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Council Rock World Languages

Council Rock World Languages. Secondary Program Grades 8-12 2010-2011. The Importance of World Languages. Position statements for ACTFL*: 1 All students should learn or maintain at least one language in addition to English.

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Council Rock World Languages

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  1. Council Rock World Languages Secondary Program Grades 8-12 2010-2011

  2. The Importance of World Languages Position statements for ACTFL*: 1 All students should learn or maintain at least one language in addition to English. • Language learning should be offered in extended, well-articulated sequences that develop increasing levels of proficiency at each level of instruction by teachers who are well qualified in language proficiency, cultural knowledge, and teaching skills. ACTFL is a national professional membership organization representing over 8,500 language educators from all levels of instruction and all languages.  As part of its mission and vision, the organization provides guidance to the profession and to the general public regarding issues, policies, and best practices related to the teaching and learning of languages and cultures.

  3. 1. Ensure that ALL languages are supported in our educational system, not just the languages that are deemed critical for today.   Since research supports the notion that after learning a second language, the third and fourth languages come more easily, it is important to support any language that a school system considers important for its community and for which teachers are available. .  2. Since learning a foreign language increases performance in other core subject areas, make foreign languages truly a part of the core curriculum in every school. (Pre-K through 20). --These are 2 of 7 official legislative priorities of ACTFL More ACTFL Priorities (supported by CR -WL teachers)

  4. Pennsylvania Chapter 4 requires…. • There is no World Language requirement for High School Graduation in Pennsylvania • 2 World Languages must be offered in every Pa. high school – one for a 4 year sequence (Legislation passed in 1999)

  5. Scope of Curriculum High School Elective Program • 4 languages offered since 1999* • French I-V, Spanish I-V, German I-V, Latin I-III Middle School Program • Level I French, German and Spanish • Grade 8 only- part of CORE program * Mandarin Chinese has been offered since 2009 as part of dual-language grant with BCCC

  6. Standards-Based Programs Standards-Based Formulated from • PA State standards (SAS standards) • ACTFL Standards

  7. World Language Teachers • Thirty three in 2010-11 (consistent since 2004) Pa. Certificated K-12-Secondary Language Specialists • Majority of teachers have Masters degrees: most new teachers are enrolled in Masters programs

  8. Evidence of a Quality Program: Curriculum Renewal • “Updated” or renewed in regular 7-8 year intervals since 1975 • Frameworks begun in 1999 – • dynamic • undergoing regular revision • cyclical renewal • Renewal process • Research • Publisher presentations • The most recent full renewal is that of the Spanish curriculum. It will begin in September, 2011

  9. Curriculum Renewal History, Since 1998: • French 1998- 2001; and 2006-2008 • German- 2000- 2002; 2007-2008 • Latin – 2006-07 (Latin was re-introduced in 1999) • Spanish- 2003-06; 2011-2015 (expected)

  10. FUTURE Curriculum Renewal in World Language • Spanish Curriculum Renewal will begin Sept 2011-to conclude 2014 or 2015 • French and Latin Renewal to begin 2014-16 • German Renewal to begin 2015-16

  11. World Language Committees… • Since 1998, Middle Level and High School Committees work with each language • In 2004, course committees, with course leaders formed- Still active in 2011 • Course leaders in charge of collaborating for pacing, normalized Mid Terms and Finals in all World Language courses

  12. World Language Best Practices • Staff use of Intranet to share and revise curriculum • In Classrooms: Student-centered-Active learning Emphasis on higher-order, critical thinking Extensive paired and cooperative learning; accommodation for multiple learning styles Teachers need to review their approaches to standards using B. Marzano’s “Art and Science of Teaching” research (2011--)

  13. Differentiated Instruction • Levels II , III and IV in German, French and Spanish offer a differentiated sequence • Each individual course framework offers a variety of instructional practices

  14. Remedial Instruction/ Enrichment • All teachers- multiple clinics weekly • Take-home (online) Tutors available in Spanish; on-line workbooks or textbooks available in German, French and some upper-level Spanish courses • Student tutors offered in all languages in the high schools by the Language Honor Societies

  15. Assessment Practices • Oral Proficiency component in each formal assessment • Normalized Mid Terms-keyed to standards • Normalized Final Exams-keyed to standards

  16. Goal -Proficiency Levels in World Language ACTFL Proficiency Levels – Goals Level I courses – Low to Mid-Novice proficiency Level II courses – Mid-Novice Level II Accelerated – Mid-to High Novice Level III – Mid to High Novice Level III Honors- Low Intermediate Level IV – Low to Mid-Intermediate Level V AP – Mid to High Intermediate

  17. ..Evidence of high standards… • 2006-07 was the first year of AP offerings in French, German, and Spanish- Student scores, on average, continue to improve • From 1998 until present,, students have sat for AP exams, and averaged scores of 3.0 or higher in French, German and Spanish

  18. Program Strengths • CR Curriculum is rigorous • Dual-sequence—”Regular” Level II, Level III and Level IV in French, German and Spanish, as well as parallel sequence of Honors II, III, and IV Level Three in these same languages • Honors Latin II and III offered • Higher than 50% retention rate in most Level III to–Level IV courses (most years 2004-2010) • Honors IV – AP showing near 50% retention rate (last 2 years)

  19. Chinese offering • Mandarin offered since 2008 as part of dual-enrollment with Bucks County Community college • Mandarin course is available for interested Juniors and Seniors for the 2011-12 school year

  20. Course Enrollments • Spanish continues to be the language attracting the highest number of students • French • German • Latin • Chinese

  21. Student Achievement Winners • Bucks County Oral Proficiency Contest – 19 year run • CR hosted 5 times • Hundreds of 1st place winners • New Language competition created in 2010 to replace BCOP: WORLD LANGUAGE TOURNAMENT: 2-team concept per language per school • CR may host this competition in 2012

  22. More Competitions • National Language Exams: Dozens of local and regional award-winners in French, Spanish and German National Exams- trophies, plaques, trips • Since 2005 – Students of Latin I, III and III have sat for National Latin exams –highly ranked in Pa. and nationally

  23. National Honor Societies Chapters in each High School: • French – Since 1998 • German – Since 1999 • Latin – Since 2004 • Spanish – Since 1996 Hundreds of students have been honored and have performed service for others

  24. Honors Societies visits to 6th grades • Since 2008, French German, Latin and Spanish Honor Society students from North and South have given 1-hour presentations to all 6th graders relating to their preferred language • Original concept created by student Erica Boetefuer, 2007 • All presentations have been student-created and delivered • Addresses the PA and ACTFL Standard of COMMUNITY- Stage 4

  25. Student Extra-Curricular Language Clubs • French, German, Spanish and Latin at high schools • Monthly meetings – • more in-depth study of culture, i.e. cuisine, dance, holidays • Further discussion of history and political philosophy • Guest speakers • Informal Language clubs at Middle Schools

  26. 7th Grade Presentations • Overview of languages offered to all students since 2005 • One class period- Presentation by District Coordinator before course selections • High School language students offered as aides-

  27. North and South Yearly excursions for travel/study offered to Spain, France, Germany, Italy TRAVEL

  28. Spring Break-Spain (North) Summer Homestay-Study-Spain (South) GAPP exchange (Germany) Spring/Summer French exchange Spring/Summer 2010-2011

  29. Other Student Accomplishments • NORTH: Student-created International Food Tasting before 4-language induction -yearly since 2008 Talent Show for all WL students- began 2010

  30. More student achievements: • SOUTH • “CULTURE SHOCK” • Student-created multi-language journal published up to 4 times a year since 2005

  31. Areas for Improvement • Brain research indicates earlier study is most advantageous for higher second-language proficiency • Research Findings from National Defense Institute on Proficiency

  32. Languages Your Key to Unlock New Worlds

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