MaFLA 2015 Fall Conference: Full Schedule

Massachusetts Foreign Language Association 2015 Fall Conference, October 29-31, Sturbridge, MA.

9:00am EDT

Design Beyond the Modes: Performance to Proficiency with IPAs for Transfer

We will design IPAs in the three modes of communication and then go beyond the modes. Using the Turnarounds to Transfer model, learn the characteristics of transfer to turnaround tasks you already designed and create new ones. These tasks align with the Common Core and help students think beyond themselves, building critical thinking skills. Please bring culturally authentic material and tasks you wish to turnaround!

Speakers

Jennifer Eddy

Thursday October 29, 2015 9:00am - 3:00pm EDT
Brookfield

Pedagogy, Workshop ($)

9:00am EDT

If Not Proficiency, What?

Feedback Survey

Language programs that are guided by principles of proficiency are better able to give their students what they want, and students are more inclined to stay with language study for a longer time. In this workshop, we will learn how to describe the different levels of speaking proficiency; we will be able to spot them when we see and hear them; and we will spend time learning how we plan to make proficiency happen.

Speakers

Greg Duncan

An internationally recognized expert in World Language education, Greg Duncan, will lead the Academy. Serving first as a high school teacher of Spanish for 12 years, and concurrently for seven of those years as department head of the Georgia public schools’ largest foreign language... Read More →

MaFLA 2015 Proficiency Workshop pdf

Thursday October 29, 2015 9:00am - 3:00pm EDT
Abbington

Pedagogy, Workshop ($)

9:00am EDT

Organizing and Supporting Your Students' Developing Proficiency: The New Teacher Guide

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This workshop will overview the nationally recognized characteristics and standards for highly effective foreign language teaching and advocacy. Tools will be provided to implement a proficiency-oriented and context-based approach to teaching, assessment and programming, with the goal of having a strong impact on student learning and documenting evidence to demonstrate it. Technological tools will be presented to spark student interest and engage learners in communicative and culturally-based classroom activities. Bring a device and a textbook if it isn't available online.

Speakers

Nicole Sherf

Professor, Salem State University

Information and resources to advocate for language learning and language programs.

6 Hour Handout docx

Thursday October 29, 2015 9:00am - 3:00pm EDT
Danforth

Pedagogy, Workshop ($)

4:30pm EDT

Create a Rich Learning Environment for Student Interaction: 90% Plus

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What makes for a truly rich environment for language learning? Consistent target language use plus student performance! Explore practical strategies for target language use by teachers and learners in the context of performance-based instruction: connecting with learners through their own demonstrably successful language use. In an interactive format, we will illustrate, brainstorm and demonstrate activities and techniques that promote positive conditions for language learning through 90%+ target language use and that help students develop proficiency and confidence.

Speakers

Charlotte Gifford

Chair, World Languages, Greenfield Community College

Thursday October 29, 2015 4:30pm - 8:30pm EDT
Abbington

Pedagogy, Workshop ($)

4:30pm EDT

Solutions for Online Translators

Feedback Survey

This is a follow-up workshop to the Best of MAFLA t session of the 2014 Conference. Last year, participants explored activities for students to avoid internet translation and encourage creativity. In this workshop (for people who attended the first one and first-time attendees), teachers will explore how to scaffold the writing process, structure rubrics, and teach students to evaluate translators and to use online dictionaries. Participants will be given time for discussion and to personalize learning.

Speakers

Amanda Robustelli-Price

French Teacher, Enfield Public Schools

I am a French teacher in northern Connecticut, and am passionate about preparing students for success in our interconnected world. I have been in the field of education for fifteen years, having worked as a teacher, department coordinator, and teacher trainer. I have returned to... Read More →

Translators Extended pdf

Translators Extended Unit Writing Template docx

Translators Extended pptx

Thursday October 29, 2015 4:30pm - 8:30pm EDT
Brookfield

Pedagogy, Workshop ($)

8:00am EDT

Move up the Ladder with Confidence and Clear Goals

Feedback Survey

Students climb the ladder of language proficiency best when they feel safe, confident, successful and have fun in the process. In this workshop, participants will learn and practice activities that provide a supportive context for risk-taking, build community, focus on authentic language use, and follow language proficiency goals and standards. Participants will also learn how to guide students in self-assessing their language proficiency so they can set, monitor and assess their goals.

Speakers

Joshua Cabral

World Language Teacher, World Language Classroom

Brockwood School

Friday October 30, 2015 8:00am - 11:00am EDT
Cheshire

Pedagogy, Workshop ($)

8:00am EDT

Using Proficiency Data for Program Improvement

Feedback Survey

Exemplary world language programs are guided by principles of proficiency. One of those important principles is using external data to reflect on student progress and to determine needed modifications in instructional delivery. This session will focus on what our external assessments can tell us about proficiency attainment and how we can use that information to enhance teaching and learning.

Speakers

Greg Duncan

MaFLA 2015 Data Workshop pdf

Friday October 30, 2015 8:00am - 11:00am EDT
Abbington

Pedagogy, Workshop ($)

1:00pm EDT

Achieving Proficiency Goals for Global Competence

Feedback Survey

In this workshop, participants will explore multiple ways of building proficiency in a foreign language classroom. Key strategies and activities that lead from performance toward proficiency will be demonstrated as a means of helping students to cross major proficiency borders. A focus on building intercultural competence as a means to encourage growth across skill areas within the target language will be highlighted. Participants will be provided with suggestions for classroom strategies.

Speakers

Rita Oleksak

Friday October 30, 2015 1:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
Danforth

Pedagogy, Workshop ($)

1:00pm EDT

Literacy and Proficiency: Making the Connection

Feedback Survey

Research confirms that study of another language can reinforce literacy gains in the native language, a powerful claim for World Language study as part of the core curriculum. Our classes can become learning environments where students simultaneously move up the proficiency ladder in the target language and make gains is literacy in both languages. Participants will study/review key documents from both fields, making connections notably between the Common Core standards for ELA and our field’s national standards and proficiency guidelines. We will examine how effective use of authentic materials foster students’ performance in all communicative modes. Working within the framework of Backward Design, participants will learn how to review and readjust curriculum to make these potential gains a reality.

Speakers

Charlotte Gifford

Chair, World Languages, Greenfield Community College

Friday October 30, 2015 1:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
Dudley

Pedagogy, Workshop ($)

1:00pm EDT

Unfolding Curriculum with Backward Design

Feedback Survey

How do I design from the Standards with performance as the goal? What does performance assessment look like? This workshop guides participants through a model protocol, aligning backward design specifically with the World Readiness Standards (5Cs). Teachers will learn how to design an articulated, thematic curriculum using Culture as the framer with transfer tasks that go beyond the communicative modes. Participants leave with tools to continue design work in their schools.

Speakers

Jennifer Eddy

Friday October 30, 2015 1:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
Cheshire

Pedagogy, Workshop ($)

8:15am EDT

Connecting Practice to Assessment in the Foreign Language Classroom

Feedback Survey

In this workshop, participants will examine a wide variety of local and external foreign language assessments used in Glastonbury Public Schools. Data gathered from these assessments will be used to spark conversation around performance activities that help to support building proficiency in a foreign language classroom. Teachers will have time to review data in order to reflect on ways to set appropriate benchmark goals for their own curricula, instruction and assessments.

Speakers

Rita Oleksak

Saturday October 31, 2015 8:15am - 11:15am EDT
Brookfield

Pedagogy, Workshop ($)

8:15am EDT

Curriculum Design with Culture at the Core

Feedback Survey

This session guides participants through a model protocol, aligning Understanding by Desing (UbD) specifically with 5Cs. Teachers and administrators will learn how to design program level, articulated, curriculum using Culture at the heart of the Enduring Understandings and Essential Questions in Stage One, Performance Assessment Student Statements in Stage Two, and Intercultural Competency Can Dos in Stage Three. This session is hands-on and interactive with presentation, examples, and discussion. Participants leave with tools to continue design work in their schools.

Speakers

Jennifer Eddy

Saturday October 31, 2015 8:15am - 11:15am EDT
Cheshire

Pedagogy, Workshop ($)