Foreign Language Task Force
This blog is to update the Oak Grove School Community on the research and work of the Foreign Language Task Force. It does not necessarily represent the views of the Board of Education or Administration.
Monday, December 5, 2011
FLTF Recommendation
Friday, November 25, 2011
Benchmarking
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
FAQ 6: What did the Foreign Language Task Force (FLTF) decide?
- The FLTF Blog located at http://foreignlanguagetaskforce.blogspot.com/, you can also access the FLTF Blog via the Oak Grove School website homepage at www.ogschool.org by clicking on the icon.
- Ask a FLTF Ambassador - All FLTF members and people in the community passionate about foreign language have volunteered to be a FLTF Ambassador and wear buttons to identify themselves as such. Please feel free to walk up and ask any of these people questions related to the upcoming recommendation regarding foreign language
- Wednesday, September 14th, 2011 at 7pm in the Patt Gym an Oak Grove School Town Hall will be held concerning curriculum. A portion of this meeting will be dedicated to foreign language, what the task force has learned, and what stakeholders should consider in foreign language programs at Oak Grove School.
- Take the Survey! - At the end of September, after both the Curriculum Town Hall and the Finance Town Hall, a survey will be rolled out to D68 stakeholders to better understand priorities at OGS and to understand stakeholder expectations about foreign language outcomes for the students. Provide your input as this impacts you and the current generation we educate.
- FLTF2011@gmail.com - Send an email to this address, dedicated to answering questions about foreign language. All questions and answers will be posted on the FLTF Blog.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Town Hall, Wednesday, September 14th, 7pm
- 2011 - 2012 District Goals
- Forthcoming State of Illinois changes to K - 8 Curriculum
- Foreign Language - components to consider in a foreign language program
- Introduction and Timing of the Board and Education (BOE) and Foreign Language Task Force (FLTF) Survey
- Q&A
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
What Foreign Language(s) Should Be Taught at OGS?
Internationally recognized Expert on Second Language Teaching Methodology
Former Foreign Language Curriculum Specialist, Milwaukee Public Schools
Former Elementary, Middle/Junior High, and High School Foreign Language Teacher
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
FAQ 5: Why is CES French not offered in 6th grade any longer?
(French) that was only available to the students who were in the CES
program, but was not available to other students. Since we wanted to
enhance our entire foreign language program, it was recommended to the
Board that beginning with the 2011-2012 year, we suspend entry of 6th
graders into the CES French program. As the current CES French
opportunity is a three year program commitment, this change will allow
implementation flexibility for the future. Students already participating
in the CES French program will continue this program in 7th and 8th grade.
FAQ 4:How is Declining Student Enrollment going to Impact the Foreign Language Offering and Other Program Offerings at OGS?
been forwarded to Dr. Matthews. The administration will address this at the
Town Hall meeting on September 14th and in other communications.
FAQ 3: What does OGS offer today in Foreign Language?
FAQ 2: Is Chinese Going to be Offered at OGS?
National Standards - Foreign Language
- Students engage in conversations, provide and obtain information, express feelings and emotions and exchange opinions
- Students understand and interpret written and spoken language on a variety of topics
- Students present information, concepts, and ideas to an audience of listeners or readers on a variety of topics
- Students demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the practices and perspectives of the culture studied
- Students reinforce and further their knowledge of other disciplines through the foreign language
- Students acquire information and recognize the distinctive viewpoints that are only available through the foreign language and its cultures
- Students demonstrate understanding of the nature of language and the concept of culture through comparisons of the language studied and their own
- Students use the language both within and beyond the school setting
- Students show evidence of becoming life-long learners by using the language for personal enjoyment and enrichment
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Who Do I Contact with Questions About the Foreign Language Task Force (FLTF)?
Bibliography References
Below please find the bibliographic references referred to in various printed materials produced by the FLTF.
Hakuta, Kenji. (1986) Cognitive Development of Bilingual Children. Los Angeles University of California Center for Language Education and Research, ERIC Digest, EDRS ED 278 260.
Saville-Troike, M. (1984). “What Really Matters in Second Language for Academic Achievement?” TESOL Quarterly.
Curtain, H.A. & Peolsa, C. A. (1988). “Languages and Children—making the Match.” Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley Publishing.
The College Board. (2004). 2004 College-Bound Seniors: A Profile of SAT Program Test-Takers. New York, NY: College Entrance Examination Board, 2004, Table 3-3, pg. 5