Teaching foreign language

[goddess40]

Our district would like to move into the real world and begin to teach foreign language K-12. Our school days are packed and I'd like some sample daily school schedules has to how other countries make it work. If you could help me out that would be great.

My thought right now is to go to year round school, instead of the two and one half month summer break we now use, so that teachers don't have to spend weeks reviewing and reteaching what was lost over the summer. That would regain time that could be spread out through the year to teach foreign language.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

1. You might want to look into how they teach languages in

Scandinavia and the Netherlands. Those countries do the best job, in my opinion.

Most European countries start somewhere between ages 10 and 12, although I believe that bilingual or multilingual countries start earlier.

[rpannier]

2. Live in Korea

They begin teaching English in 3rd Grade and Chinese in 5th.

Mine learned English vocabulary and sentences in 3rd and 4tn Grade -- almost no writing at all.
Then in 5th Grade they begin teaching them how to write.

In '10 English instruction begins in 1st and Chinese in 3rd

But we are on a 6 day-5 day school week. One week 6 days, 1 week 5 days.
We start at 9 and depending on the grade and day-of-the-week finish anywhere between 1 and 3 pm
Winter vacation is 6 weeks summer 4 weeks.

[CEDAWrocks]

3. Focus on languages that children are exposed to

Here in Australia, many of the schools teach Indonesian. Instructors are also generally native speakers. You will also frequently find Chinese and/or other Asian languages reflecting the high number of Asia/Pacific immigrants in Australia. In the states, children should focus on languages that they will have greater access to -- Spanish, French (Canada). Teaching in the classroom is great, but to truly become proficient you need to have more exposure. A number of schools here also provide immersion for kids thus giving them the ability to complete their primary education and learn a language in a complete "target language" setting.

I totally agree with you w/r/t year round school. Since my kids began schooling here, they have been much more focused. After each quarter the kids are on two week breaks -- followed by a much shorter summer vacation (Dec - Jan here). The local governments also have a huge amount of activities kids can do during the breaks from sports camps, horse camps, to language learning. I truly believe year round is the way to go.

Good luck in your efforts! I believe teaching is the highest calling.

Cheers

[Lydia Leftcoast]

4. Good points

Start with languages that are useful locally. Contrary to what people might think, learning subsequent languages becomes easier, not harder, so if the child learns Spanish in school and has to learn Chinese for a future job, s/he will instinctively know how to learn a language.

When I taught Japanese, some of my best students ever were Malaysians, who come from a quadrilingual country: Malay, Chinese, Tamil, and English. They were so accustomed to speaking foreign languages that they lacked the biggest obstacle to successful learning: fear.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

5. Another point about learning languages of neighboring countries

When I was in college, I had a Danish roommate for January Term. I was already a language buff, so I asked her about her foreign language learning experiences. She said that when she studied German, her class took regular field trips to Germany and stayed with host families so that they were forced to speak it.

By the way, the most successful countries (Scandinavian countries, the Netherlands) don't use total immersion programs. Many people were surprised to learn that I did NOT like Portland's Japanese immersion program. There were not enough teachers who were either native speakers or near-native speakers (e.g. Americans who grew up in Japan), so a lot of the teachers weren't so great at Japanese themselves. There were no Japanese kids in the program, so the English-speaking kids reinforced one another's mistakes. The parents didn't speak Japanese themselves, so they had no idea that their kids were learning ungrammatical language. There were few opportunities outside the program to speak or hear Japanese as spoken by native speakers of the same age (unlike, say, Spanish). The results were paltry-- high school students who had gone through the program for 10 years spoke about as well as second-year college students. Most of the Japanese teachers in the area did NOT put their children in the program.

The Spanish programs seemed a lot more successful, since the kids had many, many opportunities to be exposed to native-level Spanish, not only with the large numbers of Latino immigrants, teachers who had grown up speaking Spanish at home, and students whose immigrant parents or grandparents wanted them to maintain and improve their Spanish, but also with the easy availability of Spanish-language TV and radio.

So on the whole, I'd say teach whatever language has the most speakers in your community. If that's Vietnamese or Navaho, teach that. You don't need an immersion program, but if you do have one, be sure the teachers are native speakers and that there are plenty of opportunities for the kids to interact with other native speakers.

[ann1e]

6. Mandatory live/learn abroad for ALL university applicants

What I propose is that all American high-school graduates MUST spend one year abroad, either teaching English in a developing country, learning a foreign language, or volunteering manual labor. In exchange, they will receive significant discount on their university tuition. This would really make a huge difference in how American's perceive the rest of the world; the interaction between foreigners abroad would go great distances towards global diplomacy. I should be president; this would be my very first initiative.

[whathehell]

9. But why restrict this to Americans?

Americans aren't the only people who could

use a broader perspective. Provincialism abounds,

whether it's in Asia, the United States or

the Middle East.

It might surprise you to know, for instance,

that more Americans have visited Europe than the reverse.

[ICDpress]

7. The Language of Art & Music

Call for Applications

******

Dear Professors, Friends and Colleagues,

On behalf of the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy, I am writing to bring to your attention the following major programs hosted by us in partnership with other leading organizations. Each Program will bring together young professionals, students and scholars, governmental and diplomatic officials, civil society practitioners, private sector representatives, journalists, and other interested stakeholders from across the world for a program of lectures, workshops, group discussions and cultural excursions featuring leading figures from the fields of politics, the arts, academia, media, and business.

We are currently accepting applications for these events (below), and I would be grateful if you could share this announcement by forwarding the information below to anyone you think may be interested in attending. I would also be delighted to welcome you as a participant in Berlin.

The Language of Art & Music
"A Three Piece Puzzle: The Relationship between Culture, International Relations and Globalization"
(Berlin, International Conference, July 27th - 31st 2011)
www.icd-languageofartandmusic.org

Art as Cultural Diplomacy: A Forum for Young Leaders
(Berlin, Weeklong Seminar, July 27th – August 3rd, 2011)
www.icd-artasculturaldiplomacy.org

The ICD Academy for Cultural Diplomacy
"A Three Piece Puzzle: The Relationship between Culture, International Relations and Globalization"
(Berlin, Weeklong Seminar, July 25th – 31st, 2011)
www.icd-academy.org

Thank you for your attention and for your cooperation in sharing the news of our upcoming events. If you do not wish to receive emails from the ICD in future, please send us an email to [e-mail] indicating this.

We look forward to seeing you in Berlin.

With warmest regards,

Mark Donfried
Director & Founder
Institute for Cultural Diplomacy (ICD)
Ku´damm Karree (3rd Floor/Hochhaus)
Kurfürstendamm 207-8 Berlin, Germany-10719
Phone: [phone]
www.culturaldiplomacy.org
[e-mail]

------------ Please forward the announcement found below --------Thank you --------------

The Language of Art & Music
"A Three Piece Puzzle: The Relationship between Culture, International Relations and Globalization"
(Berlin, International Conference, July 27th - 31st 2011)

Art as Cultural Diplomacy: A Forum for Young Leaders
(Berlin, Weeklong Seminar, July 27th – August 3rd, 2011)

The ICD Academy for Cultural Diplomacy
"A Three Piece Puzzle: The Relationship between Culture, International Relations and Globalization"
(Berlin, Weeklong Seminar, July 25th – 31st, 2011)

-------------- All programs are currently accepting applications ---------------


Dear Sir/ Madam,

The Institute for Cultural Diplomacy is currently accepting applications for the events outlined above, all of which will take place in Berlin during summer 2011. Each Program will bring together young professionals, students and scholars, governmental and diplomatic officials, civil society practitioners, private sector representatives, journalists, and other interested stakeholders from across the world for a program of lectures, workshops, group discussions and cultural excursions featuring leading figures from the fields of politics, the arts, academia, media, and business.

The Language of Art & Music
"A Three Piece Puzzle: The Relationship between Culture, International Relations and Globalization"
(Berlin, International Conference, July 27th - 31st 2011)
www.icd-languageofartandmusic.org

“A Three Piece Puzzle” is an international Conference taking place in Berlin from July 27th - 31st, 2011 to explore the relationship between culture, international relations, and globalization through a program of workshops, lectures & discussions, debates, film screenings, art exhibitions, performances and cultural activities. The event will bring together artists and practitioners from the fields of culture, literature, and music, that will share their perspectives alongside renowned academics and leading figures from international politics, diplomacy, civil society, and the public sector. The audience will include scholars and academics, students and young professionals, artists, diplomatic and political representatives, representatives of civil society, and other interested stakeholders.

The conference will begin by looking in greater detail at "culture" and "identity" and how these terms are used and understood today. The program will then build on these components by considering the role that culture plays in contemporary international relations and the process of globalization. The conference will then explore and summarize the challenges that lie ahead and the complex relationship between culture, international relations, and globalization over the next two decades (during these five days the concepts of "cultural diplomacy" will also be explored in more detail).

Conference Speakers
The event will bring together artists and practitioners from the fields of culture, literature, and music, that will share their perspectives alongside renowned academics and leading figures from international politics, diplomacy, civil society, and the public sector. These speakers will include a number of individuals from the ICD Advisory Board.

Conference Participants Application Form
The conference is open to applications from young professionals, students and scholars, diplomatic and political representatives, civil society practitioners, private sector figures, journalists, , and other interested stakeholders in international relations from across the world

To apply please visit:
http://www.culturaldiplomacy.org/academy/index.php?en_conferences_tsp2011_applicationform

******

Art as Cultural Diplomacy:
A Forum for Young Leaders
(Berlin, Weeklong Seminar, July 27th – August 3rd, 2011)
www.icd-artasculturaldiplomacy.org

Art has a unique role in cultural diplomacy; whether visual arts, literature, film, music, dance or theatre they have the power to transcend political borders and cultural barriers. The arts can appeal to universal feelings, thoughts and ideas that everyone can understand, but also can be specific to certain times, places and political climates.

Art as Cultural Diplomacy: A Forum for Young Leaders (ACD) is a network of young influential individuals from across the world, who have an interest in art, music, cultural studies, international relations, political science, peace studies, diplomacy and beyond as well as those interested in exploring the potential for art to serve as a catalyst for cultural diplomacy at both local, national and international levels.

The forthcoming CDA Weeklong Seminar will be held in Berlin from July 27th – August 3rd, 2011. The weeklong seminar is an international and interdisciplinary gathering of young professionals and students from across the world who are looking to develop a career in the cultural sector. The seminar provides an opportunity for young people to expand their knowledge about current and future developments in the field, meet with current and former key cultural players, build sustainable networks with each other and experience Berlin and its rich and diverse cultural life. The program will consist of speeches, panel discussions and workshops by leading figures from the fields of performing arts, visual arts, film, literature, architecture, academia, diplomacy and policymakers. Speakers will offer a range of perspectives on current and conceptual issues in the development of cultural policy and arts administration within an international context, and the current and future potential of the arts as a diplomatic tool.

The online application form can be found under: http://www.culturaldiplomacy.org/acd/index.php?en_ylf_application-form

******

The ICD Academy for Cultural Diplomacy
"A Three Piece Puzzle: The Relationship between Culture, International Relations and Globalization"
(Berlin, Weeklong Seminar, July 25th – 31st, 2011)
(www.icd-academy.org)

ICD Academy Sessions are weeklong programs that explore the role of cultural diplomacy in contemporary international relations. Each program features lectures, seminars and workshops lead by experts from the fields of international politics, diplomacy, academia, civil society, and the private sector. During their time in Berlin participants will also have the opportunity to take part in cultural and social activities and to visit institutions such as the German Foreign Office, the German Parliament, the Berlin City Hall, cultural institutions and Berlin-based embassies.

Seminars Speakers >
Speakers during the Academy Sessions include experts from the fields of politics, diplomacy, civil society, academia, and the private sector.

Seminars Participants >
Each Academy Session will bring together an interdisciplinary group of individuals from across the world. Typical participants include young professionals, students, civil society practitioners, scholars and academics, journalists, and private sector representatives.

To apply please visit:
http://www.culturaldiplomacy.org/academy/index.php?en_academy_seminars

******

The Institute for Cultural Diplomacy
www.culturaldiplomacy.org

The Institute for Cultural Diplomacy is an international, not-for-profit, non-governmental organization with headquarters in Berlin, Germany. The goal of the ICD is to promote global peace and stability by strengthening and supporting intercultural relations at all levels. Over the past decade the ICD has grown to become one of Europe’s largest independent cultural exchange organizations, hosting programs that facilitate interaction among individuals of all cultural, academic, and professional backgrounds, from across the world.

Previous Events
Previous events held by the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy include the Berlin International Economics Congress 2011 (Berlin, March 9th - 12th 2011 – www.biec.de ), which hosted The Hon. Nahas Angula - Prime minister of Namibia; The Hon. Jean-Paul Adam - Foreign Minister of the Republic of Seychelles; The Hon. Alberto Jose Guevara Obregon - Minister of Finance of Nicaragua; The Hon. Al Imam Al Sadig Al Mahdi - Former Prime minister of Sudan; The Hon. Akua Sena Dansua - Minister for Tourism of Ghana; and The Hon. Edmund Bartlett - Minister of Tourism of Jamaica.

In January 2011 the ICD hosted "The Future of US Foreign Policy" (Washington DC, January 4th-6th), which hosted The Honorable Michael Chertoff - Former United States Secretary of Homeland Security; Senator William Emerson Brock III - 18th United States Secretary of Labor; Admiral James Milton Loy - Former Commandant of the Coast Guard; Vivian Schiller – Former CEO and President of NPR; Governor William Weld - Former Governor of Massachusettsand The Hon. Senator Tim Hutchinson - Former United States Senator from Arkansas.

For more information on speakers who have attended previous ICD events, please click here.

Please address any additional queries to [e-mail]

We look forward to seeing you in Berlin.

Mark Donfried
Director & Founder

Institute for Cultural Diplomacy (ICD)
Ku´damm Karree (3rd Floor/Hochhaus)
Kurfürstendamm 207-8 Berlin, Germany-10719
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]-76811
www.culturaldiplomacy.org
[e-mail]

Join the ICD’s global network on Facebook – click here
Keep up-to-date with the latest developments in the field by following the ICD on Twitter – click here
Become a member of the ICD and help create a strong Cultural Diplomacy community – click here ____________________________________________________________ ___
This e-mail contains privileged and confidential information intended only
for the use of the individual or entity named above. If the reader of this
e-mail is not the intended recipient or the employee or agent responsible
for routing it to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any
review, dissemination, copying or forwarding of this e-mail is strictly
prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, please reply to the
sender of such and delete the e-mail in its entirety. Thank you.

[ICDpress]

8. ATTENTION: POSTPONED: The Languge of Art and Culture

Call for Applications

******

Dear Professors, Friends and Colleagues,

On behalf of the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy, I am writing to bring to your attention the following major programs hosted by us in partnership with other leading organizations. Each Program will bring together young professionals, students and scholars, governmental and diplomatic officials, civil society practitioners, private sector representatives, journalists, and other interested stakeholders from across the world for a program of lectures, workshops, group discussions and cultural excursions featuring leading figures from the fields of politics, the arts, academia, media, and business.

We are currently accepting applications for these events (below), and I would be grateful if you could share this announcement by forwarding the information below to anyone you think may be interested in attending. I would also be delighted to welcome you as a participant in Berlin.

The Language of Art & Music
"A Three Piece Puzzle: The Relationship between Culture, International Relations and Globalization"
(Berlin, International Conference, August 18th - 21st 2011)
www.icd-languageofartandmusic.org

Art as Cultural Diplomacy: A Forum for Young Leaders
(Berlin, Weeklong Seminar, August 15th - 21st, 2011)
www.icd-artasculturaldiplomacy.org

Thank you for your attention and for your cooperation in sharing the news of our upcoming events. If you do not wish to receive emails from the ICD in future, please send us an email to [e-mail] indicating this.

We look forward to seeing you in Berlin.

With warmest regards,

Mark Donfried
Director & Founder
Institute for Cultural Diplomacy (ICD)
Ku´damm Karree (3rd Floor/Hochhaus)
Kurfürstendamm 207-8 Berlin, Germany-10719
Phone: [phone]
www.culturaldiplomacy.org
[e-mail]