Startalk Workshops for K-12 Teachers of Arabic as a Foreign Language and Chinese as a Foreign Language
Application Instructions:
*Both the Chinese and the Arabic Sessions are full for 2007*
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the start of the session, or for as long as space is available.
To apply please submit the following:
1.) Startalk application.
2.) Cover letter and C.V. or resume.
3.) Two letters of recommendation from your professors and/or supervisors.
4.) A one-page statement of purpose with a description of your educational background, your teaching experience in and commitment to the teaching of Arabic or Chinese at the levels of (K-12). Submit one copy of your statement of purpose in Chinese or Arabic and one copy in English. If available, please also submit a labeled videotape of your teaching.
Please mail application material to:
Startalk Arabic or Startalk Chinese
Middlebury College Language Schools
Sunderland Language Center
356 College Street
Middlebury, VT 05753
Cost:
All participants' fees (room, board and tuition) for the Workshops will be covered by the STARTALK grant. More information on travel grants to attend the program will follow.
Dates:
*Both the Arabic and the Chinese Sessions are full for 2007*
Arabic Workshop: July 20-August 3
In order to attend the K-12 Teacher-Training for Arabic, applicants must have/be able to place at the Advanced-Low level or above, based on the ACTFL scale. Students will also be required to have a high level of proficiency in English as most of the written course material, and some of the class discussions on pedagogy will be conducted in English.
Chinese Workshop: July 15-July 28
In order to attend the K-12 Teacher-Training for Chinese, applicants must have/should be able to place at the Intermediate High level or above, based on the ACTTFL scale. Students will also be required to have a high level of proficiency in English as most of the written course material, and some of the class discussions on pedagogy will be conducted in English.
Credit:
Course Credit and Continuing Education: Upon successful completion of the workshops, participants will be awarded one graduate unit (3 semester hours of graduate credit). Teachers will need to confer with their own institutions to determine if this unit will be accepted for college/graduate credit or for continuing education. Participants will have the opportunity to continue their training in workshops, or full-session programs at the Chinese and Arabic Schools in subsequent summers. In addition, both Schools plan to continue developing the curricular and on-line resources that will support pre-college language training.
Program Description:
This teacher training workshop is an intensive two-week program for current K-12 teachers of Arabic as a foreign language (AFL) or Chinese as a foreign language (CFL).
Students investigate how current relevant theories relate to local decisions on organizing and planning for instruction in a CFL or AFL program. Through lectures, discussion, and hands-on experiences, participants will learn to understand the nature and process of learning Chinese or Arabic as a foreign language, to identify critical issues in AFL or CFL pedagogy, and to enhance their ability to develop appropriate teaching materials and to plan and implement effective classroom activities that help students develop proficiency in the target language across the three communicative modes (interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational), and the five goal areas (communication, cultures, connections, comparisons, and communities) as outlined in the Standards for Foreign Language Learning in the 21st Century.
Unlike a conventional graduate course of lecture/discussion on theoretical and practical issues, this workshop creates a learning-by-doing environment. Participants will receive training in developing, organizing, and delivering effective curriculum. They will be required to observe and critique classroom procedures, strategies and teaching techniques and will be evaluated on special projects, teacher portfolios, observation of classroom instruction, and class presentations.
Participants will meet 5 hours daily (9-3:00) and will be expected to speak only the target language during the two weeks of training. They will be required to eat and socialize “in the language” and participate in the co-curricular activities and cultural presentations that are offered in the Arabic or Chinese School.
Contact information:
Arabic: Bill Mayers 802-443-2006
Chinese: Anna Sun 802-443-5520
last updated: 03/15/07