STARTALK 2009 - Swahili Programs
Center for Applied Linguistics (teacher)
CAL STARTALK Proficiency Assessment Training Program
This STARTALK workshop will combine online and face-to-face workshop formats to provide training in language assessment. The purpose of the workshop is to help STARTALK program directors, instructors, and/or teacher trainers learn about and plan for assessment in their STARTALK summer programs. The workshop focuses on assessment with particular attention to assessing language growth in short-term STARTALK programs for students with novice-level proficiency. This blended learning workshop combines distance learning and face-to-face interaction. The workshop will begin with a four-module online course on the basics of assessment. Consistent with the blended learning approach, the initial four modules are followed by a two-day face-to-face workshop at the Center for Applied Linguistics in Washington, DC, in July, 2009. After the face-to-face workshop, CAL will continue the online modules in order to provide assessment assistance, advice, and support during participants’ STARTALK programs. Finally, optional oral proficiency workshops, conducted online, will be available in the fall of 2009. This workshop is limited to staff from STARTALK-funded programs. We hope that at least one person from every program participates. Organizers: Meg Malone, Lynn Thompson, Vicky Nier, and Anne Donovan Application: You can request the application and DRAFT syllabus from mmalone@cal.org.
National Council of Less Commonly Taught Languages (teacher)
Swahili Teacher Development Institute
STARTALK Summer Swahili Professional Development Program July 13-24, 2009 This Swahili Professional Development Program, sponsored by STARTALK and organized by the National Council of Less Commonly Taught Languages, is a hands on training of prospective and new teachers of Swahili at the post-secondary level. Ten new or prospective Swahili instructors will be selected to participate in a two-week intensive summer program – July 13-24, 2009. Participants will have hands-on training in the implementation of standards-based curriculum and instruction, backward curriculum design model and communicative approach. During the first week of the program, participants will be introduced to the main theoretical and pedagogical concepts of teaching Swahili as a foreign language through a combination of lectures, seminars, hands-on workshops, and micro-lesson presentations to get a clear understanding of the basic concepts of teaching Swahili as a foreign language. The second week will involve practicum. During this period, participants will work closely with coaching Master Teachers that they will observe. They will also reflect on the practices of the master teachers, and discuss issues that arise from the activities of the master teachers. Participants will also be given time to teach and receive feedback on their teaching activities. Participants who complete the program will be awarded a generous stipend of $1,000 to cover travel expenses. Accommodation will also be provided for participants who live outside of Madison. NCOLCTL will issue a certificate of completion to all the participants that complete the program.
Rochester City School District (student)
Rochester City School District Chinese and Swahili Language Camps
The Rochester City School District will host two language immersion programs in Swahili and Mandarin Chinese for students who are entering grades 8 and 9. The STARTALK Rochester Summer Language Camps will offer free-of-charge language camps to economically disadvantaged children; generate interest and awareness among students and city residents of the language learning opportunities available in the district; and engage new refugee, immigrant, and heritage-speaking students. During the two, 10-day camps, students will spend 1.5 to 2 hours per day on language and 1 to 1.5 hours per day on applying the learned language with cultural activities. Each language will be offered twice. Session one will run July 13-24. Session two will run July 27-August 7. Week one will feature “Greetings and Introductions.” Week two will feature “Me and My Family.” Each camp highlights authentic music, dancing, art, artifacts, and speaking. Cultural activity leaders will visit classrooms and reinforce teacher instruction. Cultural highlights will include: cooking and food tasting, building a mud house at the Baobob Cultural Center, visiting the University of Rochester Memorial Art Gallery and Cornell University, and classroom visits by professional musicians, dancers, and storytellers.
