The Keys to Assessing Language Performance


Book Description

Students continually ask, "Does this count?" "Is this on the test?" They want to know how they'll be evaluated. Discover how to answer these questions in ways that shape student learning and keep teaching focused on what really matters. Written by language expert Paul Sandrock, this superb manual clarifies precisely what language educators need to understand in order to successfully assess student performance. Relevant to new teachers and seasoned professionals alike, Sandrock provides step-by-step guidance on how to design assessments, illuminates the process of designing rubrics that focus on proficiency and helps educators create assessments that motivate students to offer language samples that accomplish authentic purposes. School administrators will also benefit from the section that focuses on the impact of performance assessment on instruction and program design.




The Keys to Planning for Learning


Book Description

An effective curriculum must bring all required elements together creating an articulated scope and sequence that allows learners to advance to the highest possible levels of proficiency given the type of program. The documents need to be written in a format that is easily understood and accessible to teachers. Enduring understandings offer a starting point for curriculum development. Language educators and experts Donna Clementi and Laura Terrill have created a useful guide to assist teachers, curriculum designers, administrators and professional developers in designing Standards- and performance-based curricula. Starting with an understanding of the 21st century learner, the authors establish a mindset for creating curriculum based on developing learners' proficiency in language and culture. The authors provide easy-to-follow templates to develop units of instruction and daily lessons that incorporate the Standards for Learning Languages, Common Core State Standards, 21st century skills, and technology integration




Implementing Integrated Performance Assessment


Book Description

A follow-up to the ACTFL Integrated Performance Assessment Manual published in 2003. This book provides readers with expanded guidelines for how to design IPA tasks to informthe backward design of a unit. Suggestions on how to provide effective feedback and howto improve learner performance are shared. Also included is a re-conceptualized rubricfor the interpretive mode and the addition of IPA rubrics for Advanced-level languageperformance.




The Keys to the Classroom


Book Description

Written by experienced language educator Paula Patrick, this 96-page book offers detailed guidelines to help new classroom teachers gain confidence and direction as they begin their teaching careers. In addition to step-by-step strategies for everything from classroom organization to navigating Back-To-School Night, the book includes sample lesson plans, templates for student and parent letters...even advice on dealing with the inevitable difficult moments every teacher faces! - Publisher.




The Keys to Strategies for Language Instruction


Book Description

The fourth in the series, this book underscores the importance of the teacher in the learning equation. With an emphasis on the need for instructors to possess a wide variety of strategies, substantial time is devoted to modeling the kind of thinking that skillful instructors employ to decide how learning can best be facilitated. Each chapter includes the opportunity for readers to analyze sample challenging scenarios and think about different ways of addressing them. With a focus on strategies backed by the most current research, this book gives educators powerful ideas to make language instruction meaningful and purposeful.




Leading Your World Language Program


Book Description

An essential resource for district, school, and program leaders who supervise, evaluate, or otherwise support World Language programs, this book provides clear, practical guidance on leading an exemplary K–12 World Language program. No matter whether you speak the language, the effective approaches in this book will equip you with the tools you need to implement and evaluate World Language curricula in your school. Catherine Ritz provides a clear and research-based framework for World Language instruction aligned to rigorous national and state standards, and addresses essential concepts and topics, including program and curriculum design, assessment and evaluation, and strategic planning. Whether you are a World Language department chair with years of experience, a school administrator with no background in language education, or a World Language teacher, you will find much to use in this book. It is chock-full of ready-to-use resources and tools, including: Templates for program and unit planning, observation protocols, and sample assessments World LAnguage program models for different age ranges, and a sample curriculum unit Additional resource lists and further reading recommendations.




Assessing Languages for Specific Purposes


Book Description

This book is the first to examine implementation of tests for specific purposes.




Assessing Languages for Specific Purposes


Book Description

Testing language for specific purposes (LSP) refers to that branch of language testing in which the test content and test methods are derived from an analysis of a specific language use situation, such as Spanish for business, Japanese for tour guides, Italian for language teachers, or English for air traffic control. LSP tests are usually contrasted with general purpose language tests, in which purpose is more broadly defined, as in the Test of English as a Foreign Language. This book is the first to examine the issues surrounding the implementation of tests for specific purposes. It includes an in-depth discussion of the issues, an examination of the current exams, and a comprehensive overview of the literature. It will be a welcome addition to any language teaching professionals library.




The Essentials of World Languages, Grades K-12


Book Description

We live in a global community, and to be a full member of this community often requires speaking more than one language. Educators and policymakers must ask themselves: What does it mean to view language learning not as an elective but as a necessity for communicating and interacting with people around the world? The Essentials of World Languages, Grades K-12 answers this question and many more as it shows us * Why world languages must be positioned as an essential part of a balanced curriculum and why the time is right for implementing change. * When language instruction should begin and how language instruction should be delivered and assessed. * How to redefine the role of the teacher and curriculum coordinator in language learning. * How to set realistic expectations for students' second-language proficiency. * How to design curriculum using assessment targets. Packed with information about major trends and issues in world language education, this book offers valuable curriculum resources to help educators design and implement flexible language programs that prepare children to live and work in an interconnected, global culture.