Oscar 2024

We share the results of focus group research with heritage learners of Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Persian, and Russian about their knowledge of and interest in federal careers that use their language skills. Learn about high school and university students’ perspectives on the resources they use, questions they have, and obstacles they see in researching and pursuing possible careers. Presenters describe how these insights informed development of free web-based resources to help language learners connect their strengths and interests to career pathways, as well as how educators can support students to make these connections.

Gifted students frequently abandon language study in favor of what they consider more useful subjects. We examine how these other subjects can become part of the language program. Students may be able to integrate the language they know in various ways in courses such as history, art, political science, or business. This promotes greater collaboration among teachers and better connections for students. The presenter gives examples and show how Language across the curriculum can become part of a language program. Participants are invited to share ideas.

"Arte urbano" or "arte callejero" is a colorful, eye catching - at times controversial - art form that provides a unique context for students to connect with both the Spanish language and the communities where it is spoken in the United States and around the world. Students respond well to this versatile authentic resource that can be integrated into units on everything from identity, food, family, clothing and health, to historical events and figures, and even the issues that challenge numerous communities such as climate change, immigration, gun violence, and human rights. It's versatility makes it appropriate for all 3 modes ( interpretive, interpersonal and presentational). Materials are shared and participants use Spanish to connect with the art and each other.

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

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.

Music is an essential element of all cultures, and all proficiency level language classes celebrate cultures through music related activities integrated into the curriculum. A content based language course on popular music products, practices and perspectives deepens students’ cultural competencies, engages students beyond their language requirements and meets students’ various learning styles and interests.