Oscar 2024

Effective world language programs support and benefit all students, and it is critical to recognize student differences and ensure that each student receives the resources and supports they need. This session describes resources developed to support teachers’ use of the 2021 Massachusetts World Languages Curriculum Framework, including supports for ensuring equity by differentiating instruction, promoting social and emotional well-being and social justice, and centering student diversity. Presenters will share best practices for supporting proficiency through equitable and assets-based approaches to instruction, lessons learned from developing these resources, and implications for future resource development and implementation of language standards and frameworks.

Technology allows exploration of the artistic and social landscape of L2 cities. Design a project-based module on street art and public art using Google Earth, Instagram, and online resources to explore French and Francophone history, identity, and public discourse around racial diversity, social issues, and ownership of public space. Students leverage online access to public spaces and existing social media skills to create and respond to multimodal virtual tours of specific cities while building linguistic, intercultural, and visual literacy skills. This approach supports exploration of social justice and cultural values at all proficiency levels. Attendees develop materials for their students in hands-on activities. Some knowledge of Instagram is helpful but not required.

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.

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.

William Lee, the 2023 ACTFL National Langauge Teacher of the Year, shares instructional strategies to engage and motivate students, combining language and culture to develop learners' language performance. These strategies, both technology-based and non-technology-based, can help you reach all kinds of learners in the classroom and are applicable to all languages and levels. Be inspired with new ideas and examples that can have immediate impact in your classroom.