uncovers how short film can build a unit that incorporates AP themes, 3 modes of communication, builds interpersonal communicative competence with the 3 P’s (products, practices and perspectives) and promotes language aquisition.