Foreign+Language

last edited by John Carr on Saturday, 02/13/2010 8:42 PM According to the [|Partnership for the 21st Century] website, the 21st century skills has four major categories: Core Subjects and 21st Century Themes; Learning and Innovation skills; Information, Media and Technology Skills; and Life and Career Skills  **Assessment for our Foreign Language Component at our school using social networking **  [|Wiki/Blog]   [|Images/Photo/Flickr]   [|Video/YouTube]   [|Podcast]   [|Social Bookmarking]   [|Twitter] <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> [|Videoconferencing] <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> These are suggested assessments for foreign language classes which, as you can see incorporate social networking. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; msofareastfontfamily: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Published February 7, 2010 <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">I recently did a presentation in which I showed three ways to integrate culture into the Foreign Language/Modern Language classroom. Each way presents current daily culture. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">The [| first presentation] focused on using Flickr photos to show the culture in a country. It demonstrates how to find images and how to create a cultural topic photo list. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Another [|presentation] showed how to create an iGoogle foreign language website that will display much current culture (photos, weather, TV stations, news reports, etc.). The information changes each day. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">A [| third] showed a process to allow students to do mini-cultural presentations on topics of interest to them. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; msofareastfontfamily: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; msofareastfontfamily: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">ACTFL Standards for Foreign Language <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">The careful reading of this document is a must for professional foreign language teachers. The following is a brief description of ACTFL's Five C's of Communication, Cultures, Connections, Comparisons, and Communities. In order to illustrate the role of the national foreign language standards, imagine the Five C's as the components of a delicious, nutritious, international meal. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Communication is the //meat// of the standards. Like a main course that can be prepared by broiling, frying, baking, or grilling, communication also comes in different forms--speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Some examples of communicative classroom activities include conducting oral interviews, role-playing telephone conversations, or writing and reading e-mail messages. The creative ways to practice communication are endless. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">If communication is the meat, then cultures are the //potatoes.// You can't have one without the other. Understanding cultural differences is crucial for the 21st century. This standard focuses on demonstrating the target culture relationships between practices and perspectives, and between products and perspectives. Enjoy all of those fun, cultural explorations of holidays, [|**foods**], music, society, daily life, etc. and then help your students to really understand the "why" behind them. Culture is filling for the soul! <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Once your main course is established, enrich it with a //variety of appetizers, side dishes, and desserts//. This standard addresses the need for foreign languages to connect to other disciplines. Foreign language learning is more powerful when the target language is used to delve into social studies, politics, literature, art, math, history, or science. After all, a meal of just meat and potatoes might taste great, but it is not as nutritious and exciting as a meal should be. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Comparisons **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Let's not forget the //wine//. When tasting a new wine for the first time, you savor it, comparing the taste to something you know, like oak, apples, or berries. Let your students taste the target language and compare it to what they know. One of the benefits of studying a foreign language is a better understanding of one's own language and culture. Ask your students to stop and think about similarities and differences. Venn diagrams are one effective activity for making comparisons. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">This standard is represented by the //restaurants// where the foreign language "meals" are served. Step outside of the four classroom walls and into multicultural communities as diverse as elegant four-star restaurants, family diners, and fast food joints. Locally, invite guest speakers to your class, visit museums or local ethnic restaurants, and attend relevant musical, theatrical, or sporting events. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; msofareastfontfamily: 'Times New Roman';">The internet makes connecting with communities around the world easier than ever. Correspond with a class in Spain or enjoy a virtual visit to the Louvre. Consider packing your bags to travel abroad with your students for an educational tour, service trip, or exchange program. Encourage your students to become lifelong learners <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> //<span style="font-family: 'Times','serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Creativity and innovation skill //<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">____ Demonstrating originality and inventiveness in work. Example: _________________________ <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">____ Developing, implementing and communicating new ideas to others. Example: _________________________ <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">____ Being open and responsive to new and diverse perspectives. Example: _________________________ <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">____ Acting on creative ideas to make a tangible and useful contribution to the domain in which the innovation occurs. Example: _________________________ <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> //<span style="font-family: 'Times','serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Critical thinking and problem solving skills //<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">____ Exercising sound reasoning in understanding. Example: _________________________ <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">____ Making complex choices and decisions. Example: _________________________ <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">____ Understanding the interconnections among systems. Example: _________________________ <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">____ Identifying and asking significant questions that clarify various points of view and lead to better solutions. Example: _________________________ <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">____ Framing, analyzing and synthesizing information in order to solve problems and answer questions. Example: _________________________ <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> //<span style="font-family: 'Times','serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Communication and Collaborative Work //<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">____ Articulating thoughts and ideas clearly and effectively through speaking and writing. Example: _________________________ <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">____ Demonstrating ability to work effectively with diverse teams. Example: _________________________ <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">____ Exercising flexibility and willingness to be helpful in making necessary compromises to accomplish a common goal. Example: _________________________ <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">____ Assuming shared responsibility for collaborative work. Example <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">From Michigan State University <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Many of the electronic tools used in MSU language courses, in the Center for Language Education and Research (CLEAR). <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">A CLEAR program called “Conversations” allows teachers to record questions that can be accessed by students anywhere and anytime they’re online. SMILE (Server-Managed Interactive Language Exercises) is a program that enables instructors to create a set of online questions that tests students’ comprehension of any language and content area, including vocabulary and grammar, and then to provide instant feedback. A new program allows students to create their own “mashup,” a Web application that combines data from more than one source – including video, audio, text and SMILE exercises – into a single integrated language learning tool. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> .
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Social Networking and Foreign Language **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> ( [|permalink] )
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> [|Integrating Culture into the Foreign Language Classroom Through Technology] - Marc Prensky **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Communication **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Cultures **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Connections **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Communities **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">