Program+Start-Up

__ Starting and Maintaining a Foreign Language Elementary School Program __

See Jessica's presentation from the Magnet Schools of America Conference "Starting and Maintaining an Elementary Language Program: Keys to a Successful Voyage" [|here.]
Getting Started

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A terrific list of links to State Departments of Education, State World Language Organizations, etc. put together by the National Council of State Supervisors for Languages is [|here.]=====

Also see NCSSFL's list of important documents that will help you to get started thinking about a world language program[| here.]

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See the "Just for Teachers" section of "Anacleta's World Language and Culture Resources" website (by an amazing CT teacher!) for hints on everything from how to teach "a la cart" to creating the "ideal FLES Program" to ideas for materials and links for teachers. Go [|here]===== __Why teach languages? Why in elementary school?__

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[|Here] is the Annotated Bibliograpy, "Effects of Second Language Learning on Intelligence, Standardized Test Scores and Achievement" by Elizabeth L. Webb.=====

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[|Here] is the chart that I mentioned that was put together by the Defense Language Institute, showing how many hours it takes adults to master different languages.=====

__Types of Programs__ Guidelines for Starting an Elementary School Language Program by Marcia Rosenbusch of the K-12 National Foreign Language Resource Center. Read the article [|here.]

Read ACTFL's "Characteristics of Effective Elementary School Programs" [|here.]
__Where to teach?__

[[file:PRos and cons of classroom.pdf]][[file:teacher on cart.pdf]]
__What grade to start?__ It really helps to make a chart showing what will happen to curriculum when you start in different grades and move up each year. __Scheduling Hints__ In order to ensure high quality instruction, effective language learning, and a healthy teacher, it helps to schedule classes: at least every other day __National Standards for Foreign Language Learning__ Download the Executive Summary of the Standards for Foreign Language Learning [|here.] Order a copy of the Standards [|here.]
 * at least 20 minutes per class
 * keep classes of the same grade level in a row
 * give ample preparation time for the teacher
 * give extra preparation time in the first year

A terrific list of links to State Departments of Education,State Standards Documents, State World Language Organizations, etc. put together by the National Council of State Supervisors for Languages is [|here.]

The K-5 Curriculum for Maloney Interdistrict Magnet School's Japanese Language and Culture Program is available [|here.]

__Assessment Scales and Self-Assessment__ See our Links for Assessment page for a full list of assessment links.

The [|ACTFL Proficiency Scale] is primarily used with older students through adult, but it serves as the guideline for all of the other scales used in the U.S.

The [|ACTFL Performance Guidelines] are meant for use in grades K-12 and are very helpful in writing rubrics. If you own __Languages and Children: Making the Match,__ by Curtain and Dahlberg, there is a copy of the guidelines in the appendix.

The SOPA Scale is used by the Center for Applied Linguistics when they test younger children using the SOPA test. It is a great guide for PreK-6 programs when creating curriculum goals and rubrics. Download information about online and in-person training [|here.]

[|Linguafolio], a self-assessment portfolio, by the National Council of State Supervisors for Languages, and [|Linguafolio, Jr.] meant for younger students.

The Common European Framework for Languages: an excellent resource and rubric. Much of the Linguafolio discussions were based on this document. It is used throughout the European Union. Click [|here.]

__Standardized World Language Assessments__ See our Links for Assessment page for a full list of assessment links.

The ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview: The field-wide standard for assessment of the language skills of adults, college, and some high school students. Click [|here.]

Here is a list of the world language assessments offered by the [|Center for Applied Linguistics], including the SOPA test.

The STAMP Assessment is an online, standardized assessment, aligned with national Standards. It is offered by [|Avant Assessment]

__Assessment Examples and Ideas__ See our Links for Assessment page for a full list of assessment links.

Funding Sources The Foreign Languages Assistance Program is a federally funded grant program for languages that has helped to start many successful language programs. [|Check here] for news on upcoming funding cycles.

[|STARTALK] is "one of the projects of the National Security Language Initiative, a multi-agency effort to expand foreign language education in under-taught critical languages by funding new and existing programs throughout students' learning careers, kindergarten through university; and to provide incentives and rewards for foreign language learning and use in the work force." It has been expanded to include the languages Arabic, Chinese, Urdu, Hindi, and Persian.

__Instruction__ See our Links for Instruction page for more great websites for instruction.

[|Here] is an excellent description of Howard Gardner's life and the Theory of Multiple Intelligences.

See Jessica's NECTFL Presentation on "Inspiring Yourself and Your Students to Stay in the Target Language" here.

__Technology__ See our Links for Technology page for a full list of technology links.

__Advocacy Specifics__ See the documents that Kazumi and Jessica use for events such as Lunch with the Sensei's and Parent Visistation Week here.

Read Jessica's article on keeping a Japanese language program "flying" in the long-term [|here.] (applies to all languages.)

Teacher Professional Development

[|www.actfl.org] The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages The major K-16 foreign language organization in the United States. ACTFL holds a great conference each year with over 300 sessions to choose from at all levels and languages. They publish the scholarly journal __Foreign Language__ Annals and the new __Learning Languages__ magazine, both of which you receive with membership. Go here to order copies of the national Standards, Proficiency Guidelines, and Performance Guidelines.

[|www.nnell.org] The National Network for Early Language Learning The major foreign language organization for FLES teachers. From the website: The National Network for Early Language Learning is an educational community providing leadership in support of successful early language learning and teaching.

[] The American Association of Teachers of French

[] The American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese

[] The National Council of Japanese Language Teachers

[] The Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development Get a lot of the brain-research, UbD, and differentiation books at this website. Join to receive many new books free each year.

[] FL Teach – use the archives to search all kinds of topics. Join the listserv itself to participate.