World Languages March 2010 Update |
World Languages Program Focus Areas This Year
- Learning Standards – I presented Washington’s “voluntary” World Language Standards to the Curriculum Advisory and Review Committee (CARC) on February 17. CARC has agreed to recommend that OSPI adopt these content standards (i.e. the national “Standards for Foreign Language Learning in the 21st Century”) as official state standards for World Languages and thereby remove the word “voluntary” from the title. CARC also recommended that we send out a brief survey to districts, schools, and world language teachers this spring to find out what types of support (e.g., trainings, web resources, etc.) would be of greatest value to support them in aligning world language programs to these national standards.
- Assessments – I presented an Early Language Assessment workshop in Vancouver School District on February 17 for two-way dual Spanish immersion teachers K-5. I am presenting a session for students on LinguaFolio and LinguaFolio Online at UW World Languages Day March 5. And I am continuing to provide technical assistance to several districts that are working on comprehensive world language assessment plans. (Let me know if I can help your program.)
- Options for Online Learning – In addition to working to increase the number and variety of online language courses and resources offered through the OSPI Digital Learning Department and the Federal Way Internet Academy, I have recently been in contact with a small district in Eastern Washington where 5th-8th graders have begun using Zon (http://enterzon.com/), a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG), for learning Chinese. Zon was developed at the Confucius Institute at Michigan State University. Stay tuned to future updates and to learn more.
- Grant Opportunities –We’ve been told that the new round of Foreign Language Assistance Program (FLAP) grants for State Educational Agencies should be announced soon. My plan is to focus on LinguaFolio Online and Student Self-Assessment, in conjunction with STAMP (Standards-based Measurement of Proficiency), as well as developing a cadré of trainers on world language standards and formative, proficiency-based language assessment across the state. There will not be a new round of competitive grants this year for Local Education Agencies (LEAs) by themselves, but there will be up to 30 grants funded for LEAs working in partnership with Institutions of Higher Education (i.e. colleges and universities). If your district is interested in applying for one of those grants, let me know how OSPI can support you.
- Confucius Institute of the State of Washington – The first official educational program took place at Seattle Preparatory Academy on March 3, “Creating a Chinese Language Program.” It was a great success, attracting a variety of schools and teachers from the Seattle and Puget Sound area, and a devoted teacher of Chinese from Winthrop, as well. The Confucius Institute hopes to offer this program at a range of locations around the state. Check the calendar for future programs: http://depts.washington.edu/ciwa/calendar.php. (Note: the permanent URL will be changing soon to: http://confucius.washington.edu.)
If you are reading a paper copy of this OSPI World Languages Update, consider subscribing to the [WL Leaders] email list. Just email your name and email address to: michele.aoki@k12.wa.us.
Additional Projects
- Credit for Proficiency Project – I have been working with the State Board of Education and Washington State School Directors Association to develop a model policy and procedure to award world language credits for proficiency using standardized assessments, e.g., STAMP, ACTFL OPI/OPIc (computer-based), and WPT. I have been invited to present the model policy and procedure and the work of the Credit for Proficiency Project to the State Board of Education at their May 13-14 meeting in Spokane.
- Mapping and Enhancing Language Learning (MELL) project (survey of schools to learn what languages are taught in our state) – Several new MELL Policy Briefs have recently been published at the University of Washington. They are available for download from the MELL website (http://depts.washington.edu/mellwa/Reports.php):
- Policy Brief #6 Winter, 2010: Trends in High School Language Offerings 2004-2007-2009
- Policy Brief #7 Winter, 2010: Mapping Languages Taught in Washington High Schools – 2009
- Policy Brief #8 Winter, 2010: Languages Taught in Washington's High Schools and Community Colleges - World Language Teacher Certification – February 4-5 I attended the Asia Society Chinese Language Teacher Preparation meeting in DC. They are now working on a report that will be available at the National Chinese Language Conference in DC in April. I attended the WEST-E (Washington Educator Skills Test – Endorsement) for World Languages standards-setting meeting on February 25. I was an observer, but the other language teachers on the committee gave their recommendations for setting a performance standard on this new test that will determine the “passing” score for new world language teachers (or teachers wishing to add a world language endorsement) on the WEST-E for World Languages. The recommended standard will be presented to the Professional Educator Standards Board this month for final approval. Note that in addition to the WEST-E, which is a general assessment for all world language teacher candidates, candidates will also need to complete the ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview and Writing Proficiency Test in their designated world language at the Advanced Low proficiency level.
- International Education Projects
(coordinated with Kelly Martin, Social Studies and International Education Program Supervisor)
– Very close to signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Académie de Nantes in France.
– Pursuing possible Memorandum of Understanding with Germany (with Elke Ruehl).
– Facilitating meetings with schools interested in becoming International Spanish Academies.
– Working with the Consul of Japan to promote Japanese.
– Working with the College Board/NCSSFL (National Council of State Supervisors for Languages) program for visiting teachers from China.
| When | Where | What |
| Mar 5 | UW, Seattle | UW World Languages Day |
| Mar 20 | Seattle | Workshop with Mimi Met (Chinese Language Teachers Association) |
| Mar 20 | Ellensburg | WAFLT Spring Regional at CWU |
| Apr 10 | UW, Seattle | WAFLT Spring Regional at UW |
| Apr 22-24 | Washington, DC | National Chinese Language Conference |
| May 7-8 | Yakima | WABE Conference (WA Association for Bilingual Education) |
| Jun 7-8 | Chicago, IL | CCSSO Global Competence Workgroup meeting |
| Aug 11 | Vancouver SD | Global Competence Institute – for all WA teachers |
| Oct 7 (day) | SeaTac Doubletree | World Languages Teacher Certification Summit |
| Oct 7-9 | SeaTac Doubletree | WAFLT-COFLT's Bi-state Conference 2010 |
Categories
