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November 27, 2012

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News for and about language educators

Spotlight on Languages

Utah school is recognized for French language program
Elementary school principal Dennis Pratt is traveling to France to accept an award honoring his school in Provo, Utah, for having one of the top French language education programs in the world. Seventeen schools worldwide will be recognized by the French Ministry of Education, and their leaders will take part in a three-day conference hosted by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Agency for the Teaching of French to Foreigners. The Daily Herald (Provo, Utah) (11/21)

Ill. teacher uses visual cues to support language learning
When it's time for her bilingual students to speak English, Jacqueline Hoke puts on her "magic scarf." On her classroom's "word wall," she posts Spanish words in red and English words in blue. Hoke said she believes the visual contrasts help students at her Rantoul, Ill., elementary school separate the two languages in their minds. Hoke's district has hired 13 people in the past two years to work with bilingual students. The News-Gazette (Champaign-Urbana, Ill.) (11/23)

Other News

Curator tries to bring Chochenyo language back from the dead
San Francisco Chronicle (11/23)

Colo. students practice Pledge of Allegiance in multiple languages
San Francisco Chronicle/The Associated Press (11/21)

Technology & Trends

San Antonio health system improves staff language skills
The University Health System in San Antonio is investing in training staff to be on-site medical interpreters to better serve patients. "Our bilingual staff has embraced becoming more effective communicators by receiving this advanced training in medical interpreting," said Jacqueline Burandt, senior director of University Health System’s Center for Learning Excellence. "They see first-hand every day the positive impact it can make on our patients’ safety and quality outcomes." TrainingMag.com (11/21)

Mass. parent develops game to teach Mandarin
To help her son and other young children learn Chinese, Vicky Wu Davis started a weekly class for students ages 2 to 6, where she teaches through language with storytelling and group activities, such as making ice cream. Now Wu Davis is trying to gather funds for a tablet application -- Peach Ice Cream Adventures -- that will teach Chinese with methods similar to those she uses in class. "If you wrap it up in fun things, they don't even realize they're learning another language," she said. Boston Herald (11/25)

Other News

Can popular video games help kids learn new languages?
The Toronto Star (11/20)

Fund a New Digital Language Lab
It's no secret that funding for technology can be challenging. SANS Funding White Paper provides solid ideas on how to create a cohesive funding strategy and use available resources to get the technology you need for your language program. Download the Funding White Paper today.

Policy Watch

Quebec pushes for French phrases on exterior signage
KFC and Staples are among the few foreign companies that have translated their trade names into French for locations in Canada's French-speaking Quebec province. Signage inside the stores is in French by law, but on the signs outside, Costco is still Costco and Best Buy is simply Best Buy. Quebec officials are demanding retailers change their outdoor signage as well, and some companies have challenged the new rules in court. The Seattle Times/The New York Times (11/23)

Study questions ELL placement in Calif. schools
Critics of California's placement system for English language learners say the test given to students to determine their language abilities is too difficult, sometimes resulting in students being labeled incorrectly. A recent study by researchers at University of California, Berkeley, found that this practice has led to wasted resources and less help for those students who really need it. San Jose Mercury News (Calif.) (free registration) (11/24)

ACTFL News

Looking for ACTFL 2012 handouts?
If you were one of the nearly 7,000 attendees at ACTFL 2012 in Philadelphia, you were part of an extraordinary professional development experience. If you want to access handouts/presentation slides from convention sessions, visit here. Be sure to check back often as presenters are still uploading handouts. And don't forget -- the 2013 Call for Proposals is now open! Submit today.

Submit videos for this year's ACTFL video contest
ACTFL is proud to present its national student video contest to celebrate Discover Languages month during February 2013! This effort is part of the sustained Discover Languages public awareness campaign, which is designed to bring media attention to the critical need of all students to have the opportunity to learn a second language. Cash and product prizes will be awarded to the students who produce the winning videos. The deadline is Dec. 20. Learn more and submit.