Why do we need standards for world language learning?

Why do we need standards for world language learning? • Students, parents, administrators, and language teachers need to know what “learning another language” means in U.S. schools. • If we are to align our efforts to increase language proficiency, we need common goals and terminology. • If language learning is a journey, we need a map to show us the way.

What are the different types of standards? Content Standards • Whatshould students know and be able to do? Performance Standards • How can students show they are achieving the content standards? Proficiency Standards • How wellare students achieving – how can we measure progress? Program Standards • When? Where? Who? – the elements of program design State Standards: Connecting a National Vision to Local Implementation (PDF) by Paul Sandrock, ACTFL

What are the National Standards for Foreign Language Learning? A brief history… • 1993 – work on national foreign language content standards began • 1996 – generic standards published • 1999 – language-specific standards published for: Chinese, Classical Languages, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish • 2006 – added language: Arabic Standards for Foreign Language Learning in the 21st Centuryhttp://www.actfl.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3324

The National Standards 5 C’s

Communication Communicate in Languages Other Than English • Interpersonal Mode • Interpretative Mode • Presentational Mode

Cultures Gain Knowledge and Understanding of Other Cultures PERSPECTIVES(Meanings, attitudes, values, ideas) o PRACTICES(Patterns of social interactions) PRODUCTS(Books, tools, foods, laws, music, games)

Connections Connect with Other Disciplines and Acquire Information • Further knowledge of other disciplines • Recognize distinctive viewpoints

Comparisons Develop Insight into the Nature of Language and Culture • Compare language studied to their own • Compare culture studied and their own

Communities Participate in Multilingual Communities at Home & Around the World • Use the language within and beyond school • Use language for personal enjoyment and enrichment

Instructional Strategies • Speak in the target language (keep English to a minimum) • Use “real” objects to convey meaning • Teach vocabulary in context • Try paired and small-group activities • Focus on communication, not just perfect grammar from New Jersey World Language Standards, p. 60

Learning Strategies Show students how to: • Organize in advance by previewing, skimming, or reading for the gist • Reflect on what they’ve learned • Summarize • Ask for clarification or explanation from Standards for Foreign Language Learning p. 34

Communications Strategies • Circumlocution • Guessing intelligently • Deriving meaning from context • Understanding, interpreting, and producing gestures • Asking for and providing clarification • Making inferences, predictions, and generalizations • Drawing conclusions from Standards for Foreign Language Learning p. 34

Why do we need standards for world language learning?