Workshop: June 15-18, 2009

Professionalizing Language Pedagogy —
Integrating Authentic Materials in Instruction and Assessment

A Summer Workshop for Language Lecturers & Teaching Assistants

Description

This workshop is designed for University of Chicago language lecturers and instructors, teaching assistants, and graduate students in language and literature departments who are interested in developing language pedagogy skills. Instructors and TAs in the Less Commonly Taught Languages are particularly encouraged to participate. Subject to classroom space, the workshop is also open to lecturers, instructors, and TAs from Committee on Institutional Cooperation (CIC) schools and Consortium for Language Teaching and Learning schools, as well as all higher education institutions in the Chicago area.

Schedule (updated)

Monday, June 15
1:00 - 2:00 PM — Reception Desk, Center for the Study of Languages (CSL)

Registration

2:00 - 6:00 PM — Cobb 219

Catherine Baumann
Introduction to Proficiency Assessment

An introduction to the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines, including a live demonstration interview. Examination and critique of the Speaking, Writing, Reading and Listening Guidelines. Other assessment models including the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) and STAMP. Understanding the origin, usefulness, and shortcomings of various scales. (There will be break with refreshments around 4:00.)

6:00 PM

Cookout on the Quads

Tuesday, June 16
8:30 - 9:00 AM — CSL reception

Registration and Continental Breakfast

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM — Cobb 202

Rod Edwards and Catherine Baumann (multi-language)
The Wide World of Audio Files

Other assessment models: including the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) and STAMP. Understanding the origin, usefulness and shortcomings of these scales.

10:00 - 11:00 AM — Cobb 202

Meng Li (Chinese)
Using Chalk/Blackboard for Reading Exercises

Using Chalk (Blackboard) and/or java script to create reading exercises in Chinese online and to help second-year and third-year students explore familiar vocabulary in a large range of contexts, especially in humorous stories. Audio files of the stories are included.

11:00 - 11:15 AM

Break — Fresh fruit, coffee and tea

11:15 AM - 1:00 PM — Cobb 202

Nadine Di Vito (French)
A Radical Approach: Basing Beginning-level Materials on Authentic Discourse

Using iMovie to create and edit DVD clips. Using vocabulary and other authentic language in clips as a window to culture, with a focus on the beginning (first-year) learner. Tracing culture though topics.

1:00 - 2:30 PM

Lunch (on your own)

2:30 - 5:00 PM

Participants materials development
Participants work on their own to develop course materials in the CSL; staff will be available for consultation.

Wednesday, June 17
8:30 - 9:00 AM — CSL reception

Continental Breakfast

9:00 – 11:00 AM — Cobb 202

Tamra Wysocki-Niimi (Georgian) and Nisha Kommattam (Malayalam)
Innovative Uses for Reading and Video Texts

Embedding audio files in authentic reading texts for accessibility and for multiple skill development. Using authentic video materials in the classroom.

11:00 - 11:15 AM

Break — Fresh fruit, coffee and tea

11:15 AM - 1:00 PM — Cobb 202

Muhammad Eissa and Wafa Hassan (Arabic)
Materials Development

This presentation will focus on and introduce the technique of selecting and adapting Arabic authentic materials for multiple levels. The presenters will use samples of authentic texts, video and audio as well as integrate technology with hands-on practice. Attendees will be encouraged to select and prepare materials of their choice for Thursday presentation.

1:00 - 2:30 PM

Lunch (on your own)

2:00 - 5:00 PM

Participants materials development

Thursday, June 18
9:00 - 9:30 AM

Prepare for presentations

9:30 AM - 12:00 PM

Participants share course materials. Concluding discussion.