Most Clicked ACTFL SmartBrief Stories
1. Should educators use Rosetta Stone for teaching?
ACTFL SmartBrief | Jan 31, 2012
Language educators -- including David McAlpine, president of the board of directors for the American Council for the Teaching of Foreign Languages -- are questioning whether Rosetta Stone instruction should be used in place of classroom interaction. Last year, James Madison University unveiled plans to offer the first for-credit class on Rosetta Stone software. "You need to engage the students in what language is all about," McAlpine said, "which is human communication. Not communication with a machine." InsideHigherEd.com (01/27)
2. Book reveals the mysteries of hyperpolyglots
ACTFL SmartBrief | Jan 31, 2012
Michael Erard wrote "Babel No More" to explore the characteristics of people who are multilingual, also known as hyperpolyglots. Erard discovered that some language learners have the ability to retain a dozen or more tongues. Erard believes such individuals will become more common in the future. Being a hyperpolyglot requires both talent and access to education. Time.com (01/30)
3. When should students begin learning foreign languages?
ACTFL SmartBrief | Jan 24, 2012
Education officials in Stamford, Conn., are creating a new elementary school world languages program to introduce students to languages at an earlier age. Currently, most students in the district do not study foreign languages until high school. "It's really never too early to start having students be exposed to languages other than just their native languages, because when a young child hears the sounds of a different language, they're much more likely to be able to imitate those sounds," said Marty Abbott, executive director of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages. Advocate (Stamford, Conn.), The (01/23)
4. Multi-ethnic dialects might be here to stay
ACTFL SmartBrief | Feb 14, 2012
New dialects that blend the native language with immigrant tongues have taken hold in parts of Europe, as newcomers have flowed into more prosperous countries. Kiezdeutsch, the parlance of urban youth in Germany, combines some Turkish and Arabic words and also shortens some German phrases. Economist, The (02/11)
5. February is Discover Languages month!
ACTFL SmartBrief | Jan 31, 2012
Discover Languages® is the national campaign developed by the ACTFL to raise awareness about the cognitive, academic, social, cultural and economic benefits that language learning provides our nation's students. In addition to year-round advocacy, ACTFL and its members focus particular attention on speaking up for language learning during Discover Languages® month in February. ACTFL has created a website filled with ideas and classroom activities, information and research studies and step-by-step guidelines to help teachers, students, parents and supporters communicate, educate and advocate about the benefits of language learning. Learn more.
6. College graduates look for work overseas
ACTFL SmartBrief | Feb 07, 2012
The desire to learn English in other parts of the world has proven to be a boon for young college grads struggling to get their career footing in America. Countries in Asia, the Middle East and Latin America are searching for those in the U.S. who would teach English as a second language. The practice has become so prevalent that Dave Perling started a website, ESLCafe.com, to match recruiters with potential teachers. Teachers can earn as much as $3,000 per month to start. Chicago Tribune (02/08)
7. Columnist: Who needs another language? Others will learn English
ACTFL SmartBrief | Feb 07, 2012
Telegraph (London), The (02/06)
8. Conn. school dual language instruction meets new level
ACTFL SmartBrief | Feb 07, 2012
New Canaan High School in Connecticut launched a Mandarin program five years ago, and now the district is expanding those offerings to middle school students. Next school year, students in sixth grade will start a three year language sequence and can continue their Mandarin instruction in high school. "We're teaching kids today, for a world that we don't really know what it will look like," said Lizette D'Amico, the school district's world language coordinator. New Canaan Advertiser (Conn.) (02/04)
9. Social media and technology connects U.S., foreign classrooms
ACTFL SmartBrief | Jan 24, 2012
More schools are using social media, videoconferencing and other technology to help teach students about current and historical events, as well as the similarities and differences of students in other countries and cultures. A project at one Pennsylvania school has high school students from different countries collaborating on wiki pages, while classrooms at schools in more than 200 countries and territories are connecting using the ePals social learning network. Education Week (premium article access compliments of EdWeek.org) (01/23)
10. Are schools preparing language educators with strong speaking skills?
ACTFL SmartBrief | Jan 24, 2012
InsideHigherEd.com (01/23)
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