assignments

The University of Illinois at Chicago
Spanish/French 448:

Foundations in Communicative Language Teaching

Fall 2004
Professor: Dr. Kim Potowski

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Course requirements

Course assignments

Portfolio 35%
Reflections 15%
Midterm 15%
Responses MCLTH 15%
Class participation 10%
Classroom observations 10%

Portfolio (6 items). Due Friday, Dec. 3, 2004 @ 5:00 pm.

Your portfolio contains original 50-minute activities that represent your development as a teacher. All portfolio activities will be completed in pairs* and will be submitted via TaskStream. More detailed instructions on how to complete each activity will be found in TaskStream. Note that no activities copied from other sources may be used in your portfolio; copied activities will automatically receive a zero for the lesson.

*You must work with at least two (2) different partners on your portfolio.

Original lessons to be included in the portfolio:

#1: Structured input followed by structured output: grammar.

#2: Structured input followed by structured output: vocabulary.

#3: Listening activity with post-activity assessment.

#4: Listening activity with post-activity assessment that uses an
authentic target language song. Note: contemporary songs are usually more successful with high school students.

#5: Speaking activity with post-activity assessment.

#6: One 50-minute video lesson (see Shrum & Glisan chapter 12, in library).

Note #1: At least one lesson must show evidence of having used a scanner or a digital camera, and one must use Power Point (structured input is a great time to use Power Point).

Note #2: All lessons must include the national standards they address. You will find more instructions in TaskStream.

Reflections (4 total, 4-5 pages each). Due dates specified below.

Reflection #1, due 9/20/04.

Write about three (3) threads in FL Teach that you found interesting: one dealing with the development of speaking or listening skills, one about classroom management, and the third is your choice. Summarize the post(s) and include your reactions.

Reflection #2, due 10/25/04.
Note: Reflection #2 will be completed in pairs. Remember to put both students' names on the paper.

Write about the ethics of using technology in teaching. This should minimally include two aspects: (1) equitable student access to technology, particularly when students don't have computers at home, and (2) proper citation procedures for internet sources. You may also talk about other aspects of the ethics of using technology in teaching. Some good websites are listed below, but you are also encouraged to use a good search engine like www.google.com to find more information.

“Copyright in an electronic environment:”
http://www.dpi.state.nc.us/copyright1.html

“Ethical uses in Technology Use for Language Teaching:” http://edvista.com/claire/ethicstesol97.html

"Managing computer use"
http://www.intel.com/education/newtotech/managing.htm

Reflection #3, due 11/08/04.

What kinds of language and dress are (un)professional for a high school teacher?

Reflection #4, due 11/22/04.

What is your philosophy of language teaching? Your response to this question should come from material you've learned in Spanish/French 448, not from general Education courses.

Responses MCLTH

Whenever you are assigned a chapter from our textbook (Making Communicative Language Teaching Happen, or MCLTH), you must complete the online exercises associated with it (go to www.mhhe.com/mclth2, and click on “student edition”). You will email the section called “Test Yourself” to your instructors (at mclth2004@yahoo.com and mho@uic.edu) by 8:00 pm the night before class. Answers received after 8:00 pm will not receive credit.

You will also prepare in writing your answer to one or two “Think About It” questions. It is also a good idea to look at the “Definitions” sections for possible midterm questions.

Midterm. Oct. 11, 2004.

This will be a 90-minute exam during which you will write answers to a series of questions. You will be given the main topics beforehand. It is also a good idea to look at the “Definitions” sections of the online MCLTH activities for possible midterm questions.

Class participation

Substantive participation in classroom discussions is expected. This is based on your own contributions and opinions, but also on comments that clearly indicate that you have completed the homework readings and questions. Your feedback on your classmates’ presentations will also be taken into account for your class participation grade.

Classroom observations. Due 10/18/04 (UIC) and 11/1/04 (HS).

1) Everyone: You will be given instructions to arrange a visit to a UIC elementary Spanish or French class during Week 6 or 7 of the semester. You will be asked to write a series of reflective responses about your observations and, only if not done in #1 above, create an Excel spreadsheet that contains invented names of students and formulae for calculating grades. Due 10/18/04.

Click here for the list of instructors and dates/times.
.
Click here for the UIC observation sheet.

Coming soon: instructions for Excel spreadsheet.

Note: If you are not taking Ed 330 at this time, the grade for "Classroom observations" will come entirely from your UIC observations.

2 ) Only if you are currently enrolled in Ed 330/432:
You will be asked to write a series of reflective responses about your observations of HS Spanish/French classes and also create an Excel spreadsheet that contains the names of the students in the class you observe as well as formulae for calculating grades. Due 11/1/04.

Coming soon: Instructions for reflective responses for HS observations and for Excel spreadsheet.

If you are taking Ed 330 at this time, you should only complete one Excel spreadsheet, containing the high school students' names.