NSSFL Day 2

Texas welcomed all the state supervisors to the meeting. Carl Johnson gave a bit of history regarding the various meetings NSSFL has held since the first one that was held in San Francisco in 1977. Introductions were extended by every state. Discussion was held regarding the roll of N.S.S.F.L. as a leadership organization on a national level with world languages. Awards and accomplishments were highlighted for various state representatives. Reports were given on collaborative efforts with the ASCD conference to promote world languages. New officers were elected. Information was given regarding NSSFL becoming a non-profit organization.

Did you know that 33% of all advance placement course offerings are world languages? This was a tidbit that was shared with the group.

Key topics of discussion for the day included: NSSFL’s collaboration efforts; states sharing with states; resources; language resource centers; and critical issues. The posts below give more information on each one.

NSSFL collaboration efforts

Information was given regarding efforts to collaborate between collegeboard, hanban http://english.hanban.edu.cn/market/HanBanE/412360.htm and states regarding Chinese world language instruction by Chinese teachers from China. More information will be forth coming.

ASCD http://ascd.org/portal/site/ascd/index.jsp/ NSSFL is trying to branch out to work with other organizations like ASCD to reach a broader audience with the world language message.

States sharing with states:

Pennsylvania and Ohio shared some information on state legislation that will benefit foreign language programs in their states. More information regarding the information can be gathered on their state profile pages through NSSFL’s website.

Resources:

ISTE has published a new book on using technology in the foreign language classroom.

http://chinesepod.com/ is a website to help a person learn Chinese with free daily podcasts, lesson review,
and guidance from experts. There are 698 lessons available.

An update was given on Linguafolio.

States such as Wisconsin and Nebraska shared information regarding their versions of the portfolio and what resources they have used. Virginia shared information regarding the linguafolio junior for elementary. North Carolina is working on developing an esl version of linguafolio.

Linguafolio is a sefl-assessment scale of language development. World wide use is spreading beyond just Europe. It is becoming more international in use.

Additional information can be learned by accessing this website: http://www.ncssfl.org/links/index.php?linguafoliol
Nebraska’s linquafolio website: http://linguafolio.unl.edu/

STARTALK http://startalk.umd.edu/ STARTALK ( the newest program in the president’s National Security Language Initiative – an innovative summer program to teach Arabic and Chinese to more than 1,000 high school students at sites around the country. Called STARTALK, the program is jointly funded by the Director of National Intelligence and the Department of Defense) The purpose of this site is to share information on implementing programs as well as to share resources on curriculum design, instructional materials, assessment tools, and useful links. The program is looking for new states to apply for the grants. The turn-around time will be short.
Moodle http://moodle.org/ is an open source online course management software environment much like blackboard or webct (webct is offered free in our state for K-12 teachers to us to support instructions http://doe.sd.gov/octa/ddn4learning/statewide/webCT/index.asp )

LANGUAGE RESOURCE CENTERS

4 of the 15 language resource centers presented today regarding their websites and resources they can offer to teachers.

NFLRC http://nflrc.iastate.edu/ They will not be holding summer institutes this summer. There focus is shifting heavily to research. They are working with a couple states to gather research regarding world language instruction.

CARLA http://www.carla.umn.edu/ Carla will be having a number of summer institutes. Visit there website to see what is offered.

NCLRC http://nclrc.org/ Has a number of FREE resources to offer. Check out the website.

CASLS http://casls.uoregon.edu/ They offer the STAMP assessment. STAMP is a Web-based assessment tool built to benchmarks characterizing proficiency levels that are tied to ACTFL Performance Guidelines. Results show student proficiency from Novice-Low through Intermediate-Mid on the ACTFL scale and are based upon a clear rubric of expectations. The direct link to STAMP http://www.avantassessment.com/products/about_stamp.html

Critical Issues:

Small group sessions were held on critical issues related to world language instruction and program. Discussions were held today on the following issues:
Critical Languages
Opportunities and Roadblocks to Licensure/Certification
Research-DOK, STEM, Partnership in 21st Century Skills
Assessment for Learning and of learning
The possibilities of virtual learning aka virtual learning for digital immigrants
middle school black hole dilemma aka articuluation a k-12 pipeline