| News for and about language educators |  |
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- Buffalo education officials consider Chinese immersion school
School officials in Buffalo, N.Y., say they will be on a fact-finding mission aimed at establishing a Chinese language immersion school in Buffalo when they visit China for an educational conference. According to preliminary plans, the school would teach English and Mandarin Chinese to between 300 and 500 students -- half of whom would be from China. Many international students who plan to study at U.S. universities already attend private and religious schools in the Buffalo area. The Buffalo News (N.Y.)
(11/5)
    
 | World of Reading, your source for foreign language and ESL supplemental materials since 1989. We offer cd-roms, dvds, audio cds & books in over 100 languages, all at discounted prices. Order online or submit a purchase order, our entire catalogue is at www.wor.com. Visit us at ACTFL Booth 1633! |
- Foreign language learners get memorization help from iPhone app
Language-learning software developed by a Japanese company is being introduced as an iPhone application in the U.S. Smart.fm utilizes research-based algorithms to introduce information in a way that helps users remember it. For example, the application will feature a new word along with its translation more frequently early on. "We want to optimize the sweet spot between the minimum number of times you have to see an item and the maximum effectiveness of that presentation," said the company's founder and chairman. MIT Technology Review
(11/3)
- Schools look to digital labs to improve language learning
Education foundations in New Jersey and Massachusetts are raising money for local school districts to install state-of-the-art language labs that feature digital technology for sharing materials, recording conversations and developing proficiency in foreign languages. A digitally equipped language lab "enables the teacher to expose students to a variety of native speakers using the language in a multitude of culturally appropriate situations," said one Massachusetts French teacher. Independent (Freehold, N.J.)
(11/5)
, Wicked Local/Cohasset
(11/6)
 | In the Glastonbury, CT Public Schools, foreign language learning is part of the core curriculum for all students in grades 1-12. Teachers give their students more interpersonal communication training in their target language in their digital language lab, which employs the Sony Virtuoso™ and Soloist® language learning software from SANS Inc. Read the Case Study |
| Policy Watch |  | |
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- Health care facilities see growing demand for language services
There is a growing demand for foreign language interpreters in hospitals and doctors' offices nationwide, say experts, and an effort to adopt national certification standards for medical interpreters is under way. While federal law requires free, basic language services be provided at all entities that receive federal funding -- including providers that receive Medicare reimbursement -- many private health care organizations determine whether to provide interpreters. The Wall Street Journal
(11/5)
- School district provides language classes for parents of students
Pennsylvania's Bristol school district is offering evening programs for immigrant families to learn English and participate in family educational activities designed to help them become more comfortable with their new surroundings and culture. Funded with state grant money, the Liberty Learning Center aims to increase participation in school activities among mothers of children from kindergarten through sixth grade and provides transportation and babysitting services during language classes and other activities. The Philadelphia Inquirer
(11/4)
| ACTFL News | | |
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Foreign Language Standards impact study
ACTFL is currently assessing the impact the Foreign Language Standards have had on the profession. As a first step of this assessment, we have produced a survey asking how the standards have been applied at all levels of instruction and frameworks. We need all language educators to participate in this survey!
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ACTFL offers 5 new on-site technology workshops for 2010!
- Language Learning Tools for the 21st Century
- Web Tools for Digital Storytelling
- Technology Tools for Communication & Assessment
- Using Emerging Technologies for Collaboration
- 21st Century Tools to Teach, Learn, Collaborate & Advocate
For more information, visit the Professional Development section at www.actfl.org or call (914) 963-8830, ext. 225.
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