RCS World Language News and Updates
December 2017
Holiday Get-Together
I apologize for not sending this earlier, but Mary Williamson, RHS, suggested that we try to get together for a holiday dinner since we haven't met this year.
Please participate in this Doodle Poll to help us schedule this event: https://doodle.com/poll/ihw4h63vabafg5cs
I have tentatively selected El Parral in Eden, hoping that their party room would be available on the night of our choice. But if you have another recommendation, please let me know.
Thanks,
Christy
New NCSSFL-ACTFL Can-Do Statements Released
The 2017 NCSSFL-ACTFL Can-Do Statements guide:
- Language learners to identify and set learning goals and chart their progress towards language and intercultural proficiency;
- Educators to write communication learning targets for curriculum, unit and lesson plans;
- Stakeholders to clarify how well learners at different stages can communicate.
The NCSSFL-ACTFL Can-Do Statements for Intercultural Communication and the Reflection Tool for Learners provide a set of examples and scenarios that show how learners use the target language and knowledge of culture to demonstrate their Intercultural Communicative Competence (ICC). Just as the NCSSFL-ACTFL Can-Do Statements for language clarify the Communication standards, this tool is intended to clarify and support the Cultures standard and lead learners toward developing ICC.
World Language Webinar Series for 2017-2018
The 2017 - 2018 World Language Webinar Series broadcasts are on Wednesdays from 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. Details and registration links are posted on the Webinar Series Information page of the World Languages wiki. Tomorrow, December 13th, the webinar will focus on: World Language Test Data.
1 contact hour can be earned towards a CEU by those who participate in the live broadcast of a World Language Webinar.
If you would like to see the archives, details and/or the registration links for all of the World Language Webinars in the series, go to the Webinar Series Information page on the World Languages wiki. This year's topics have included:
- Online Resources
- Building an Effective World Lanugage Program
- Overview of the New NCSSFL-ACTFL Can-Do Statements for Communication and Intercultural Competence
- Increasing Student Motivation
All materials from each webinar (PowerPoint slide set, activities, handouts, recording of the broadcast) will be posted on the Webinar Series Information page linked above approximately 1 week following the webinar broadcast so that they can be used or adapted for local training.
LinguaFolio on the NC Folios Wiki
K-20 Scholarships, Grants & Opportunities
A number of scholarships, grants, and other opportunities are available for World Language educators and their students. These are posted on an ongoing basis on the Opportunities for Teachers & Students page of the World Languages wiki.
Free eBook from ACTFL
Words and Actions: Teaching Languages Through the Lens of Social Justice
The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) knows how important it is to teach students to value the diversity in our classrooms and throughout our society, so they are making eBook versions of their publication, Words and Actions: Teaching Languages Through the Lens of Social Justice, available for free to educators.
You can download a free PDF copy of the book from the Google drive or go to the Free Classroom Resources section on the Teacher page of the World Languages wiki.
ACTFL's Educators Rising Initiative
Your language learners may be future language educators! The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) has launched the Educators Rising initiative to help you engage your students to explore language teaching as a career.
Research shows that over 60% of teachers teach within 20 miles of where they went to high school. With over 40 states reporting shortages in World Language teachers, ACTFL feels it's time to reimagine how we recruit and nurture the next generation.
ACTFL's Educators Rising initiative has 5 ready-to-use modules for leading activities with your students who might be future World Language educators. There are also links to articles and videos, ready-to-photocopy materials, and a network of teachers involved in this work. To find out how to get started, click on the link above or the Educators Rising logo. You can also view the full press release on the ACTFL website.
Carolina Navigators YouTube Channel
The YouTube Channel for the Carolina Navigators program is full of global videos made by UNC students. There is an introduction video posted, along with playlists by:
- World Region - Africa, Asia, North and Central America;
- Theme - Holidays & Festivals Around the World; and
- Program - Culture Kits and Virtual Cultural Festivals.
Details about all of the resources available to educators from this UNC Chapel Hill program are linked on the Carolina Navigators website, including a section specifically for Educators with information about how to reserve Culture Kits for classrooms.