STARTALK and the Intensive Summer Institute for

World Language Teachers 2007 Northern Kentucky University

Highland Heights, KY

STARTALK language camp for the Intensive Summer Institute for World Language Teachers

ISIWLT

• Alternative certification program for world language teachers

• Included workshop on specific language– Chinese: Dr. Chenliang Sheng– Arabic: Dr. Katya C. Belhabib

• 1 week practice teaching for program participants = Free language camp for local children

Opportunity to share experiences

•

Language camp

• Held at local private school

• Provided classrooms, technology and support, auditorium

• Publicized through school newsletter to parents, notices to local principals and language teachers

• Already have parents asking about this summer (2008)

Advantages to language camp

• For community– Chance to explore languages and cultures in

low risk, non judgmental setting– Short duration– Free– Exposure to less commonly taught world

languages

Advantages for program

• Provided context and motivation for methods course work

• Instruction geared towards the final week of practice

• assignments designed to help participants build their lesson plans for the language camp

• Participants could work in their teams and consult with their instructors to build their lessons

• Let us evaluate participants’ teaching, not just book work

Caveats

• Student population self-selected: motivated and well-behaved no classroom management issues

• No need for testing or grading • Emphasis on fun and enjoyment in

language learning • Only one week, 3 hours a day; lots of time

for preparation • small classes (5 – 10 students)

Final presentations made during “The Festival of Celebrations!”held on Friday July 20, 2007

• Arabic and Chinese classes demonstrated what they had learned during the previous four days of instruction.

The Arabic Class demonstrated how to make hummus.

They also learned a traditional dance.

The Chinese classes learned to introduce themselves and count.

Performers:

尼 克

埃 伦

亚 丽

艾米丽

卡罗琳

亚 历

马 修

莎 拉

Instructors:

蒋芸芳

裴小玲

王 雁

雷雪莲

They also honored the Chinese New Year.

What did parents have to say?• World Language Camp was GREAT. My

favorite thing about the camp is that my daughter learned about another culture and language in a very fun way.  To be honest, she was hesitant to attend because she thought the camp would give her homework and notes to study. I am not sure how you did it ....but you passed on another language in a very amusing way and it did not feel like "work." She looked forward to going each and every day…. 

• … It is time to stop thinking about other cultures as "foreign".  I think programs like this are instruments of peace.

What did parents have to say?(continued)

• The children were immersed in the culture and spoken to in the language during the camp, not just writing on the board or being given worksheets.  It was like living in the culture.  Nice class size enhanced the learning experience. It was a great experience for us, no complaints here!

• We can’t wait for next year!

Final Day

• Performance for family

• Good attendance

• Problems with video recording

Recruiting

• For ISIWLT– Word of mouth– Website– Through school districts and KY dept. of

education

• For camp – School newsletters– Notices to principals and language teachers– Word of mouth

This year…

• More master teachers

• More collaboration with master teachers before camp starts

• More students in each camp class

• Less range in ages

• More technicians to videotape during the camp