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LinguaFolio

STARTALK March 2008

Deborah W. Robinson, Ph.D.

World Languages Consultant, Ohio Dept. of Ed.

NCSSFL President

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Critical Issues in Curriculum & Assessment

• How do we determine what students should know and be able to do in these STARTALK programs?

• How do we determine how well they can do it?

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The WHAT of Curriculum: National and State Standards

5Cs: Communication, Cultures,

Connections, Comparisons, Communities– Modes of Communication: Interpersonal,

Interpretive, Presentational– Products, Practices, and Perspectives

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Progress Indicators at grades 4, 8, 12,

and 16

“Students ask and answer simple questions about topics such as family, school, daily routine, and activities.”

(K-4)

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How Well?

Formative and Summative Assessments

• Based globally on proficiency guidelines

• Based locally on performance objectives

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ACTFL Proficiency GuidelinesSpeakers at the Novice-Mid level communicate minimally and with difficulty by using a number of isolated words and memorized phrases limited by the particular context in which the language has been learned. When responding to direct questions, they may utter only two or three words at a time or an occasional stock answer. They pause frequently as they search for simple vocabulary or attempt to recycle their own and their interlocutor’s words.

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European Common Scale of Reference A1:

I can interact in a simple way provided the other person is prepared to repeat or rephrase things at a slower rate of speech and helps me formulate what I’m trying to say. I can ask and answer simple questions in areas of immediate need or on very familiar topics.

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What IS LinguaFolio?• A language portfolio learners keep throughout their

educational and professional careers.

• A tool in which language learners, including heritage learners and English for speakers of other languages, record and reflect on their language learning and intercultural experiences.

• A tool to help learners become reflective and autonomous language learners as they manage their own learning.

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LinguaFolio

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Components of LinguaFolio

1. Language Passport

An overview of experiences and abilities with different languages. It can be updated frequently and records formal qualifications and diplomas and self-assessments.

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The Passport includes:• a summary of language learning and

intercultural experiences or language courses outside of school; 

• summer study, academies, or camps;  • contact with speakers of the language;  • a self-assessment grid and global scale;  • a linguistic profile.

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2. Language Biography

A record of personal language learning history that helps to evaluate learning goals and reflect on language learning and cultural experiences.

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The Biography includes:• learning goals—why you are learning

language(s) and which language skills are most important to you;

• language history—list of language learning experiences and dates; 

• significant language learning and intercultural experiences; 

• current linguistic priorities including Self-Assessment Checklist. The Self-Assessment Checklist must be completed before filling out your Passport.

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Why do we need Can Do’s?

“Students ask and answer simple

questions about topics such as family,

school, daily routine, and activities.”

(K-4)

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Self-Assessment Can Do’s

I can ask simple questions and give simple responses on familiar topics such as:

• What I like and dislike• What I am doing• Where I am going• When I am going to do something• Who someone is• What day it is• What the weather is like

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Evidence for BiographyChoose any or all of the following: • History of language learning and intercultural

experiences• Travel, study, or work in other countries• Language use in programs or foreign countries• Pen pals or hosting exchange students• Reflections on exchanges and study visits• Reflections on important linguistic and

intercultural experiences 

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What is Interculturality?

Culture

• Products

• Practices

• Perspectives

Interculturality• Understanding

another culture in relation to one’s own

• Interaction with native speakers

• Engagement with authentic artifacts

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Cultures Standard

PracticesPractices

celebrations, greetings, celebrations, greetings, social interactionssocial interactions

ProductsProducts

art, literature, foods, art, literature, foods, laws, music, gameslaws, music, games

PerspectivesPerspectivesmeanings, attitudes, meanings, attitudes,

values, ideasvalues, ideas

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Interculturality

PracticesPractices ProductsProducts

PerspectivesPerspectives

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ACTIVITY

What interactions have you had withpeople from another culture usinganother language

–in the last day? –in the last week? –in the last month?

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Evaluate Your Study Skills:

• Learning inventory: What have you accomplished using a foreign language?

• How do you learn? Learning style examples and ideas.

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3. Dossier

A collection of pieces of work and certificates chosen by the individual to document and illustrate language skills, experiences, and achievements. It can be used to demonstrate the individual’s language abilities to others.

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The Dossier includes:

• samples of written work and projects; 

• certificates that indicate language skills; 

• video and/or audio recordings; 

• reports from tutors.

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Types of AssessmentInternal• Ongoing• Holistic• Formative• Self-assessment• Learner-driven

External• Periodic• Specific• Summative• Validation• Criterion-driven

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Internal• LinguaFolio

External• ELLOPA / SOPA• OPI / MOPI• STAMP / NOELLA• MLPA

(contextualized listening, speaking, reading, writing)

• AP test

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Formative & Summative Assessment Options

• Self-assessments of language competencies and intercultural experiences

• Work samples• IPA• End-of-Course exam• Performance task• ELLOPA, SOPA, STAMP, OPI

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Critical Element: Goal Setting

• Model goal setting

• Make it clear that functional use of language, not grammar knowledge,

is the principle goal

• Provide opportunities for learners to set their own goals

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ActivityKNOW

• Right, left, straight, opposite, across from, behind, roads, streets,

• House, police station, store, post office, bus stop,

• Where, what, how much, currency

• From, to, in, out• Numbers up to ten• How to read a map• Word order varies, word

borrowing, yes/no questions, Interrogative markers/words, gender agreement

DO• Understand, follow, and

give simple directions with visual support

• Interact in culturally appropriate ways in service and purchasing situations

• Present information about your ‘hood to others

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Student-Driven Cycle:

1. Review Self-Assessment of Competency Level Rubric.

2. Write goals based on unit content and perceived strengths.

3. Determine tasks for achieving goals.

4. Save goals and all completed work in a folder.

5. End of unit: Choose BEST work for each goal.

6. Write self-reflection based on BEST work and goals.

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Learner Reflection Includes:

• connecting what they already know to what they are learning.

• checking frequently to see what they can and cannot do yet.

• determining which activities help them learn most effectively.

• setting small, achievable goals.

• planning and monitoring future learning.

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Students Should Reflect on:Learning• I have learned… • I can…• I am good at…• I haven’t managed…• I don’t understand…• I have difficulty in…

Lessons• I like best…• The most interesting

thing is…• I don’t like…• The most boring

thing is…

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Reflecting on Interculturality Learners also need to be able to self-assesstheir intercultural growth:

– Are learners aware of the multiple aspects of culture?

– Do they know where to find and how to engage in intercultural activities?

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Practices and Activities thatPromote Self-Assessment

• Journaling or learner logs• Portfolios• Rubrics• Peer-assessment• Admit/exit slips• KWL charts (What I know, want to know,

learned)• Think-Pair-Share

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The Benefits of LinguaFolio:

• Increased motivation

• Heightened self-confidence

• Active learning

• Promotes learner autonomy

• Time thinking about learning

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Benefits, continued• Increased teacher creativity

• Stronger focus on communication

• Improved relationships between teachers and students

• More informed parents

• Greater realization of language use in community

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LinguaFolio informs:

• language learners and their parents

• educators

• businesses and employers

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LinguaFolio

• facilitates K-16 articulation

• serves as a tool for students to manage their language learning

• recognizes and values heritage languages

• promotes language learning as a life-long endeavor

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LinguaFolio Online

• U. of Oregon Center for Applied Second Language Studies, Carl Falsgraf, director

• “Can Do” statements, uploadable evidence

• On-line by June 1, 2008!

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DetailsFor STARTALK: Novice-level Can Do's form the basis of the framework.

Programs choose Can Do’s from a menu of options.

The full set of Novice and Intermediate Can Do's can be used with heritage speakers and others with some language background to conduct before and after self-assessment. 

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• Good programs will not rely solely on Can Do self-assessment.

• Programs should develop performance assessments and other measures.

• Students can enter scores in LinguaFolio Online.

• May have capability to upload performance assessments (text and audio) this summer as evidence of accomplishing Can Do's and broader cultural and content goals

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Can Do’s

• I can do this with help

• I can do this

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Recap: What is LinguaFolio?

A standards-based, self-directedformative assessment tool thatrecords ongoing learner progressand, along with external summativeassessment results, provides acomprehensive view of studentperformance.

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Resources

• European Language Portfolio

• ACTFL Performance Guidelines for K-12 Learners

• ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines

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How to Find the Project

www.ncssfl.org

www.doe.virginia.gov/linguafolio/

http://www.nde.state.ne.us/forlg/LinguaFolio/NebraskaLinguaFolioWorkshopOnline.htm

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Helen’s slide:

Lessons learned in Virginia• “Now we will do the LinguaFolio…”• Students must understand WHY• Students need guidance in HOW• Realistic expectations (level, goals)• Teacher training is key• Start small!