Category: Multilingual Learning

Proficiency in World Languages more than just vocabulary

As Maine moves to a proficiency-based diploma, students will be required to demonstrate proficiency in content areas including World Languages.

World Languages are specific linguistic systems that involve not just vocabulary or “term sets,” but also reveal perspectives, expose cultures, allow students to interpret authentic cultural materials and engage in conversation in languages other than their own, and are organized and expressed through a structuring grammar and syntax. Continue reading “Proficiency in World Languages more than just vocabulary” →

Regional standards-based instruction and assessment workshop for World Language teachers

The Standards-Based Instruction and Assessment Initiative is an ongoing collaborative effort between the Maine DOE, the Foreign Language Association of Maine and the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL). Regional workshops are being offered through the collaborative to educate and support World Language teachers on standards-based instruction and assessment of student proficiency as districts implement the proficiency-based diploma law. Continue reading “Regional standards-based instruction and assessment workshop for World Language teachers” →

Jay Ketner joins Maine DOE as World Languages Specialist

Dr. Jay Ketner has joined the Maine DOE as its World Languages Specialist. In his new role, Ketner will support districts in their implementation of best practices in world languages education and serve as the regional representative for Cumberland County. Continue reading “Jay Ketner joins Maine DOE as World Languages Specialist” →

Chinese guest teacher and trainee program applications due

The College Board Chinese Language and Culture Initiatives is sponsored through a collaboration with the Confucius Institute Headquarters (Hanban) and offers programs to support the growth of Chinese language and culture education in U.S. schools. Schools can apply now to host a Chinese guest teacher or teacher-in-training for the 2014-15 school year. The application deadline is Friday, Feb. 7.  Continue reading “Chinese guest teacher and trainee program applications due” →

Expand Maine’s Chinese language and culture programs

UPDATE: The application deadline has been extended to Aug. 23.

K–12 and higher education administrators, school leaders and other education decision-makers actively seeking to develop new and expanded Chinese programs are invited to attend the 2013 Chinese Bridge Delegation — a one-week trip to China hosted by Hanban. The trip, scheduled for Nov. 6-14, will focus on school visits, cultural activities and educational workshops with the aim of helping attendees start and expand their at-home Chinese language and culture programs.

Continue reading “Expand Maine’s Chinese language and culture programs” →

World languages initiative hosts institute, seeks teacher leaders

Once again this June, the Maine Department of Education, in collaboration with the Foreign Language Association of Maine (FLAME) and the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL), will hold a summer institute for Maine world language teachers (as both regular participants and teacher leaders) from June 25-28 at the University of Maine Farmington. Continue reading “World languages initiative hosts institute, seeks teacher leaders” →

Maine teachers have opportunity to teach in Taiwan

Through a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Education in the Republic of China (Taiwan), the Maine Department of Education invites new and experienced licensed teachers to apply to the Teaching in Taiwan program. The selected educators will teach English to students in Taiwan in public elementary and junior high schools (grades K-9) for one academic year beginning in August 2013.

Continue reading “Maine teachers have opportunity to teach in Taiwan” →

Professional development series offered to world language teachers

A series of free workshops are being offered to world language teachers at the elementary, middle and high school levels for the remainder of the 2012-13 school year. Eighteen Maine world language teachers have been trained as teacher leaders to provide this regional, standards-based professional development. Contact the world language teacher leader(s) listed below to register for a regional workshop.

Continue reading “Professional development series offered to world language teachers” →