Council Rock World Council Rock World LanguagesLanguages

Secondary Program Secondary Program

Grades 8-12Grades 8-12

2010-20112010-2011

The Importance of World The Importance of World LanguagesLanguages

Position statements for ACTFL*: Position statements for ACTFL*:

1 All students should learn or maintain at least one 1 All students should learn or maintain at least one language in addition to English.language in addition to English.

22 Language learning should be offered in extended, well-Language learning should be offered in extended, well-articulated sequences that develop increasing levels of articulated sequences that develop increasing levels of proficiency at each level of instruction by teachers proficiency at each level of instruction by teachers who are well qualified in language proficiency, cultural who are well qualified in language proficiency, cultural knowledge, and teaching skills.knowledge, and teaching skills.

ACTFL is a national professional membership organization representing over ACTFL is a national professional membership organization representing over 8,500 language educators from all levels of instruction and all 8,500 language educators from all levels of instruction and all languages.  As part of its mission and vision, the organization provides languages.  As part of its mission and vision, the organization provides guidance to the profession and to the general public regarding issues, guidance to the profession and to the general public regarding issues, policies, and best practices related to the teaching and learning of policies, and best practices related to the teaching and learning of languages and cultures. languages and cultures.

More ACTFL Priorities More ACTFL Priorities (supported by CR -WL teachers)(supported by CR -WL teachers)

1. Ensure that ALL languages are supported in our 1. Ensure that ALL languages are supported in our educational system, not just the languages that are educational system, not just the languages that are deemed critical for today.   Since research supports deemed critical for today.   Since research supports the notion that after learning a second language, the the notion that after learning a second language, the third and fourth languages come more easily, it is third and fourth languages come more easily, it is important to support any language that a school important to support any language that a school system considers important for its community and for system considers important for its community and for which teachers are available. which teachers are available.

.  . 

2. Since learning a foreign language increases 2. Since learning a foreign language increases performance in other core subject areas, make performance in other core subject areas, make foreign languages truly a part of the core curriculum foreign languages truly a part of the core curriculum in every school. (Pre-K through 20). in every school. (Pre-K through 20).

--These are 2 of 7 official legislative priorities of ACTFL--These are 2 of 7 official legislative priorities of ACTFL

Pennsylvania Chapter 4 requires….Pennsylvania Chapter 4 requires….

There is no World There is no World Language requirement Language requirement for High School for High School Graduation in Graduation in PennsylvaniaPennsylvania

2 World Languages must 2 World Languages must be offered in every Pa. be offered in every Pa. high school – one for a 4 high school – one for a 4 year sequence year sequence (Legislation passed in (Legislation passed in 1999)1999)

Scope of CurriculumScope of Curriculum

High School Elective Program High School Elective Program 4 languages offered since 4 languages offered since

1999*1999* French I-V, Spanish I-V, French I-V, Spanish I-V,

German I-V, Latin I-IIIGerman I-V, Latin I-III

Middle School ProgramMiddle School Program Level I French, German and Level I French, German and

Spanish Spanish Grade 8 only- part of CORE Grade 8 only- part of CORE

programprogram

* Mandarin Chinese has been * Mandarin Chinese has been offered since 2009 as part of offered since 2009 as part of dual-language grant with BCCCdual-language grant with BCCC

Standards-Based ProgramsStandards-Based Programs

Standards-BasedStandards-Based

Formulated fromFormulated from PA State standardsPA State standards

(SAS standards) (SAS standards) ACTFL StandardsACTFL Standards

World Language TeachersWorld Language Teachers

Thirty three in 2010-11 (consistent since 2004)Thirty three in 2010-11 (consistent since 2004)

Pa. Certificated K-12-Secondary Language Pa. Certificated K-12-Secondary Language SpecialistsSpecialists

Majority of teachers have Masters degrees: most Majority of teachers have Masters degrees: most new teachers are enrolled in Masters programsnew teachers are enrolled in Masters programs

Evidence of a Quality Program: Evidence of a Quality Program: Curriculum RenewalCurriculum Renewal

““Updated” or renewed in regular 7-8 Updated” or renewed in regular 7-8 year intervals since 1975year intervals since 1975

Frameworks begun in 1999 – Frameworks begun in 1999 – • dynamicdynamic• undergoing regular revision undergoing regular revision • cyclical renewalcyclical renewal

Renewal processRenewal process• ResearchResearch• Publisher presentationsPublisher presentations

The most recent full renewal is that of The most recent full renewal is that of the Spanish curriculum. It will begin in the Spanish curriculum. It will begin in September, 2011September, 2011

Curriculum RenewalCurriculum RenewalHistory, Since 1998:History, Since 1998:

French 1998- 2001; and French 1998- 2001; and 2006-20082006-2008

German- 2000- 2002; German- 2000- 2002; 2007-20082007-2008

Latin – 2006-07 (Latin was Latin – 2006-07 (Latin was re-introduced in 1999)re-introduced in 1999)

Spanish- 2003-06; 2011-Spanish- 2003-06; 2011-2015 (expected)2015 (expected)

FUTURE Curriculum Renewal in FUTURE Curriculum Renewal in World Language World Language

Spanish Curriculum Spanish Curriculum Renewal will begin Renewal will begin Sept 2011-to conclude Sept 2011-to conclude 2014 or 20152014 or 2015

French and Latin French and Latin Renewal to begin Renewal to begin 2014-162014-16

German Renewal to German Renewal to begin 2015-16begin 2015-16

World Language Committees…World Language Committees… Since 1998, Middle Level and Since 1998, Middle Level and

High School Committees work High School Committees work with each languagewith each language

In 2004, course In 2004, course committees, with course committees, with course leaders formed- Still leaders formed- Still active in 2011active in 2011

Course leaders in charge Course leaders in charge of collaborating for of collaborating for pacing, normalized Mid pacing, normalized Mid Terms and Finals in all Terms and Finals in all World Language coursesWorld Language courses

World Language Best PracticesWorld Language Best Practices Staff use of Intranet to share and revise Staff use of Intranet to share and revise

curriculumcurriculum

In Classrooms:In Classrooms:Student-centered-Active learningStudent-centered-Active learningEmphasis on higher-order, critical Emphasis on higher-order, critical

thinkingthinkingExtensive paired and cooperative Extensive paired and cooperative

learning; accommodation for learning; accommodation for multiple learning stylesmultiple learning styles

Teachers need to review their Teachers need to review their approaches to standards using B. approaches to standards using B. Marzano’s “Art and Science of Marzano’s “Art and Science of Teaching” research (2011--)Teaching” research (2011--)

Differentiated InstructionDifferentiated Instruction Levels II , III and IV Levels II , III and IV

in German, French in German, French and Spanish offer a and Spanish offer a differentiated differentiated sequencesequence

Each individual Each individual course framework course framework offers a variety of offers a variety of instructional instructional practicespractices

Remedial Instruction/ EnrichmentRemedial Instruction/ Enrichment

All teachers- multiple All teachers- multiple clinics weeklyclinics weekly

Take-home (online) Tutors Take-home (online) Tutors available in Spanish; on-available in Spanish; on-line workbooks or line workbooks or textbooks available in textbooks available in German, French and some German, French and some upper-level Spanish upper-level Spanish coursescourses

Student tutors offered in Student tutors offered in all languages in the high all languages in the high schools by the Language schools by the Language Honor SocietiesHonor Societies

Assessment PracticesAssessment Practices

Oral Proficiency component in each formal Oral Proficiency component in each formal assessmentassessment

Normalized Mid Terms-keyed to standardsNormalized Mid Terms-keyed to standards Normalized Final Exams-keyed to Normalized Final Exams-keyed to

standardsstandards

Goal -Proficiency Levels in World Goal -Proficiency Levels in World LanguageLanguage

ACTFL Proficiency Levels – GoalsACTFL Proficiency Levels – Goals

Level I courses – Low to Mid-Novice Level I courses – Low to Mid-Novice proficiencyproficiency

Level II courses – Mid-NoviceLevel II courses – Mid-NoviceLevel II Accelerated – Mid-to High NoviceLevel II Accelerated – Mid-to High NoviceLevel III – Mid to High NoviceLevel III – Mid to High NoviceLevel III Honors- Low Intermediate Level III Honors- Low Intermediate Level IV – Low to Mid-IntermediateLevel IV – Low to Mid-IntermediateLevel V AP – Mid to High IntermediateLevel V AP – Mid to High Intermediate

..Evidence of high standards…..Evidence of high standards… 2006-07 was the first year 2006-07 was the first year

of AP offerings in French, of AP offerings in French, German, and Spanish- German, and Spanish- Student scores, on Student scores, on average, continue to average, continue to improveimprove

From 1998 until present,, From 1998 until present,, students have sat for AP students have sat for AP exams, and averaged exams, and averaged scores of 3.0 or higher in scores of 3.0 or higher in French, German and French, German and SpanishSpanish

Program StrengthsProgram Strengths CR Curriculum is rigorousCR Curriculum is rigorous

Dual-sequence—”Regular” Dual-sequence—”Regular” Level II, Level III and Level IV in Level II, Level III and Level IV in French, German and Spanish, French, German and Spanish, as well as parallel sequence of as well as parallel sequence of Honors II, III, and IV Level Honors II, III, and IV Level Three in these same languagesThree in these same languages

Honors Latin II and III offeredHonors Latin II and III offered

Higher than 50% retention rate Higher than 50% retention rate in most Level III to–Level IV in most Level III to–Level IV courses (most years 2004-courses (most years 2004-2010)2010)

Honors IV – AP showing near Honors IV – AP showing near 50% retention rate (last 2 50% retention rate (last 2 years)years)

Chinese offeringChinese offering

Mandarin offered since Mandarin offered since 2008 as part of dual-2008 as part of dual-enrollment with Bucks enrollment with Bucks County Community County Community collegecollege

Mandarin course is Mandarin course is available for available for interested Juniors and interested Juniors and Seniors for the 2011-Seniors for the 2011-12 school year12 school year

Course EnrollmentsCourse Enrollments

Spanish continues to be the Spanish continues to be the language attracting the highest language attracting the highest number of studentsnumber of students

French French GermanGerman LatinLatin ChineseChinese

Student Achievement WinnersStudent Achievement Winners

Bucks County Oral Bucks County Oral Proficiency Contest – 19 Proficiency Contest – 19 year run year run

CR hosted 5 timesCR hosted 5 times Hundreds of 1Hundreds of 1stst place place

winnerswinners New Language competition New Language competition

created in 2010 to replace created in 2010 to replace BCOP: WORLD LANGUAGE BCOP: WORLD LANGUAGE TOURNAMENT:TOURNAMENT:

2-team concept per 2-team concept per language per schoollanguage per school

CR may host this CR may host this competition in 2012competition in 2012

More CompetitionsMore Competitions National Language Exams:National Language Exams: Dozens of local and regional Dozens of local and regional

award-winners in French, award-winners in French, Spanish and German Spanish and German National Exams- trophies, National Exams- trophies, plaques, tripsplaques, trips

Since 2005 – Students of Since 2005 – Students of Latin I, III and III have sat Latin I, III and III have sat for National Latin exams –for National Latin exams –highly ranked in Pa. and highly ranked in Pa. and nationallynationally

National Honor SocietiesNational Honor Societies

Chapters in each High Chapters in each High School:School:

French – Since 1998French – Since 1998• German – Since 1999German – Since 1999 Latin – Since 2004Latin – Since 2004 Spanish – Since 1996Spanish – Since 1996

Hundreds of students Hundreds of students have been honored have been honored and have performed and have performed service for othersservice for others

Honors Societies visits to 6Honors Societies visits to 6thth grades grades

Since 2008, French German, Since 2008, French German, Latin and Spanish Honor Latin and Spanish Honor Society students from North Society students from North and South have given 1-hour and South have given 1-hour presentations to all 6presentations to all 6thth graders relating to their graders relating to their preferred languagepreferred language

Original concept created by Original concept created by student Erica Boetefuer, 2007 student Erica Boetefuer, 2007

All presentations have been All presentations have been student-created and deliveredstudent-created and delivered

Addresses the PA and ACTFL Addresses the PA and ACTFL Standard of COMMUNITY- Standard of COMMUNITY- Stage 4Stage 4

Student Extra-Curricular Language Student Extra-Curricular Language ClubsClubs

French, German, Spanish and Latin at French, German, Spanish and Latin at high schoolshigh schools

Monthly meetings – Monthly meetings –

more in-depth study of culture, i.e. more in-depth study of culture, i.e. cuisine, dance, holidayscuisine, dance, holidays

Further discussion of history and Further discussion of history and political philosophypolitical philosophy

Guest speakersGuest speakers

Informal Language clubs at Middle Informal Language clubs at Middle SchoolsSchools

77thth Grade Presentations Grade Presentations Overview of languages Overview of languages

offered to all students offered to all students since 2005since 2005

One class period- One class period- Presentation by District Presentation by District Coordinator before course Coordinator before course selectionsselections

High School language High School language students offered as aides- students offered as aides-

TRAVELTRAVEL

North and SouthNorth and South Yearly excursions for Yearly excursions for

travel/study offered travel/study offered to Spain, France, to Spain, France, Germany, ItalyGermany, Italy

2010-20112010-2011

Spring Break-SpainSpring Break-Spain (North)(North) Summer Homestay-Study-Spain Summer Homestay-Study-Spain

(South)(South) GAPP exchange (Germany) GAPP exchange (Germany)

Spring/SummerSpring/Summer French exchange Spring/SummerFrench exchange Spring/Summer

Other Student AccomplishmentsOther Student Accomplishments

NORTH:NORTH:Student-created Student-created

International Food International Food Tasting before 4-Tasting before 4-language inductionlanguage induction

-yearly since 2008-yearly since 2008

Talent Show for all Talent Show for all WL students- WL students- began 2010began 2010

More student achievements:More student achievements:

SOUTHSOUTH

““CULTURE SHOCK”CULTURE SHOCK”

Student-created Student-created multi-language multi-language journal published journal published up to 4 times a up to 4 times a year since 2005year since 2005

Areas for ImprovementAreas for Improvement

Brain research Brain research indicates earlier study indicates earlier study is most advantageous is most advantageous for higher second-for higher second-language proficiencylanguage proficiency

Research Findings Research Findings from National Defense from National Defense Institute on Proficiency Institute on Proficiency

LanguagesLanguages