November 28, 2006
AWL Meeting Notes
Present: Ann Berns, Liza Doering, Nancy Hessert, Leslei Meuret, Laura Place,
Shar Soto, Kathy Spencer, Kara Torkelson, Mary Nell Reif
Read on and read all………….there’s lots of good “stuff.”
***Language and Culture***Language and Culture***Language and Culture***Language
and Culture***Language and Culture***
(This was Paul Sandrock’s mantra at WAFLT and if you attended one of his many
sessions then you probably heard him say, “language and culture.” This is a good
way to promote language study because (as we know), the best way to learn about
another culture is to enter that world through learning the language. Learning a
language opens minds and opens doors.)
French-Check out www.ecb.org/surf for French sites relating to Wisconsin
Standards B and F.
Chinese
Liza Doering talked about the Chinese Club at Marathon High School. Liza is
supportive of these efforts and it appears to be well organized and well
received. The classes and the Chinese Club are led by first and second
generation Chinese who live in the Marathon area.
Laura Place reports that Wausau is looking at offering Chinese and has secured a
grant through the College Board. The Chinese offering at Wausau is in the
beginning stages of development but will require that students will have to 2 or
3 years of another world language in order to take the class.
There was much discussion about Chinese at WAFLT this year. The Asia Society has
a website which promotes the study of Chinese. www.AskAsia.org/Chinese
WAFLT Report
AWL was featured at the New Visions in Action Workshop put together by Kyle
Gordon. Two other alliances also presented. WAFLT is encouraging others to form
alliances and we all told our stories and answered questions
Julie Bunczak was invited to speak about AWL in Paul Sandrock’s session, “Seeing
With New Eyes: Global Literacy for Wisconsin Students.” We heard she did a great
job!
Professional Developoment
I will contact Renee Craig-Odders, Associate Professor of Spanish, UWSP, to see
if she could present her WAFLT session, “Teaching Grammar in the Communicative
Language Classroom: Have You Lost Your Mind? We would ask her to come in late
February or early March for an after school session. We’ll find out if she could
make this applicable to all languages.
If we have some funds available, we will contact ACTFL for one of their on-site
workshops about: teaching listening, teaching reading, incorporating authentic
materials, teaching LD students, and the oral proficiency interview. The cost
for one of these one-day workshops is $875.00, plus travel, lodging and meals.
IDEA EXCHANGE
Tuesday, February 5, 4 o’clock
UWMC
Treats, too!
Bring a colleague and your best idea relating to teaching listening, reading,
authentic materials, or teaching LD students. Maybe you use technology in an
innovative way or you have a good idea about assessment that you think might
interest others. Do you teach narrative writing well or use art to engage your
students in language learning? Bring your idea and a few copies to pass and
we’ll have an informal idea exchange.
Call for Study Buddy Teachers
Please contact Vickie if you would be interested in teaching a 6 week Study
Buddy course. She needs teachers for this great program!
Michelle DeLeon volunteered to compile a list of your best
idea/practice/technique/game/worksheet/activity/ sub plan for the non-second
language speaker. She would compile the ideas by level/topic/category/and
distribute them to everyone. In addition, she would make a standard lesson plan
template. You can e-mail your ideas when you have time or bring them to the
February 5 meeting.
Website Update
I’m updating the website and will be sending a separate e-mail asking you to
submit some new information. Basically, we’re removing information that is
beyond the date mentioned and looking for events and dates for this year.