Cutting to the Common Core: My Students Can’t Read So How Will They Write?
Hillary Wolfe recommends building strategic scaffolds to assist adolescent writing
One of the biggest instructional shifts resulting from the Common Core State Standards is the increased emphasis on writing. Students will be expected to write in all content areas, for various purposes, and over varying lengths of time (Writing Anchor Standard 10). Argument writing has been elevated to a high priority (indicated by its placement as Writing Anchor Standard 1). And writing must include textual evidence, in-depth analysis, and structures appropriate to task, purpose, and audience (Writing Anchor Standard 4) (CCSS, 2010). For a seventh-grade student who is reading at a fourth-grade level, how will this happen?
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Huffington Post to Launch Arabic News Site
The Huffington Post announced the launch of a new Arabic-language news site, HuffPost Arabi. The online news site will target the Arab world’s younger digitally-savvy generation.
President and Editor-in-Chief, Arianna Huffington, said in a statement, “There’s such a great need – not only in the region, but all over the world – to bring more Arab voices into the conversation and deepen the world’s understanding of life in the Arab world, from its accomplishments to its untapped potential.”
The Huffington Post is working closely with former director general of Al Jazeera, Wadah Khanfar and the editorial team of HuffPost Arabi will be London-based. Khanfar explained that the partnership aims to create a “fresh and exciting online community” and expand opportunities for journalists to create original content in Arabic.
The Huffington Post has already expanded into other global markets, such as Brazil, the U.K., and Korea. HuffPost Arabi will be its 12th global site.
Keeping It Real
Pat Guiney advocates the use of authentic content in the language classroom
For years, theorists and cutting-edge language educators alike have been advocating a move away from rote learning and grammar-centered instruction. Many believe that facilitating content-driven, learner-centered acquisition is a better approach. However, until recently, there were few resources available to achieve this.
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Restaurant Offers Courses in ASL
A restaurant in Canada is giving customers a mini crash-course in American Sign Language, calling upon them to sign their order. The Toronto restaurant, called Signs, aims to serve delicious food in an environment where the deaf can work and dine using their own language and where the hearing can learn some ASL and a bit about the deaf community.
Congress Considers Indigenous Language Bills
The Linguistic Society of America is working closely with the Committee on Endangered Languages and their Preservation (CELP) to raise awareness within Congress about the importance of Native American language revitalization. In June, the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs examined two bills that are pending in both houses of Congress that would promote indigenous language revitalization.
Chillax, Play Scrabble with a Frenemy
On August 6, Merriam-Webster will release the Fifth Edition of The Official SCRABBLE Players Dictionary, marking the dictionary’s first major update in nearly a decade. More than 5,000 new words will be added to the dictionary making them officially playable in the game, including GEOCACHE, a word chosen by fans in the SCRABBLE Word Showdown earlier this year. Players in the U.S. and Canada will now be able to score with new words such as: BEATBOX, CHILLAX, FRENEMY, HASHTAG, JOYPAD, MIXTAPE, MOJITO, PONZU, SELFIE, SOJU, SUDOKU, TEXTER, VODCAST, VLOG, and YUZU.
Study Abroad With El Pasaje Spanish School
El Pasaje Spanish School was founded 5 years ago by a group of Spanish teachers, and has already achieved an important presence online thanks to the positive feedback of its former students: it’s well known for being highly rated on travel websites, travelers’ forums and social networks.
The school is located in the very center of Buenos Aires, and offers a wide variety of affordable Spanish programs: Intensive, semi-intensive and regular classes are dictated for small groups or single students. As for private classes, they also offer tuition at home, online lessons and preparation courses for international exams.
All the Spanish programs are designed to develop the students’ skills in listening, speaking, writing and reading, while always aiming to improve their communication ability and introduce them to Latin American culture. A big part of its success, according to the reviews they receive, is due to their warm and customized service, their accuracy when assessing the students’ level and so placing them in suitable groups, and the great dynamism of their classes, which include interesting texts, games, role play, audios and a lot of conversation.
All the Spanish programs include free social activities at the school, and it is also possible to opt for Stay and Learn Programs and Volunteering.
For further information visit www.elpasajespanish.com.
Bright Learners, Big Country
Kristal Bivona returns from China full of its promise.
China is the future. After a short time in one of its gargantuan metropolises, it becomes clear that China is banking on the future by investing in education, bullet trains, reforestation, and massive construction projects. Students in the U.S. are banking on China’s future by studying Mandarin and pursuing studies on the mainland. Studying abroad in China is a fantastic and often overlooked opportunity: the Chinese people are friendly and welcoming to foreigners; Chinese cities have very little street crime and are much safer than many American cities; the Chinese culture takes studying quite seriously, and students can expect an excellent level of education.
While China is the future, it takes seriously the duty to preserve and remember the past. Old structures such as the famous Great Wall and the smaller Ming Dynasty Wall in Beijing are currently and regularly reinforced and repaired, as are old Buddhist temples and other ruins from past dynasties. Incredible museums tell the narrative of China’s history. Students can go from cosmopolitan urban centers replete with Starbucks stores and fast food chains to secluded and quiet pagodas tucked into a lush green landscape.
The down side to China? American students might miss their Google, their Facebook, their Youtube. However, a university or private party VPN can get around internet censorship. It’s a small price to pay for the unforgettable experience of spending time in China with friends, learning the language and the culture.
EF Beijing
EF Beijing offers not just a great setting for studying Mandarin, but for experiencing the rich culture of the city and country through using the language in real world situations, from basic conversation, to shopping in a Chinese marketplace, to exploring the amazing architecture of the city. EF was named Beijing 2008 Olympic Games official Language Training Service Supplier, training 5,000 Chinese citizens, including members of the Olympic Committee, judges and volunteers. The school is a bridge, allowing students to get to know the people behind the language.
The school welcomes students of all ages from every corner of the world and the curriculum uses an intensively structured academic program along with an array of educational and social activities, creating a fast and interesting methodology. All teachers are highly qualified and are certified with professional designations and high academic achievement. Their new school offers modern facilities with the latest in language learning technology combined with fun activities arranged by the school.
iMandarin
With ten years of experience and more than 20 campuses across the country, iMandarin is one of the leading Chinese language providers in China. iMandarin is an affiliate of Neworld Education and is publishing its own learning manuals to match their students’ expectations. They offer a full range of services, group classes, one-to-one classes, cultural classes, Skype lessons, and summer camps for all ages, levels and backgrounds. They offer lessons in Chinese languages, English, Japanese, Korean, Thai, German, and French. Free placement tests and demo classes are available.
Intercultural Student Experiences (ISE)
Teachers of Mandarin bring language to life when they travel to China with their students. ISE’s educational travel program to China immerses students in the language and culture while providing opportunities for them to engage with Chinese people and speak Mandarin. A local bilingual guide accompanies the group full-time, providing valuable insights into culture and language. Visiting the Great Wall, Tian’anmen Square, the Bund, and the Terracotta Army provide classic experiences. On top of that, students are inspired by the personal encounters they have. Students live with host families in Beijing, where they can enjoy a cooking les- son and play ping-pong with neighbors in the courtyard. In a rural village, a lesson in traditional farmers’ painting by the artist himself evolves into a visit to his home. The canals of Suzhou are beautiful while lasting memories are made in an afternoon at a local school. Students stretch their language skills and catch a glimpse of real life in China’s most populous city when they dine with families at home in Shanghai.
Sino Language Gateway
SLG is a reputable, privately-run, Chinese summer camp provider. SLG has been dedicated to promoting two-way language & cultural exchange between the students of China and the U.S. since 2003. Building on a long-term presence in both countries, SLG has close connections with local communities, and a deep understanding of the intercultural, health, and safety issues inherent to study in another country. Programs are designed to provide excellence in language study with ample opportunity to interact with local children and to reflect on intercultural encounters in structured settings. The idea is to make sure what students have learned is not just a theory, but a practical ability to communicate in the language, to understand, and to make themselves understood. The following programs are available:
■ For students: summer camp in China: Chinese language and culture Immersion, Leadership & Service; one on one online live Chinese lesson; gap year exchange program in Shanghai.
■ For educators: K–12 Superintendent delegation to China; Chinese teacher or program leader professional development program.
■ For U.S. K–12 schools: Customized school trip to China; Exchange pro- gram/sister school setup with a Chinese school; Joint-diploma program with a Chinese school.
Where There Be Dragons
From programs that focus on China’s economic development, to programs that inspect China’s ethnic diversity, to courses designed around intensive language instruction, Dragons has a 21-year history of mapping out and delivering programs of exceptional quality and intimacy. No other organization has been in China as long as Dragons, with as many programs, and with such a sustained presence. Each Dragons China program is limited to twelve students and is staffed with three primary instructors as well as appropriate language staff. Dragons instructors are much more than chaperones: they are informed educators who teach — academically and experientially — about the history, culture, economy, arts, politics, and development issues of modern China. On language-intensive programs, professionally trained language instructors often provide one-on-one instruction for as many as four to six hours of teaching each day. Program components include: homestay, trekking, leadership, independent study project, language study, service learning, survey of development Issues, comparative religion, and rugged travel.
