1. STARTALK Professional Development Course for Swahili Instructors: Theory and Practice July 19 th to 30 th, 2010 University of Wisconsin, Madison Alwiya S. Omar Indiana University, Bloomington

2. Backward Design Wiggins and McTighe (2005) identify the following stages: 1. Identify desired results 2. Determine acceptable evidence of learning 3. Plan teaching and learning experiences

3. Stage 1: Identifying desired results Set the goals and expectations: What should students know, understand, and be able to do? The goals need to be set according to the desired standards and proficiencies Clear end goals help in the teaching and learning and results in better student performance

4. Stage 2: Determine acceptable evidence of learning How will students attain the desired results? - design projects - determine length - short term or long term - think of a continuum of activities and assessment

5. Stage 3: Plan learning experiences and instruction - Use target language for instruction - Facilitate student centered learning - Ensure meaningful interaction in the target language - Integrate language, culture and content - Differentiate instruction based on student need - Select appropriate technological resources

6. Use of target language instruction - Tailor language into smaller comprehensible input - Provide models and scaffolding in the target language - Ensure students are engaged in purposeful activities - Use visuals, props, body language, songs, games to facilitate the understanding of language input

7. Facilitate student centered learning - Engage students in learning by using pairs or group work - Design activities that foster interaction between students and teacher/students - Encourage students to be active learners by providing them opportunities to explore with hands-on activities

8. Ensure meaningful interaction in the target language - Facilitate student learning that reflects real life language use in culturally appropriate way - Implement language teaching and learning in meaningful contexts and in themes that lead to deeper understanding of the target language and culture

9. Integrate language, culture, and content - Use authentic materials to ensure that students are learning language and content simultaneously - Ensure lessons are based on students’ interests - Provide opportunities for students to compare and contrast the similarities and differences between native and target languages and cultures

10. Differentiate instruction based on student need - Vary instruction based on ability and level - Design activities based on student interest - Allow students to demonstrate learning in a variety of ways - Offer students choice when possible

11. Materials and resources - Choose and adapt culturally authentic materials - Select texts, realia, and other materials - Specify technology and how it will be used to enhance learning

12. Culturally authentic materials - Newspapers - Recipes - Internet sites, blogs - Poetry - TV/Radio commercials, announcements - Music - Film and theater - Maps and schedules - Cartoons - Signs - Podcasts

13. Task Think of a project that you would like your students to do to achieve an aspect of the course goals. - How long would the project be? - What activities will you assign the students? - How will the project be assessed? - How will the project end - oral, written, or both?

14. References Clifford, R. (2006) Classroom Implications of the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines. Workshop presented at the ALTA conference, March 23, 2006, Rutgers University. Pino, B. (1998) Prochievement Testing of Speaking: Matching Instructor Expectations, Learner Proficiency Level, and Text Type. Texas Papers in Foreign Language Education. V3 n3 pg 119-33 Fall 1998 Wiggins, G. and McTighe, J. (2005). Understanding by Design. Merrill Education/ASCD Textbook series http://www.actfl/org for ACTFL proficiency guidelines http://www.discoverlanguages.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm? pageid=3392#standards

15. Any questions? Please contact me at: E-mail: aomar@indiana.eduaomar@indiana.edu Tel: 812 855 3323 Office: 326 Memorial Hall Bloomington, IN 47405 Indiana University African language web page: http://www.indiana.edu/~afrilang THANK YOU