National Online Teacher Training Initiative
About the Initiative
The National Online LCTL Teacher Training Initiative is a collaborative project of the University of Wisconsin-Madison Language Institute and the National Council of Less Commonly Taught Languages to strengthen the teaching and learning of LCTLs nationally by providing increased professional development opportunities for postsecondary LCTL instructors. Through a series of online courses, instructors will learn about current research in language teaching and teaching methods, reflect on their own and others' teaching practices, build communities of practice around language teaching, and strengthen their connections to professional organizations. Courses consist of original material authored by the project team, videotaped interviews with LCTL professionals and students, videotaped exemplars of classroom practices, and readings such as articles from professional journals.
Read the project abstract
People
Co-directors and course co-authors
Sally Magnan, Department of French and Italian, Language Institute
Antonia Schleicher, Department of African Languages and Literature, NCOLCTL
Coordinator, project manager and course co-author
Dianna Murphy, Language Institute
Faculty associates and course co-authors
Erlin Barnard, Department of Languages and Cultures of Asia
Robin Worth, Language Institute
Graduate project assistants (at the NCOLCTL Secretariat
Joseph Chikowero, Department of African Languages and Literature
Matthew Brown, Department of African Languages and Literature
HTML authoring, graphic design
Michelle Glenetski, Division of Information Technology (DoIT)
Video production and editing
David Macasaet, Marcelo Fraga, Dennis Rinzel, College of Letters and Science Learning Support Services
Dick Geier, Clark Thompson, School of Education Instructional Media Development Center
Programming
Bruce Barton, Division of Information Technology (DoIT)
Moodle hosting and support
Sue Weier, College of Letters and Science Learning Support Services
DoIT project management and instructional design
Les Howles,
Division of Information Technology (DoIT)
Funding
Funding for the National Online LCTL Teacher Training Initiative is from a generous grant from the U.S. Department Education International Research and Studies Program, award # P017A060016, and from the University of Wisconsin-Madison College of Letters and Science.
Courses and Lessons
Course 1: Fundamentals of Language Teaching Methods (2 credits)
Lesson 1: Beliefs About Language Teaching and Reasons for Studying a Language
Lesson 2: History of Foreign Language Teaching
Lesson 3: Professional Frameworks: ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines and National Standards
Lesson 4: Developing Classroom Activities
Lesson 5: Classroom Activities 1: The Interpretive Mode
Lesson 6: Classroom Activities 2: The Interpersonal Mode
Lesson 7: Classroom Activities 3: The Presentational Mode
Lesson 8: Grammar
Lesson 9: Feedback and Error Correction
Lesson 10: Lesson Planning
Lesson 11: Technology and Language Learning
Lesson 12: Issues in Assessment
Course 2: Understanding the American Educational Context (1 credit)
Tentative topics: foreign languages in the American educational system; foreign languages in the community; individual rights and responsibilities, and the American college student; teaching without a textbook; learner diversity and heritage learners; classroom management; study abroad; instructional technology in the classroom; instructional technology beyond the classroom; professional development; teacher as researcher; building a foreign language program
Course 3: Mediating Cultures (1 credit)
Tentative topics: student perspectives on culture; defining culture; cultural diversity in the language classroom; cultural authenticity in the classroom; literacy and literature; perspectives on culture; assessing cultural understanding; intercultural communication; negotiating cultural difference; co-constructing cultural notions; critical thinking
Course 4: Teaching African Languages (1 credit)
Topics TBD
The Initiative in the News
The National Online LCTL Teacher Training Initiative is featured in the current issue of Ulimi, the newsletter of the National African Language Resource Center, as well as in or by the following:
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