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Avant Helps Teachers Assess

This fall, Avant will launch Avant ADVANCE, an online teacher-training system. ADVANCE helps teachers correctly assess student responses from novice to advanced on the ACTFL proficiency scale more efficiently, more accurately, and with greater confidence than traditional face-to-face training programs.


Avant ADVANCE is a combined software and online training system based on the existing system that has been developed and improved over the last twelve years to train, certify, and manage its raters for its STAMP assessments.

Teachers who develop a deep understanding of the proficiency standards use proficiency pedagogy more effectively and generate better learning outcomes than those who do not acquire that understanding. With ADVANCE, teachers can acquire the necessary understanding to rate student responses anytime and anywhere for a fraction of the cost of face-to-face training workshops.

In spring 2018, Avant will be adding nine new language assessments based on feedback from teachers in the field:
STAMP 4Se for Arabic (grades 2–6), STAMP 4S for Korean (grades 7–adult), STAMP 4S for Polish (grades 7–adult), STAMP 4S for Turkish (grades 7–adult), WorldSpeak for Ilocano, WorldSpeak for Haitian-Creole, WorldSpeak for Portuguese, WorldSpeak for Armenian, and WorldSpeak for Samoan.

Mothers Across Languages Use Similar Tones With Babies

A new study shows that mothers change the timbre of their voices when speaking to babies, no matter what language they speak. The study came out of the Princeton Neuroscience Institute and was published in Current Biology.

Researchers looked into the timbre of mothers voices—that is, the characteristic tone quality of how their voices sound, not exactly what the subjects were saying.

Timbre is tied not to pitch or loudness, but instead is defined by frequencies produced by a person’s voice (or instrument). It helps us to discriminate, recognize, and enjoy a rich variety of sounds, from friends voices to musical instruments. Vocal timbre varies widely across people due to the physical makeup, and has many dimensions due to the individuality.

Many studies have already concluded that mothers in many languages raise their pitch (giving that distinct baby-voice), slow down their speech, talk in a “cooing” pattern, and shorten and simplify words. Researchers wanted to quantify the change in timbre and analyze how they changed depending on the language. This kind of talk is called infant-directed speech (IDS).

They concluded for the first time that IDS is defined by changes in timbre that help differentiate it from adult-directed speech across multiple languages. Timbre plays an important role in code switching for these adults, and added another dimension to the previously known characteristics of IDS.

The 24 mothers that participated in the study were measured speaking to their infants and then to adult interviewers. They found that English speakers performed similarly to other languages when it came to timbre shifts.

Italian Language Week Celebration Begins


The 17th Annual Week of the Italian Language in the World from October 16-21, 2017 is a cultural event which promotes Italian not only as a marketing tool of the great cultural heritage of Italy but also as an extraordinary medium of communication in the world of economy and business, science and research. Every year the diplomatic and cultural network of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy chooses a theme for this initiative and organizes a series of events in the third week of October. This year, under the High Patronage of the President of the Republic of Italy, the chosen topic is “L’italiano al cinema, l’italiano nel cinema” (Italian at the cinema, Italian in the cinema). It is a tribute to the role that cinema has played, through the recreation of events linked to Italian history, both in the evolution of the language and in the development of society.

With over 50 events throughout the week residents in Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Philadelphia, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco and Washington D. C. will have many opportunities to immerse themselves in exhibits, conferences, shows and linguistic events.

The first of several events organized by the Embassy of Italy and the Italian Cultural Institute in Washington D.C. will be a conference on Screening the Classics, on Monday October 16 at 6pm at the Embassy of Italy. Edoardo Ripari, professor of Italian at the University of Bologna, will explore the relationship between Italian literature and world cinema showing how great classics, from Dante’s “Divine Comedy” to Boccaccio’s “The Decameron”, from Collodi’s “Pinocchio” to Verga’s “I Malavoglia”, have been reinterpreted by filmmakers such as Woody Allen, Luchino Visconti, Federico Fellini, Steven Spielberg and others.

In addition to being the language of tradition and memories for many Italian Americans, Italian today is an essential promotional vehicle for Italy, for its lifestyle and for the image of a country which not only represents beauty but also innovation and modernity. Every year students of all ages and backgrounds choose to study Italian. In the 2015/2016 school year there were over 2 million students of Italian outside of Italy, Switzerland and San Marino.

To view all the events scheduled in the Italian diplomatic network in the USA:

http://www.usspeaksitalian.org/xvii-settimana-della-lingua-italiana-nel-mondo 

 

Increasing Communication Through Sister-School Programs

Kristal Bivona on how increased access to communications technology through sister schools has created new ways schools can use to develop international partnerships

Among the limits of the traditional classroom are the walls. While educators preach the importance of experiential learning, cultural exchange and mutual understanding in a globalized society, the classes they teach are typically confined to the impermeable box that is the classroom. One way to break outside of the box is to engage in a sister-school partnership with a school or classroom in another country. Sister schools work together in a number of ways to provide a cultural experience for students and to internationalize their education. While some sister-school programs include a travel component, many classes enjoy forging relationships with overseas counterparts through pen pals, video conference calls, email, and chat without the goal of ever meeting in person. Sister schools can connect through third parties or establish their own connections and make their own rules. Some school districts and cities offer guidelines to facilitate establishing sister schools, while individual administrators or teachers can use social media to reach out.

Continue

October 2017

Inside Language Magazine October 2017 Issue

September 2017

Making the Grade Rachel Kachchafexplains how the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium is helping to improve outcomes for English language learners

Learning Demonstrations Dennis Christopher and Les Sewall , explain how to use performance assessments to bridge the gap between accountability and learning

Could the Language Barrier Actually Fall within the Next Ten Years? David Arbesú argues that computers need soul to truly translate

Transferring Language Ana Albir describes the development of a digital tool to help English learners in both mainstream and ESL classes

World-Readiness Standards The National Standards for Learning Languages have been revised based on what language educators have learned from more than 15 years of implementing the standards.

Academic Literacy Starts in the Library Susan K. S. Grigsby explains why librarians may be the key to encouraging young readers

A Multilingual Master Plan Moira T. Birmingham offers a blueprint for developing the teaching of world languages in the U.S.

South America’s Cooler Leanna Robinsonsuggests students escape the summer heat in North America by venturing south of the equator to learn Spanish.

August 2017

Teaching in the Zone Sara Davila uses theory and research to hit the learning sweet spot

An Act of Commitment, Generosity, and Mediation Celebrated author, John le Carré believes that anglophones need to learn a second language now more than ever

Next-Generation Learning Models for English Language Learners Recommendations of the International Association for K–12 Online Learning’s (iNACOL) new report

Making Learning Come to Life Trish Roffey creates makerspaces to embolden and empower English learners and struggling students

Diversity Products for the New School Year Language Magazine has compiled a list of new products to help teachers and students in and out of the classroom

Academic Staying on Point Ryan East celebrates the factual rigor demanded by the Common Core State Standards

Study Abroad Scholars who have previously studied in Germany discuss their experiences

$3 Million for Irish Language

Irish language groups have received increased funding. According to the Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe’s budget speech, the Department is allocating new funds to the Irish language along with the Gaeltacht (areas of Ireland that are primarily Irish-speaking) and the Irish Islands. Donohoe said in his speech that the Irish language “is a vital part of our country.”

As part of the Twenty Year Strategy for Irish, There will be an increase of €2.5 million in the allocation for the Irish language and the Gaeltacht in 2018, with additional funding for the language planning process, including Údarás na Gaeltachta and various training programs in Irish.

There will be additional funding provided next year for the Arts Council, the Irish Film Board, Culture Ireland, the National Cultural Institutions and the Creative Children initiative, which has captured the public imagination.

Some Irish politicians have said that the budget plan falls short, however. On Twitter, the Social Democrats leader Roisín Shortall said “Twice as much as being allocated to Taoiseach’s comms unit than the funding increase for Irish language and Gaeltacht.”

Other politicians seem pleased with the initiative. Minister of State for the Irish Language, the Gaeltacht and the Islands Joe McHugh told that The Journal“support for the Irish language and the sustainable development of our island communities will remain key priorities for me in 2018.″

US Leaves Education, Science, Culture Organization

Following in President Reagan’s footsteps, the Trump administration has announced the U.S. intention to withdraw from United Nations Educational Scientific Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in January 2019, citing financial reasons and anti-Israel bias.

UNESCO is responsible for initiatives like World Teachers’ Day, International Literacy Day, Mother Language Day, and International Year of Indigenous Languages, as well as countless programs to protect and promote endangered languages.

The State Department said the U.S. would like to remain involved as a nonmember observer state, but the withdrawal means the U.S. will halt the arrears it has run-up since it stopped paying the organization in 2011 to protest the admission of the Palestinian Authority as a full member. By the end of 2017, the arrears will be $550 million.

Dr. Esther D. Brimmer, executive director and CEO of NAFSA: Association of International Educators, expressed his disappointment, “As international educators, we believe in engagement, not isolation, as we work to find solutions to the world’s problems. We are again disappointed by another Trump administration short-sighted decision, this time to withdraw from UNESCO. Understanding and protecting the cultural heritage of the world’s people, promoting scientific advancement and supporting educational opportunities are vital to building a more secure and peaceful world. While the United States has differed on important matters with some UNESCO members, withdrawing from the organization will further isolate us from the rest of the world, something that we cannot afford to let happen. This decision will waste critical opportunities to engage in dialogue with other nations and will only serve to make the United States seem less welcoming and closed to other ideas and perspectives.”

UNESCO members are in the middle of voting for the next director general and after the first round of voting, Qatar’s Hamad bin Abdulaziz al-Kawari, who has been accused of fostering anti-Semitism, is leading France’s Audrey Azoulay.

Irina Bokova, director-general of UNESCO, expressed “profound regret” at the decision. “At the time when the fight against violent extremism calls for renewed investment in education, in dialogue among cultures to prevent hatred, it is deeply regrettable that the U.S. should withdraw from the United Nations leading these issues,” she said in a statement.

“This is a loss to UNESCO,” she added. “This is a loss to the United Nation family. This is a loss for multilateralism.”

Bokova claimed that the partnership between the U.S. and UNESCO “has never been so meaningful,” despite the withholding of U.S. funding.

“Together, we have worked to protect humanity’s shared cultural heritage in the face of terrorist attacks and to prevent violent extremism through education and media literacy,” she said.

She added: “The American poet, diplomat and Librarian of Congress, Archibald MacLeish penned the lines that open UNESCO’s 1945 Constitution: ‘Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defenses of peace must be constructed.’ This vision has never been more relevant.”

 

Digital Te Reo Māori Puzzles

A series of ten digital puzzles introduces Te Reo Māori words and phrases to children aged three to seven years in a fun and engaging way.

The objective is to introduce young New Zealanders and others to Te Reo Māori with a playful approach that encourages ongoing interest, while also capturing whānau’s attention with a positive message that this is a language and culture highly relevant to their children’s future. The targeted audience’s language level is receptive audience (beginner 0% to 30%). The targeted audience includes both Māori and non-Māori audiences.

The puzzles were created by technology innovator Kiwa Digital, recognized for its commitment to Te Reo Māori and with an international reputation in language revitalization. The company also works with business and government organizations to introduce Te Ao Māori to staff in a positive and helpful way.

The project is funded by Te Māngai Pāho, the New Zealand government agency whose role is to promote Māori language and culture by making funds available for the production and distribution of Māori-language content.

Larry Parr, CEO of Te Māngai Pāho, says, “The aim is to bring the sound and meaning of Te Reo Māori into everyday classroom and home activities. This reflects and supports the long-held vision of Te Māngai Pāho: Ahakoa kei whea, Ahakoa āwhea, Ahakoa pēwhea, Kōrerotia te reo Māori! Māori language—every day, every way, everywhere.” The puzzles can be accessed for free and ideas for extension activities for kura (schools) and whānau can also be downloaded and shared. www.reopuzzles.online 

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