1. A Successful Language Program
2009 CHINESE LEARN CONFERENCE
Luba Grant & Richard Donovan
Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center
Disclaimer: The views, opinions, and all findings contained in this presentation are those of the author(s) of this presentation and do not necessarily represent the views of the Department of Defense, the Department of the Army, or the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center

2. Asian School I Org Chart

3. Critical Elements of Success
Program Management
Faculty
Student Feedback/Evaluation
Collaboration
Motivation
Leadership

4. Program Management Course Objectives Focused Curriculum
- Language, Culture,
Area Studies
Currency
Job–Related Track
Methodology
Immersion

5. Program Management (cont’)
Technology (to support program as required by curriculum)
Availability
Pedagogically Sound
Training of Faculty and Students

6. FACULTY Personnel: 143 Teachers Professional Development
Hiring (FY08 to date: 33)
Qualifications
Effective Working Groups
Professional Development
Provide Opportunities for Academic & Leadership Training
Promote Professional Presentations (Language Teaching & Research Forum)

7. Student Feedback/Evaluation
Feedback to the Students
During the Course
Classroom Assessment
Tests
Diagnostic Assessment
Formal Counseling
Post-Course:
Proficiency Evaluation Based on ILR Scale
DLPT 5

8. Student Feedback & Evaluation (cont’)
Feedback From Students:
Questionnaires During and After Course
Sensing Sessions

9. Collaboration – Sharing of Ideas & Resources
Among & Between Faculty
Cross Campus
Institutional Partnerships

10. Motivation Be Inclusive Encourage Innovation Coach/Mentor Be Fair
Make Goals Achievable

11. Critical Elements of Success

12. Leadership Provides the Necessary Cohesion

13. Academic Leadership “I never worry about action, but only about
inaction.”
Winston Churchill

14. Academic Leadership Essential Qualities of a Leader…
Ability to Create a Vision
Skill to Inspire Others
Willingness to Resolve Problems

15. Leadership Triad

16. Develop a Vision Seek to Understand Previous Vision
Analyze what happened and how it could have been done differently
Where is the divergence?
How it can be resolved?

17. Inspiration Provide Guidance Set Challenges
Develop Healthy Competition
Redirect if Needed
Recognize Progress
Reward Achievement

18. Resolving Problems “WHAT If?” vice “If ONLY!” Approach
Appreciative Inquiry – Technique to Solve Problems and Create New Theories
Collect Opinions Through Dialogue
Define Problem in Practical Terms
Maintain Open Mind
Don’t Accept “un-executable”

19. Grant’s 11 Leadership Principles
Build the “Right” Team
Keep Your People Informed
Develop Subordinates Through Delegation
Seek and Take Responsibility (accept “just” criticism)
Make Sound and Timely Decisions
Set Example Through Your Own Actions

20. Leadership Principles
Communicate and Supervise (ensure understanding of tasks)
Seek and Encourage Self-Improvement
9. Be Technically Proficient
10. Know Your People
11. Care for Your Staff

21. Asian I Chinese Program Student Results
FY 08 (DLPT IV & 5)
66% achieved 2/2/1+
26% achieved 2+/2+/2
FY09 to date (DLPT5)
72% achieved 2/2/1+
32% achieved 2+/2+/2

22. Words of Wisdom Chinese Proverb …
“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.”
“植树的最佳时间是20年前，现在还为时不晚.”

23. For Additional Info

25. DISCLAIMER
The views, opinions, and all findings contained in this presentation are those of the author(s) of this presentation and do not represent the views of the Department of Defense, of the Department of the Army, or of the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center

26. ASIAN I SCHOOL

27. Words of Wisdom
Chinese Proverb …
“植树的最佳时间是20年前，现在还为时不晚.”

29. English: “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago
English: “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.”
In Chinese characters: 植树的最佳时间是20年前，现在还为时不晚。
In Pinyin: Zhíshù de zuìjiā shíjiān shì èrshí nián qián, xiànzài hái wéishí bù wǎn.