language learning policies in the united states jacque bott van houten

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Intergovernmental Policy Forum Strasbourg, 6-8 2007 The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) and the development of language policies: challenges and responsibilities Language Learning Policies in the United States Jacque Bott Van Houten National Council of State Supervisors for Languages

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Intergovernmental Policy Forum Strasbourg, 6-8 2007 The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) and the development of language policies: challenges and responsibilities. Language Learning Policies in the United States Jacque Bott Van Houten - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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Page 1: Language Learning Policies  in the United States Jacque Bott Van Houten

Intergovernmental Policy ForumStrasbourg, 6-8 2007

The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) and the development of language

policies: challenges and responsibilities

Language Learning Policies

in the United States

Jacque Bott Van Houten

National Council of State Supervisors for Languages

Page 2: Language Learning Policies  in the United States Jacque Bott Van Houten

U.S. National Education Policies No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) of 2001

Accountability--adequate yearly progressLocal flexibility in spending and testing

Priority areas of Reading, Math, English

Focus on :STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math)Early Childhood Education, High School Redesign

NCSSFL

Page 3: Language Learning Policies  in the United States Jacque Bott Van Houten

The Role of World Languages in U.S. Policy

NCLB core subjects also include: Science, Foreign Languages, Arts, History Geography, Civics/Government NCLB new requirements for teacher qualifications National Security Language Initiative

• Expand critical language mastery• Increase numbers of advanced speakers• Increase number of teachers & resources

New Interest in International Education

NCSSFL

Page 4: Language Learning Policies  in the United States Jacque Bott Van Houten

State and Local Language Policies

16 states require 2 years or more language study for graduation or college admission

Most states and/or school districts have:• Foreign Language Frameworks based on

national standards• Benchmarks for achievement

Most school districts have foreign language curricula

Federal grant funding sets priorities

NCSSFL

Page 5: Language Learning Policies  in the United States Jacque Bott Van Houten

Support for Language Learning U.S. Department of Education, Office of English

Language Acquisition National Council of State Supervisors for Languages National Association of District Supervisors for Foreign

Languages 15 National Language Resource Centers American Council on the Teaching of Foreign

Languages National Network for Early Language Learning Joint National Committee on Languages Modern Language Association

NCSSFL

Page 6: Language Learning Policies  in the United States Jacque Bott Van Houten

Standards for Foreign Language

Learning in the 21st Century ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines ACTFL Performance Guidelines for K-12 Assessment tools, such as the Oral

Proficiency Interviews

NCSSFL

National Tools for Teaching and Learning

Page 7: Language Learning Policies  in the United States Jacque Bott Van Houten

Why CEFRL Appeals to Americans

Makes language learning transparentMakes language learning transparent Motivates and empowers the learnerMotivates and empowers the learner Promotes reflective learningPromotes reflective learning Provides a new way of looking at cultureProvides a new way of looking at culture Recognizes and values heritage languages Records individual progressRecords individual progress Facilitates articulation among language

programs Provides a common criteria/scale Provides a common criteria/scale Promotes language learning as a life-long

endeavor

NCSSFL

Page 8: Language Learning Policies  in the United States Jacque Bott Van Houten

American Interest in CEFRL

Cornell University German Studies Dept. University of Dayton research Brigham Young University, use of

ELP/CEFR Virginia Commonwealth University Kennesaw University (GA) Others (Missouri State U., University of

Kentucky, Murray State Univ., etc.

NCSSFL

Page 9: Language Learning Policies  in the United States Jacque Bott Van Houten

American Interest in the ELP - LinguaFolio 2003 Goethe-Institut sponsored seminar for

NCSSFL members in Düsseldorf 2004 Kentucky Meeting LinguaFolio versions in Kentucky, Nebraska,

Virginia, Indiana,Virginia NCSSFL LinguaFolio Year of Language Project 5-state pilot, NE research Concordia Language Village STARTALK

NCSSFL

Page 10: Language Learning Policies  in the United States Jacque Bott Van Houten

Why the interest?

Shared communicative focus Parallels to our ACTFL scales Supports U.S. trends and research Addresses the individual learner

Page 11: Language Learning Policies  in the United States Jacque Bott Van Houten

Challenges in the U.S.

Question of ELP/LF validation Alignment of ACTFL scales with Global

Scale

NCSSFL

www.ncssfl.org