Peoria Unified World Languages and Immersion

ProgramsDr. Heather Cruz

March 25, 2014

Today we will cover:

Class Clubs Immersion Programming

Current High School Offerings Spanish: I-V Spanish Adv Language and Literature IB Spanish V Honors French: I-V French Adv Language and Literature IB French V Honors German: I-IV American Sign Language: 1-IV

Class Syllabi

Spanish I Introduction to the language and culture of the

target language countries. This class consists of the four basic skill areas of writing, speaking, reading, and listening comprehension.

Spanish II A continuation of the study of the language and

culture of target language countries. The speaking, reading, writing, and listening comprehension skills are reviewed and reinforced. These skills and the culture element continue to be addressed through the use of basic conversational and grammatical structures.

Class Syllabi

Spanish V AP/Honors This course is an extended study of the target

language. Students are expected to perform at a higher level of proficiency than in previous courses. Writing, reading, speaking, and listening take on a more challenging aspect in Foreign Language V/AP (Honors). These skills and the culture element are addressed through advanced grammatical structures and readings. Students may take the Advanced Placement language exam and receive college credits depending upon their examination results and college standards

Class Syllabi

Spanish Advanced Language and Literature This course is an in-depth literary survey

that will serve as the basis for the advancement of oral language and composition. Students will be required to read and analyze a collection of literary works representative of the target culture. Subsequent discussion and composition will be in the target language.

High School World Language Clubs CeHS: Spanish, ASL, French IHS: Spanish Honor Society, French,

French Honor Society LHS: Spanish, German, ASL, ASL Honor

Society PHS: ASL RSK: Spanish, ASL SMHS: Spanish

Current Elementary Program Santa Fe: Spanish Immersion Program

Collaboration with Peoria High School Correct placement upon entry to high school Language integration with PHS teacher

World Language Club Parkridge Vistancia Use Rosetta Stone software

Arizona and University Guidelines Arizona K-12 Standards Available, but no

requirement to offer Foreign Language State Universities: Recommended

prerequisite of 2 full credits of a World Language

College Preparation Pathway students take at least two years of world language

Research

American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages Three Major Areas Identified

How does language learning support academic achievement?

How does language learning provide cognitive benefits to students?

How does language learning affect attitudes and beliefs about language learning and other cultures?

How does language learning support academic achievement?

Correlates to: Higher scores on standardized tests Increased linguistic awareness A students’ ability to hypothesize in science Development of print awareness in young children Higher SAT and ACT scores Higher academic performance in college

Benefits: Both native English speakers as well as English

Language Learners Aids in the development of students' reading abilities

Best Practices for Language Instruction

Start early A well articulated framework for instruction

Modern Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment. A Common European Framework of Reference (Council of Europe, 1996),

Teacher training Use of technology

Culture Hearing the language Interaction with those that speak the language Blogging Social Media

Language integrated with content instruction Santa Fe Immersion Program

Use of communication strategies to build context between current and new language

Build upon the primary language Use of new language as the sole

communication method in the classroom Some countries also identify language

courses as “core”

Best Practices for Language Instruction

Assessment Graduation requirement Support language instruction for

indigenous languages that are not the primary language of the area/country

Best Practices for Language Instruction

Discussion

Santa Fe: Spanish Immersion Program

English speaking students learn their second language (Spanish) through content Math and Science

Teacher speaks only in Spanish Collaboration with Peoria High School Collaboration with Curriculum and

Instruction to modify HS curriculum for these students.

History of Program: 2008-2009: 90 Students in Kindergarten and 1st Grade 2013-2014: 433 Students in Kindergarten through 7th

Grade Current Numbers:

Kindergarten – 2 teachers, 50 students 1st grade – 2 teachers, 55 students 2nd grade – 2 teachers, 58 students 3rd grade – 2 teachers, 54 students 4th grade – 2 teachers, 56 students 5th grade – 2 teachers, 40 students 6th grade – 2 teachers, 40 students 7th/8th grade – 1 teacher, 40 students 7th/8th grade – 1 teacher, 40 students

Sante Fe Immersion Numbers

17

Future Replication

Expand immersion program to 1 or 2 more schools

Considerations and Concerns Enrollment characteristics Principal/Staff passion and commitment Community/Site Council involvement Location of school

Stage One

Informal Discussion regarding program/ideas

General enthusiasm regarding ideas but little form or proposal developed

Ideas are long-term goals and do not have immediacy for implementation

Stage 2

Ideas in place to start exploration and research

Action plan designed and presented Extended meetings held Committee formed (leadership teams, site

council, etc.) Start up costs and evaluated Resources needed Training Staffing

Discussion

How many programs? General location in the District? Which World Language(s)?