1

Why do we need standards for world language learning?

• Students, parents, administrators, and language teachers need to know what “learning another language” means in U.S. schools.

• If we are to align our efforts to increase language proficiency, we need common goals and terminology.

• If language learning is a journey, we need a map to show us the way.

2

What are the different types of standards?

Content Standards What should students know and be able to do?

Performance Standards How can students show they are achieving the

content standards?

Proficiency Standards How well are students achieving – how can we

measure progress?

Program Standards When? Where? Who? – the elements of program

design

State Standards: Connecting a National Vision to Local Implementation (PDF) by Paul Sandrock, ACTFL

3

What are the National Standards for Foreign Language Learning?

A brief history…• 1993 – work on national foreign language

content standards began• 1996 – generic standards published• 1999 – language-specific standards

published for: Chinese, Classical Languages, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish

• 2006 – added language: Arabic

Standards for Foreign Language Learning in the 21st Centuryhttp://www.actfl.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3324 

4

The National Standards 5 C’s

5

Communication

Communicate in Languages Other Than English

Interpersonal Mode Interpretative Mode Presentational Mode

6

Cultures

Gain Knowledge and Understanding of Other Cultures

PRACTICES(Patterns of social

interactions)

PRODUCTS(Books, tools, foods, laws,

music, games)

oPERSPECTIVES(Meanings, attitudes, values, ideas)

7

Connections

Connect with Other Disciplines and Acquire Information

Further knowledge of other disciplines Recognize distinctive viewpoints

8

Comparisons

Develop Insight into the Nature of Language and Culture

Compare language studied to their own Compare culture studied and their own

9

Communities

Participate in Multilingual Communities at Home & Around the World

Use the language within and beyond school

Use language for personal enjoyment and enrichment

10

Instructional Strategies

• Speak in the target language (keep English to a minimum)

• Use “real” objects to convey meaning• Teach vocabulary in context• Try paired and small-group activities• Focus on communication, not just

perfect grammar

from New Jersey World Language Standards, p. 60

11

Learning Strategies

Show students how to:• Organize in advance by previewing,

skimming, or reading for the gist• Reflect on what they’ve learned• Summarize • Ask for clarification or explanation

from Standards for Foreign Language Learning p. 34

12

Communications Strategies

• Circumlocution• Guessing intelligently• Deriving meaning from context• Understanding, interpreting, and

producing gestures• Asking for and providing clarification• Making inferences, predictions, and

generalizations• Drawing conclusions

from Standards for Foreign Language Learning p. 34