World Languages Webinar December 2008 Robert Crawford Coordinator, World Languages West Virginia...

World Languages WebinarDecember 2008Robert CrawfordCoordinator, World LanguagesWest Virginia Department of Educationrcrawford@access.k12.wv.us

Agenda

•Program Showcase•Program Updates•Pilot Opportunities•Upcoming Professional Development

Opportunities•Student Opportunities•County Announcements

College Board Chinese Guest Teacher Program

China Initiative •State Superintendent Steve Paine joins College Board trip to China

•21st Century Skills Initiative committed to World Language education and global awareness

Successes•Eight districts in West Virginia currently

host College Board Visiting Chinese Teachers (Barbour, Harrison, Kanawha, Lincoln, Mason, Monongalia, Putnam and Wood)

•Cultural ambassadors that have generated awareness of China and Asia

•Diversity of language offerings•Reciprocal sharing of culture, education and

belief systems•Connecting to the global world

2008/2009 College Board Teachers

Benefits of the China Guest Teacher Program

•Chinese language program can be launched with minimal initial investment

•Similar programs in other states•Students can learn authentic Chinese language

and interact with native-Chinese speaker•Teacher can serve as a cultural resource in

other subjects•School can build pipeline to AP Chinese classes

About the Chinese Teachers

•Teaching certificate in China•Speak Standard Mandarin•Bachelor’s degree (or higher) •Three or more years teaching experience•Selected through rigorous screening

process•Travel with J-1 visa•May work up to 3 years

Host Institution Responsibilities (2006-2008)•Sign contract with the College Board•Pay administrative fee of $2,000 (cover

visa processing etc.)•Provide housing (school facilities, rented

apartment, homestay)•Provide local transportation •Provide mentoring and access to regular

professional development opportunities•Verify intent to continue Chinese program

by hiring a full-time teacher

Host Institutions Responsibilities(Potential 2009 Updates)

•Visa sponsor policy change

•Potential of increased funding required by districts

•Decrease in the number of basics and amenities required from districts

Application Process

•Notification of interest to WVDE by Friday, January 16, 2009

•Application must be submitted to WVDE by Friday, January 30, 2009

•WVDE will review applications, provide technical assistance, make recommendations & submit to College Board. http://wvconnections.k12.wv.us/

Selection Criteria- Making the Case!

•General College Board selection criteria: ▫Potential for consistent or expanding student

enrollment in a Chinese language course

▫Evidence of program support

▫Teaching Assignment

▫Ability to serve as model for other districts/schools

Questions?

Program Updates•Instructional Materials Adoption

▫Materials were approved by the West Virginia Board Of Education https://wveis.k12.wv.us/nclb/Materials/public/

▫RESA Caravan February 10 - RESA III

February 11 - RESA VFebruary 14 - RESA I

February 16 - RESA VIIFebruary 19 - RESA IV

Upcoming Pilot Projects

•Middle School LinguaPod Program

•Piloting in the 2nd quarter of spring 09

•Application ▫Deadline: January 9▫ http://wvconnections.k12.wv.us/

linguapod.html

Upcoming Professional Development Opportunities•E-Learns World Language Course

▫Start Date: March 11▫Registration Opens: February 1▫http://wvde.state.wv.us/pd/elearning/

•WVFLTA call for proposals▫Deadline: January 31▫Access proposal http://wvconnections.k12.wv.us/

Student Opportunities

ACTFL student podcast contest   Will celebrate Discover Languages month

during February 2009. For specific contest rules, go to www.DiscoverLanguages.org or http://www.actflvideocontest.org/

Announcements & Questions

• County Announcements•Questions ?•Next Webinar: March 2009